A New Canadian

[canadian_1964]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum (however have been following since I booked our first trip to Aruba back in August). The wife of twenty one years and I live in Oshawa, twenty minutes outside Toronto.

We are staying at La Cabana, Nov26th-Dec3rd. We are Blue Green owners in Florida and decided to use our points to check out Aruba! We are flying Air Canada direct from Toronto. I purchased tickets back in October for $498 each, plus tax. I just checked and now they have went up to $1305 plus tax?

After reading all of the great info that is shared on this Forum I have already made three dinner reservations. The first is on the 25th at Salt and Pepper, the second is on the 27th at Barefoot and the third is on the 29th at Passions. This will be our first trip without our children(18 year old boy and a 16 year old girl) and we are treating it like a second honeymoon!

If anyone has any other suggestions on great places to eat, shop or do other activities I would really appreciate it. P.S. I'm an avid fisherman and would really like to go fishing, however I don't want to break the bank on a private charter and can't seem to find party boats similar to the ones we use in Florida. Any suggestions? Thanks again and can't wait to hit the beach!

Twelve days and counting!!!

Terry

[Andrea J.]

If you had to pick three...
check out this link for some restaurant suggestions.

welcome to the aruba.com community forum!

please make sure you visit the other areas in the forum, especially the culinary and culture and the activity section for your fishing information.

[canadian_1964]

Wow..Thanks Andrea for the quick welcome! I certainly will check out your suggestions. One question, I've noticed that you have stayed at La Cabana, any suggestions on must do's at or walking distance from the resort?
Thanks,
Terry

[Andrea J.]

must do's at the resort are beach beach beach.
there are watersports and the watersports sign up desk is in the lacabana lobby and also on the beach right there.

the pool has wateraerobics daily in the mornings (10 am?) every day except sunday. bingo is every day poolside at about 1:30.

lacabana is in the eagle beach lo rise section.
eagle beach is a wide stretch of beach and is not as calm or as shallow as the palm beach/hi rise area.

passions beach restaurant and mangos restaurant are right next door on the amsterdam manor property.

walking distance..............north east along the sidewalks about a mile brings you to the divi phoenix, butterfly farm and the bubali bird sanctuary.....go further and you'll be at the westin resort and in the heart of the hustle and bustle of palm beach. hotels, bars, shops, malls, movies etc... a long walk from Lacabana....2+ miles and when it's hot it would feel much longer.

in the other direction ...south, the walk is shorter to cool stuff. numerous restaurants chalet suisse, tulip, pizza bob, screaming eagle, tortuga, french steakhouse are a few of the restaurants within a 1 mile walk from lacabana.

there is also a casino down that way. the Alhambra.

the restaurants at lacabana are Las Ramblas and Island Grill and there are plenty of other great restaurants around. The Island Grill is great for breakfast or lunch. Dinner....not so much.

the lacabana is on the bus route.
if you are not planning on big driving adventures, i would recommend using the bus or taxi.

Originally Posted by canadian_1964

Wow..Thanks Andrea for the quick welcome! I certainly will check out your suggestions. One question, I've noticed that you have stayed at La Cabana, any suggestions on must do's at or walking distance from the resort?
Thanks,
Terry

[Randi]

Hello fellow Canadian,

The three others that I would add:

Anna Maria's - excellent Italian but very small. See my write up(s) as it is a full evening as its freshly cooked. Sangria is to die for!

Windows at the Divi Golf Course

L.G. Smith Steak and Chop house- beautiful atmosphere and great steaks

BTW, you will love Barefoot. Absolutely amazing!!!!

[canadian_1964]

Thanks again Andrea, very good info!
Terry

[canadian_1964]

Thanks Randi..We are really looking forward to Barefoot and Passions!

[jojo4103]

Welcome! You got a great deal on flight! I live near Toronto also. We have also booked Passions but we are no arriving until Dec 9. Post a review after you have been!

[Edronenburg]

Hi Canadian_1964:

Welcome to the "Forum." Wishing you a "Very Happy Second Honeymoon." You are in for a real treat...as you must know from all the positive postings...when you visit "Paradise," aka "One Happy Island." We all love the Island and its very friendly people there. Be sure to post a "Trip Report," when you return.

Keep happy and healthy.

Ed

[mmattalo]

Bon Bini fellow Canadian . . . you have found the slice of paradise that many of us from the great white north have come to call our second home. We are from Mississauga and will be back again on the happy island on Dec 28 for 3 weeks (we are there 5-6 times a year).

I'd add a few other places as must eat ats:
- Amuse Bistro - you will definitely appreciate the fine quality ingredients and tastes - Patrick and Ivette are just great people - say hello.
- Casa Tua - fabulous thin crust pizza (in the same area as Salt & Pepper)
- Wacky Wahoo - if you like fish, you will love this simple place with an abundance of food

. . . if you do get a chance, rent a car and head to Savaneta (15 minutes south fo the airport) and find your way to Zeerover . . . a local institution with a fresh fish fry . . . truly fabulous.

Enjoy your stay in paradise . . . and your second honeymoon!

Michael