In addition to beaches, Aruba is filled with farms and sanctuaries…donkeys, ostriches, birds and butterflies!
During our stay we had already visited the donkeys and the ostriches so naturally, butterflies were next on our list .
First, however, there were a few places we wanted to see.
The capital of Aruba, Oranjestad is named after “Huis van Oranje’ (Orange House), the name of the Dutch Royal Family in 1824 during the Dutch colonization. This downtown area is filled with plenty of traditional Dutch multicolored buildings, museums, restaurants and shops scattered through Main Street, the Royal Plaza Mall and Renaissance Marketplace.
Finding a parking space in the downtown area is a challenge, but after a little back and forth, we finally secured a spot. Parking near the National Archaeological Museum of Aruba put us near many of these architectural gems as well as the Wharfside Flea Market, where we perused the stalls looking for Aruban souvenirs and treasures.
National Archaeological Museum of ArubaArchitecture of OranjestadArchitecture of OranjestadArchitecture of Oranjestad
Wharfside Flea Market
A quick six minute walk brought us to the I Love Aruba Sign on Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard the perfect place for souvenir pics! While this particular sign is convenient for cruise ship passengers…Promenade Cruise Port is located adjacently…there are a few other signs located throughout the island (Parliament House, Senor Frog’s, Hadicurari Beach) if you don’t happen to visit downtown Oranjestad.
I Love Aruba Sign on Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard
I Love Aruba Sign at Hadicurari Beach
Jumping back in our car, we headed back toward Palm Beach and made a quick stop at The Old Mill. Known as De Oude Molen, it was built back in 1804 in the Netherlands, meticulously taken apart, shipped to and reconstructed in Aruba in 1960. Planned as a tourist attraction, a new base was constructed and a restaurant ensconced within. Today, The Old Mill is still a top tourist attraction as well as a museum, resort and a top dining option. While we found the museum and restaurant closed due to the early hour, we were able to peek inside at the dining facility which is decorated with furniture and paintings dating between 880 and 1800.
The Old Mill (De Oude Molen)
Finally, we headed (almost next door) to the Butterfly Farm. Opened in 1999, it was preceded by the first Butterfly Farm, located in Saint Martin and established in 1994. Located on the French side of the island, it was designed and built by two eccentric Englishmen, William Slayter and John Coward.
Aruba Butterfly Farm
Discovering success on Saint Martin, five years later, Slayter decided to open another farm in Aruba. While the farm in Aruba has thrived, sadly, the farm in Saint Martin was destroyed by the category five hurricane, Irma in September 2017.
After purchasing our admission, we were able to join a tour that was about to begin. Here, we found ourselves in a net-enclosed miniature rain forest filled with beautiful flowers, plants and trees…the perfect home for butterflies!
From our guide, we learned about the evolutionary cycle from microscopic eggs, to to caterpillars, to pupae. We were also instructed on how to handle the butterflies and caterpillars and those with brightly colored clothing and citrus scented perfumes were lucky enough to attract these beautiful creatures!
Once our tour was complete, we were welcomed to stay as long as we wanted. While it was warm and humid inside (the perfect environment), we walked around for quite some time, enjoying the beauty of these beautiful winged creatures as they flitted around from leaf to leaf and branch to branch and dined on sugar water and fruit.
While I would have loved to continue our theme of “farms and sanctuaries” and checked out the Bubali Bird Sanctuary, this was our last full day in Aruba that was not going to be strictly a beach day. The next day was to be spent in the sun with our feet in the sand and toes in the water! While birds would be flying overhead, this would be as close as we would come to Aruba’s flying friends!
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I Love Aruba Sign
Address: Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard 19, Oranjestad, Aruba
Years ago, during my first ever visit to Aruba, my husband and I had visited the island’s natural bridge. The Aruba Natural Bridge was a coral limestone arch, measuring approximately 25 feet high and 100 feet long and the remnants of an ancient cave. Many years later, we had heard that this well known attraction had sadly succumbed to mother nature on September 2, 2005.
Even though I was aware that this tourist attraction no longer existed, we decided to take a drive out to the location and at least walk among the nearby ruins of the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins…it wouldn’t take long and there were some other things along the way that we wanted to see.
As we drove along the dirt road, we noticed a great deal of traffic headed out that way and then subsequently, a packed parking area. While the original Natural Bridge no longer existed, a smaller version, the Aruba Baby Natural Bridge, is located nearer to shore. Not as impressive as the original, however, it still draws large crowds and the occasional idiot who ignores the warning signs and tries to walk across it!
Aruba Baby Natural BridgeCoastline at Aruba Natural Bridge
After a few photos and a stop in the Visitor’s Center for drinks and the restroom, we headed over to the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins. Once a bustling mill which existed during Aruba’s gold rush, it used the power of strong ocean winds to crush stone and isolate gold ore. Ore was processed into fine gold and exported. The mill only operated for a couple of decades and was closed to make way for a newer, state of the art mill at Balashi, in Aruba’s interior.
Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins
Sitting vacant in the harsh environment of Arikok National Park for more than a century, only its natural stone walls remain and it is open to visitors who can walk freely throughout the structure. While there is not much to see besides what is left of the structure, its contrast against Aruba’s brilliant blue skies makes for beautiful photographs and it offers a bit of exercise while climbing to different levels of the mill. Stunning views of the Caribbean can be had from the structure as well as from the ocean’s edge where dozens of cairns line the water’s edge.
Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins
Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins
Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins
Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins
I remembered these cairns from the first time I had visited the island and was surprised to see many still in place. Some controversy has arisen due to the practice. While tourists think it is a way to “make a wish” or stack the rocks as a “monument” or “landmark”, National Park officials have condemned the practice as it defaces the natural beauty of the area and upsets the habitats of many species.
Cairns at Aruba Natural Beach
Cairns at Aruba Natural Beach
Moving on, we left the park, with our visit to the Donkey Sanctuary the day before still on our mind. We had enjoyed our interactions with those amazing animals so much, that when we learned that there was an ostrich farm in close proximity, we decided to make it our next stop.
Luckily, after paying our admission, we learned that we didn’t have to wait long for the next tour to begin. After spending a few minutes browsing in the gift shop, we heeded our summons into the farm’s open-air atrium which was decorated with African figurines and long wooden handcrafted tables where guests can enjoy meals from the farm’s restaurant, Savannah.
Ostrich Farm Restaurant and Interior
Our guide, a colorful, Crocodile Dundee look-a-like, introduced himself, gave us a short background on the farm’s history and then led us out onto the dusty pathways between the gated pens. We were introduced to the adult emus and ostriches and learned about the ostriches speed and defense mechanisms as well as about their mating, rearing and feeding habits. At this point, we were each invited to feed two of the ostriches. As my son and I held a bowl, the up and down bobbing of their heads, as they gobbled up their food, was quite comical. “Mr. Dundee” filmed the entire spectacle so that we could remember “that time we fed an ostrich!” and then we all moved on, aiming to meet the other residents. If we thought that the donkeys had unique personalities, we found that the ostriches’ were outrageous with their goofy bald heads, loopy gait and how they followed us, watching carefully.
Feeding the Ostriches
And then…for the emus…the three-toed cousin of the ostrich. Though I knew that emus were different than ostriches, my knowledge of the differences pretty much ended at the fact that they were smaller. So yes, we were informed that while emus and ostriches share many physical characteristics such as broad eyes, elongated, featherless necks, long, strong legs that can maintain high speeds when running, long dagger-like claws and large wings that are not used for flight, but for courtship, they are quite different and more so than their toes.
While emus are the largest birds in Australia, they are small when compared to the ostrich, the largest bird on earth. Emus have three toes on their feet and ostriches have two plus a long tendon that allows them to run at speeds of up to nearly 45 miles per hour. Emus generally top out at 30 miles per hour and are much more docile toward humans than the ostrich. This, we witnessed as a male ostrich acted a bit hostile towards our tour guide and then stole his hat. And, while we were only allowed to feed the ostriches from a bowl, we were allowed to hand feed the emus, something I would not have dared to do with the ostriches earlier.
Emus
Finally, our tour concluded with a visit to the incubator, hatchery and the special pens for the young ostriches and emus. Seeing the size of the ostrich eggs was quite fascinating…talk about a huge omelet!
Incubator, Hatchery and young Ostrich
After our visit to the ostrich farm was complete, we decided that we had time for one more tourist attraction, the Casibari Rock Formations. Proof of its popularity was the many tour buses parked in the adjacent lot, however, we were not deterred.
The Casibari Rock Formations is a series of boulders that are piled almost randomly in the Aruban desert just north of Hooiberg. Scientists cannot explain what geological even might have created these formations, though there is speculation that it may have been the shifting of the tectonic plates. Archaeologists and historians are fascinated by the petroglyphs and paintings that appear on many of the rocks, drawn by the Arawak people who deemed this land sacred.
Casibari Rock Formations
As we made our way through the entrance, we found an interesting rock formation called “Dragon Mouth”, one of many found throughout the park. Following the trails and paths which weave throughout the area, we also noted that many of the enormous stones were also named for animals which they resemble.
Casibari Rock FormationsCasibari Rock FormationsCasibari Rock FormationsCasibari Rock FormationsCasibari Rock Formations
Making our way to the highest point, we were rewarded with sweeping views of the island as well as of the Hooiberg, also known as the Haystack, a volcanic formation that towers some 540 feet above Aruba.
Casibari Rock Formations
Casibari Rock FormationsCasibari Rock FormationsView of Hooiberg from Casibari Rock Formations
There were many beautiful cacti throughout the premises and we learned that many creatures inhabit the area, including iguanas to burrowing owls.
Cacti of Casibari Rock Formations
Cacti of Casibari Rock FormationsCacti of Casibari Rock Formations
Last, but not least, we drove to the nearby Ayo Rock Formations, similar to the Casibari Rock Formations. As with the former visit, we found many trails and stairways which took us throughout the premises and spotted many petroglyphs, some protected by iron bars. This one, however, had some gigantic wind-carved boulders which were piled in such a way that it created tunnels and caves. We also spotted an opening in one of the rocks which contained a white female statue.
Ayo Rock Formations Entrance
Ayo Rock Formations Ayo Rock Formations
Ayo Rock Formations
Ayo Rock Formations Ayo Rock Formations Ayo Rock Formations Petroglyphs Ayo Rock Formations
Being in the heat of the day, with no protection from the sun, we decided that our tour of the central part of the island was complete. It was now time to head to the coastline and its blue waters and white sands for some cooling off. This time, we headed to the far opposite of the island from where we had put our toes in the water the day before. First, we tried Eagle Beach, a wide swath of golden sand which offers chairs, umbrellas (for a fee), food and drink options and jet ski rentals. Not long after our arrival, the skies darkened and the wind picked up, pelting us with sand. Deciding it wasn’t the place for us, we headed down to Arashi Beach, which had some good waves and chairs and umbrellas for rent. A nice way to spend the remainder of the afternoon, we lounged in the sun before finally headed back to our hotel, right in time for another beautiful sunset.
