Community Forum

sfarmer · 07-14-2011, 08:33 PM

Hi, I would like to introduce myself to your forum site. I am married and self employed bookkeeper/tax prep. I am also a caregiver... you see my husband was diagnosed with stage III cancer.. to make that story short... 3 years and 3 surgeries in a major cancer hospital... and he is in remission.

We got married at 16yrs old, just celebrated our 37th year anniversary. When we got married, we owned a car with no brakes and only 7 dollars in our pocket ($2.00 after we gave the minister $5)..so we never had a honey moon. We raised 4 lovely children that are adults now.

This spring, we won a trip to Aruba through a benefit fund raiser..all inclusive

. We will be flying from upstate Ny to Carolina then to Aruba (first time ever on a plane

and also going out of the country). We will be staying at the Tamarijn...6 days 5 nights. Starting Tuesday August 2nd. We want to make the most of this vacation..just incase...there isn't another. I try not to think this way..but I have to be realistic... I'm afraid the ATV tour would be too rough for him..since he just had major surgery mid June... they repaired a 11 x 13 inch hernia in his stomach..that was caused by the first surgery. I wanted to know which tours do you feel are the best, or are the ATV tours not that rough. Also is there any merchant markets..with island made items for sale? Also is there any special shells on the beach to collect? I bought a book while in NYC for his 3rd surgery on Aruba... it was at a well known large book store... they only had one... a very little book... I asked if they had another and the book store man stated..." little island...little book, no others on Aruba" I found more information on Aruba on your site than in that book. Please, anyone, everyone, tell me what you would do to make this a memorable vacation!!! P.S... I did buy an underwater camera... are there any places with beautiful fish? I want to tell you in advance, I really appreciate all your efforts in any help you can give us!!!

*Andrea J.* · 07-14-2011, 09:03 PM

Hi Sfarmer.
WOW a free trip to Aruba.
You will love Aruba and the Tamarijn it is very laid back.
It will be a great respite for the both of you.

A jeep or Atv tour is too much for your husband!!! I recommend a nice private tour.
there are many, some on a bus and some with just the 2 of you.
check out this thread Bully or Cerry for Private Tour
click link for info on private island tours.
Bully and Cerry are the most popular.
Their contact info is located at this link

Be careful you do not overbook yourselves.
Spend time on the beach vegetating.

Sorry to inform you, in 35+ trips i have yet to find a really nice shell

.Click this link for souvenir info.
General Aruba souvenirs?some souvenirs will have made in china on the tag...:-(
local art is always a good choice. jewelry too.

I would recommend testing out your underwater camera with a snorkel tour.
(is your husband up to that?) there are a few boats that have nice quiet snorkel tours.
click this link Black Pearl Sunset Snorkel Cruise for some recent chatter about black pearl snorkel boat.

you have your homework.
FUN homework.
give yourself time, a glass of wine and start searching thru this forum.

blessings from afar for good health for your husband and you too.

welcome to the forum

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfarmer

Hi, I would like to introduce myself to your forum site. I am married and self employed bookkeeper/tax prep. I am also a caregiver... you see my husband was diagnosed with stage III cancer.. to make that story short... 3 years and 3 surgeries in a major cancer hospital... and he is in remission.

We got married at 16yrs old, just celebrated our 37th year anniversary. When we got married, we owned a car with no brakes and only 7 dollars in our pocket ($2.00 after we gave the minister $5)..so we never had a honey moon. We raised 4 lovely children that are adults now.

