about my 2nd trip to Aruba this year.
Since I am an Aruba board addict, and also an Aruba bound addict I want to share my expierence of this trip with all of you. This trip lasted 8 nights (7 at the LaCabana, and 1 at the Marriott Rennansance). It did rain, and we did get bitten by some bugs-bring bugspray). Sadly I am home once again, but already have next years trip or possibly two trips in mind for my vacations.
The week started off a little rocky. I stayed at a timeshare unit at the LaCabana for 7nights. The room was beautiful (a D unit overlooking the ocean) but when I went to put my clothes in the dresser there were little bugs running around it. Housekeeping came up and sprayed it down with bugspray. Nervous they would return, I only shoved my clothes into one draw wrapped in a towel. The next morning I awoke and the bugs were back. I called down, the houskeeping supervisor came and stated she was going to get an outside company to come and spray. By 6pm this company never came. So I went down to complain to the front desk and with in 45minutes the exterminator was there.
2nd complaint about this room was they were re-doing the end units right next to me. From 9:30-6pm everyday I heard drilling, hammering etc. Those late nights drinking and the need for a late morning sleep was not too much of an option. I did ask to have my room moved, but the room they were going to put me in was not compariable by any means, so I stuck it out.
Overall, the LaCabana was an awesome time. My daughter and I have stayed at the Divi Dutch Village (attached to the Tam), Marriott Stellas, Marriott Reiannasance, and the LaCabana all have their own quality, but we had the best time this trip with the people we met at the LaCabana. Bruno was my favorite bartender and then Kenny. Happy Hour every night from 10-11 was a must and the best part you would see mostly the same people there that you became friendly with.
While at the LaCabana, we didn't do many excursions this trip. Since this is our 3rd trip to the island in just over a year I decided to keep this more on the relaxing side and spend my money more towards drinking and dinners. Ohh..and the dinners are awesome. As you have heard, Madamme Jeannettes is the best. When I go in June it is always closed, so this trip when I had my first dinner there, I made another reservation for later that week. Yes, it was that good. I had the almond crusted grouper the first time, and Large shrimp the second.. Both were great and have leftovers both times. My daughter liked her meal so much the first time she got the same meal when we went back..it was chicken with mushroom spinach sauce. Both times there I speant under $60. My waiter was Giovanni(a very cute Italian boy only there for school until January) and I sat at a great table.. 7b. That was outside, right next to the entertainment and near the water station. Service was awesome, place was great and Giovanni didn't miss a beat. So if you make a reservation, ask for table 7b, and Giovanni. If you mention Kristen from Boston (my daughters name) he will know who we are.. We wrote cute thank you notes over the check and the supervisor pulled him aside and told him to keep it for his resume.
To continue..We ate at El Gauchos (My favorite place for steak). I always come here when on the island and always I have leftovers to make a 2nd meal. For both my daughter and I the price is around $70. Well worth it, and best steak you will ever have.
The French steakhouse was good, but made her and I feel a little out of place. We dress nicely for our dinners, but this place was so quiet, soft music playing, and the food was not in a large portion for the price. It was one of my most expensive meals, and out of our three trips to the island, our least liked. Not because the food was bad, just not our type of place-plus we like having leftovers.
If your on your looking for romance.. go to the flying fishbone. We went last year.. It is very nice, worth the ambience, but pricey and you don't get much food. I recommend this highly if you are looking for romance. Make sure you go to El Gauchos and Madamme Jeanetts.. You will not regret it.
Excursions.. Bannana Boat Ride, Jolly Pirates and the Black Hog Saloon.
Bannana Boat ride was awesome. Got thrown off of that 3 times, laughed the whole time.
For Jolly Pirates we did the 3-6pm tour on Thursday. Perfect time and a lot of fun. They had this rope swing at the end that was awesome. Everyone was scared to do it, but once one went...everyone went. The captain started doing tricks..and did one with my daughter. My daughter is a teenager, so she got the guts.. Anyway..He had her on his back and did a flip while she was holding on.. Wicked awesome!! We would do this again next time.
Black Hog Saloon..well not really an excursion, but kinda is. This was my drunkest night on the island. All beer is included, drinking contests (which I won and had to dance like a fool for a shirt), great entertainment and the food was BBQ was great. We did this in June, and this trip..and will do it again the next trip. Thats how much fun it is.. It's a must try!!
Our last night this trip we stayed downtown at the Renannanse. Much different going from a big time share room to a small hotel room. Nice place though, the boat picked you up in the lobby and brought you to their private island. There was a pink duck (never seen that before) and there were pink flamingos walking around. Very neat, but we kinda got bored there. The hotel is in a great spot, walking distance to Carlos and Charlies. We went to Carlos and Charlies to grab a bite to eat at 7pm, but we had so much fun we closed the place at 3am. I stuck with my daughter the whole time, monitored her drinking and since she is a cute kid.... shots were offerred many, many, many times. Had a great time. Saw Giovanni from Maddame Jeannettes, all the guys that work at the black hog, and people that we have just run into over, and over again. Great people we have met, and if any of them read this post.. You guys all rock. Just a side note before some people think we are out to get hurt.. We don't leave with them we all just have a great time where we are.
Okay, sorry for the length.. Hope this trip report helps for future plans..I personally think the island was a little dead.. When we have gone in June..many more people so I probably won't go back around this time again. Also it doesn't rain in June...
If you have any questions ..let me know!!
Have fun!!!
