Aruba Part 1: It's Hot In Here

Well I've already prefaced how uncomfortable and excruciating the sun was in Aruba, and while I had an amazing trip I definitely was appreciative of the cooler climate that welcomed me back in Seattle. When I am researching a destination, I always want to know what I should do, where I should visit, and what I should try (whether it is food or an adventure). Therefore, I wanted to create a list of things that you should do (or not do) if you should visit this "Happy Island". Some might reiterate what I said in my previous post, but I am going to elaborate more on what I experienced.

1. PACK HEAVY DUTY SUNSCREEN LIKE YOU ARE ABOUT TO ENTER DANTE'S INFERNO.
-->I'm not a fan of sunscreen, and I typically pack carrot or coconut oil for a beach trip, but trust me when I say that the Arubian heat is not just hot, it's fucking SEARING. It is so unbearable, that within 10 minutes of exposure to the sun, you are sure you have gotten skin cancer. Our biggest rookie mistake was to not pack strong sunscreen, and we ended up paying a pretty penny for SPF 50.
-->One more thing... if you're a sweetner lover like myself (i.e. sweet n low or equal) - yes I'm one of those horrible people, then make sure you pick some up in the last American airport (probably Starbucks) that you are at before getting to Aruba.

Our layover in Orlando, FL was interesting. We were positively the youngest passengers on the flight, and I could already smell the sunscreen that those travelers bathed in.

The most interesting breakfast sandwich we got in Orlando...who puts a WHOLE avocado on top?!

In Orlando, ready to take the shuttle to the international terminal.

2. PRETEND YOU ARE CARMEN SANDIEGO AND BE CREATIVE WITH YOUR TRAVEL.
Aruba was extremely last minute for me, but there came a point in my hectic life that said I needed a personal reboot. Heck, I even almost went alone (to my parents horror). About a year ago I had gotten a Southwest Credit Card (not the poshest airline, but it does have its perks), and I had racked up so many points that I decided it was time to lay on a beach and do nothing. The Plus: Southwest has started flying internationally, The Negative: There are not many direct flights to these international locations from certain airports in the US (i.e. Seattle or San Francisco, where we were coming from).
 
                                                      For me, this is my favorite kind of puzzle.

I ended up booking a red eye from Seattle to Orlando (I could have flown to Houston or Baltimore), because it was the closest to Aruba and the flight times aligned perfectly with my friend that was flying out of San Francisco. Please note that I booked her flight as well. :)

We both got to Orlando, just in time for a small layover and a quick breakfast, and we were off...ARUBA HERE WE COME!!

Landing in Aruba

My little workstation on the flight to Aruba. Unfortunately I didn't get a pic of the surfer dude that was nonstop talking to me after he waited for me to wake up from my nap and told me he had saved me snacks. LOL.

One of my favorite things about landing at a new airport is the Welcome Sign. <3


3. GROW UP AND STOP USING HOSTEL WORLD (LE SIGH), AND GIVE IN TO AIRBNB TO BOOK ACCOMMODATIONS.  
I was excited that I got to pop my AirBnB cherry, and use the site for this trip! Being obsessed with Hostel World  throughout college, it was very refreshing and exhilarating to try something new. I knew from past travels that I wanted to stay in an apartment vs. a hotel, and that I wanted it to be semi close to the beach, but not adjacent to the tourists. I also wanted to stay in a place that was closer to the locals. 

Our little couch/bar area. I had to get some good pics before everything was covered in clothes, liquor, and makeup.

The bed was perfect, except when the cleaning crew decided to wash down our windows at 8am, creating a monsoon like effect.

We loved our little apartment pool. The 1st pool rule: No glass....

Our cozy little bathroom that had no AC. I took one for the team, and got ready in this go-to sauna.

4. DON'T BE AN EBENEZER SCROOGE.
While I was looking what you must see and do when in Aruba, I came across a couple of orphanages and the people that had gone to visit them. I knew I needed to add this to the list. Please note: I am not obsessed with kids, am not even sure about having them, but knowing there are kids out there that didn't grow up with the luxuries that I had breaks my heart.

