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Aruba TR
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 4:34 pm
by sherban
Attached below is a short trip report for a recent trip to Aruba...
Cheers-
http://www.aruba-bb.com/viewtopic.php?t=57077
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 9:05 pm
by DELETED
DELETED
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:57 pm
by Kathyzhere
Thanks for the report and the photos of Aruba, sounds like you enjoyed yourself.
The water @ Mangel Halto looks very inviting!
Your lucky that your family is okay with your having some alone time...tis important for everyone to do that once in awhile.
I know people that LOVE Aruba, but I haven't the desire to visit. I think it's flat and arid...am I correct? I prefer the lush, mountainous islands more so. Which reminds me I have to visit St Lucia...on the list!
Anyway, glad you got to go and thanks for sharing
Kathy
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:42 am
by Maggy
Thanks for the report and photos. Looks nice. It's always fun to read about other islands.
Really good with some alone time, if you both agree.
I am about to go to STJ by myself in November, which will be fun but I guess, it will be a bit strange to travel that far all alone.
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:59 am
by linne
Hi Sherban!
Thanks for the report and the photos. Love that one with the cactus. But I am wondering, are the beaches in Aruba so deserted as they seem to be in your photos?
Linne
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:40 am
by cptnkirk
Nice thanks sherban

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:18 pm
by liamsaunt
I'm curious about the beaches too. I always thought that Aruba beaches were very crowded. Those photos you got are beautiful!
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:46 pm
by Maggy
BTW - you got some really nice airial pictures of Turks and Caicos. Especially the one of Grand Turk and Salt Cay. You clearly see the reef wall, where the deep goes from 30 ft to 7000 ft.
I also believed that Aruba was kind of crowded. Was it?
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:42 pm
by alw1977
I'll chime in on Aruba's beaches, as I've been there twice. The high rise hotels front Palm Beach, which is a long stretch of sand that is quite crowded. Eagle Beach, in the "low rise" hotel zone, is populated around the various resorts, but in general it's not crowded. Besides that, the other beaches are fairly isolated.
Aruba is an arid, desert climate. While it certainly doesn't have the natural, lush landscapes of St. John, etc., I personally enjoy Aruba quite a bit. The juxtaposition of the red arid ground and the Caribbean blue water is very beautiful.
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:31 pm
by sherban
Thanks for all the friendly comments on the TR...
There are crowded beaches in front of the resorts...which are great if you want to party with the beautiful people, there are modestly populated beaches and there are isolated beaches. Aruba is fairly modern....you can get everything there...which some see as good and some as bad.
Yes it is mostly flat and arid, it is about 20 miles off the cost of Venezuela so it has a definate South American flavor to it's culture, I think the people are very good to tourists there.
Some other pics here:
http://www.panoramio.com/user/584776/tags/Aruba
was there from Monday-Friday so I missed the weekend crowds.
Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:31 pm
by Pianogrl
sherban....enjoyed reading your tr & seeing your pics. When we were in Aruba a few years ago I was amazed at the difference in each side of the island: one beautiful Caribbean, white sand, palms, beaches & the other so much like a desert, except with an ocean out there. Loved the divi-divi trees. We were like you: thought we'd never find Alto Vista Chapel; so glad we did, it was really nice.
Thanks again for your tr/pics! Nice!
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 9:26 pm
by sherban
Maggy wrote:BTW - you got some really nice airial pictures of Turks and Caicos. Especially the one of Grand Turk and Salt Cay. You clearly see the reef wall, where the deep goes from 30 ft to 7000 ft.
Hey Maggy- I checked out your photos and see you have some from Turks and Caicos...how did you like it? How does it compare to STJ?
Cheers-....sherban
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:18 am
by Maggy
Sherban, Turks and Caicos had the most amazing water and beaches, but are not in the least, as beautiful as STJ.
The islands are very flat and arid, and are not that lush and hilly. More long beaches than small bays.
We felt that Provo was kind of too built up for our taste. Lots of construction going on. Large resorts and condos, after each other. Maybe still not too crowded, but it didn't feel Caribbean to us.
Many nice, upscale restaurants (and resorts) and some of the things were just ridiculously expensive.
Grand Turk was something completely different. Felt like traveling 50 years back in time. Quite charming, but not much to do (except for diving and some restaurants). Quaint little town, and nice beaches.
Both Provo and Grand Turk had amazing diving. Fantastic water, reefs and fish life.
For us one time was enough. Not that something was really bad, it was just not our kind of island. We liked Grand Turk better. The only reason I would consider going back, it to dive. It was on TCI I tried diving for the first time, and it was just a wonderful place for that. Never forget that wall...
Hope this helps.
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 4:15 pm
by sherban
Thanks for the great feedback Maggy, I'm always looking to learn a little more about Caribbean destinations- It sounds like Grand Turk would be the place to try in that area if I were to find a deal there...
Cheers!