Our third day was definitely packed with Aruba’s top sights, natural bridges, ruins, rocks and ostriches.
Aruba doesn’t disappoint!
For more photos, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.
There’s a saying about one our most western states, “If you don’t like the weather in California, wait five minutes.”
While we were not in California or the United States for that matter, the morning’s drizzle gave us pause. Knowing, however, how rain showers come and go on Aruba, we waited five minutes for it to pass and decided to press on and go to the “California” in Aruba…the California lighthouse.
A short drive from our hotel, following a line of ATV Quads the entire way, we found the California Lighthouse in the area known as “Hudishibana,” near the island’s northwestern tip. While keeping watch and guiding sailors away from the rocky coastline, it also draws thousands of tourists each year, many part of ATV adventures that start at the lighthouse and then head on over to the nearby Arashi Dunes.
Since we were in charge of our own tour, we found a parking spot in the lot adjacent to the lighthouse and paid our admission to the attendant at the door, readying ourselves to begin the long, spiraling climb to the top.
One hundred steps later, we had spectacular 360 degree views of the island.
Named after the steamship California, which was wrecked nearby on September 23, 1891, the lighthouse was built in 1916 and stands 98 feet tall. It became automated in 1970 and was restored in 2106; its one hundredth anniversary. While visitors come throughout the day, many flock to the area at sunset, to watch the the sun hit the horizon and hope to catch a glimpse of the legendary green flash.
Views from the top of the California LighthouseArea around the California Lighthouse
After our tour of the lighthouse was complete, we headed to Arikok National Park, which comprises almost twenty percent of the island. Approaching from the Vader Piet entrance, we first encountered the Vader Piet Wind Farm. These giant wind turbines comprise one of the best performing wind farms in the world, due to the northeast winds that consistently blow in the area.
Vader Piet Wind Farm
Vader Piet Wind Farm
Passing the Huliba Cave (which was closed as we were informed by the gate attendant), we continued on through the rugged terrain, admiring the desert-like hills, tall cacti and breathtaking coastline. Taking the next turnoff, we found ourselves at the Quadirikiri Cave.
The Quadirikiri Caves are a system of three caves that are open for exploration. Located at the base of a limestone cliff, we found the entrance and followed the pathway which penetrated the dark recesses of the cave, spotting Amerindian petroglyphs, stalactites and stalagmites along the way.
Quadirikiri CavesQuadirikiri Caves
Quadirikiri Caves
Continuing onward through the park, we drove the dusty roads, eyeing wild goats and donkeys in the barren fields before we found the entrance to the next cave system.
Fontein Cave is more developed for tourists than Quadirikiri and offers rustic, stone picnic tables outside the entrance. We were greeted by a park ranger who directed us to follow the stone-lined pathway and pointed out more petroglyphs on the cave’s ceiling. It was dark at the rear of the cavern and occasionally a bat or two flew past our heads toward the opening.
Next, we made pit stops at Boca Prins and Dos Playa, two stunning beaches along the northeast coast. Although both were extremely picturesque and inviting and we were tempted with the lure of a refreshing swim, signs warned visitors of very strong undertows. Instead, we decided to capture their beauty photographically and my son took a long walk to the cliff jutting out over the strong waves so that he could see the surfers enjoying the afternoon swell.
Boca PrinsDos Playa
Tiring of the dodging potholes and large rocks, I was quite please to see paved roads ahead as we exited the national park.
The way out.
Next stop on the agenda was one of my favorites of the entire trip; the Donkey Sanctuary.
The Donkey Sanctuary
Five hundred years ago, donkeys were bought to the island to act as a mode of transportation. When cars were introduced, donkeys were no longer needed and many were released into the wild. In the 1970’s an illness decimated the population leaving only about twenty donkeys.
The Donkey Sanctuary
In 1997, the Donkey Sanctuary was founded with a clear purpose to save the donkeys that populate the island. Today approximately 130 donkeys live at the sanctuary and visitors are invited to interact, feed and pet them. The donkeys, who have names such as 7UP, Annie, Big Momma and Cinnamon, are extremely friendly and like to walk up and nuzzle you, hoping for some affection and of course, food!
While we had never really spent any time near donkeys, we found them to be extremely sweet and each exhibited unique personalities, distinguishing themselves from the others. As we made our way through the enclosure, some greeted us with loud braying and followed us to the enclosed porch. While we learned from a sign that they enjoy being treated to apples and carrots, we hadn’t brought any with us, so we purchased a large container of donkey feed and spent a bit of time nourishing them and laughing at their antics.
The Donkey Sanctuary does not charge admission, but welcomes donations and earns money through the sale of donkey feed and from exclusive items in their gift shop.
The Donkey SanctuaryGift Shop
Traveling along the southeast coast of Aruba, we headed to the far southern end of the island to finally spend some time in the sun and sand! Our destination was Baby Beach in San Nicolas, a curved strip of white sand with turquoise water. Aptly named because its calm, warm, shallow waters are perfect for young swimmers, we found it to be a bit crowded, obviously a popular spot for both locals and tourists. After finding a parking spot, we hit the beach and rented chairs from Big Mama Grill, a bit of an expensive venture for the two hours that we were going to be there. But, tired of driving and ready to cool off in the ocean, we paid the fee and took a much needed break, enjoying the beautiful view and the warm rays.
