Aruba
In search of Caribbean Treasures
While Aruba is famous for its’ touristic vibe and cocktails at the island’s white beaches, there is a lot more that will elevate your experience on this Caribbean island. Known as “One Happy Island” because of the island’s happy vibe and hospitality of the local people, it is certain you will enjoy spending time on the island.
Walking downtown Oranjestad, you will notice the vibrant architectural style of the buildings. Inspired by the Dutch colonialism and the Caribbean culture, the architecture of the island is a testament to island’s rich history. Stepped or curved gabbles and colourful facades in a neo-baroque style contribute to an interesting streetscape. Old buildings, many in a state of disrepair, generate the feeling of stepping back in time, revealing stories about the island’s glorious past.
Royal Plaza Mall, Oranjestad
One of the three ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) that are tied back to the Kingdom of Netherlands, Aruba is the most appealing to American tourists. The economy of the island has gone through several cycles, from gold mining in 1800’s, aloe exports in late 1800’s, and oil refineries in 1900’s, while the main economic sector is now tourism. The beach side is highly developed with large hotel complexes that all connect to each other through a boardwalk, but when you walk at the streets of Oranjestad you will travel back in the colonial time.
Renovated neo-baroque mansion in Wilheminastraat, Oranjestad
Bistro De Suikertuin – Indulge in a sugar-loving experience
If you're walking in downtown Oranjestad, make a stop at one of the local restaurants, “Bistro De Suikertuin” which stands for “sugar garden” in Dutch. Touristic guides do not mention it - so it's officially in the list of “hidden gems.” The bistro has backyard where the sugar loving local birds with the yellow bellies (or “buiki heel” as called in the Papiamento language) come to visit. Entering the restaurant you may be surprised with the fusion of cultures. At the menu you will find a wide variety of treats that integrate Caribbean flavours with a Dutch twist, while if you visit in the afternoon, you will feel like a royal if you order the Royal High Tea with a mix of sweet and savory treats.
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Back yard in Bistro De Sukertuin
Brunch at Bistro de Sukertuin
Ladies, don’t ignore the jewelry market
Aruba is famous not only for the high number of jewellery stores but also for the good prices. Some of the places may seem to step back in time, but there are so many of them. While there is a gem for every pocket, there is a common denominator: they are duty-free, which means that you can get reasonably priced or cheaper jewellery. I got mine at Swarovski and the price was half compared to the US.
Within the Swarovski store in Oranjestad
Lima Bistro
This restaurant perhaps needs its own post - it was the best restaurant we tried so far in Aruba. Casual but elegant, that’s exactly what I was looking for. Located at the Oranjestad marina, the place is crowded with vibrant locals and visitors who know the island well. One shared couch divides the tables, and if you are sitting close to someone friendly and chatty (as we did) you may end up with new friends. It’s a busy place so you need a reservation before you go there for dinner). The cuisine is primarily Peruvian with integration of Caribbean flavours, and the restaurant is family owned. Chef Teddy has brought a homey atmosphere to elegant dining. The food is colourful, with the citrus infusion and intense flavours that you would expect for Peruvian dishes. And if you haven’t had Peruvian before, this is a great opportunity to experience the cuisine. For every dish and every part of the restaurant décor, there is a personal story behind it; the star at the entrance - Polaris, the North Star, is there to welcome you and show you the way home, as Chef Teddy’s mother used to say to him when growing up in Lima.
The menu features a list of appetizers with mostly fish dishes, main courses, and a couple of sweets while the wine and cocktail list won’t leave you disappointed. We ordered the “market ceviche, crispy calamari, rocoto leche de tige sweet potato” or tiger’s milk with infusion of sweet potato (yes, you will need a translator if you don’t speak Spanish) and the shrimp salad – our local taxi driver suggested the shrimp dish as his favorite, and he was absolutely right. For main dishes, we got the short ribs served with a cashew puree and wild rice, and the duck breast (or leg) in a peanut sauce, which was the special of the day. Both dishes were absolutely to die for.
Market ceviche and crispy calamari, shrimp salad and short ribs with cashew puree.
I couldn’t resist trying one of their signature cocktails. I picked the Flor de Lolilan after our waitress’s suggestion, which was a red mix with vodka topped with a wild hibiscus flower – inspired by a bedtime story about the magical powers of the Flor de Lolilan, told by Chef Teddy to his visual impaired son, Bastian.
The hospitality and service provided stands out at the restaurant; Our waitress, Nancy, offered to call us a taxi when leaving the restaurant. If you’re looking to elevate your experience in Aruba, this restaurant is not to miss. I think I found my North Star in this place.
Cocktail - Flor de Lolilan
Spend some time at the beach
The island is famous for its’ white sands and its’ chill beach vides. Make sure you spend enough time at beach and soak it in, especially if you’re travelling from a cold climate. Keep one thing in mind though: the place is closer to the equator, which means that the UV light has to travel a short path through the atmosphere. Plus, the sand is very white and it reflects back the sunlight. With an albedo (the fraction of light that is reflected back) closer to 1, similar to ice and snow, you can imagine how easy is to get a sunburn. Because sunburn is no fun, make sure you double up your SPF and apply multiple times during the date. If you still get sunburned, there are always the aloe products for which the island is famous for.
There are a lot to enjoy; from a nice fresh coconut and tropical adult beverages to Chill, the local beer of the island.
If you’re on the more active side, Aruba has a lot of to offer. Renting UTVs or Jeeps to explore the undeveloped part of the island, and many water sports. We attempted windsurfing - it was a fun, and certainly memorable experience, which reminded me the quote: “It doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get up..”
Indulge at the island's luxurious hotels & spas
Aruba offers so many options for hotel with endless sea views and direct access to the beachfront. No matter where you choose to stay, make sure you choose a room with a sea view. Opening the window every morning to rejuvenating ocean breeze is a must to get the full experience.
Our room view at the Ritz Carlton Aruba
We stayed at the Ritz Carlton, which by the far the most luxurious hotel in Aruba's beachfront at the moment, and the experience was as you would expect it to be. Simply magnificent.
The in-room dining is one of the best I've ever had; I couldn't resist in ordering breakfast every single morning - and that was a very hard choice between the blends served at the Ritual Coffee Culture within the hotel or the freshly brewed coffee, served in the comfort of my own room? Wish all choices in life were that good!
Ritz Carlton Spa Aruba
From Madam Antoinette at the spa to the room service, the staff at Ritz Carlton will your make you experience unique. And when there is an issue, they will take care of you - Ms. Janice showed up like an angel and called the in-house medical team when I ended up getting sand in my eye, and saved me from having to deal with an infection.
