Three popular “A, B, C islands” make up the southern string of islands just off the north coast of Venezuela. As part of the Dutch Antilles, these Caribbean island gems are extensions of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Drier than it’s northern Antilles rain-forested cousins, the A, B, C islands beauty is in it’s beaches, it’s mangroves and it’s consistent warm dry conditions. Being only about 12’ north of the equator, the sun can be very intense – but the offsetting trade winds keep a consistent breeze blowing to have movement of air (sometimes quite gusty in May and June) that helps the scorching heat. A secondary side benefit of the east-west trade winds is that it is kept out of the hurricane pathway that most often veers northward once it reaches the Gulf of Mexico – thus keeping the islands out of harms way.
As equal opportunity lovers of the humid rain forested Caribbean islands, GoGirlfriend also has a love on for the drier, warmer, windy A, B, C islands. There’s lots to do with rich snorkeling, diving, land-sailing and beachy adventures just not found in the other Caribbean islands.
Aruba “One Happy Island”
With more sunny days than any other island, and beaches fronting all sides, Aruba is big enough to offer some diverse activities, yet small enough to rent a scooter and explore it all. Most activities are centered on the leeward west coast with resorts and hotels abundant north and west of the capital Oranjestad, and the natural beauty of the Natural Bridge and Arikok National Park face the eastern windward side.
Carl Quant and Endy Croes got married Nov. 4 in Bonaire, the Caribbean island that, together with Aruba and Curaçao, forms the ABC islands. They were both living and working in Aruba earlier this year when I visited, but Quant has since transferred within the hospitality industry to Bonaire, where same-sex weddings are allowed.
Aruba is a ‘very gay-friendly’ island But still, Aruba is very gay-friendly. “I’ve had no issues whatsoever being gay (in Aruba); we don’t do anything different than any other person,” based on our sexual-orientation, said Croes.
For instance, they danced together at Croes’ Christmas party last December, with about 250 attending. “We can go to any restaurant in Aruba and not feel any different just because we’re gay. We’re very open, very out (about our sexuality), and have even been featured in local media,” Croes said.
“Aruba is just very gay-friendly,” Quant added. “There are gay bars (in Aruba) and gay-friendly (straight) bars. We’ve had no issues at restaurants either. Coming from a hospitality background, I pay close attention (to customer service), and we’ve never had any problems, none whatsoever. We get the same service as anyone.”