Alluring Aruba Part II

Come and experience more of Aruba, where you’ll discover a windmill, the island nation’s natural wonders and a sanctuary for some adorable hooved natives.

De Oude Molen is an old windmill first built in 1804 in Holland, then shipped to Aruba in pieces. It was later reconstructed and features a decent restaurant—moderately priced--that specializes in continental dining.

The once popular Natural Bridge, unfortunately, is no more. This unusual phenomenon collapsed in September, 2005 (too many tourists, me thinks), but its remains are still interesting to see. The bridge was a formation of coral limestone cut out by years of pounding surf, and spanned more than 100 feet.

The Cura di Tortuga is a secret (yeah, right), hidden Natural Pool on the windward coast. It is surrounded by rocks and some of Aruba's most rugged terrain – definitely off the beaten path, making it even more worthwhile. Many come here to dive from the rock cliffs into the protected pool of ocean water.

And finally…The Donkey Sanctuary! Is this guy cute or what??? The non-profit sanctuary was founded in 1997 and is run by volunteers. Their mission: Save the Donkeys! Although not originally native to Aruba, they have existed there for 500 years, starting out as a primary form of transportation. The Donkey Sanctuary is located just northwest of the Natural Pool.

Like fish? Here’s another recipe from Aruba:

KERI KERI

Ingredients
2 pounds fresh, firm, boneless, white-flesh fish fillet
1 quart water
1 tablespoon salt
1 celery stalk, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 onion, diced
10 fresh basil leaves, chopped
4 tablespoons margarine
1/4 teaspoon annatto powder (can usually be found in the Mexican foods section of the grocery store. Also known as Achiote powder. Can substitute turmeric. I think paprika would also suffice.)
Freshly ground black pepper

In a large saucepan, boil fish in salted water for 20 minutes. Remove fish and flake. Saute celery, bell pepper, onion and basil leaves in margarine for 3 minutes, stirring. Add flaked fish and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in annatto powder and freshly ground pepper.

Alluring ARUBA

Aruba! Think beaches…and so much more. It’s true, Aruba has some of the most amazing beaches in the world (often featured on travel channel and “best beaches” lists). Wide, clean, and gorgeous, all with easy public access, like Eagle Beach pictured here. But wait til you hear what else there is to do when you want a break from the sand and surf.

Ancient ruins, eerie caves, a very cool church, a lighthouse…and that’s just the start! Here’s Part 1 of Aruba. I’ll cover some of the other attractions in a few days.

The Bushiribana Ruins are the remains of a gold smelter built of natural stone in 1825. The ruins are crumbling, and unfortunately, marred by graffiti, but still fascinating. If you go, don’t expect guides or brochures – you’re pretty much on your own to wander through them and ponder the past.

You might not expect caves on a Carribean island, but Aruba’s Quadiriki Caves are everything caves should be: damp, dark and full of winding passages and bat guano. On the walls you’ll find Arawak petroglyphs of people, fish and other objects. The caves are located high in the wall of a limestone cliff. At the front of the cave is a small concession that rents high-intensity flashlights. Don’t pass up the opportunity – you’ll need one.

Alto Vista Chapel is another great place to visit on this island country. The bright yellow chapel was built in 1952 on the site of the original Catholic church built in 1750 by a Spanish missionary. To reach it you’ll travel down a winding road lined with white crosses marking the stations of the cross.

California Lighthouse was named after a ship called the Californian, famous…or infamous, for being in proximity of, and receiving distress signals from, the Titanic as it was sinking. Unfortunately for the Titanic, The Californian's radio operator was off-duty and asleep. A few years later, the California sank off the Aruba coast. Now the ship is a popular dive site and the lighthouse is a popular attraction. It’s is surrounded acres of stoned-filled flat land. An area called California White Sand Dunes is very popular with kids who go dune surfing – basically sliding down anyway you can.

More on Aruba in a few days. And next week, stop by for an interview with author PATTI LACY and a chance to win a copy of her latest book: The Rhythm of Secrets. (Absolutely fantastic!)

