Diesel
07-04-2000, 11:25 PM
First off, it was a blast! I would recommend it to anyone. Maybe we can get Alien to sponsor an AlienSoup town meeting in Aruba. http://www.aliensoup.com/ubb/smilies/smile.gif
Some of the high points of going to Aruba:
Most of the resorts are all-inclusive. Best of all, alcoholic beverages are included in the all-inclusive packages.
They speak English there, and they accept US$ everywhere.
The beach is very calm, so you can just lay in the crystal clear, turquoise water.
They have American cable TV channels, so you never feel like you're out of touch with what's going on at home.
All of the people are very friendly. We took a jeep tour of the island, and the parts where we were in towns, everyone was waving to us and yelling hello.
Nothing is rushed. Breakfast ended at around 11AM, so there was no rush to wake up early to make sure you didn't go hungry.
Access to areas outside the resorts is as simple as a $6 cab ride to town.
Even though you're close to the equator, you never feel hot because the Trade Winds are constantly blowing across the island, so it's always confortable.
Iguanas walk freely around the island, and they're just plain cool!
If you go for an all-inclusive package, you can literally go and not spend a dollar over what you paid the travel agent (but that would be cheap since you wouldn't be tipping people).
You can always find American fast food and shops if you get tired of the local stuff. They have everything there, including Burger King, McDonalds, KFC, Subway, and even Nathan's.
No noticible crime.
Stuff that was cool about the resort I stayed at (The Divi Aruba Beach Resort):
Incredibly friendly and helpful staff.
Large, comfortable rooms.
Nicest beach of all of the resorts on the island.
Access to the bars and restaurants of their sister resort which is just down the beach.
Their restaurant is top-quality. Even with the all-inclusive package, you can still order Filet Mingon, and it was damn good!
The bars are easily accessible and you don't have to wait for a bartender.
There's always room at the pool and the beach. Neither get so crowded that you can't find a place to sit.
Possible downsides:
Outside of the resorts, stuff costs an arm and a leg, even though the exchange rate is favorable to US$.
To see the really cool stuff, you can't stay at the resorts all day, every day. And getting outside the resorts costs extra money.
No nice souvenier stuff at all.
Street dogs are a big problem there. They don't bother people, but they make you sad.
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I am Jack's raging inner child. Without me, Jack has to deal with the pitfalls of reality.
Some of the high points of going to Aruba:
Most of the resorts are all-inclusive. Best of all, alcoholic beverages are included in the all-inclusive packages.
They speak English there, and they accept US$ everywhere.
The beach is very calm, so you can just lay in the crystal clear, turquoise water.
They have American cable TV channels, so you never feel like you're out of touch with what's going on at home.
All of the people are very friendly. We took a jeep tour of the island, and the parts where we were in towns, everyone was waving to us and yelling hello.
Nothing is rushed. Breakfast ended at around 11AM, so there was no rush to wake up early to make sure you didn't go hungry.
Access to areas outside the resorts is as simple as a $6 cab ride to town.
Even though you're close to the equator, you never feel hot because the Trade Winds are constantly blowing across the island, so it's always confortable.
Iguanas walk freely around the island, and they're just plain cool!
If you go for an all-inclusive package, you can literally go and not spend a dollar over what you paid the travel agent (but that would be cheap since you wouldn't be tipping people).
You can always find American fast food and shops if you get tired of the local stuff. They have everything there, including Burger King, McDonalds, KFC, Subway, and even Nathan's.
No noticible crime.
Stuff that was cool about the resort I stayed at (The Divi Aruba Beach Resort):
Incredibly friendly and helpful staff.
Large, comfortable rooms.
Nicest beach of all of the resorts on the island.
Access to the bars and restaurants of their sister resort which is just down the beach.
Their restaurant is top-quality. Even with the all-inclusive package, you can still order Filet Mingon, and it was damn good!
The bars are easily accessible and you don't have to wait for a bartender.
There's always room at the pool and the beach. Neither get so crowded that you can't find a place to sit.
Possible downsides:
Outside of the resorts, stuff costs an arm and a leg, even though the exchange rate is favorable to US$.
To see the really cool stuff, you can't stay at the resorts all day, every day. And getting outside the resorts costs extra money.
No nice souvenier stuff at all.
Street dogs are a big problem there. They don't bother people, but they make you sad.
----------------------------
I am Jack's raging inner child. Without me, Jack has to deal with the pitfalls of reality.