Welcome to the Aruba Forum

~Amy~®

Here's the link to my trip report below. Just click on the small photos to make them larger. Sorry it took so long....the holidays hit after we got back and it was a busy time. Embarassed

http://www.aruba-travelguide.com/trip-reports/2013/amy-mike/

carolrd · Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 12:53 pm Post subject:

Loved your trip report, as usual. Thanks for taking the time to do it!

Carol Cool

~Amy~® · Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 1:04 pm Post subject:

Next trip, I'm going to write it while I'm there so all I have to do when I get home is tweak it and add photos. I say this every trip and I never do it....but THIS next trip I will. Laughing

(we'll see....) Laughing

xcptnl · Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 6:24 pm Post subject:

I say the same thing Amy. And at the very least I say I will write down what we had for dinners and I never do that either

xcptnl · Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 6:29 pm Post subject:

Thank you for the trip report! Loved the photos,

ArubaLisa · Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 9:15 pm Post subject:

Makes me miss our new "home away from home", but great reading about it and seeing your pictures!

LOL, the folks in "your" room over the holidays decorated the rubber plant on your patio with Christmas ornaments! Very Happy

~Amy~® · Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 10:06 pm Post subject:

Glenn · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 8:10 pm Post subject:

Hi Amy,

Excellent TR. Lots of good info, great photos and, as usual, it is a very good read.

This would be a good place to ask, and you would be one of the best people to ask; so, after riding it, would the trolley become a "must do" on future trips?

An off-shoot question; when you were on the trolley, were most of the passengers stay-putters or boat people or Arubans?

Anyway Amy, a great TR; well done.

Glenn

~Amy~® · Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 9:11 am Post subject:

Hi Glenn -

I would say it was a mix of all of those people on the trolley.

I don't think it would be a "must do" every time we're in Aruba but if we're downtown and want to shop on Main Street (which we usually do) we'd probably hop the trolley if it went by on our way back just to relax a bit since it tends to get hot on Main Street (the buildings block the wind.)

If you're in a hurry though, I think you could probably walk faster. Laughing

JohnT · Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 2:50 pm Post subject:

Just restored access...MY FAULT.
Will read your report soon.
Always looking forward to it!

Greetings from rather chilly central Florida....30's tonight.

70's over the weekend.

JohnT · Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 10:41 am Post subject:

Amy,
Your trip report was great as usual.
We also had an i10 Hyundai in September for one of our weeks. It was virtually new and (ironically) it had an "A" license plate...don't know if I can keep up with resident driving standards. Nice car for Aruba (gas-sipper, good handling), but it barely holds luggage for two. Our friends had one, too. When we returned cars (to TopDrive), they put all 4 of us in their van for the airport return trip...instead of 2 drivers.
Liked hearing a positive report about DePalm Island. Was SNUBA included in the price? Sea Trek? We also had no-interest since their all-inclusive days. Sometimes, 'all-inclusive' still means "add-ons' or 'except for...'.
The Wine Room also sounds intriguing.
If we ever do more than a yearly trip to Aruba, we know it would be Amsterdam Manor...based on your experience.
Need to go back and expand your pictures. I would try to do a trip report if I could do it as well as you do (content AND format).
Thanks for much info on good places to check for 2014!
John

~Amy~® · Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 11:58 am Post subject:

John,
There are "extras" on DePalm Island - the extras would be SNUBA, SeaTrek, and the spa (massages). Snorkeling (and gear) is included along with the waterpark, salsa lessons, volleyball, and some other activities. All food and drinks are included - they have a very nice buffet restaurant at one end of the island (that serves a full breakfast and has a nice selection of food at lunch) and a snack bar (hamburgers, etc.) and bar in the middle. It's not something we'd do every year but we did enjoy our day there and it was nice to snorkel whenever you felt like it. I would avoid the island though when there are cruise ships in port since I'm guessing it gets very busy. It was nice and quiet when we were there - felt like we had the whole place to ourselves.

I cannot take all of the credit for the trip report. I write it (Word document) and send it and my photos to Melvin (to the email address on the trip report page) and he does all of the website magic/formatting to make it look nice.

JohnT · Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 2:11 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Amy...for the A+ information.
We again have first-time guests to Aruba planned for September 2014. I think they would like DePalm Island. I did snorkle for the first time in years in 2013 (as a certified senior citizen). So I think I could handle DePalm. My 'bucket list' might include something like SNUBA or SeaTrek or an attempt at a 'resort course' dive instruction. Who knows? Over the hill, but not at the bottom (I hope)!

Corrine · Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 10:14 pm Post subject:

Loved the report! The one bedroom set-up sounds like my unit at LaCabana.
I also always enjoy DePalm Island, just not every year like you said. I like the casual snorkeling and you can feed those parrot fish, they will come right up to you! The food has improved and the water park is fun!
Did you say Wine Room and wine pairing at Passion's??
These sound right up my alley, thanks!

~Amy~® · Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 3:22 pm Post subject: