Let the Games Begin!

Let the games begin and so they have in the small island known as Aruba. This summer was the 2009 Kingdom Games in Aruba. They call this place one happy island and every summer that happiness is mixed with a little competiveness when these competitions take place. What are the Kingdom Games? Well they are an island form of the Olympics and while the ancient Greeks probably have nothing to worry about, these games are fun and the competition is real.

The Kingdom Games first started in Aruba in 1965 and continue to this day although there was a slight break in the action, actually from 1975 to 1994 due to complicated reasons the games were put on hold. But beginning back in 1995 the games returned. Athletes from Aruba, Holland and the Netherlands all compete in contests that are very much like the Olympic games themselves. Competitors give it their all in track and field, soccer, softball, swimming and synchronized swimming along with tae-kwon-do. The games are not always hosted by Aruba which is what made this year special as they took place on the island itself with the closing ceremonies in Guillermo Trinidad Sport Stadium.

The opening ceremonies gave tourists who might not have even known they happened to be vacationing at the exact same time as the games a rare sight. Those ceremonies included a parade of hundreds of athletes from all of the nations of the Dutch Kingdom marching across the island. It was sight to be seen and you can bet that many tourists had plenty of stories to tell once the returned to their normal lives around the world. They saw an actual princess in a horse drawn carriage, that lady being Princess Margaret representing the people of Holland.

Aruba is not only a beautiful place to spend a getaway, it is also a fun destination that has surprises for its citizens and visitors alike. The Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival will be next on the calendar featuring world famous musician David Sanborn, a seven time Grammy winner. Close behind will be the Aruba Music Festival featuring Earth, Wind and Fire. The festival is one of the longest running music festivals in the world and is held on the island each year. Along with the beautiful sunsets, blue water and white sandy beaches, there is always something to do on the island of Aruba so plan your vacation now. See you there!