Baby Beach Entrance
Baby Beach
As the sun was beginning to dip, we decided to make one last stop before heading back to our hotel; the Seroe Colorado Lighthouse. While we expected a structure much like what we had seen earlier in the day, we were disappointed to find only a rusted metal cage at the peak of the beach area, which houses the light. Not an architectural highlight, but the views from this area were stunning and the cactus growing in the area made for some interesting photos.
Seroe Colorado Lighthouse
So, as we finally made the long drive back to the northwest side of the island, we talked about all that we had done and seen on this first full day in Aruba. We had started with a lighthouse and we ended the day with one as well, filling the middle with caves, bats, beaches and donkeys.
Aruba is full of great things!
For more photos, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.
Its a time for warm weather to replace the cold, flowers to replace dead grass, animals to emerge from hibernation, players to fill baseball diamonds…
Spring brings hope…and SPRING BREAK!
Yes, every year, thousands of families and students descend upon beaches everywhere hoping to escape winter’s icy fingers and return home, to the envy of friends and those not so fortunate, to show off their tan lines!
Over the years, I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to take my children on some pretty awesome vacations, some, during their Spring Breaks. Last year was no exception. This time, my youngest son and I decided to head to the far southern reaches of the Caribbean…
Aruba.
While we didn’t take advantage of staying on popular Palm or Eagle Beaches, we had rented a car, which in turn, offered us the opportunity to make our way all over the island. After a long day of travel, we were excited to have arrived, excited to make our way to hotel and excited to get our vacation started.
Our hotel, situated across from the Hadicurari Beach, where sailboarders glide across the shallow Caribbean waters, was clean and offered us what a traditional hotel room couldn’t…a kitchen. We were excited to stock our fridge with some snacks, ice down our beer, get settled in our hotel room and cross the road to put our feet in the sand. But…finding more rocks than sand, we attempted to manipulate a path to deeper waters. One step in…
Ouch!
A crab got me.
Okay…maybe this wasn’t the hotel for us.
Yet…that evening, as we sat on our patio and opened up a couple of Balashi Beers, we realized that despite the less than optimum beachfront real estate, the sunsets here were spectacular. This is what the hotels and homes in this area are known for!
With a car at our disposal, we could enjoy different beachfront properties each day and then retire to this little slice of paradise to enjoy our own personal happy hour!
On our first day, that first sip of Balashi, along with the spectacular views, gave us hope for the days to come.
Wedding and travel magazine spreads showing beautiful couples wearing expensive jewelry, designer swimsuits and perfectly coiffed hair lounging around, looking at each other lovingly while hanging in their hotel room’s private pool.
Yeah, I was always sure that was for the rich and famous.
During spring break, my son and I were playing travel roulette. No set plans…we had a list of tropical destinations that we thought we might like to try to sit standby for (a perk of my airline job) and we were going to see where we ended up.
Punta Cana eventually won out and as I made my way down the jetway to my last-minute seat, I frantically scrolled on my phone through the list of resorts that had availability.
There were three that I was eyeing…
There was one we visited a few years ago; the cheapest, but one we had enjoyed for its lively staff, wide-spread beach and their rooms’ proximity to the beach.
There was another that I knew nothing about but my son had a friend staying there. It had excellent reviews and a decent price.
The third was the most expensive of the three (though most akin to number two). It was located two properties over from the first option and one property over from where we had stayed last August, so we were familiar with the area. Both my son and I had friends staying there, so while my son could spend time hanging with his friends, I would have others to have adult conversations and drinks with!
Checking the prices for the third option, I discovered that I could choose the cheapest of their rooms, however, since it was last minute, I could get a room with a swim-up pool for just a little more.
Being that it was my son’s senior year, I had just received a good bonus check and I just felt like pampering myself, I decided to go with option number three! I just hoped that it was worth it!
We arrived to dark skies, rain and no waiting transportation due to a mix-up with our booking. Finally, arranging a one-way transfer, we were exhausted as we made our way into the open air lobby of the Royalton Punta Cana Resort & Casino.
A short time later, we were being escorted to our room near the beach area of the resort. As we passed the rooms with swim-up pools facing the main pool area, I got my first look at what we had paid for. These people could watch the action of the main resort area, yet hang out in their own private space.
As I entered our room, I pulled open the curtains and glanced out at our own pool area, which faced the side of our resort and the resort next door. Well, we didn’t have a great view. No watching the action of the resort, but it was still exciting to have this amenity. With the miserable weather, however, I decided that I needed a nap more than a swim. Taking advantage of this perk would have to wait until the next day.
The next morning, I eagerly opened the curtain, ready for sunshine! What was this? Shadows? With the sun making its way across the sky, our pool was enshrouded in darkness. How on earth was I going to work on my tan?
As we walked to the main lobby for breakfast, I enviously spied on the guests lounging on their verandas, dipping themselves in their private pools. They had sun! I thought, “No wonder I got my room for such a steal…it’s on the shady side of the resort. ”
After stuffing ourselves with pastries and omelets, we decided to head to the beach, spending the remainder of the morning lounging under one of the resort’s thatched umbrellas and enjoying the azure waters that lapped it’s shores.
One of the perks of this resort is that although there were many restaurants that served lunch near the beach, we could utilize room service…for free! Using the ordering feature on our television, we could sit on our veranda and enjoy lunch in the privacy of our room.
This needing doing!
