This trip bore a distinctiveness from our other Aruba jaunts, because of the “rookies” my family and I were "breaking in" so to speak. My immediate family (consisting of my wife and my daughter) was accompanied by one of my best friends (Simon) and his family: his wife and two daughters. Simon’s overly affable personality seem to be inconsistent with his job as a New York City Police officer, but it blended seamlessly with the jovial tenor of our trip. My wife’s parents also accompanied us, and it was their first time on the island as well. Being from the island of Jamaica, they required some convincing that Aruba and its inhabitants would give their homeland a run for its money.
I arrived “home” at approximately 2 p.m. Not surprisingly, exiting the airport and inhaling that distinctive Aruba air felt like slipping on a very comfortable old pair of slippers, after spending hours in uncomfortable wing tips. The welcome from the beaming sun was only outdone by the pleasant trade winds that seemed to assure us that the sun’s hello would not be too over-zealous. As usual, we rented our car directly cross the street from the airport and headed to our hotel: Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort.
By the time we arrived, Royal Car Rental already had another vehicle waiting at the hotel (I always like driving manual vehicles in Aruba, since I never have the patience to do so in New York). We checked into our rooms, which were not as “homely” as the suites at La Cabana, but they did the trick. Since my in-laws arrived before us, they were in the lobby for several hours before checking in. As such, they promptly began complaining to us about the heat, as well as the lack of activities at the hotel (go figure….). I wasn’t even alarmed however, because I knew that stance would soon change.
When we arrived at the beach, it could not have been more pristine. Beautiful white sands bordered an endless transparent blue sea. Simon got too excited, and started flopping around in the water with the kids. That tummy of his made him look like a happy polar bear at the circus!! The only thing more embarrassing is when I joined him and we looked like two polar bears fighting over fresh halibut!
The beaches and the bar area were full of happy tourists, and I was so happy to be there that I was able to forgive the overwhelming number of people wearing Boston Red Sox apparel. Some of them however, didn’t look as willing to forgive me for my Yankees hat!!! I was amused, when two young females originally from New York, told me a story about what happened when they first moved to Boston and maintained New York license plates. Let’s just say I’ll keep a spare “Tampa Bay Devil Rays” hat in case I ever have to travel to New England.
The sunset on our first night was incredible. It looked as if my daughter Kayla used her purple and orange crayons to augment the horizon (I love when she referred to the “Jolly Pirate” as the “Pirates of the Caribbean” boat). I swam out to the furthest part of the ocean and held on to the ropes that designate the cut-off point for swimmers, and watched the sun set. I was so lost in the moment that I didn’t even notice the family of 20-plus baby crabs crawling all over me. When my wife swam over to enjoy the moment, she pointed it out to me and I proceeded to scream like an 8-year old school girl. Of course, she thought it was hilarious. What could be funnier to her than a 245 lb. black man rolling around on the sand yelling “get them off me!!!!” My only legitimate rivals for the “most shocking beach moment” award, was a group of young men that insisted on walking around the beach in thong bikinis. No offense, but if you’re white and your “buns” are darker than mine, you’re probably exposing them to the sun a little too much!
We also had a wonderful trip with De palm tours (another tradition we have), but this time we had the opportunity to stack “wishing rocks” along the way. For those of you not familiar with this practice, it started many moons ago on the island, whereby tourists would stack rocks along the roadside and make wishes. My wife Stephanie was agog when she heard that wishing with these rocks could promote fertility. She doesn’t know that I made a counter-wish that put the kibosh on hers… I also realized that my daughter watches too much television, when she told me her wish was to become a vampire. I really began to think those rocks did have some mystical powers, because Kayla’s other front tooth fell out the next day, and the two missing front teeth made the others on the side look like fangs.
My in-laws quickly got over their disdain for the island, when my Mother-In-Law started proclaiming ath the California Lighthouse that she wanted to move to Aruba. I can’t say that I blame her. The view of the coastline from the lighthouse made me think of calling my realtor (anybody else noticed all of those Caldwell Banker signs in front of the houses?? Do that many Americans have the same idea I have??). I was somewhat disappointed that they removed the ostrich farm from the De Palm tour, but the tour of the celebrity houses was still a nice touch (For my own safety, I tried my best to look disinterested when we drove by Alicia Keys’ house ). De Palm Island itself was wonderful as usual. I gorged myself at the buffet table, in between acting like a toddler at the water park and feeding the humongous parrotfish on the island (make sure you watch your fingers when you feed those things…they bite hard!).
As usual, we took a trip to Baby Beach (I actually didn’t get lost this time), but we also took another trip to the natural pool, where I got lost several times. Along the way, we encountered several goats that tried to hop into our Jeep (they must be very used to being fed by tourists, or they never actually made it to the pool and wanted to take the trip). The ride there was as exhilarating and turbulent as ever. The jagged rocks and hills shook the jeep more than a ship on a treacherous sea. However, when we got there it was well worth it as usual. The high rocks encapsulating the water create a majestic natural barrier from the ocean’s tides. When the waves make it over the edge of the rocks however, it is quite a sight to behold. My wife is an expert swimmer and former lifeguard, but the waves were so strong they pushed her all the way to the opposite side of the pool (scary, but all went well).
Since we went to the natural pool alone, my in-laws stayed in our room until we came back (they were switching over to the Divi Phoenix Aruba hotel, and needed a place to crash until their room was ready). Upon our return to the room they seemed a little too giddy. They would later explain that the combination of the Aruba trade winds and my bottle of Grey Goose caused some fireworks in our place (can you hear the Marvin Gaye playing in your head????). I won’t get into details, but after their explanation my wife signed up for 6 months of intensive therapy….
We also made it back to the wonderful Butterfly Farm, and went to the movie theater at the new mall (there’s nothing quite like watching Fantastic Four with Spanish sub-titles). After the movies, we sat in the center of the new mall and watched a really cool water show.
Sea Breezes restaurant at the Holiday Inn was great, and the breakfast buffet hit the spot for me (several times in a sitting).
I also shouldn't forget the Pelican Scooba tour. The snuba at the first port was great, but when we got to the sunken ship, my wife and I took turns staying on the boat with Kayla because I felt the water was too choppy to take her out with us. When it was my time to swim to the boat, I was literally the only one in that area of the water. I thnk I only made it about 10 feet before I turned back and told my wife I was too scared to keep swimming!
I could ramble on further, but I will stop here. I don’t want to detract from planning my next trip back to my country in December. All in all, my trip exceeded my expectations, and since my In-laws now purchased a time share at the Divi Phoenix, we have a free place to stay next year, if we can stomach their noise!