Here’s a recipe from lovely Aruba:

Pudin di Coco
(Coconut pudding)

¼ cup rum
2 Tbs. gelatin
3 egg yolks, beaten until creamy
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup milk
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 cup heavy cream

Soak in one-fourth cup rum:
2 Tbs. gelatin

In a saucepan combine:
3 egg yolks, beaten until creamy
1/2 cup sugar

Stir in:
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup milk

Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens.
Blend in the gelatin until it dissolves.
Chill in the refrigerator until the mixture begins to thicken.
Beat until stiff but not dry:
3 egg whites, pinch of salt. Gradually add the sugar while beating.
In a separate bowl whip until stiff:
1 cup heavy cream

Beat the custard mixture with a wire whisk, then fold it gently into the egg whites.
Fold in the whipped cream.
Mound the pudding in a serving bowl and chill until firm. Serve with lime sauce.

Lime Sauce

1 Tbs.cornstarch
1/2 cup plus 1 Tbs. granulated sugar
1/2 cup Key lime juice
1/4 cup, plus 3 Tbs. water

In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the 3 tablespoons of water. In a small non-aluminum saucepan stir together the sugar, the lime juice and 1/4 cup of water. Bring to a boil over moderate heat to dissolve the sugar. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and boil, stirring, for about 30 seconds or until the lime sauce thickens.

And the Winner is...

Congratulations to author TAMMY BARLEY, winner of Roger Bruner's Found in Translation! Tammy is author of the Sierra Chronicles trilogy. If you like western romance, check out her novels.

Loves Rescue, released June 2009
Hope's Promise, released Aug. 2010
Faith's Reward, released earlier this month

A new post on someplace far, far away coming soon...with a recipe, of course!

Got Teens?

Meet Author Roger Bruner!
Leave a comment for a chance to win his new release, Found in Translation.

Got teens? (Girls, in particular) Looking for something decent for them to read? Check out Found in Translation, written by my friend Roger Bruner and just released (Jan. 1) by Barbour Publishing. This is Roger’s debut novel for young adults. If all goes well, it will soon be followed by three more. The second in the series, Lost in Dreams, is tentatively slated to be released in July.

In Chapter One of Found in Translation we meet Kim Hartlinger, on her way to a mission trip that will take her on an incredible, unexpected journey of faith. Here’s Roger’s synopsis:

Kim Hartlinger—eighteen and spoiled—arrives on a mission trip to Mexico and discovers, to her chagrin, that she’ll be doing construction in a tiny remote village without plumbing and electricity, rather than evangelism in a medium-sized town with a McDonald’s. . . “Roughing it” isn’t exactly what Kim had in mind when she signed up for this trip. As if that isn’t enough, the group is without a translator, and Kim’s “dual-language” Bible turns out to be Spanish-only. After breaking her arm the first morning on the job, Kim struggles to find a way to help her team and share the truth of God’s Word with the villagers. Will Kim be able to touch the villagers’ hearts with the Gospel? Or will her time in Mexico be up before she gets the chance?

Q. Welcome to Taste the World, Roger! Since travel is a major feature of this blog, tell us why you chose Mexico as Kim’s mission trip destination.

A. Thanks for the invitation, Susan. You must have noticed from the shape of my mid-section that I like to eat. So this is a good place to be. I won’t gain more weight on the recipes. *G*
Placing this story in Mexico was a no-brainer. My daughter, Kristi, went on a mission trip to Mexico (via San Diego, like Kim Hartlinger in the book) when she was eighteen, and several details of the trip inspired this story, even though it’s completely fictitious. She went to a far more civilized area than tiny Santa María, however. I purposely chose a remote area that had been devastated by a tornado so I could create my own setting without having to be totally true to geography or to stereotypes about Mexico. To give you an example, Kim’s team has brought food to feed the surviving villagers; she doesn’t have authentic Mexican food anytime during her stay.

Q. How tough was it to write in first person as a teenage girl? In other words…how did you pull that off?

A. A number of people have commented over the years about my success at capturing a woman’s point of view. My best friends have always been women—my wife is my best friend of all time—and that’s helped me to see things from a woman’s perspective. Better for me to sit around and talk about books, food, and music than cars and sports. Being the father of a teenager for seven years helped me to think a little bit like a teen girl. I’d like to think I’m a good listener, and I believe I’m more sensitive than the average man, and those qualities have helped as well. But when all else fails, I just put on my thinking cap and start pretending. But never losing my masculinity in the process, I hasten to add.