Heading back to our room and noticing that the shadows had changed with the movement of the sun, we ordered our meal and then opened the curtain. Can you believe it? Noon was the witching hour! The sun had crept slowly across the sky during the morning and now our private pool and veranda was filled with bright light!
After enjoying our lunch, we jumped into the pool, relishing in the coolness of the water. Though our pool was private, it was connecting to the others along the length of the building. Though we remained here for the remainder of the day, we were always alone. Not one of the rooms here had guests who swam outside or relaxed on their verandas!
Each day, we repeated the same pattern; hang at the beach during the mornings and enjoy the resort’s many amenities…mini-golf, lazy river, flowrider, restaurants, snack bars. Every afternoon, however, we retreated to our room to take advantage of our pool. What luxury!
And, no…we never saw anyone on the backside of the resort.
Sometimes my last minute plans don’t go so well. This one went swimmingly!
For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.
Planning to take a cruise and wanting to make a change?
If you are moving on from your current cruise line and trying to decide on a new one…here is some (hopefully) helpful information on the Norwegian Pearl.
After our disastrous experience with Carnival during Christmastime last year, my kids had sworn off Carnival Cruise Lines for good. The only cruise line they had ever had experience with, our previous trip had given them no cause for a desire to travel with them again this year. Late into port and not docking in St. Kitts had soured their expectations.
After checking out different cruise lines for our Christmas vacation, and their many amenities and itineraries, we finally decided on the Norwegian Pearl.
Our first adventure with Norwegian, we were excited to see the differences between this cruise line and Carnival and Royal Caribbean.
From the very beginning, there were some marked contrasts.
Check In Our first personal interaction with Norwegian was at the cruise terminal. We found the check-in lines to be quite lengthy (stretching out of the building and around the corner) and had to sit in the terminal for quite a bit of time before being allowed to board. This had never happened with our past experiences, but to be fair, we were first-time cruisers…so we had no status. Back of the line anyone?
Accommodations With our past cruises, we had always booked the more affordable rooms…interior cabins and occasionally, a room with a porthole or picture window. This time, we decided that a bit of splurging was in order. Though we still booked the interior room for our children, my husband and I opted to spoil ourselves with a Mini-Suite and balcony. Our room was spacious with a sitting area that afforded us the capacity to enjoy time together as a family away from the crowds. As we sailed away from Tampa, instead of enjoying the festivities on the main deck with people we did not know, we played our own music and enjoyed drinks in our stateroom, hanging on the balcony and watching the Tampa scenery go by in the waning daylight. Without the feeling of claustrophobia that I sometimes felt in the interior rooms, I have to admit, I don’t know if I can ever go back to not having a balcony!
Food There were a few restaurants that were available for dining by reservation and an additional charge; Le Bistro (French, $20 per person), Cagney’s Steakhouse (Seafood, Steakhouse, $30 per person), La Cucina (Italian, $15 per person), Teppanyaki (Japanese Hibachi, $25 per person), Sushi Bar (Asian, a la carte pricing), however, we opted to take our dinners at the main restaurants, Summer Palace, Indigo and Lotus Garden. All were very good and the service impeccable. Our breakfasts and lunches were usually taken at the Garden Cafe and the Great Outdoors in the rear of the ship. Occasional lunches, snacks and late nights were enjoyed at O’Sheehan’s Irish Pub…the fish and chips were amazing!
Drink When we booked our cruise, Norwegian was offering a few perks that we could take advantage of with our booking. The Ultimate Beverage Package was included for both my husband and oldest son which included wine, beer, liquor and cocktails. We also had a $100 on-board credit for one of our rooms which we were able to utilize for a Soda Package for my youngest son. There were many bars throughout the ship and we found that with the Ultimate Beverage Package, we were not cut off at fifteen drinks like on Carnival. Our wonderful ship steward also graciously gifted us with a few bottles of champagne in our stateroom.
Entertainment Award winning entertainment was offered nightly in the Stardust Theater and shows featuring passengers as contestants were offered in the Spinnaker Lounge. The Not So Newlywed Game and Dance Clash were two of the game shows where passengers both competed with each other giving the audience comical diversions. Bliss Ultra Lounge, a trendy nightclub-like hotspot offered live performances, karaoke and even bowling lanes while H2Glow and White Hot parties on the pool deck gave passengers the ability to dance the night away under the stars. One of our favorite places to hang out, however, was the Piano Bar on Deck 6. Requests were taken by the performer and it was quite the experience when the entire bar joined in on the sing-alongs.
Other forms of entertainment along the upper decks consisted of the rock climbing wall, basketball and soccer court, jogging track, shuffleboard, chess, golf, swimming pools and hot tubs.
First-run, barely released movies could be found in the cabins on one of the TV’s movie channels or on the giant LED screen in the atrium and a game room and library were available.
My favorite thing on this ship, however, was something I had never seen on another…and maybe it was just because I didn’t know to search for it. My son was wandering around and came upon a bridge viewing room. A large picture window allowed passengers to look onto the bridge and observe the crew performing the operations necessary to sail the giant vessel. The room also contained some memorabilia and a model of the Pearl.
Fitness Center/Spa Though I didn’t use the gym, I did take a peek inside. Offering the standard weight machines, treadmills, stationary bicycles and ellipticals, it was lot smaller than I anticipated and my son confirmed that it was often crowded. While exploring one day, we ventured into the Mandara Spa and was offered a tour of the facilities. Though not my kind of thing, the most intriguing aspect was the Thermal Suite based on the concept of Turkish Baths and included heated ceramic lounge chairs, a Thalasso Therapy Pool, hot tubs, steam room, sauna, and tropical rain showers.
