Amazing Aruba Activities

One incredible highlight in Aruba is windsurfing which we have now done a couple of times. In front of the Marriott Hotel is one of the world’s best windsurfing locations. The shallow and warm waters make it an ideal location for kids and adults to learn. For the more advanced, rentals are convenient and selections are great. I’ve been told that it’s better to rent than to own your own equipment here because the winds vary and you can switch out your sail to go with the wind and your ability. The kids love it and apprehensive adults are always pleasantly surprised by how fun it is, especially if you manage to get up! Even if all you do is sit on the beach under a palapa and watch, it’s fun. Also, this is a photographers dream location. The colorful boats and sails make for amazing pictures.

After windsurfing, pack up a picnic lunch and drive (or walk, but it’s a hike) to one of the local beaches. There is one located right by the shipwreck where the snorkeling is amazing. We saw all kinds of fish, including starfish and it cost us nothing! Also, a great place for sea shells.

Speaking of snorkeling, “Baby Beach” on the other end of the island is really the best snorkeling. If you have a rental car, don’t miss it! You can rent snorkel equipment there and they have minimal snacks and beverages for sale.

Other favorite’s over the years, but didn’t make it this year:

Flying Fishbone: http://www.flyingfishbone.com/. By far, the most romantic restaurant we have ever dined at. Eat barefoot at a gourmet setting in the sand right at the water’s edge. A live saxophonist has always been there when we have gone. Every element is simple and elegant and the service is outstanding. Ask for Karen and tell her The Paige’s say “hi” if you go!
Screaming Eagle – give short description and link (be sure to reserve “dinner in bed”…seriously!).


“The Lighthouse”

http://www.aruba-latrattoria.com/ (officially named La Trattoria el Faro Blanco Restaurant) - Isolated at the top of a hill on the island's northernmost tip, this popular restaurant affords unbeatable vistas. Sitting atop the ridge near the lighthouse, a 360-degree scan takes in the expansive sea, windswept sand dunes, an emerald golf course, and the California Lighthouse. Just steps from the much-photographed beacon, the restaurant's original structure (which has since expanded) once housed the local lighthouse keeper, and the interior dining rooms retain a residential coziness. Seating on the terrace features unobstructed views of the sea. The fare covers a full range of Italian cuisine, with a good helping of Neapolitan specialties.

Warm and Welcoming Arubans

Aruba is truly a magical island! The people are so kind, genuine and hospitable. With the Dutch influence the island is very clean…much more so than any other Caribbean island I have experienced. The more time I spend here, the more I appreciate the many beautiful aspects of the island.

Friendly? The Arubans themselves may be their country's best advertisements. Long secure in a solid economy with good education, housing and health care, the island's population of about 100,000 regard tourists as welcome guests. Even the national anthem celebrates a high regard for hospitality. The line "Grandeza di bo pueblo ta su gran cordialidad" translates as "The greatness of our people is their great cordiality" -- and thousands of past visitors would agree.

The native Aruban is a mixture of Dutch, Spanish, and Arawak Indian ancestry -- and so is his unofficial language, Papiamento. Dutch is the official language, but every Aruban child studies English and Spanish from the age of l0 and most residents speak it well.

As you explore, as you get to know Aruba, you'll soon begin to notice the smiling faces everywhere. Real smiles. Gracious smiles. Sheer-joy of living smiles. Aruba, as any traveler here will tell you, must surely be among the most welcoming places on earth.

Maybe it's the Dutch tradition of hospitality, maybe it's the long and prosperous history of the island, maybe it's the year-round warmth of the sunshine and the fresh breezes of the trade winds. Whatever it is, it's absolutely true: Aruba is a genuinely happy place to be. And the people who live here, in the cities, in the towns, in the countryside, are genuinely happy to be sharing it with you.

You see, not only is this an island where happiness lives -- in Aruba, there's so much happiness to spare, we want to be sure you take some of it back home with you.

Birthday and July 4th in Aruba!

We were fortunate to be in Aruba to celebrate my son’s 10 year birthday. He loved it! We went to De Palm Island with some friends that we met in Aruba and did a Sea Trek Adventure (20 feet deep)…unbelievable! The remainder of the day on the island was spent on the water slides and snorkeling with the Parrot Fish. Our driver for De Palm Tours was a character…played Bob Marley and quoted him sporadically throughout the ride. He dedicated “Don’t Worry, Be Happy" to Justin.

We got back to the hotel at the end of the day and it started to pour rain (good luck we’re sure!), changed quick and met up with our local Aruba friends, Deirdre and Pierre, and their 10 year old girls for dinner at Texas de Brazil …famous for over 50 types of seasonal meats, brought it from all over the world. The restaurant has a vibrant Brazilian atmosphere, with food and guests to match. The salad bar and bread alone make a meal, but be sure to save your appetite for the kabobs and just a hint…the local favorite, Argentinean Lamb comes out at the end so save up…the best comes last! In the middle of our meal, the lights went out and the kids thought everyone was going to sing happy birthday, but it turned out to be a blackout on the entire island (a lightning bolt hit the power plant)! The staff were great and we all sang to Justin and his friend Caitlin in the dark. Justin gave us reports on the weather periodically, but thank goodness his prediction that there was a “hurricane off the coast” was not accurate and fortunately Aruba is out of the hurricane belt! We decided that the restaurant was really the best place to be and sat back and enjoyed the candlelight and good company! Finally, we adventured home in the rain and the girls stayed for a sleepover. We had no lights or power until we woke the next morning thinking maybe it was all a dream. What a day!!!

The next day was the 4^th of July and our final day. Justin and I went SCUBA diving (my early birthday present…we both opted for “experiences” this year…very Le Rêve of us…), then we all met at the pool for some Latin dancing, Watermelon eating contest (adults) and Jello eating (kids). I’m proud to say that nobody in our family won! We joined our new friends for Baby Back Ribs at Smokey Joes (which has a festive atmosphere and incredible food) and an amazing surprise fireworks display…so cool! Thank you Aruba for the show! Dillon fell asleep on a bench with his cool “police officer” shades on after the fireworks and Justin and I took a final walk on the beach with the festive Caribbean music in the background from Moomba (a casual yet lively outdoor patio) and a swim in the Caribbean under the “almost” full moon. Oh what a night and what a trip! We are counting our blessings as we head home and back to work.

We’re back home from Aruba into the real world, but feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. I’m thrilled to have our new friends and I still talk with Ellen daily…after seeing the results her family gets from a product called Isagenix, I’ve decided to embark on the Isagenix journey myself to shed the vacation “chub”. So far, so good. I wish I had known about it before vacation. Check out Ellen’s site at http://www.cleanandleanbody.com/. If you want to follow us at home in Southern California blog at http://www.southerncalifornialuxurytravel.blogspot.com/t.com. 8ink3sv5bz