Q. What are some of the lessons Kim learns on her trip? How does it change her?

A. When we first see Kim, she’s the prime example of an irresponsible teenage girl who has her own opinion of how God will use her on the mission trip. She learns that she must obey God’s leading if she expects to accomplish anything. That may mean going as far out of her comfort zone as she can go. She also learns how important forgiveness is. In relating to Rob, the senior project manager, she learns that she can probably build a much better relationship with her father if she’s more patient and understanding. When she heads home, she’s become more responsible and more confident that she’s capable of doing whatever God wants her to do.

Q. What sort of feedback on the book have you received from teens so far?

A. So far, I haven’t received any. I’ve tried to build a small tribe of teen influencers ahead of time, but I haven’t heard back from them yet. From what several other people have said, though, that first page definitely makes them turn to page two.

Q. Will the other books in the series feature the same characters?

A. Many of the same ones. Kim is the protagonist in Lost in Dreams, but her best friend Betsy Jo—who is only mentioned in Found in Translation—will play a major role. Aleesha and Rob both feature prominently in Lost in Dreams, too. We see Kim’s Dad for the first time and get to see Kim building the relationship with him she’d expressed the desire for in the first book.

Q. Can you give us a sneak peak at Book 2, Lost in Dreams?

A. Sure. Oh, you mean you want me to. *laughing* Kim doesn’t even get all the way home from her mission trip before her mother dies in a car crash. Kim feels responsible—I won’t tell you why—and a lot of the book deals with her struggles with guilt. Lost in Dreams also has a mission theme—a trip to California to help build a hostel for low income people visiting friends and family at a remote state prison. There. I don’t think I gave away too many secrets.

Thanks, Roger. It was a pleasure visiting with you!

Thank you, Susan! This was a tasty experience for me.

LEAVE A COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN FOUND IN TRANSLATION.

Since Roger’s book is set in Mexico, today’s recipe is for FLAN, a popular south-of-the-border custard dessert – easy and delicious!

FLAN

1 cup and 1/2 cup sugar
6 large eggs
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
2 13 oz. cans evaporated milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. You will need 6 ramekins or other specialty flan cookware and a large baking pan to put them in.

Pour 1 cup sugar in warm pan over medium heat. Constantly stir sugar until it browns and becomes caramel. Quickly pour approximately 2-3 tablespoons of caramel in each ramekin, tilting it to swirl the caramel around the sides. Reheat caramel if it starts to harden.

In a mixer or with a whisk, blend the eggs together. Mix in the milks then slowly mix in the 1/2 cup of sugar, then the vanilla. Blend smooth after each ingredient is added.

Pour custard into caramel-lined ramekins. Place ramekins in a large glass or ceramic baking dish and fill with about 1-2 inches of hot water. Bake for 45 minutes in the water bath and check with a knife just to the side of the center. If knife comes out clean, it's ready.

Remove and let cool. Let each ramekin cool in refrigerator for 1 hour. Invert each ramekin onto a small plate, the caramel sauce will flow over the custard.

The Great Barrier Reef

Not only is Australia blessed with some of the most incredible geography on the planet, it is also home to one of the world’s most phenomenal wonders: The Great Barrier Reef. Abounding with an unimaginable variety of sea life, this reef is big enough to be seen from space! It is the largest coral reef in the world, comprising over 3,000 reef systems and hundreds of tropical islands.

If you love SCUBA diving or snorkeling, this is the THE place to go! The colors, creatures and spectacular undersea beauty will take your brea…um, oxygen away. Even if you’ve never submerged your head, you can sign up for a beginner’s dive or snorkel trip. Diving expeditions depart daily from most of the coastal resorts. No matter where you stay on the reef, you are never more than 20-60 minutes away (by boat) from an excellent dive spot.

So where does one stay to see the reef? Queensland has several great cities with lovely coastal resorts. Here are a few:

Cairns (at left) is a sophisticated city and a perfect place from which to explore Tropical North Queensland with access to the World Heritage listed Reef, Rainforest and Outback.

Townsville sits on Ross Creek and is encircled by many interesting towns and places to see, such as Charters Towers and Ayr. The Great Barrier Reef sprawls to the east,
the Outback beckons to the west, and islands and rainforest entice to the north. Explore away!

In Rockhampton (at right), situated on the Fitzroy River, you’ll be near the beautiful Capricorn Coast beaches. It is partially surrounded by mountain ranges and is known as the Beef Capital of Australia (complete with a variety of bull statues). Here you can rent a houseboat, peruse the galleries, visit the Cliff Kershaw Gardens or test your bush-walking skills to reach the Mt. Archer Lookout.