This spring, we won a trip to Aruba through a benefit fund raiser..all inclusive

. We will be flying from upstate Ny to Carolina then to Aruba (first time ever on a plane

and also going out of the country). We will be staying at the Tamarijn...6 days 5 nights. Starting Tuesday August 2nd. We want to make the most of this vacation..just incase...there isn't another. I try not to think this way..but I have to be realistic... I'm afraid the ATV tour would be too rough for him..since he just had major surgery mid June... they repaired a 11 x 13 inch hernia in his stomach..that was caused by the first surgery. I wanted to know which tours do you feel are the best, or are the ATV tours not that rough. Also is there any merchant markets..with island made items for sale? Also is there any special shells on the beach to collect? I bought a book while in NYC for his 3rd surgery on Aruba... it was at a well known large book store... they only had one... a very little book... I asked if they had another and the book store man stated..." little island...little book, no others on Aruba" I found more information on Aruba on your site than in that book. Please, anyone, everyone, tell me what you would do to make this a memorable vacation!!! P.S... I did buy an underwater camera... are there any places with beautiful fish? I want to tell you in advance, I really appreciate all your efforts in any help you can give us!!!

cpjones · 07-14-2011, 10:33 PM

sfarmer, Congratulations on your trip. You'll love Aruba. Don't try to do too much. Sometimes the simple things are the most meaningful! Enjoy the sunshine on the beach. Hold hands for a nice long walk along the water line. Have a nice sunset dinner at the waters edge. Meet new friends during happy hour. Visit a casino at night. Go out to a first class romantic restaurant... there are a number to choose from. How about.... start to plan your next trip!!! You will love Aruba!

Here's a couple of links that you may enjoy:
http://dinearuba.com/default.aspx
http://www.restaurantsaruba.com/
http://www.aruba-travelguide.com/

*Andrea J.* · 07-14-2011, 11:30 PM

Oops
Some souvenirs have made in china
MAke sure u look for unique aruba souvenirs

EHampite · 07-15-2011, 05:51 AM

Have to agree with Andrea on the island tour. On our first trip to Aruba, we booked an island tour early on so we could see the highlights of the island. Then if we wanted to go back to any of those places on our own, we could. Check into either Bully or Cerry on this board - you won't be disappointed!

Enjoy! I'll bet you will be planning a return trip!

serene56 · 07-15-2011, 06:55 AM

How about a sunset cruise. Nice, relaxing way to end the day and start the evening

Edronenburg · 07-15-2011, 10:13 AM

welcome to the site. Though I can not add anything more than the splendid information that others have already given you; I do want to send my best wishes and, I am sure, that you have an absolutely wonderful time in Aruba. One cannot help but to enjoy all that the Island and the people offer to us all. Ed

grazizgreen · 07-17-2011, 10:00 AM

Hi Sfarmer, you came to the right place for info, the people on here are amazingly helpful and better than any Aruba book I have ever read (and the bookstore fibbed, there are quite a few Fodor has one and Frommers too). Congrats on winning the trip, couldn't be to a better place. As for what to do, I have been to Aruba about many times now and every year before I go I think what did I do that was so great? The answer is something that you will not really understand until you come back. You could go there and do nothing but enjoy the beach, food, and people and have the most amazing time.

One of the best things we ever did was rent a car and go driving around, if you are both up to it. The private tour as mentioned above is just as good and very relaxing, with the benefit of having a local to give you more information; we just like the ability to linger and come and go as we please now.

We enjoyed baby beach, there used to be a lot of really great colourful sealife along the stone wall that surrounds the beach and the waves were nice and mellow. We went snorkel there last about a year or two ago.

You could splurge a night or two off the 'inclusive part' because there are many romantic restaurants that after dinner, can be followed by a nice barefoot walk on the beach. Check the boards, as stated these people know their stuff and you could chose one to your liking.

I have a thing for shells myself and hubby goes into the deeper water (my swimming skills are... well, not good

) and always seems to find a shell or two for me. There is a lot of beach area that you can't really swim in on the way to the lighthouse and we always find some interesting shells there. I believe that's the Arashi/Malmock area? If you rent a car you can stop and shell pick there.

I do hope you have a wonderful vacation and my blessings are with you both.