Does the #5 train stop at Reina Beatrix International?

Loved your trip report.
It seems to me there are more red sox and yankee shirts and caps in aruba than at fenway park or at yankee stadium.

So glad that you and your family/friends had a blast.

hahahaha and the inlaws bought a timeshare............how nice.
andrea

GREAT REPORT. Thanks for sharing your vacation.

3 weeks in Aruba Dec. 16, '08 - Jan. 9, '09
Aruba since 1985

I am curious to know how your in laws liked the Aruba Phoenix, I will be staying there in a couple of weeks. Any input would be greatly appreciated

They enjoyed every aspect of the hotel tremendously. They said the rooms were modern and spacious, and the beach locale was ideal because it wasn't over-crowded in comparison to other hotels. They said that the on-site restaurants were excellent (and they have more discerning tastes than my own becuase they weren't as fond of the eateries at the Holiday Inn as I was), and the service was impeccable. It appears to be a hotel for those that want to be near enough to the benefits of the "high-rise" zone, but with the ability to safely retreat to less populated surroundings. They might be doing construction in the hotel, but any noise distraction would appear to be nominal.

Does the #5 train stop at Reina Beatrix International?

thanks so much, I hope I enjoy it just as much as they did

Thanks for the trip report. I was thinking about you and your trip. Had not seen you post the report. Maybe you joined your wife in therapy after the in-laws 'stayed' in your room while you were at the Natural Pool?

MikeM

Maybe if she hand't made that "fertility" wish I would have considered it

Does the #5 train stop at Reina Beatrix International?

Great report, ArubaDre'! Any good suggestions for a family of 10 which includes 4 Aruba rookies, 3 of which are kids age 18 - 13?

Aruba Bound! ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Blogging to Aruba
Back to paradise Trip #18

I greatly enjoyed your report. Until I am able to return in a couple of months, it is fun living vicariously through others! There is nothing like that first hit of sun and wind you get when you step out of the airport....aaaaaaahruba!