Sun Decks Last year, our biggest complaint with Carnival was that passengers were allowed to reserve and hold lounge chairs. There were never enough chairs available for passengers although many were chained up and pushed to the side. Finding two seats together was hard, finding five for the entire family…impossible. We found Norwegian to be the complete opposite…there was plenty of deck space and plenty of chairs at all times. I have to admit though, my favorite place to take in the sunshine was on my balcony.
Communication Like Carnival, Norwegian provides an app which guests can download from App Store or Google Play. This app allows passengers to pre-book onboard activities, dining reservations, shore excursions, entertainment as well as view vacation itineraries. The communications feature allows passengers to chat and message each other while onboard, view their account and see what is happening on the ship at all times. A charge of $9.95 per person is charged for use of the communications feature, however, it is well worth the price in order to stay in touch with each other…quite handy since our two rooms were not near each other.
Ports of Call The itinerary for this cruise was Tampa (departure), At Sea, Harvest Caye, Belize, Costa Maya, Mexico, Roatan, Honduras, Grand Cayman, At Sea, Tampa (arrival). We enjoyed our Christmas Day in Harvest Caye relaxing in the sun on our beach chairs. The next day, the biggest surprise was in store for us. Having never checked the map for the location of Costa Maya, I was pleasantly enlightened that it was closer to Belize’s border than to Playa del Carmen, reminding me of my time in Ambergris Caye. So much like the old Mexico that I remembered, we enjoyed both relaxing at the beach in the town of Mahahual and checking out the beautiful, modern port, filled with many activities, shopping and restaurants. Our third port was the most anticipated since we had been wanting to go to Roatan for some time. Sadly, since we were unable to disembark as early as anticipated due to the tendering process, our time in Roatan was limited. West Bay Beach, however, was unbelievable and definitely awakened our curiosity for more of the small island. Our last port, Grand Cayman, was fabulous. A place that we are extremely familiar with, we were excited to not have to worry about trying to figure out what we would do. But, for anyone else, Cayman is full of amazing adventures!
Harvest Caye, BelizeCosta Maya and Mahahual, MexicoRoatan, HondurasGrand Cayman, British Virgin Islands
Punctuality Overall, Norwegian stayed on schedule. Our only glitch during the cruise was the tendering process in Roatan. Our arrival in Tampa was another story. Last year, we thought our arrival into Port Canaveral was extremely belated (four hours)…that was until this time around. A heavy fog descended upon the port of Tampa on Saturday, preventing ships from setting sail…a bummer for those departing that day. Our ship was instructed to speed up and attempt to sail into port on Saturday night instead of Sunday morning. Hoping to make it in during an anticipated clear window, we were halted when the fog did not lift as expected. The Norwegian Pearl and three other ships remained off of the coast until the heavy fog dissipated, allowing us all to sail the remaining distance back to Tampa…twelve hours late. Though phone lines were opened for guests to make changes to their travel arrangements and to contact family, it was nearly impossible to get an outside line. Since our travel arrangements could only be done through a secured computer terminal, standing in line for hours to use one of only seven computers available was not an option. After explaining our circumstances to Guest Services, we were told that wifi access would be complimentary using my personal device. Upon our departure, however, we found that we had been charged $80 for an hour’s usage. After our return, I contacted Norwegian and the charge was reversed.
Upon our return and a some time had passed, I looked back on our first experience with Norwegian.
Although there were some negative experiences, I do have to say that we enjoyed our foray with a different cruise line. It was nice to discover a new ship layout and a new overall product.
Was it worth the change? Absolutely.
For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.
When you’ve been somewhere so many times, it starts to feel like home.
This is how we feel about Grand Cayman. So many visits over the years (sometimes 2-3 per year) had us feeling like we had set down roots on the island.
As our boys grew older, however, they wanted to see other parts of the world and sadly, we had not been to Grand Cayman in a few years.
We were truly missing it.
When we booked our cruise, we were excited to spot Cayman on our itinerary. There was nothing to plan. No excursions to book. We knew to rent a car and go to one of our favorite spots on the island.
Seven Mile Beach.
Not the public beach, mind you…where all the cruise ship passengers are taken, but the beach in front of two of the condominium units that we consistently rented over the years. A little further down the beach from the public area, there is not much foot traffic and the sand and water are beautiful.
There is beach access, from the road, every few hundred yards in this area and parking along West Bay Road is acceptable. Though we knew we would not be able to utilize any of the condos’ chairs or facilities, we planned to make camp under one of the mangrove trees and spend our time hanging in the water.
Walking out of the cruise port (where, unlike Roatan, they have amazing tender service provided by the island, I might add), past cruise hotspot Margaritaville and Fort George, we headed west and found Avis Car Rental. Grabbing a car for the day, our next order of business was to find a spot to buy patties. Jamaican patties are our favorite food and one we had to take with us on our beach excursion.
Driving down the newly built roadways linking Georgetown and the West End. It was interesting to see the development that had occurred over the years. Not the Cayman we remember from 25 years ago and certainly not the Cayman we remember from even 6 years ago. For goodness sake’s, an underpass now stretches across West Bay Road, part of a hotel development site.
Finally, parking our car along the roadway, we gathered up our towels, snorkeling gear and lunch and headed up the path to the beach.
Winter’s waters are a little rougher than what you find in the summer, so just standing in the water proved to be a bit challenging with the larger than normal waves rolling in. We managed, but I found hanging on the beach and reading a book to be a bit more relaxing.
