One Happy Island

​We bid farewell to the One Happy Island but not before we got our fill of Dutch pancakes. This (and the cheese selections) were really the only indicators  I found of the Dutch heritage. After the boys made fun of my pancake choice in Amsterdam, I vowed I would order nothing with cheese this time. I lied. I got the pancakes with ham, mushrooms, and Gouda and it was fantastic! 

We took to the streets of Oranjestad to window shop. That was short- lived, though, because we are out of money. I actually thought everything downtown would look like this; I was wrong and it was a big let down to see only three brightly colored buildings. 

The water was beautiful. The sand was soft. The weather was perfect. The real world and a credit card bill awaits us. Now if we can just get back home without too many delays.

I can’t wait to plan our next get-a-way.

Aruba Days #5 and 6

​Merry Christmas! 🎄🎅✝️

We spent our last full days at Baby Beach, a horseshoe shaped beach known for great snorkeling, and Arashi Beach, also known for great snorkeling. They did not disappoint. Wes and Keagan said they spotted fish of every color, barracudas, and turtles. I sat on the beach finishing two of the best books I’ve ever read, and then watched this pelican repeatedly dive into the water catching small fish. 

The water color here is beautiful!

Aruba Day #4

​We were up early for our off roading adventure. Our tour started at an animal sanctuary where we fed goats carrots by hand.

I’m still questioning how a camel made its way to Aruba.

For today’s adventure, we reserved two UTVs to access remote areas of the island that we can’t see by car. 

We wore the neck gators to protect our mouths and nose from the dirt. Even still, my eyes were watering from the irritating sand.

This island is a desert - a coral desert - so we were surrounded on the paths by fossilized coral and cacti. 

One of the first stops was a natural bridge. The island has six.

We stopped at the old gold mill where gold was once found. And we made a stop at a small outpost for pastechis with hot papaya sauce. 

On the other side of the park, we stopped at the beach for a quick swim. Keagan decided to climb the rocks instead; some things in life don’t change. 

Not many flowers grow here naturally, but I love the wild bougainvillea. I remember seeing it in St Thomas and loving it there, too. 

We hit the grocery store on our way back home. This place is a stop into itself and every other American on the island must have read the same intel because they were there with us. They, too, wanted that spicy cheese dip. We were disappointed that our favorites were sold out. We did score the fresh apple fritters, so not all was lost. 

For dinner, we had crab cakes and snapper on a sweet potato purée at a beautiful restaurant with an outdoor patio. The boys ordered dessert, a gorgeous lemon cheesecake with fresh fruit. It was divine! All I can say is come Sunday I’m back to tuna and carrots, so I’m enjoying a week of cheat meals with dessert.

We drove to San Nicholas on the southern tip of the island to see the Christmas lights. Keagan played DJ and we listened to 45 second clips of tracks from Christmas carols, to Chris Stapleton, to Kanye, to Brandon Lake. He has an eclectic taste in music.

  

Tonight we put our heads on the pillows grateful for the best gift.

Aruba Day #3 🐢

I was awakened this morning at 0845 with our neighbors - a local family - blaring Spanish music. I thought for sure this was Wes trying to get us up and moving, so I reluctantly got up to find I was the only one awake. Everyone else was still in bed and seemingly unable to hear a thing.

Our morning started slowly - Wes had breakfast on the porch, Keagan did his Bible study, Evan did some school work, and I took my Kindle poolside.

For today’s adventure I booked a snorkeling trip with sea turtles. We consider ourselves to be experienced snorkelers; we can say we have swam with sharks, sting rays, and all kinds of fish but sea turtles have evaded us. Our guide took us to Tres Trapi Beach where just outside the swimming area is sea grass that the turtles feed upon. Just arm lengths away we swam with the turtles! Amazing! We also saw a barracuda feeding on a bright blue parrotfish, and we caught a defense mechanism in play when a flying gurnard changed his color to bright pink. Stepping out of the water and onto the rocky steps, I spotted a kododo, a turquoise lizard that I thought for sure was an imaginary animal! 

Our quest to eat only the best food this week continues. We had dinner outside as the sun set. 

