One Happy Island

This warm weather we're enjoying is giving me flashbacks and violent withdrawals. After our wedding in October 2011, Brian and I were lucky enough to honeymoon for a week in Aruba. I don't think we were supposed to leave.  In fact...I think we have to go back.

Since Aruba is a popular destination for many East Coasters, I thought I'd share some of my favorite pictures and thoughts about some of the fabulous food we ate and adventures we encountered. We had originally wanted to go to Hawaii, but as cost-conscious newlyweds we realized that round trip tickets for both of us to Aruba was less expensive than a one-way ticket to Hawaii for just one of us. Something to keep in mind for honeymooners (or just globetrotters) on a budget!

Here's one of the best pictures I took - loved the emerald and turquoise color of the water!



Um...after looking at that picture I need some motivation to get through this post without booking tickets for Round 2.

Brian and I stayed at Eagle Beach's Bucuti & Tara Resort, which was exclusively for honeymooners and folks on an anniversary celebration. Aruba's only "adult-only" resort, and it was spectacular. There will be plenty of time to deal with kids screaming about sand in their bathing suits in the future.

We started things off right with a couple's massage the morning after we arrived, followed by a full day on the beach - no better way to kick off a relaxing week after the chaos that had been months of wedding planning.

Here's a picture of the resort from our sunset cruise, and some of the views from our balcony.









Dining

Our honeymoon package at Bucuti included a dinner on the beach at The Pirate's Nest, a replica of a 16th century Dutch galleon, which was part of our hotel and is also one of Aruba's top rated restaurants. We could not get over how picturesque the scenery was from our hut on the beach, perhaps the most romantic meal I've ever had (don't worry I won't go into all the honeymoon romance). The staff were very attentive and so friendly. Since this restaurant was at our home base, every morning we enjoyed a breakfast buffet here, too. Omelets anyone?

My team at my old job in New York gave us a gift certificate to a wonderful restaurant called El Gaucho, an Argentinian Steakhouse. It was some of the best steaks we've eaten, and we had the pleasure to be serenaded by mariachi band as we dined!

We also enjoyed a lovely contemporary dining experience sitting outside by the pond at Ruinas Del Mar at the Hyatt hotel. The open-air concept was great and we loved watching coi fish and a bevy (heh) of black swans swimming in the pond as we ate!

El Gaucho


The Pirate's Nest


Ruinas Del Mar


Activities

Besides its beaches, Aruba has other fun activities for tourists. We took a Jeep tour to the island's natural bridge, hiked around in some old ruins, and toured the desert side of the island. We snorkeled in a natural pool by the ocean and through an old shipwreck. On our snorkel tour, which started at 8 in the morning and was an open bar, we fell in love with these drinks called Green Iguanas (aptly named since we saw probably hundreds of iguanas roaming the island and our resort all week). Needless to say, it was a sleepy afternoon on the beach. I need to find this drink recipe. Need to.

We took the popular Kukoo Kunuku party bus one evening, which started off with a champagne toast at sunset, followed by dinner at Residencia Sylvia and drinks at several local pubs. This was a wild time. Our last activity was horseback riding, which was our least favorite thing. A fun, different activity to do, but we were hot (and Brian really never got the hang of it).







Yep. We have maracas.

Have any of you been to Aruba? What were some of your favorite memories?