Before long, it was just as it was in Harvest Caye, Costa Maya and Roatan…our time on the beach seemed to fly by making us nervous about getting back to our ship.
If you are a cruise ship passenger looking to enjoy your time on your own in Grand Cayman, do as we did and book a rental car. There are so many things to do on the island, including visiting the town of HELL (with it’s own post office that will postmark your postcards with the name), the Grand Cayman Turtle Farm, Rum Point and countless other beaches in between Seven Mile Beach, Georgetown, the East End and Rum Point.
If driving on the left is not your thing, there are countless tours that can be booked with cruise companies and on your own. A most popular one is Stingray City, an area in the North Sound of Grand Cayman, where southern stingrays are found in abundance. Paying passengers are taken here and urged to don masks and snorkels, though the water is rarely above shoulder level on one of the sandbars. Another sandbar is deeper and more suited for those wishing to dive the site. At both of these locations, visitors can pet and interact with the stingrays which come to feed in the chummed waters.
Whatever you go to Cayman for…wildlife interaction, adventure, or beach relaxation or even Jamaican Patties…you will not be disappointed. There is a reason it’s one of our favorite places in the world!
And yes, it was good to feel like we were home…even just for a few hours!
For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.
You’ve probably heard the term, “Tender Mercies” in some sort of capacity or another.
According to the LDS church, tender mercies is defined as very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support and spiritual gift which is received from Jesus Christ.
I think Norwegian cruise line should define it as “passengers at the mercy of their cruise line’s abhorrent tender operation”…we were definitely not feeling guidance, assurances, consolation or support.
Roatan, Honduras has been a destination on my “go to” list for some time. When we discovered it was part of our Christmas cruise itinerary, we were elated and planned to see as much of it as we could.
Looking through our destination handout the night before docking, I discovered that tender tickets were required for disembarkation. Never having had this experience, I inquired with Guest Services as to the appropriate location and then informed my husband that he would be in line before the ticket handout start time to ensure our early departure.
We were scheduled to dock around 7:30 am and we watched the coastline of Roatan come into view. With my husband having secured Group 2 tickets, we were excited that our day would begin early.
Roatan’s cruise port in Coxen Hole can normally handle two ships at their dock, with Carnival utilizing their own port, Mahogany Bay further up the coast. Apparently, part of the Coxen Hole dock was damaged a couple of months ago and one of Royal Caribbean’s larger ships needed the still-usable portion. So, where did that leave us? With no Honduran-run tender operation available, the Pearl’s lifeboats would have to suffice.
Each able to hold approximately 50-75 passengers and with a total of 2,394 passengers on board the Pearl…well, you do the math.
Three lifeboats were being utilized and those passenger with status and shore excursions were allowed to leave first. So, our Group 2 ticket wasn’t as great as I thought. That, in combination with rougher than normal ocean conditions, slowed down (and even stopped temporarily) the tendering tremendously. By 9:20, Group 1 was finally being called. It wasn’t until 10:10 that we were allowed to leave the ship, a very slow process.
Walking up the pier to the Town Center, we fought the crowds and the urge to take it all in. Having to be back for the last tender at 3:00 pm meant having to rush to do anything.
Making our way to the taxi staging area, we quickly made a deal with a driver to bring us out to West Bay, an area I knew had a nice beach.
Driving along the windy, narrow roads, our driver, Tino, gave us a brief history of the area. Noting the heavy traffic due to three ships being in port, we decided that we had to give ourselves ample time to get back to the boat at the appropriate time.
After about a 15 minute drive, we were pulling onto a small, narrow road. Passing a few rental cottages, we were not sure exactly where Tino was taking us. West Bay? Parking his van, he helped us out and guided us into a restaurant where we paid the owner $10 per person for chairs, umbrellas and the use of the facilities (showers and toilets).
Following the sound of waves and music, we stepped out of the restaurant onto the sand and looked around in wonder. A pristine arc of sand lined the water’s edge. Clear, turquoise water reflected the bright sunshine and I recognized some of the condominiums that I had researched previously when we had thought we might travel there.
With only three hours to enjoy these beautiful surroundings, my husband and I first headed up the beach. Stopping into one of the dive centers, we inquired about the accommodations and dive packages offered. Inspecting each of the resorts we passed, we made mental notes of where we might like to stay upon our return on a future vacation. We then headed down the beach, finding it more crowded than where we had made camp for the day. It was evident that this was a place where cruise ship passengers head for a day in the sun.
Heading back, we ordered a few drinks and stood in the water, enjoying the soft sand beneath our feet and the sun beating down on our heads, knowing it was a crisp 49 degrees back home.
Three hours goes by pretty fast when you are having fun.
Packing up our belongings, we headed inside to find Tino and begin the congested drive back to our ship.
Glad that we had given ourselves ample time, we sat in traffic just outside the port and then found the line for the tenders to be extremely lengthy. It was quite frustrating to watch the Royal Caribbean passengers sashay on board, whenever they felt like it. At least we had entertainment!
Finally on board and happily ensconced the pub eating fish and chips, we looked out of the picture windows at the shores of Roatan.
Sad that our day had started out slowly, we were happy to find that because of my diligence in getting in line for tender tickets early, we were the lucky ones to have had more time onshore. A great deal of passengers had not been aware that tender tickets were required (read your daily handouts!) and many more missed privately booked excursions (non-refundable). Some passengers in higher numbered groups were unable to get off of the boat until 2:00 pm, giving them only an hour to wander around the port!
