Back to the Real World

[Headhog]

Just settling in from our annual vacation trip. Got back home at 2:30 am on Tuesday morning from 16 days in Aruba. My wife and I have been making this vacation trip for several years now, but got washed out last year because of Covid. Aruba closed the island two weeks before our 2020 trip.

Aruba still has a lot of travel restrictions and social distancing rules in place. We had to have a negative Covid test within 3 days before our departure flight and then the same again before our return flight to the USA. Several business on the island did not survive the island shut down. Fortunately our favorite Dutch pancake place, Diana's managed to get by. The owner knows us and she was so happy to see us back.

We own a timeshare in Aruba and pay an annual maintenance fee for the weeks we own. We figured we lost last years money because of the island closure, but our timeshare somehow managed to find make-up weeks for those affected by the closure. They offered owners make-up weeks to be used in 2021, 2022 or 2023 to cover any loss. So we already made plans to go back a second time in November of this year.

The picture below captures what every day of our stay looked like. The daytime temp 84 F, night temp. 78 F with a good breeze that keeps any insects away. Our toughest decision everyday was picking a place to eat dinner.

IMG_1894.jpg (221.23 KiB) Viewed 967 times

Paul

[JEBar]

sounds like a great vacation spot ///

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

Love that water !!

[daytime dave]

Beautiful waters.

[North Country Gal]

We've had snow for the last few days. That sure looks nice. Just seeing the pics warms me up. Thank-you.

[fortyshooter]

Very nice place!

[Sir Henry]

The real world! There was a time I couldn’t wait. Those waters look so inviting.

[Headhog]

Aruba is a very inviting island. The weather is almost perfect all year around and the island is a very safe place for tourists. We've explored much of Aruba (tiny island only 17 miles long) and at no time have I ever felt uncomfortable or unsafe. The locals are always friendly and helpful. We have tried many restaurants and local eateries that are off the typical tourist path and have always been warmly received.

My wife made her first trip to Aruba about 15 years ago with her sister. Her sister has been going there for 25 years. Finally, after I retired in 2012, my wife convinced me we need to go to Aruba. My first trip was in 2013 and I was hooked. In 2015 we decided a one week stay was just not enough and we purchased a second week. This year, because of the Easter holiday, airfare rates were very high so by adding two days to our stay we saved $400 in airfare. Thats was a no brainer.

My wife is not much of a swimmer and usually prefers poolside. In Aruba she loves an ocean dip everyday. I will spend at least an hour each day enjoying the 80 F turquoise clear water, with gentle waves and no undertow.

Since we stay at the same location for the same weeks, every year, we have made a lot of friends from all over the country. Unfortunately Ryan and Jen from Ontario were not here this year, because Canada is still on lockdown from Covid. Hopefully next year will be better for them.

Paul