What do you need to know for Aruba?

Are there any necessary skills involved in vacationing in paradise? You need to know how to swim. C. never had the opportunity to learn how to swim.

Last year however, she wanted to go to summer camp, yet another experience she had never had. Summer Science Camp was a big hit with her. No time for swim lessons.

She had never even seen the ocean until she came to us in 2004. Since then, the past two summer, a few times in Florida, C. has swum in the ocean.

My entire family loves the Caribbean. Every year, for the past three years, my grandmother has treated the entire family to a Caribbean cruise over Christmas.

C.'s first visit to a Caribbean beach was Brewer's Bay in Tortola. The waters in Tortola were as smooth and flat as glass. Whether she was more preoccupied finding rocks (yes she is a collector ) or afraid of the water, we do not know. She barely went near it, obviously she was not interested. On a sailing excursion in Barbados she wanted to snorkel like her cousins. Naturally, the entire time in the water, she clung to Jerry for dear life. Not enjoyable for either of them.

The only other time we attempted the beach was the last day of our cruise during a visit to Half Moon Cay. It was cold and it was windy, but it was this day that she showed interest, we were amazed.

Things were looking up after all!