1) Everyone smiles so much that you would think Percocet is one of their major imports. Everyone from the  Arubanite (that’s not really what they’re called, I just tried to Google it but quickly got impatient) on the plane ride, to the janitor at the Aruba Marriott (which hosted our trip), were genuinely welcoming and happy just to be there.Elmo chillin’

2) Kite Boarding is freaking fun. I realize that you can kiteboard just about anywhere that there’s an ocean but I honestly don’t think you can find instructors Me and Kim Mancelike the ones at Dare2Fly. They were so patient (and beautiful), they were informative (and ripped) and they were so kind (and beautiful).

3) The fresh seafood is amazeballs. I’m from the midwest, and by midwest, I mean the middle of the freaking country in Nebraska. Beef we got, but good seafood is a delicacy to us farm folk. The nearest ocean is about 1,000 miles away so when I get a chance to eat seafood, I turn into TLC’s 300lb. teen. Whether we were eating at the hotel bar or at the fabulous, locally owned Pincho’s, the food in Aruba was amazing.

4) The beaches in Aruba are so beautiful you don’t even need drugs. The water is Up up and away!bluer than the Bud Light can that becomes a permanent extention of your arm when you visit Aruba. The white sandy beaches are whiter than the…well they’re white. But seriously, these beaches are reason enough to visit the island. The temperature of the water is always perfect, whether you’re out at 1am or noon, diving in is simply delightful.

Kim and I killing at beach tennis5) Beach tennis is my new favorite sport. Any game that you can play with a beer in your hand is my kind of game. A paddle, a tennis ball, a net and a buzz are all you need to have fun on the beach. It is so easy to pick up that there is no boring or frustrating start. You just pick up the paddle and play! I heart this activity and our instructors.

Well, there ya go. Now check out Aruba!

After helping behind the scenes at the second annual Travel Blog Exchange conference, instead of seeing a therapist or checking into rehab, I went on a trip hosted by Diamond PR and Aruba Marriott. An account of my first day in Aruba can be found in my blog at TravelBlogExchange.com. 

Nope, I’m not wearing flip flops…

Our second day on the island started with…you guessed it, a spa treatment. The beautiful Mandara Spa was full of great smells and relaxing sounds. Now before you skip down to the next paragraph, I’ll spare you the details. I believe the proof is in the puddin’. I chose to do the Hand and Foot Ritual Treatment, that’s fancy talk for a mani/pedi. This poor girl had her work cut out for her. After schlepping everything from bagels to swag bags all over New York City, I think I made this sweet Aruban girl rethink her career path. Although I could tell by the look on her face that she didn’t quite understand why I wanted to keep what I call my wolf pads, she complied and I still have feet that Moses would covet. Check out this before Pretty Aruba feet. Thanks Mandara Spa!and after. I thought my feet would never be the same after that trip but she buffed me like a brand new penny. She was the sweetest little thing even through the trauma. I left my number with her so she could contact me for the billing of the PTS. I couldn’t just run out on her. 

  The next activity was to stare at Tørsten, a very handsome, well built young German lad who happened to be giving us kite boarding lessons. Once I realized that he was actually speaking and giving us pertinant information on the activity we were about to partake in, I began to wish I hadn’t had so many drinks at the Waves Beach Bar back at the Marriott. The Dare2Fly Kiteboarding School instructors were patient and sobering. Aside from the constant salt water nose douching, kite boarding is a ton of fun, as is looking at Tørsten. The water in Aruba is simply amazing. It’s magically always just right, as is the temperature in general in Aruba. I can honestly say, I’ve never been to a more delightful place. 

Later that night we all went to dinner at a local gem of a restaurant, Pincho’s. Owned by an adorable couple that I likened to Ricky and Lucy, this delightful restaurant is located at the end of a pier. Complete with flowy curtains and swings, I fell in love with Kim Mance all over again. This beautiful setting and great food were the perfect ending to our trip in Aruba. A huge thank you to Keirsen from Aruba Marriott and Kara from Diamond PR.