Tranquilo Famous South Side Lunch Cruise
This ranks among our top four things to do. Last year we had an enjoyable time on Jolly Pirates and this year it was time to show the kids in our group what “real” sailing was like and some different snorkeling that Aruba had to offer. We had sailed with Captain Anthony in 2006 and hoped that our friends and their children would enjoy it as much as us. At the end I asked for a show of hands from our group of seven and indeed everyone loved it!
Our day started when we greeted Captain Anthony and his mate Gregory on the beach next to the De Palm Pier. Here is where he takes care of the paperwork and then we are off in his dingy to the awaiting sailboat. Once aboard the Captain gives some instructions and Gregory reviews what beverages he has available to serve from the bar. The day we sailed, it seemed the rum punch and Balashi’s were the most popular adult beverages.
Continue reading "Our Day on Tranquilo in Aruba" »
Dh and I had stayed on Palm Beach over a dozen times before our first stay at a low rise resort, specifically, the Tamarijn. It was also our first all inclusive in Aruba. Hearing a lot of good and bad, truthfully we were not sure what to expect. Honestly it took us a good 4 or 5 days to adjust from the high rise resorts we had stayed in, mainly the Westin and Radisson, to a "plainer" low rise resort. It finally dawned on us, that everything was a tradeoff, and the positives at the Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive far outweighed any negatives. Mainly the oceanfront rooms and a nice family friendly resort with very good (not gourmet though) food.
Continue reading "Palm Beach Aruba vs. Druif Beach & the Tamarijn Aruba" »
Here is a breakdown for our extended family of 10 for a day at Palm Beach.
2 big umbrellas $20 x 2 = $40
6 chaise lounge rentals $8 x 6= $48 (if the kids want to sit they can use their towels)
4 floats to pass the day away $5 x 4 = $20
Banana boat or tube ride for 4 kids $20 x 4= $80
Lunch (hamburger & soda $22.88 pp at the Radisson) for 10 people = $228.80
One hour rental of a Hobie Cat sailboat = $75
2 taxis for 10 people (2 x $20) roundtrip = $40
$531.80 for ten people= $53.80 per person for the entire day
(sandwich at Bugaloe instead of the Radisson with a pina cola $166.80) = $46.98 per person
Continue reading "A Day At Palm Beach Aruba" »
Along with our friends and their two daughters we took the "Sail, Snorkel and Swim" excursion with Jolly Pirates. It was a nice day and the kids especially had fun. Most of our boat was filled with a family attending a wedding in Aruba and they were having their own little party, but not rowdy or drunken. We did the normal snorkel stops of Arashi and Malmok. Unfortunately there was a great deal of moss like seaweed, part of nature, but just kind of creeped me out swimming amongst green blobs.
Continue reading "Review Jolly Pirates Aruba" »