Trip report - 3/23/19-3/30/19

[phrogg108]

Hi All! I know this isn't a "live" report, but it's certainly not a "dead" one either. So, here goes...

First of all, you guys lied to me...

Aruba is even MORE awesome than all y'all said it would be!!

Aside from that, ohmigosh, ohmigosh, ohmigosh did we have a GREAT time!!! So good, in fact, that we already (WaltVB totally called it!) made our reservations for the same AirBnB for the same week next year! Before we even left the airport! In fact, our next trip is going to be a fact-finding mission regarding long term plans for maybe a condo or some other kind of real estate purchase for future use. We have no idea what we are getting ourselves into there yet, but that is what the next trip will be for.

As far as everything else we did, I cannot thank everyone enough for your suggestions and input. We found so many of the things everyone talks about here and went and did them and were super glad we did. Everything from Eduardo's, to Local Store (went there FOUR times!), to the roundabout in front of Superfoods, to the various beaches to Salt & Pepper, to Flying Fishbone, to Madam Janette's to snorkeling with the Black Pearl/Blue Melody to the UTV tour with AGW (turns out they are an amazing group!!), to the Butterfly Farm, to Scott's Brats, to chillin' by the ocean and everything in between.

The weather was spectacular, the people were friendly and amazing, the sunsets were gorgeous, the food was faboo... I cannot say enough about everything we did! Most of you all know everything I would talk about anyway, so I won't bore you with any more than I already have other than to say: Aruba sure is contagious and if we never went anywhere else on vacation, I would be completely fine with that.

Hopefully one of these days, we will be there at the same time of some of you and can meet up for a Balashi. Lord knows I drank my fair share of 'em while I was there!! Heeheehee!!

[Andrea J.]

ahhhhhh "we got another one!"

so happy all was wonderful!!

Hi All! I know this isn't a "live" report, but it's certainly not a "dead" one either. So, here goes...

First of all, you guys lied to me...

Aruba is even MORE awesome than all y'all said it would be!!

Aside from that, ohmigosh, ohmigosh, ohmigosh did we have a GREAT time!!! So good, in fact, that we already (WaltVB totally called it!) made our reservations for the same AirBnB for the same week next year! Before we even left the airport! In fact, our next trip is going to be a fact-finding mission regarding long term plans for maybe a condo or some other kind of real estate purchase for future use. We have no idea what we are getting ourselves into there yet, but that is what the next trip will be for.

As far as everything else we did, I cannot thank everyone enough for your suggestions and input. We found so many of the things everyone talks about here and went and did them and were super glad we did. Everything from Eduardo's, to Local Store (went there FOUR times!), to the roundabout in front of Superfoods, to the various beaches to Salt & Pepper, to Flying Fishbone, to Madam Janette's to snorkeling with the Black Pearl/Blue Melody to the UTV tour with AGW (turns out they are an amazing group!!), to the Butterfly Farm, to Scott's Brats, to chillin' by the ocean and everything in between.

The weather was spectacular, the people were friendly and amazing, the sunsets were gorgeous, the food was faboo... I cannot say enough about everything we did! Most of you all know everything I would talk about anyway, so I won't bore you with any more than I already have other than to say: Aruba sure is contagious and if we never went anywhere else on vacation, I would be completely fine with that.

Hopefully one of these days, we will be there at the same time of some of you and can meet up for a Balashi. Lord knows I drank my fair share of 'em while I was there!! Heeheehee!!

[blaker]

Hello-

What is AGW? We are looking to do UTV tour to natural pool when we arrive in a couple weeks. We have been to Aruba many times, but I am not sure I have heard of them and we are looking for a tour company! Glad you had a great time, it is one amazing place!

Thanks!
Blake

[phrogg108]

ahhhhhh "we got another one!"

so happy all was wonderful!!

You definitely got another one!!

[phrogg108]

Hello-

What is AGW? We are looking to do UTV tour to natural pool when we arrive in a couple weeks. We have been to Aruba many times, but I am not sure I have heard of them and we are looking for a tour company! Glad you had a great time, it is one amazing place!

Thanks!
Blake

AGW Tours is: https://www.agwtoursaruba.com/

I found them via Trip Advisor and honestly, cannot say enough good things about them! For example, when we were driving back up from the Natural Pool, one of the wheels literally fell off of one of the UTV's and the guides were super calm, cool and collected about it, grabbed the jack from one of the other UTVs and had the wheel put back on in no time (seems the lug nuts had been loose or something completely random and the wheel happened to come loose and fall off). Right before that, I happened to ask if the tires were solid or had air in them and how they didn't get punctured with how rocky everything was. They told me they spend $11,000 per month in tires to make sure everything is maintained properly. I overheard another person in our group make a comment about how good the tires all looked on the AGW vehicles compared to other tour companies whose tires have a ton of plugs in them. These guys really seem to take a lot of pride in their tours and equipment. I had also forgotten my sunglasses back at our AirBnB and about halfway through the tour, one of the guides offered me his goggles since I was driving. I thought that was really nice of them. I also HIGHLY recommend goggles!!

We did the morning UTV tour and it was great!

We were really happy with them!

[Sue M.]

I think you had a fabulous first time. It is very contagious. You will will love it more with each visit. So happy to hear you enjoyed your trip. Look forward to next years adventures.

[cpjones]

wow.... sounds like a full visit and non stop action. Thanks for sharing.

[DiviDiviFan]

WOW, have a huge smile on my face reading how much you (like all of us) fell head over heels in love with Aruba! You sure did squeeze in lots of fun activities for your first trip. I sure hope we get to meet sometime. Loved your report

[robin]

Glad you loved Aruba and that you will be returning. We'll be there Jan. 6 to either the end of March or beginning of April next year.

[Pegmeister]

The excitement of a first timer! So glad you enjoyed your vacation!!