Arrival in Aruba

We arrived here at the Tamarijn and the resort truly, if only for room location and proximity to the beach and ocean, cannot be beat. But there is many more wonderful things to tell you about this resort which we unfold over the upcoming days.

I sat in the lobby for a short time early this evening waiting for my brother and his children to arrive from the airport in the very capable hands of our taxi driver friend Bully.

Water Clarity on Palm Beach Aruba

This question has come up over the years in various Aruba forums. After twelve plus years of observing Palm beach, as a long time lover of Palm Beach, I am going to add my two cents. Even in 1995 when we first visited Aruba, the water was not crystal clear.

I hear the sighs of first time Aruba visitors as I type this. Intermittently over the years, mostly very early in the morning, just after dawn, the water has appeared clear. For the most part though, the water has rarely been crystal clear. ... more

Shopping Online

Christmas is coming for sure. I don't know about you, but our household, year 'round shops for many many things online. This year we identified a new used car for dh online. We used the CarMax website to find the car he wanted. Then it was just a matter of driving to CarMax, checking the car over, taking it for a test drive and handing over the payment. The car was clean but it took them longer to wash and "prep" the car than it did to fill out the paperwork. And oh, did I mention, no haggling?

Jerry also found me online thirteen years ago, almost to the day through a personal ad he had placed. I was on vacation in Florida at my parent's house. Bored one night and surfing on the internet I stumbled upon the ads in Prodigy. You remember Prodigy don't you? Yes well, I guess that is an indication of HOW long ago this really was. No e-harmony back then. Just good old plain and simple personal ads. That is history though, things have worked out well and though he has switched from Mac to Microsoft, we still do as much as we can online.

Christmas & New Years in Aruba

I am beginning to get curious what exactly to expect. How will the Tamarijn be decorated?

Someone posted some gorgeous photos on the internet of the resort being decorated for Christmas a couple of weeks ago. How did they turn out?

christmas lights!!! where are they??? Hmm...if that question doesn't catch my curiousity...how to fit it in?

Snorkeling Aruba's Beaches

Dh and I haven't snorkeling off the shore in Aruba for quite a number of years. After we began scuba diving, there just seemed no reason to bother. This time, with dd and my brother and his three kids in tow, we plan on exploring every inch of the island and snorkeling where it is safe.

For this Aruba trip, I have been using ShoreDiving.com as a reference.

At the northern end of the island check out Boca Catalina. On that website it is called "Catalina Cove".

Aruba Articles Worth Sharing

Affordable Caribbean: Aruba
By Barbara Ireland
Published: October 28, 2007
Rooms, meals and the island’s trademark windsurfing can all be had at reasonable prices if you’re willing to forgo some luxuries.

The Caribbean Escape Plan For Families: Aruba
By Michelle Higgins
Published: January 28, 2007
Families will find a wide variety of kid-friendly accommodations with activities ranging from windsurfing to snorkeling to scavenger hunts.