At first glance Aruba appears to be a mirage, like an oasis of resorts and activities in the middle of a desert. The rugged interior resembles the Australian outback, its terrain dotted with cacti and shrubs. The area is rife with activity: jeeps scurry around on safari-type expeditions; hikers explore caves or climb the rugged hills; horse-back riders on Paso Finos trot toward the jagged coastline where they will swim in the natural pools.

Sun-worshippers gather along the palm-lined beaches, which are long, wide stretches of powder white sand. Honeymooners walk hand in hand into the warm, clear waters while para-sailers soar quietly overhead, and divers search through shipwrecks and marvel at the sea life gathered all around them.

The powerful winds which bend the famous divi divi trees, sweep across the sun-kissed island, cooling the beachcombers, testing the golfer and providing the speed that makes this the top spot in the world for windsurfers.

But at the end of every day, all activity pauses for a few moments: people gather at the water's edge; look out from their balconies; or sit awed at the waterfront bars to view the desert-type sunset. The sky becomes awash with fiery reds and yellows, which gradually give way to deep purples, which in turn become pastel pinks glowing on the horizon, until the sun finally plunges into the water.

And then the electric green of energy surges across the resorts as the night comes to life. People walk the streets going from shop to shop, ducking into funky bars or sampling local foods or international cuisine from great restaurants. The rhythm kicks in at the casinos and live bands drive the beat at the discos and nightclubs, which are jammed with dancers until the wee hours of the morning.

Aruba is a different kind of Caribbean destination. The hub of the Dutch Caribbean, it's filled with pastel colored buildings, windmills, divi divi trees, golf courses, modern resorts, romantic restaurants, garden courtyards, sugar-colored sand, unique shops, clear waters, and glorious, golden sunshine.