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Moderator
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 3,743
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Originally Posted by coqui
Activity Jolly Pirates - Sail, Snorkel, Swim & Swing: 9:30am 2:00pm - Swim and snorkel at three great sites: Malmok, Boca Catalina and 400ft WWII Shipwreck, Antilla,
- BBQ, Open Bar, Snorkel Gear & Ropeswing - $53/per person
- Departs from MooMbas on the beach between Holiday Inn & Marriott Resorts
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If you have not done so already. Book online in advance and receive a 15% discount. http://www.jolly-pirates.com/
Why not take advantage of the rental car and dine at MJ's on a night when you have your rental car?
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Wednesday. July 16th South East Aruba Tour
Breakfast in room
Activity Get Rental car (National Dad only Taxi Renaissace to Airport = $13)
Activity Renaissace Pool
Activity Punta Basora/Colorado Point Lighthouse
Activity - Baby Beach
Activity Rodgers Beach
Activity San Nicholas ?
Activity Commanders Bay ?
Lunch - Savaneta Brisas Del Mar serves lunch 11-3pm
Activity Spanish Lagoon
Activity Frenchmans Pass
Activity Renaissance Island/Pool
Dinner in room
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Maybe a long day in the car, depending on how late you get started. The kids may poop out before you on this one. For the area that you plan on covering and if they are in that order, there is a Coco's Bar and Grill at Rodger's Beach may not only be less expensive than Brisas del Mar, but also less expensive.
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Thursday, July 17th - Leeward Coast (Heading North) Tour
Breakfast in room
Activity - Bubali bird sanctuary
Activity Fishermans Hut ? anything to see here?
Activity Malmok ? anything to see here?
Activity California Lighthouse
Activity Arashi Beach (Snorkeling)
Lunch Ventanas Del Mar (at Tierras Del Sol Golf Course) 11pm-3pm
Activity Renaissance Island
Dinner **Make reservation ** Flying Fishbone 5pm
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Activity Fishermans Hut ? anything to see here? There are sure to be at least a few windsurfers and kitesurfers out and about doing their "tricks". Worth a stop for some photos for 10 minutes or so tops. We were just there for some photos and videos, really cool for sure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qByFNd9OGq4
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Friday, July 18th - Moving Day & South Tour
Activity Guidiriki Indian Caves
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You may wish to consider touring Fontein Cave instead. http://www.aruba.com/whattodo/caves.php Imo, not nearly as rugged as Guad. and will also be on your tour route (just to the south of Boca Prins).
We toured Guadirikiri Cave in December when it is cooler on the island and were given some pretty stern warnings prior to entering regarding health issues, especially respiratory. It is a longer tour and I could see how a little one could easily become scared by going so deep into a cave. Combined with bats and extreme heat, pardon the pun but it may bring on meltdowns.
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Saturday, July 19th Ostrich & Butterfly Farms
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http://www.aruba-travelguide.com/butterflyfarm/ Visits to the Butterfly Farm are complimentary during your stay on the island so may want to stop by and 'sign up' one of the days that you have the car and then each morning while you are at the Westin you can just walk across the street. From what I understand the bf's are most active earlier in the morning.
Imho, and that only, consider substituting the Donkey Sanctuary http://www.arubandonkey.org/ for the Ostrich Farm. We personally (again just our opinion) were disappointed in not only having to pay admission to the Ostrich Farm, but then having to also pay, if we wanted, to feed "their" animals. 
If anything the Donkeys are native to Aruba and held in the sanctuary for their own protection and cared for by a group of volunteers. Donations are accepted in lieu of admission fees. The kids would learn a little about the donkeys on the island and their history. Be on the look out for wild goats and some wild donkeys while riding through Arikok National Park.   Surely keeps me busy, never mind the kids. 
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Sunday, July 20th Activity TomCar Tour
o http://www.ranchonotorious.com/tomcar.shtml
o Baby Beach Tour Morning Tour 9am-1pm
o $99/adult & $49/child (includes pickup/dropoff, snacks, water, googles & gloves, flashlights for caves & lunch
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Ditch the TomCar Tour as we did and take an ATV tour instead. We have been visiting Aruba for 12 years and this was one of the best tours we have ever done. You can cut out at LEAST one day of your planned touring/driving the northeastern end of the island, but also get to see the Natural Pool AND have a guide to describe what you are seeing as well as detail the history.
Kini Kini 1/2 Day Tour Double Rider $95.00 Adult with a child. My math it will be less expensive than the TomCar, but now that I have typed all that, can you do either ATV or Tom Car with a 2 year old? 
http://www.kinikini.com/kk/servlet/Tours
Sites to be visited
- California Lighthouse
- Wish Garden
- Alto Vista Chapel
- Bushiribana Ruins
- Natural Bridge
- Natural Pool
- Ayo Rock Formations
Either way, imo, the TomCar is just a duplication of stuff you will have already seen on your own with the car and a great expense!
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Dinner Wacky Wahoo's (approx. 15 min. walk from Westin.
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A half mile walk http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.5683657&lon=-70.0420475&z=16&l=0&m=a&v=2
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Well, thats all I have so far -- what do you think? Too much, too little -- not seeing the right stuff? Any and all input is welcomed!
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Too much sightseeing and not enough downtime relaxing at the beach and pool.
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One last comment -- we were also thinking of the De Palm island for their waterpark, but we are not sure if we should/or should not do this. We have MANY waterparks where we live as well as have a pool in backyard where the kids swim all the time --- so wasn't sure the $93/adult and $47/kid price was worth it. Please correct me if I am wrong on that as I am trying to make sure we don't miss out on anything too fun.
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SAVE your money! DON'T DO IT! You will be extremely disappointed in comparison to waterparks here in the US. The size alone should be a dead giveaway.
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