10th trip to Aruba, our growing family returns July 14-22

[Pop-pop Brian]

Hi all, I figured I would start my trip report early as the preparations have begun and everyone is getting very excited to go. Only "4 more sleeps" (as my granddaughters say) and 2 1/2 more days of work until vacation.

There are 11 of us going on this trip, including our new grandson Dylan who just turned 5 months old. In addition to Dylan, we travel with our two daughters, their husbands and our 2 granddaughters (ages 7 and 5), along with their other grandparents. The preparation for traveling with an infant is a bit more involved, but we did it with our granddaughters in the past so we are familiar with the routine (and thanks for those of you who gave us some tips on traveling with infants).

The first order of business has already been completed...we just placed our grocery order with Ling & Sons through Groceriestogoaruba.com. We will be arriving on Sunday around 4pm (scheduled flight arrival time) and although we usually stop off at a grocery store on the way to the Marriott Surf Club, the stores close at 6pm on Sunday so we didn't want to cut it so close to miss getting our basic supplies. This is a great service and the staff at the Marriott Surf Club receives all of the groceries and refrigerates that things that need to be until we check in. They then bring it up to our villa and put it all away for us when they bring up our luggage. If we find we need more things, we go back to the store during the week to restock.

We don't rent cars since there are so many of us, so we usually just take taxis or walk to the restaurants and shopping strip near the Marriott. For our airport transportation, we arrange service through Kini-kini tours which provides a bus with necessary car seats for the kids at a pretty reasonable round trip fare.

We will have to start thinking about packing soon but that is a breeze. I love the fact that i don't even pack a pair of long pants for Aruba. Shorts, bathing suits, t shirts, polo shirts and sandals/ sneakers.

I just heard a tropical storm is predicted to form and possibly threaten the US coast near New Orleans by Saturday. Another worry we don't have when visiting Aruba, during hurricane season! Love Aruba!

[Pegmeister]

How exciting! Happy planning and looking forward to your trip reports!!

[cpjones]

Thank goodness..... a trip report..... !

[Andrea J.]

has your experiences with the grocery delivery always been positive?
I have read mixed reviews.

looking forward to your aruba story, but if you cannot post we totally understand.............you will be somewhat busy.

how many surf club units do you secure for 8 adults and 3 kids?

[Pop-pop Brian]

Thanks all. Andrea, we get 2 full 2 bedroom villas for our group. The other grandparents own one there (they bought after we started going with the kids and grandkids) and we trade MVC points for our Unit. It works out fine for all of us (well, maybe not as great for my daughter, SIL and their 2 daughters staying in the guestroom side of his parents villa) but we all manage. The Surf club has always been very accommodating about putting us down the hall from each other, always in the Lighthouse Tower. So the family is already speculating about what color wristbands will be given out when we arrive (that must be worn at all times at the Surf Club). If anyone here is at the Surf Club this week, please let me know the color starting today (they usually change mid-week)...I could "win" the guess the color contest. LOL.

We've used the grocery delivery service before and it has always been very good, no issues. What sorts of mixed reviews have there been? We usually order basic stuff for breakfasts, snacks, drinks, etc. We usually eat lunch and dinner meals out.

I should be able to post regularly, despite being busy with the grandkids. I will definitely report on restaurants, roads, activities and things going on around Aruba. I do go to the casinos sometimes, usually the Stellaris but most in our group don't really like going (my wife cannot take the smoke there).

We always meet some interesting people when we are there (I guess we're the sociable types) including last year, the family from the Boston area who had 75 people down for their daughter's wedding at the Marriott Stellaris. What a blast hanging out with them all week on the beach, leading up to the wedding.

[Sue M.]

Nice report to start . I look forward to hearing about your trip. A big group and nothing better than family. Safe travels.

[Pop-pop Brian]

Thanks Sue. We are all getting more excited now that we are down to "TWO more sleeps" until our trip. Always love the anticipation of our vacation, especially with the family to Aruba.

All of our Aruba immigration ED forms are printed and the final packing is in process. Since we have even more stuff to haul there this time with the baby (diapers, formula, child seat, stroller, toys etc.) in addition to the floats etc., my daughter will be coming over to drop some things off so that Grammy and Pop-pop can pack some of it in our luggage. I'll let you know how all of the packing shakes out...I think I will get a good workout carrying suitcases! LOL.

I just have to make it through the afternoon at work until "vacation"!! Yay! Weather for the weekend looks good here so no anticipated delays. Its actually nice that we will have all day Saturday to do our final packing and running around for any last minute items we may need.

[LisaGrn]

Happy packing and safe travels, Brian! We'll be waiting for your trip reports as we vicariously live through you! LOL!

[WaltVB]

Safe and easy travels tomorrow! Can't wait to read your reports!

[Sue M.]

Safe travels with the family.