There were two orphanages on the island - Casa Cuna is for ages 0-8, and Imeldahoff is for ages 8-teen. Children are placed there by the state because they cannot live at home anymore (whether it is from physical or sexual abuse). Before we left the states we each made a small area in our suitcase that would be dedicated to clean clothes, and toys dedicated to learning and fun. I literally had to SIT on my suitcase in order to get everything I wanted to bring in there.

We decided to go to Casa Cuna on the Tuesday that we were there (I had called the previous week when we were in the states), and getting there was like finding a needle in a haystack.

My coworkers joked that I was going to be coming back to the states with a few kids, but all I could do is just laugh. I love kids, but in regards to me having them, that is a huge question mark. Anyways, my goal was to give them some of the comforts that I had as a child.

Luckily we had mapped out every street and turn, because the Arubian people made it very difficult to find these kids. I guess that's a good thing?

We finally found them, got to view their pool and playground, and got to meet some of the people that took care of them on a daily basis.

If you or anyone you know would to visit the Casa Cuna Progress Orphanage, here is their contact number: (297) 585-7177.

A few of the things we brought them.

Here is also the link to other ways you can help around the Island: http://www.togetherforgood.org/.

5. DO THE KUKOO KUNUKU TOUR...EVEN IF YOU HAVE SWEAT ON YOUR UPPER LIP THE ENTIRE TIME.

This by far was the favorite thing I did in Aruba. A friend of mine from NYC that had recently been there, and suggested that we do this while on the Island, so we looked into it. You had your choice of 4 tours:

1. Dinner & Night Life
2. Pub Krawl
3. Rocks & Beach Tour
4. Animal Lovers Tour

I'm not sure who does the last two tours, but we decided we wanted to do the Pub Krawl, which was around $45 for about 4 1/2 hours. They also picked you up at your hotel, or in our case the apartment we were staying at.

We were the first to get on the Kukoo Bus, and in our normal fashion we switched where we were sitting in the very front, and had them move us to the middle so we could have prime seats

As everyone got on the bus...we all had our maraca's (that they told us not to break them, but of course I did...)

The tour included stops at 4 bars, in which you have time to mingle, as well as get drinks and shots at a discounted price. There is also a welcome shot at every bar, and you get a "shot necklace" when you first board the bus. I must have broken this necklace at least 4 times.

Yes, ALL of this was happening, while we were driving...

They also offer these "sippy cups" for $5, which not only allows you to drink on the bus, but prevents the crazy drunks from spilling drinks all over your already sweaty body. Of course we had no cash or debit cards on us to buy some sippy cups, but we met a couple from Jersey that got us some cups in exchange for some shots. Our alcoholic angels <3

A view of the back of the bus....the middle was not a lively group

You must take tequila shots if you are drinking with me...

Our bus driver, Jaime was A. PARTY. ANIMAL. Not only were his stripper moves on par, but his eclectic mix of genres and karaoke skills took the cake.

We were nervous to be sat next to newlyweds, but it turned out that Harold and Ashley were our bus soul mates!

The bus was not complete without a few lap dances...as well as the older creeper
watching every move we made.

Accepting the fact that we were going to be sweaty no matter what day or time it was the norm.

I loved this couple...I even took her camera to ensure she got some great "souvenir" footage ;)

While we all begged and begged and BEGGED for Jamie to take us to one more bar, he could not. Therefore he put on Kokomo by the Beach Boys, and let it sink in that the most fabulous night in Aruba was about to end.

For more info on the Kukoo Kunuku click here.

A view of the back of the bus. The poor girl in the white should have slowed down, because by the end of it all she was hurling out the window.


6. FIND AN ARUBIAN MAN AND TELL HIM HE'S BEAUTIFUL.

Because well, who doesn't like a compliment?! I met him at the last bar of the tour, and my first question was, "So, do you like Aruba...Oh you do? Ummm ok. Great, here put on this hat...Oh and I wanted to tell you that you very beautiful. Bye!"

*if you ever meet me in person, you know that sometimes my awkwardness crosses with whatever comes to my mind at that moment...and you'll never know what you'll get. :)

That's all I have at the moment, but I do have a ton more tips and pictures, so a part 2 will be coming soon!

xoxo