Shelly · 07-17-2011, 10:28 AM

Dear Sfarmer,
Whatever you do on your vacation in Aruba, I hope your trip is a wonderful one. I also hope that your husband stays in remission forever! God bless you both!

minky1225 · 07-17-2011, 01:51 PM

Congrats on your trip! It most certainly went to the right people! Aruba is the type of island that you can do everything and nothing and still have a wonderful time! Hubby and I have been going here since our honeymoon in 2005 and we rarely do any excursions. We feel as if we work so hard all year long that we don't want to commit to anything while on vacation and just go with the flow! There are many spots along the beach that you can plan an excursion for that day or during the week. One of our favorite things to do is take a boat ride on the water.

All inclusive is amazing!!!! However, please venture out a night or two to experience the wonderful restaurants/food that Aruba is famous for. My favorite restaurant is Madame Jeannets(spelling?) The first word that comes to mind when I think of it is MAGICAL!

I'm not too familiar with Eagle Beach but I have collected several shells on Palm Beach.

Enjoy your trip! So happy you and hubby will get to experience Aruba for the first time! Oh, and it will NOT be the last!

God bless you both!

07-14-2011, 08:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
sfarmer Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 12	Please advise me of places to see and go. Hi, I would like to introduce myself to your forum site. I am married and self employed bookkeeper/tax prep. I am also a caregiver... you see my husband was diagnosed with stage III cancer.. to make that story short... 3 years and 3 surgeries in a major cancer hospital... and he is in remission. We got married at 16yrs old, just celebrated our 37th year anniversary. When we got married, we owned a car with no brakes and only 7 dollars in our pocket ($2.00 after we gave the minister $5)..so we never had a honey moon. We raised 4 lovely children that are adults now. This spring, we won a trip to Aruba through a benefit fund raiser..all inclusive. We will be flying from upstate Ny to Carolina then to Aruba (first time ever on a plane and also going out of the country). We will be staying at the Tamarijn...6 days 5 nights. Starting Tuesday August 2nd. We want to make the most of this vacation..just incase...there isn't another. I try not to think this way..but I have to be realistic... I'm afraid the ATV tour would be too rough for him..since he just had major surgery mid June... they repaired a 11 x 13 inch hernia in his stomach..that was caused by the first surgery. I wanted to know which tours do you feel are the best, or are the ATV tours not that rough. Also is there any merchant markets..with island made items for sale? Also is there any special shells on the beach to collect? I bought a book while in NYC for his 3rd surgery on Aruba... it was at a well known large book store... they only had one... a very little book... I asked if they had another and the book store man stated..." little island...little book, no others on Aruba" I found more information on Aruba on your site than in that book. Please, anyone, everyone, tell me what you would do to make this a memorable vacation!!! P.S... I did buy an underwater camera... are there any places with beautiful fish? I want to tell you in advance, I really appreciate all your efforts in any help you can give us!!! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

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07-14-2011, 10:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
cpjones Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palm Beach Radisson Casino Mme J's Posts: 274	sfarmer, Congratulations on your trip. You'll love Aruba. Don't try to do too much. Sometimes the simple things are the most meaningful! Enjoy the sunshine on the beach. Hold hands for a nice long walk along the water line. Have a nice sunset dinner at the waters edge. Meet new friends during happy hour. Visit a casino at night. Go out to a first class romantic restaurant... there are a number to choose from. How about.... start to plan your next trip!!! You will love Aruba! Here's a couple of links that you may enjoy: http://dinearuba.com/default.aspx http://www.restaurantsaruba.com/ http://www.aruba-travelguide.com/ Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook sfarmer likes this.

07-14-2011, 11:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor/passions beach bar, Hung Paradis, alto vista chapel, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 13,253 Images: 80	Oops Some souvenirs have made in china MAke sure u look for unique aruba souvenirs Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook sfarmer likes this. __________________ Please, I'll have a Grande' decaf Mocha Latte' with a shot of liquid tranquilizer.