We are sun kissed, bellies full, and ready for sleep. The best part is we get to do it again tomorrow.

Aruba Day #2 🐐

​Nothing but blue skies on the island this morning. The wild plumeria is blooming. The ocean breeze is blowing. This is the best way to start a day. 

Wes and I took the car to the national park, Arikok, where we climbed the sand dunes, Boca Prins, and explored Fontein Cave. The arid park is full of cacti, lizards, and wild goats.

On the other side of the dunes was the coast. The current was so strong swimming is not allowed but it was beautiful. 

The Turk’s cap was blooming; Wes said he could smell it and it was very fragrant. Just rubbin’ it in my face. 

The limestone cave had ancient Indian pictographs dating back a 1000 years ago. 

The Quadiriikri cave had an opening at the top that the bats use at dusk every night on their way to forage.

On the way out of the park we spotted wild donkeys. 

We then drove to the supermarket that everyone in my travel group said we had to experience. And I’m so glad we did. How could a grocery store be so memorable? Let me tell you. We bought it all - the jalapeño cheese, the mango chicken salad, the fresh bread, the apple fritters from the bakery, stroop waffles made in front of me, and the fresh out of the fryer ollieburton. They were so good I didn’t get a picture.

We returned home to sit poolside and soak up the sun before going out for dinner. 

My seabass with risotto at OceanZ was fantastic, but the rest of the family was not nearly as happy with their meals.

I ordered the must-do drink Aruba Ariba, but I wasn’t impressed. Last night’s cocktail, papamiento royale, was better, but tonight’s fish was something to write home about. 

The sun set over the water while we ate dinner.

After dinner we played Scramble, a game similar to Scrabble. This is what it looks like getting beat by Mom.

Aruba Day #1

​I loved Amsterdam so much two years ago, that I suggested we spend Christmas this year in Aruba. And here we are! We are staying in an area referred to as Piedra Plat. I think I know why. We spotted this at the end of the street.

Thus far, the island shows no resemblance to the Dutch - food, color or otherwise. It’s arid with more cacti than palm trees. It’s rocky with volcanic remnants. It’s inundated with Chinese corner markets, and the American fast food influence - looking at you Wendy’s - can be seen on every street. It’s only 20 miles from Venezuela, so there’s probably more of a South American influence than European.

However, our first dining experience at one of the top rated restaurants on the island included an appetizer menu with an assortment of cheese dishes, an ode to the Dutch for sure. Our warm brie drizzled with honey was divine. 

And our first seafood meal was a solid 8.5 with the cocktail, Papamiento Royale, made with fresh pineapple juice and rum that I won’t likely forget. Keagan wanted to know if we could buy this by the bottle.

We have gone grocery shopping - which means the fridge is full of beer - and now we are settled in the AirB&B ready for a full night’s sleep. After my 3:45 wake up call and my cat naps on the plane, I’m ready for a bed.

If it weren’t for the mosquitoes, I’d sleep outside. The beaches will be calling my name tomorrow.

Christmas with the Fam

​It was Christmas at my house today. I feel like it’s been crazy busy the last few days - semester exams, finalizing grades, trying to schedule all my classes in the gym before vacation, lunch dates with friends, appointments, shopping online, wrapping gifts, making food. The list goes on. I wondered if and how I would get it all done. I didn’t. The stocking stuffers were never finished, so I guess we will be like the Italian or Spanish and celebrate Epiphany by opening the stocking gifts in January.

Santa did make a stop and left a  business finance calculator and a NPTE prep book for my two guys. He really knows how to have fun! 😂

We had a great dinner of lasagna and cheesy bread. And that lifted our spirits after we watched the Aggies lose in the playoffs. Vikki says we can never watch an A&M game together again because they always lose when we are in the same house.

Jamie gifted the boys basketball trading cards, and they were in heaven. For a second, I had a flashback to Georgia when the boys made up games with the cards and determined winners by random lottery draws and other criteria I never fully comprehended. 

Tomorrow we are on a jet plane to an island where we will do nothing but produce vitamin D, drink cocktails, and eat great food!