While you’re visiting Australia, be sure to sample one of the Aussies’ favorite desserts! Pavlova was named for the Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova, who enjoyed this dessert while visiting Australia. It has a crispy meringue outside and a sweet, marshmallowy inside. It is usually topped with whipped cream and a variety of colorful fruits.

PAVLOVA

4 large egg whites
1 cup superfine (castor) sugar
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1/2 tablespoon cornstarch

Topping:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 tablespoons granulated white sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Fresh fruit - kiwi, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, passion fruit, peaches, pineapple, or other fruit of your choice

Preheat oven to 250 degrees and place rack in center of oven.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and draw a 7- inch circle on the paper.

Beat the egg whites on medium-high speed until they hold soft peaks. Start adding the sugar, a tablespoon at a time, and continue to beat until the meringue holds very stiff peaks. (Test to make sure the meringue feels smooth, not gritty. If it feels gritty the sugar has not fully dissolved.) Sprinkle the vinegar and cornstarch over the top of the meringue and, with a rubber spatula, fold in.

Gently spread the meringue inside the circle drawn on the parchment paper, smoothing the edges, making sure the edges of the meringue are slightly higher than the center. (You want a slight well in the center of the meringue to place the whipped cream and fruit.)

Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the outside is dry and takes on a very pale cream color. Turn the oven off, leave the door slightly ajar, and let the meringue cool completely in the oven. (The outside of the meringue will feel firm to the touch, if gently pressed, but as it cools you will get a little cracking and you will see that the inside is soft and marshmallowy.)

The cooled meringue can be made and stored in a cool dry place, in an airtight container, for a few days. Just before serving gently place the meringue onto a serving plate. Whip the cream until soft peaks form. Sweeten with the sugar and vanilla and then mound the softly whipped cream into the center of the meringue. Arrange the fruit randomly, or in a decorative pattern, on top of the cream. Serve immediately as this dessert does not hold for more than a few hours. Serves 6 to 8.

Breathtaking Australia

Famous for koalas, cowboys and wide open spaces, Australia is rugged beauty at its best. Beneath its blue waters is the largest reef on the planet, attracting divers from every corner of the world. Mesmerizing colors and otherworldly plants and creatures inhabit the famous Great Barrier Reef, home of the great white shark and colorful butterfly fish. On land, the beauty continues, with volcanoes, gorges, forests, deserts, waterfalls and the amazing outback. Clearly, there is far too much to cover with one blog entry, so for starters, let’s look at a few great places to visit on the western side of this amazing continent.

Australia has six states—New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania (an island off the southern coast of Victoria). There are also two major mainland territories—the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

The Gibb River Road winds through parts of The Kimberly, a wild, remote and dramatically stunning region in the northern part of Western Australia. Taking a trip along this road will prove to be an adventure you’ll never forget. With scenery that inspired the “Australia” movie, this road will take you on a journey through cascading waterfalls, plateaus, lush forests. You’ll also see open woodlands of gum trees and rivers lined with palms and paperbark trees. Stop and take a scenic flight to experience the true majesty of The Kimberly landscape.

Stop again to hike through Mitchell Plataeu, where the thundering Mitchell Falls will take your breath away! As you follow the road, you’ll come to Mitchell River National Park, home to other beautiful terrain including Merton Falls, Surveyors Pool, the Mitchell and King Edward Rivers. You’ll be amazed by the many ancient rock art sites, most of which have remained untouched for thousands of years.

In The Kimberly’s King Leopold Range Conservation Park, beautiful Bell Gorge is the place for a refreshing swim among scenic water cascades and folded rock formations created over thousands of years. Your camera will get plenty of action here, as Bell Gorge is one of the picturesque gorges in The Kimberly. You can even go camping very close to the gorge. Bell Gorge is about an hour’s drive off the Gibb River Road four wheel drive track, east of Derby.

In my next post, I’ll take you on a virtual underwater trip through Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, and share an Aussie recipe as well.

And The Winner Is....

Congratulations to Amber Robinson, winner of If It Weren't For Us Christians, There'd Be A Lot More Christians!

Amber is the author of Mercy Rising and is heavily involved with Compassion International. You can check out her Website at www.amberrobinson.com.

Do you have a country that you would like to see featured next (or soon)? Leave a comment and I will put it at the top of my list! And if you have an interesting experience or great recipe to share from someplace you've visited, please mention it and I'll contact you by email.