07-15-2011, 05:51 AM	#5 (permalink)
EHampite Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gold Coast Villas and Eagle Beach Posts: 312 Images: 3	Have to agree with Andrea on the island tour. On our first trip to Aruba, we booked an island tour early on so we could see the highlights of the island. Then if we wanted to go back to any of those places on our own, we could. Check into either Bully or Cerry on this board - you won't be disappointed! Enjoy! I'll bet you will be planning a return trip! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook sfarmer likes this.

07-15-2011, 06:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
serene56 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 463	How about a sunset cruise. Nice, relaxing way to end the day and start the evening Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook sfarmer likes this. __________________

07-15-2011, 10:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
Edronenburg Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mariott Age: 79 Posts: 570	welcome to the site. Though I can not add anything more than the splendid information that others have already given you; I do want to send my best wishes and, I am sure, that you have an absolutely wonderful time in Aruba. One cannot help but to enjoy all that the Island and the people offer to us all. Ed Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook Andrea J. and sfarmer like this.

07-17-2011, 10:00 AM	#8 (permalink)
grazizgreen Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Baby beach Garufa's Rage (a girls gotta shop) Renaissance Island Posts: 43 Images: 10	Hi Sfarmer, you came to the right place for info, the people on here are amazingly helpful and better than any Aruba book I have ever read (and the bookstore fibbed, there are quite a few Fodor has one and Frommers too). Congrats on winning the trip, couldn't be to a better place. As for what to do, I have been to Aruba about many times now and every year before I go I think what did I do that was so great? The answer is something that you will not really understand until you come back. You could go there and do nothing but enjoy the beach, food, and people and have the most amazing time. One of the best things we ever did was rent a car and go driving around, if you are both up to it. The private tour as mentioned above is just as good and very relaxing, with the benefit of having a local to give you more information; we just like the ability to linger and come and go as we please now. We enjoyed baby beach, there used to be a lot of really great colourful sealife along the stone wall that surrounds the beach and the waves were nice and mellow. We went snorkel there last about a year or two ago. You could splurge a night or two off the 'inclusive part' because there are many romantic restaurants that after dinner, can be followed by a nice barefoot walk on the beach. Check the boards, as stated these people know their stuff and you could chose one to your liking. I have a thing for shells myself and hubby goes into the deeper water (my swimming skills are... well, not good) and always seems to find a shell or two for me. There is a lot of beach area that you can't really swim in on the way to the lighthouse and we always find some interesting shells there. I believe that's the Arashi/Malmock area? If you rent a car you can stop and shell pick there. I do hope you have a wonderful vacation and my blessings are with you both. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook sfarmer likes this.

07-17-2011, 10:28 AM	#9 (permalink)
Shelly Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Palm Beach, lighthouse, Posts: 231 Images: 4	Dear Sfarmer, Whatever you do on your vacation in Aruba, I hope your trip is a wonderful one. I also hope that your husband stays in remission forever! God bless you both! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook sfarmer likes this. __________________ [/url]

07-17-2011, 01:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
minky1225 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palm Beach!!!Oh, and the airport but only when I'm arriving:) Posts: 43	Congrats on your trip! It most certainly went to the right people! Aruba is the type of island that you can do everything and nothing and still have a wonderful time! Hubby and I have been going here since our honeymoon in 2005 and we rarely do any excursions. We feel as if we work so hard all year long that we don't want to commit to anything while on vacation and just go with the flow! There are many spots along the beach that you can plan an excursion for that day or during the week. One of our favorite things to do is take a boat ride on the water. All inclusive is amazing!!!! However, please venture out a night or two to experience the wonderful restaurants/food that Aruba is famous for. My favorite restaurant is Madame Jeannets(spelling?) The first word that comes to mind when I think of it is MAGICAL! I'm not too familiar with Eagle Beach but I have collected several shells on Palm Beach. Enjoy your trip! So happy you and hubby will get to experience Aruba for the first time! Oh, and it will NOT be the last! God bless you both! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook sfarmer likes this. __________________