After months of planning and waiting, I finally took my long-awaited trip to Aruba.
Cadushi panorama
We left our home in North Carolina at 3:30 a.m., where the temperature was in the 30s, and by noon we were greeted in Aruba with sunny skies and temperatures in the low 80s. Oh, how nice it was to be able to once again travel to a tropical place to escape the cold of winter!
Villa Tropical Pool – Tracey Cullen
Pretty Flower-Cindy Sworen
We rented a Jeep so we could enjoy places on the island that can only be reached with a 4WD vehicle, and we headed to Noord. Since we were traveling with another family, we rented a house, Villa Tropical Aruba. We were shown around the house and its beautifully landscaped grounds, complete with a volleyball court, pool table, ping pong table and other games, and a garden with fruit trees. The pool looked so inviting, we immediately changed into swim suits, and within less than 30 minutes, we were relaxing in the pool and the hot tub. When we left our home, there weren’t flowers blooming yet, so I enjoyed taking photos of some of the pretty plants on the grounds. We were a bit startled by a random rooster and hen running past us by the pool, but being the animal lovers we are, we were entertained by their presence all week. We enjoyed a nice quiet evening and went to bed early so we could wake up ready to hit the beach.
Eagle Beach — ID 222665658 Agenturfotografin Dreamstime
On our first day we visited Eagle Beach, near some of the resorts. The waterfront is dotted with palapas, structures resembling a beach umbrella but made with dried palm leaves. Apparently, they get claimed early by resort guests, so we couldn’t find one available. But it didn’t matter to us, because that crystal-clear turquoise water was calling to us. We ended up enjoying our time at the beach wading in the water through the soft, white sand. Some of the members in our party spent their time snorkeling and were amazed at how far down they could see. This is a huge difference from Tar River, where we spend most of our summer weekends on boats. When we venture in that brown water, we can’t even see our feet!
Malmok Beach
Malmok Beach – Cindy Sworen
I informed everyone I did my research; and although Eagle Beach was beautiful, it surprisingly does not offer the best snorkeling. Our next stop that day would be a small, rocky beach called Malmok Beach. From the road, it doesn’t look as inviting as Eagle Beach. The water is more of a dark blue, and you have to wear water shoes or swim fins to get past the rocky beach and some vegetation into the deeper water. But once you get out there, it’s apparent why this is the place to snorkel. I had bought my daughter a waterproof protective case for her iPhone to take underwater photos, and it worked great. She got photos of so many colorful fish and a huge starfish at least a foot across. The limestone rocks along the shoreline were home to hundreds of fish and did not disappoint.
Cadushi Sunset Terrace
When everyone was done snorkeling, we headed back to the house to get ready for dinner. I made reservations at Cadushi Sunset Terrace at Straddle It Saloon for happy hour. This restaurant is built high up on a large outcropping of boulders and offers 360-degree views of the island. We enjoyed a few two-for-one drinks and a delicious dinner and stayed to hear a local band play for a while before heading home. That night we played a fun game of giant Jenga and then went to bed so we would be ready for our next day’s adventure to Baby Beach and the Donkey Sanctuary. But you’ll have to tune in next month to hear about that and more.
Cadushi Sunset Terrace seating
Cadushi Sunset Terrace
— Tracey Cullen, art director
Pretty purple flowers – Tracey Cullen
Pretty Flower-Tracey Cullen
Malmok Beach puffer fish — Alli Cullen
Malmok Beach Pelican – Alli Cullen
Malmok Beach – Alli Cullen
Malmok Beach
Malmok Beach – Alli Cullen
Malmok Beach
Baby Pineapple – Cindy Sworen
– Cindy Sworen
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Jul 26, 2024Accor Unveils Its First Handwritten Collection Brand in the United States
San Francisco, a city renowned for its commercial hubs and cultural sites, will become the first destination in the United States for one of Accor's newest brands, Handwritten Collection. The city’s Hotel Stratford San Francisco, Handwritten Collection is a European-style boutique property located near Union Square on the famous Powell Street cable car line. The area will now have the Handwritten Collection name behind it. The property becomes Accor's third hotel in San Francisco, joining the Fairmont properties atop Nob Hill and at Ghirardelli Square.
Sponsored Content
L’Ermitage: Your Beverly Hills Self-Care Haven
Nestled amidst the palm-lined boulevards of Beverly Hills, L'Ermitage exudes refined elegance and unparalleled service. This haven, a Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond and, most recently, Two Key MICHELIN Guide recipient, continues to captivate discerning travelers and Angelenos with its unwavering dedication to personalized hospitality and self-care.
Global City Guidebook 2024
Jul 26, 2024Bask in Nature’s Tranquility at The Spa at Four Seasons Tamarindo
When the two of us entered The Spa at Four Seasons Tamarindo, past the backlit boutique items and local artisan-painted wood carvings, the place wrapped us in a feeling of tranquility. Its stone walls, earth tones, woven wall hangings and furniture made of natural materials reminded us we are part of nature’s spectrum, the abundant windows showing native plants and trees outside.
Daily
Jul 26, 20244 Boutique Hotels with Exclusive Wedding Buyout Offerings
Couples looking for an over-the-top wedding, consider one of these properties around the world, offering total property buyouts to say your “I do’s.”
Sponsored Content
Extend Your Stay In Trendy Madrid
With its rich artistic and natural heritage, its outstanding transport network, the quality of its accommodation, its excellent gastronomy, and the passion with which the people of Madrid enjoy both the day and the night, the capital of Spain is one of the most attractive cities in the world.
Airlines
Jul 26, 2024BermudAir Maximizes Choices for Travelers with New Options
BermudAir announced an expanded fare structure, allowing customers to choose from five fare types across economy and business class, up from the previous three options. Travelers can now select fares based on their preferences for lounge access, checked baggage, change fees, refunds and priority boarding.
Discover Hvar, Croatia’s, Best-Kept Secrets
Daily
Jul 25, 2024Daily
Jul 24, 2024SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites Introduces Custom Wine Itineraries
SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites offers guests personalized journeys to Mendoza’s finest wineries from Susana Balbo’s family. Immerse yourself in bespoke wine itineraries recommended by Balbo, Argentina’s first female winemaker; her son and third-generation winemaker, José Lovaglio Balbo; and her daughter, hotelier and wine tourism marketer, Ana Lovaglio Balbo.
Sponsored Content
Colombia: A Different Kind of Beauty
Colombia’s beauty defies description — it’s that unique, that special, that different — and travelers are taking notice as 2023 marked the country’s best year for tourism, welcoming more than 6 million international travelers. The Country of Beauty looks to continue growing and enhancing its regions and communities in 2024 and beyond.
eFlyer Reviews
Jul 24, 2024Althoff Grand Hotel Schloss Bensberg Review
After a long drive from our previous destination, it was a relief to see Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg in our view. When we pulled into the hotel court, I felt like we were pulling up to a royal palace. Considering the hotel was originally built as a castle for Prince Elector Johann Wilhelm II of Duesseldorf and his wife, Maria-Luisa of the Medici family, my thought wasn’t that far off.
ShareThis