24 posts tagged “aruba”

What vacations would you most like to take in the next five years?
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Excellent question!

• If I could go to Maine once a year I would be very happy!  LOVE the clean air and Maine Lobster!
• Aruba.  Would go back every year if I found the right airfare deal!!
• Hawaii.  Was lucky to visit twice in 2006 and would love to eventually return!
• London.  I know I am going next month, but I already know I want to go back!
• Ireland.  Haven't been back since 2001.  NEED another visit there!

Guess what?!  I'm going to write about scrapbooking!  Ok, lets not get carried away....it's actually scrapbooking shopping!  HA!  : )

Everyone is blogging these days, even scrapbook stores.  So, every once in a while I check out the blog of a store that is 40 minutes away in North Attleboro.  This week they received in a travel line by Making Memories called Great Escape.  The stuff is so VERY cute and I had to have it!!  Good thing the display was at the front of the store so I didn't have far to look before loading up!

I LOVE it all and can't wait to use it.  I have a pile of Aruba photos from April that would be perfect with these goodies!

Ok, something else happened at the store.  As I was going in someone I knew was coming out.  She used to teach amazing creative scrapbooking classes at a store close to me before it closed.  She is SUPER talented and always had the best projects and kept me (and lots of others) inspired to be creative.  I MISS those classes and her enthusiasm.  She sometimes teaches at the store I visited so her projects are highlighted on their blog and her work is still amazing.  

I think this was only the 2nd time I have seen her since 2006.  The other time was just a 'hello' but today was NICE!  It was like slow motion I just wanted to hug her, then paused, then hugged her anyway!  She told me what her sons were up to and she asked about my family.  She looks SO happy and I know she is doing well with her creative designs.

I emailed this afternoon to tell her how nice it was to see her and she has already replied!!  She is a better person than me and I am glad!

I ruined a good friendship there three years ago.  I am oversensitive, stubborn and not very forgiving.  Plus I have a hard time admitting when I am wrong.

It was such a good feeling though after seeing her.  Peace, no more bad feelings, just happiness.

What do you plan to do when you retire?

Spend a month on a tropical beach somewhere and then travel the world ! I can dream can't I Vox??!!

 

Kauai

What is your favorite vacation destination to visit?

Vox, I think you ask this question once a year! Also, I can't just pick ONE vacation spot!  It would be Hawaii, London or Aruba!  : )

Hawaii

London

Trafalgar Square

Aruba

Riu balcony door

What do you miss the most about life before the Internet?

When I was in Aruba for a week I didn't go online once.  There was a computer room at the resort, but I never looked for it.

Yes.  I was unconnected for a week and SURVIVED without checking my email, work email, U2 news, Facebook, Vox or a few other sites I check daily.

How did I survive?  I was on VACATION!   It did make me realize that I used some of my time more wisely before 'the internet' and now that I know it, maybe I can reduce the sites I 'need' to see daily!   : )

I can't believe one full week has gone by since my Aruba vacation!  I think time moves faster the older I get.

Trying to place my order at Kodak Gallery and looking through all my photos again!

Smiling at the happy vacation memories!

I met a great woman named Sarah.  She was at my resort with her husband for their 30+ year wedding anniversary.  On my second day there she sat near me by the pool and we started to chat.  Her husband was golfing and wasn't going to be back in time for dinner so she invited me to join her!  She was from Charlotte, North Carolina and so very Southern, kind and friendly!  We have already emailed a few times since returning!

Sarah

Some photos from our sunset dinner:

Oh, and me at the beginning stages of vacation!

Keg aruba

Later in the week I went to another hotel to visit with my friend Brenda.  I used to work with her a few years back and she was in Aruba celebrating her 30+ year wedding anniversary too!  I thought it was sweet of her and her hubby to take time out of vacation to have drinks with me!

Look at how darker I am later in the week!  : )

Keg & brenda

Ahhhhhh vacation!!!!   : )

I've been home from warm and sunny Aruba for 5 days now.  Still in island mode though which is a good thing!

At first I was in shock at how cold it was here when I got home on 4/18.  Then I was in shock that there was nobody in sight circulating with rum drinks for me.  THEN I was in shock when I returned to work instead of spending my days at the beach or pool.  LOL

I had a wonderful time in Aruba.  The Riu Palace was AMAZING!  All-inclusive is the way to go!  The people who worked at the resort were just awesome.  The resort itself I was in love with! 

The day I was leaving they had to cut off my all-inclusive bracelet and I seriously almost cried.  Usually at the end of a vacation I am ready to come home.  This week wasn't long enough for some reason.  I just didn't want to go.  My friend Ricardo told me to stay!  HA!  If only it was that easy!

The trip started out great when I found out that I was in first class!  Woooo hooooooo!

Here is the breakfast I was served:

First class

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The flight was only a little over 4.5 hours and went by pretty quickly, because I took a nap!  Flying into Aruba though around 1pm on 4/11 I could see the RIU below me!

Flying in

When I was checking in I was immediately handed a rum punch drink!  NICE!  : )

Then I was led to my junior suite.  When they opened the door for me I gasped.  LOVED my room!  Ooooooh!

Checking in

I couldn't wait to change and get out into the sun.  But I did snap a few photos of my view before going outside!  The view looked like this every day.  Barely any clouds and certainly NO RAIN!

The room came with a mini fridge filled with Balashi Beer, Pepsi and water.  I was psyched.  Then there was an alchohol dispenser with vodka, rum, whiskey and I am still not sure what was in the 4th bottle.  LOL!

Back in 2007 I met Ricardo when I stayed at the Westin (where he works) twice.  I had emailed him to let him know that I was returning to Aruba.  He is so cute!  He asked me to bring him an Obama tee so I did and also brought him a Red Sox hat!  : )   He loves Obama.  One night we watched Obama speak from his Trinidad & Tobago visit and Ricardo cheered after almost everything Obama said!  The other nights we hung out were less political and we drank LOTS of Balashi and rum drinks!  

Ricardo

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This week I keep smiling thinking what I was doing last week at this time!  It's helping me stay in the island mode for sure.  So are instant messages from Aruba!

I see a repeat visit to the Riu Palace in my future hopefully!!

: )

I leave bright and early tomorrow!  Flight at 8am direct to SUNNY Aruba!!  : )

Crystal Clear

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RIU PALACE ARUBA

I am leaving for Aruba on Saturday for a week!  Wooooo hoooooo!

Can't wait.  Lots of rest, relaxation and all inclusive food and DRINKS!!

The week of St Pattys day USAir sent out an email with some really good deals!  How good you ask!?  Well, my R/T flight is less than the cost of one U2 concert ticket!  How could I pass that up?!?!!  LOL

I am staying at the Riu Palace Aruba.  I have never stayed there before, but when I was in Aruba in 2007 they were finishing building it!!  In the past I stayed at the Westin, which is on the same beach and right next door in this photo.

RIU PALACE ARUBA

Riu pool