[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I’d never heard that Beach Boys song before, I didn’t even know where Aruba was or that it was a Dutch island, nor was I aware of the language or currency but I found myself flying about eight thousand kilometres to get here (via Amsterdam and Curaçao) and I’m glad I did. “Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take ya.”[dt_gap height=”10″ /][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2081″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text][dt_gap height=”10″ /]I stayed in what is now my new favourite hotel, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort on Eagle Beach which is by FAR the nicest in Aruba. That’s it there in the first pic, directly in front of the hotel. There are only 104 rooms and enough sun beds for every single guest, but the fact that about 50% are usually out and about on tours and stuff means it never feels crowded (even during the twice daily happy hour!). Little touches like the stainless steel canteen you receive as a gift in your room to fill up from the water coolers dotted around the property (saving the planet AND saving your precious holiday money on overpriced bottled stuff), live steel drums at the Sand Bar and the fact that the pool is open 24/7 give the place a seriously sophisticated yet chilled out vibe. They’ve got so much stuff spot on and the staff are a rare mix of knowledgable, friendly and not too in your face. I cannot recommend Bucuti enough (neither can Tripadvisor reviews, it’s #1 in the area) and I haven’t felt this way about a hotel in a very long time, I think it’s love.[dt_gap height=”10″ /][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2087″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2089″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][dt_gap height=”10″ /]There are loads of ways to get around the (quite small) island, bike, quad, jeep, tour buses etc…the drivers aren’t the best in the world…I witnessed two crashes when it bucketed down rain on one of the days, so choose wisely. Do get out of the hotel to explore though. One attraction I might give a miss if I was to visit again would be the Natural Pool in the National Park…it’s a bit of a pain to get too, isn’t as beautiful as it sounds and the water looked far too dangerous for me to attempt a swim. The scenery is pretty amazing, BUT in my opinion there are nicer things to see. One of which (that I missed) was seeing the flamingos and if I’d had more time there be no stopping me going on a cheesy Jolly Pirate boat tour![dt_gap height=”10″ /][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2084″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][dt_gap height=”10″ /]Aruba isn’t far off the coast of Venezuela, but you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in America with a lot of the major chains and the fact that everything is in US dollars. The local language is Papiamento, you’ll recognise elements of Spanish (water is ‘awa’), Dutch, Portuguese and French but everyone speaks English too. With year-round temperatures of 30 degrees with a cool breeze, friendly locals, delicious fresh seafood and beverage stops on every corner…what’s not to love about Aruba? “Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take ya…”.[dt_gap height=”10″ /][/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2083″ img_size=”large”][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/TadZubd0YSo”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take ya…
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I’d never heard that Beach Boys song before, I didn’t even know where Aruba was or that it was a Dutch island, nor was I aware of the language or currency but I found myself flying about eight thousand kilometres to get here (via Amsterdam and Curaçao) and I’m glad I did. “Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take ya.”[dt_gap height=”10″ /][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2081″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text][dt_gap height=”10″ /]I stayed in what is now my new favourite hotel, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort on Eagle Beach which is by FAR the nicest in Aruba. That’s it there in the first pic, directly in front of the hotel. There are only 104 rooms and enough sun beds for every single guest, but the fact that about 50% are usually out and about on tours and stuff means it never feels crowded (even during the twice daily happy hour!). Little touches like the stainless steel canteen you receive as a gift in your room to fill up from the water coolers dotted around the property (saving the planet AND saving your precious holiday money on overpriced bottled stuff), live steel drums at the Sand Bar and the fact that the pool is open 24/7 give the place a seriously sophisticated yet chilled out vibe. They’ve got so much stuff spot on and the staff are a rare mix of knowledgable, friendly and not too in your face. I cannot recommend Bucuti enough (neither can Tripadvisor reviews, it’s #1 in the area) and I haven’t felt this way about a hotel in a very long time, I think it’s love.[dt_gap height=”10″ /][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”2087″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2089″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][dt_gap height=”10″ /]There are loads of ways to get around the (quite small) island, bike, quad, jeep, tour buses etc…the drivers aren’t the best in the world…I witnessed two crashes when it bucketed down rain on one of the days, so choose wisely. Do get out of the hotel to explore though. One attraction I might give a miss if I was to visit again would be the Natural Pool in the National Park…it’s a bit of a pain to get too, isn’t as beautiful as it sounds and the water looked far too dangerous for me to attempt a swim. The scenery is pretty amazing, BUT in my opinion there are nicer things to see. One of which (that I missed) was seeing the flamingos and if I’d had more time there be no stopping me going on a cheesy Jolly Pirate boat tour![dt_gap height=”10″ /][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2084″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][dt_gap height=”10″ /]Aruba isn’t far off the coast of Venezuela, but you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in America with a lot of the major chains and the fact that everything is in US dollars. The local language is Papiamento, you’ll recognise elements of Spanish (water is ‘awa’), Dutch, Portuguese and French but everyone speaks English too. With year-round temperatures of 30 degrees with a cool breeze, friendly locals, delicious fresh seafood and beverage stops on every corner…what’s not to love about Aruba? “Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take ya…”.[dt_gap height=”10″ /][/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2083″ img_size=”large”][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/TadZubd0YSo”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
