balashi and a constant breeze

Instead of flying out on Sunday, Byron scheduled our flights to Aruba for Monday morning.  I am so thankful he planned it that way; we were able to spend Sunday relaxing, playing in the pool, and eating all the delicious food [3 meals worth!] TBM packed for us.  It was wonderful to enjoy our first day together as husband and wife without the commotion of the Atlanta airport.  We woke up before the sun on Monday, though, to travel to Aruba for our honeymoon!  Byron had planned our entire trip without telling me a single detail -- everything was a surprise!     

Aruba is awesome.  The weather was perfect the entire time we were there: temperatures in the 90’s, not a cloud in the sky, and a breeze without cease.  I was expecting waves similar to that of the Gulf of Mexico, but there was hardly a tide at all on the sandy beaches!  The first person we met in Aruba was a nice islander that drove us to our hotel, giving us 2 pieces of advice along the way:

           1. “Dehydration is a fact.  Drink lots of fluid.”

           2. "Do you have sun block?  Good.  Use it.  If you don’t you will look like overcooked bacon.”

We stayed in a locally owned hotel.  It was awesome.  I really enjoyed experiencing the little touches of local hospitality (example: whenever we left the room, we came back and it had been straightened, the dirty towels were replaced, and there were treats for us, like apples, oranges, and chocolate!). 

For breakfast we walked to the outdoor cafe downstairs to sit by the street and sip on our morning coffee and fresh orange juice.

All of the food and drinks were incredible.  We began the week at a café enjoying a variety of tapas and Sangria, and returned later in the week for more Sangria and dessert.  

We had the freshest mojitos, with so many mint leaves it was almost hard to drink!  

For lunch on the beach we ate at little restaurants established at the ends of piers.  One night we drank German beers and wine while dining at a Bavarian restaurant.   

The local beer in Aruba is Balashi.  It’s a pilsner and very good -- Byron really enjoyed it, and I tried new mixed drinks [some were tasty and others were not].  Almost every restaurant has happy hour in the afternoon, so it was fun to stop at the pier restaurants to take a break from the sun and cool down [it was also a prime time to people watch].

happy @ happy hour

We took an incredible kayaking trip to a small island [more on that in a later post]. 

Another day we rode horses through cactus forests and along the north shore of the island to a small chapel.  The north shore has incredibly rough water.  We galloped along the water’s edge watching the waves crash into the rocky cliffs.  My 14 year-old horse’s name was Pinto, and he had the temperament of Bridget.  Byron’s horse, Ali Baba, was 10 and much more spunky.

Byron learned to windsurf one afternoon!  Because the wind is so strong, but the water is so calm, it's a perfect place for windsurfing.   

After dinner each night we walked, browsing the items vendors tried to sell and discussing what exactly we should buy.  One evening we stopped for ice cream, and I kid you not, had the best strawberry ice cream I have ever had.  We went out dancing one night and met some very interesting Dutch bartenders.   

My husband planned the most perfect honeymoon for us.  We were sad to leave but excited to start living life.  I couldn’t have asked for more perfect way to begin our lives together than experiencing such a beautiful country together. I am blessed.