Aruba New Year's Eve

New Year's in Aruba is brought in with a huge bang. There is a tradition on the island of lighting firecrackers and fireworks on New Year's Eve. The noise of the firecrackers and fireworks are thought to rid oneself of the evil spirits from the past year in order to begin the New Year anew.

The pagara, a string of Chinese firecrackers is one of the popular parts of the Aruban culture. The story has it that the longer the length of the pagara, the more successful the family or business has been in the past year. Thus the more money you have, the longer length of pagara you are able to afford to purchase.

Now Open — iStore Aruba, the First Apple Concept Store in the Southern Caribbean

October 7th, 2011 - Surrounded by well-wishing family members and friends Milo Croes Jr. made his dream of many years come true, that of opening the first Apple iStore in Aruba and watching with great pride the recent ribbon cutting ceremony, at Ponton 67-B.

The stylish, contemporary store will be selling only Apple products and all Apple related products and accessories. As Aruba’s first iStore, it will be serving both the local and the tourist markets, bringing the Apple brand and culture closer to the community here.

U.S. TSA: Can I Bring?

The TSA has a new feature on their website

Aruba Holiday Special Events III

Aruba Holiday Special Events II

Holiday Special Events

Gaita groups

Aguinaldo

Dande groups
Aruba Dande Groups: Blogging to Aruba

Aruba Holiday Special Events

Aruba Special Events

Ling & Sons IGA Super Center
Schedule of holiday hours

Fireworks, Pagaras & Music for the Holidays

Year of the Shoco, the Year of Wisdom – 2012 Aruba Bird Calendar launched

December 8th, 2011- Aruba Birdlife Conservation proposes 2012 to be the Year of the Shoco, the year of wisdom. 2012 should be Aruba’s year of nature conservation. Aruba Birdlife Conservation proposes that a National Conservation Master Plan be developed and implemented in an effort to save very important nature areas. Achieving such would guarantee a certain level of quality of Product Aruba and in turn guarantee a certain level of quality of life to all.

American Airlines Unveils 777-300ER Aircraft Interior Selections

Features Designed to Modernize and Enhance the Onboard Travel Experience; Integral Piece of American's Fleet Renewal Plan During Time of Restructuring

FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- American Airlines today announced details of the interior selections for its fleet of Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, including fully lie flat First and Business Class seats, seating plans that will give the airline the opportunity to offer a premium product in the main cabin, and Wi-Fi capability to keep customers connected while traveling internationally.

U.S. TSA: Traveling with Children

• Travel Tips
• Baby Formula, Breast Milk, Juice, and Other Liquids
• Children with Disabilities

We have to screen everyone, regardless of age (even babies), before they can go through the security checkpoint.

We will not ask you to do anything that will separate you from your child or children.

Best of the Caribbean Readers’ Choice Awards 2011

Voting: Voting begins November 28, 2011 and ends December 19, 2011. Results will be live on December 20, 2011.Voters are allowed to choose up to 3 options per category.

Best of the Caribbean Readers’ Choice Awards 2011

La Cabana Beach & Racquet Club

Link: La Cabana Beach & Racquet Club Aruba Holiday Activities

Laguna Restaurant at the Radisson Aruba

From our June 2011 trip report...

Laguna Prime Rib Buffet at the Radisson
The buffet at the Radisson was such a good value at *$23.95 per person plus 15% service charge we ate there twice. With our beverage credit included with our package through booking with MCM Tours, we were also able to enjoy wine with our dinner without running up an expensive tab. The beverages were added to our check that evening but deducted as a credit at check out.

Aruba Air Travel with Children

Link: 10 Best Kid-Friendly Airports

Link: Family-Friendly Airlines

Link: Surviving the Airport with Kids

Blue Residence Club Joins Preferred Residences

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE) November 29, 2011 04:05 PM Eastern Time-- Preferred Residences®, a hospitality branded membership and exchange program for luxury shared ownership resorts offered by an operating business of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq: IILG), has added Blue Residence Club in Aruba to its exclusive exchange network. The property will feature 126 spacious condominium units that will be built in three phases, with the first scheduled for completion by summer 2013.