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!