So, what did we learn from our time in Roatan?
Read everything that the ship gives you…thankfully, I knew about the tender tickets.
Research your ports thoroughly…with a quick decision to make, I knew where to ask the driver to take us.
Book outside excursions cautiously…cruise ships take no responsibility for being unable to dock and will not refund you for missing a pre-paid excursion. They will, however, refund you for the cancellation of excursions booked through the ship.
Roatan, has a ton of things to offer besides beautiful beaches…we will be back to discover them all!
For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.
Over twenty years ago, I remember driving around Cozumel in a rented (and rusted and dented) convertible Volkswagon Beetle, stopping at little bars and restaurants and snorkeling on stretches of unspoiled beaches. I remember riding the bus in Cancun for 35 cents and having dinner for about $5 per person. There were very few all-inclusive resorts and though many of the hotels were tall structures, they could not be compared with the mega-resorts spanning the coastline today.
My, oh my! Amazing what twenty years can bring.
The last time I went to Cancun and Cozumel, I was shocked at how much both had changed. Boutique hotels, heavy traffic, shopping malls and dinners averaging about $25 per person. I was not charmed by it anymore.
When we found out that we would be docking in Costa Maya, Mexico, I assumed that it was near Playa del Carmen and was less than thrilled. My recent visions of Cancun and Cozumel, still haunted me. I could only envision modern Mexico with beaches filled with tourists and high-end establishments.
And…I admit, I never really bothered to look at a map.
One of my good friends, who knows my adventurous spirit well, told me that the port, built by Carnival, was really nice but that I needed to take a taxi into town so that we could enjoy the beaches and local establishments. She said, “It’s like Mexico used to be.”
That’s all it took. I was intrigued and we would be heading into town.
As we looked down the coastline from our balcony, we could see a lighthouse and some low-rise buildings. Closer to the walkway from the pier, we could make out some thatched buildings, a large pool and what appeared to be a pyramid, but not much else.
Port of Costa Maya
After walking down the pier towards shore, what we found was quite surprising. This port was amazing! Pools, plenty of lounge chairs, shops, souvenirs, restaurants, bars, Dolphin Discovery, signs pointing to a beach area with snorkeling…
Heading to the port
Port attractions and shopping
Port swimming poolDolphin DiscoveryPort souvenirs Port art and designPort performers
Did we really want to leave?
Surmising that my friend must have told me to go to town for a reason, we continued the long walk to the front of the property, winding our way through the stalls and artwork. Only spotting one cab parked alongside the curb, we assumed that taxi service was probably more expensive and decided to take the shuttle for $4 per person.
Shuttle to Mahahual
The open-air shuttle, pulled by a pickup truck, pulled out of the port’s gates and as we turned onto the main road, we discovered where the cabs were parked. The shuttle gave us a full view of the passing landscape. Not much was new construction and nothing appeared to be over four stories. After about a eight minute ride, we were pulling up to the curb in the town of Mahahual. Hedging the few locals who attempted to get us to use the chairs on their property, we decided to take a walk down the beach to first see what was available before making ourselves comfortable.
First glimpses of Mahahual
Mahahual…took…my…breath…away!
My first thought was that it looked so much like Ambergris Caye, Belize but with nicer beaches. Maybe if I had looked at a map, I would have realized how far south we were in Mexico…so very near the Belize border and Ambergris Caye. Located in the State of Quintana Roo, Costa Maya is the only state bounded by the Caribbean Sea to its east and offers a beach that extends north and south for a total of 62 miles.
We walked south, down the well-paved path, admiring the blue water, gentle surf and white, powdery sand, lined with beach chairs. There were countless restaurants and bars and no shortage of local women offering to give me a massage. The quaint fishing village, still had not caught up to the modernity of Cancun and Cozumel and I loved that there was not a name-brand hotel or McDonald’s in sight.
Lots of opportunity for massages
After being away from email, Facebook, Instagram and whatever it is that my children subscribe to, we were all anxious to log on, see what we missed for the past couple of days and check in with our friends and family. The first order of business was to find comfortable beach chairs, with some shade for my husband and good wifi. There were plenty of establishments offering chairs, all for free if you order drinks and/or food from them during the day.
That being done, we ventured out to the water’s edge, checked the temperature (a little cool) and signaled to our waiter for some drinks and lunch. The restaurant we had chosen to do business with, Maramao, was efficient and delicious…probably some of the best cerviche I have ever eaten!
After a while, I decided to take a walk. Heading north, this time, I reveled in the stone architecture, topped with thatched roofs, quirky bars, and countless vendors selling everything from t-shirts, to sandals, to Mayan masks…and much more!
After I while, I spotted our ship in the distance, reminding me that our stay in beautiful Mahahual was not permanent. Turning back, I meandered slowly, knowing that we would soon have to catch a cab.
And then, that was it. Our time in a paradise that I didn’t know existed was over.
As we sailed away from the port, I vowed that I would be back.
Mahahual, has so much more to discover…diving, fishing, ruins, ATV riding, ziplines, jungle exploration, water parks and authentic Mexican cuisine. Xcalak, a smaller village is located only 37 hours to the south and boasts amazing water sports and fishing. Mahahual, I learned, is only a six hour drive from Cancun. A bit lengthy but there are also flights to Chetamal, a two hour drive.
Yes, to rediscover the Mexico of old, I am willing to do that.
For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.
Christmas mornings are spent around the Christmas tree, sipping hot cocoa and watching the snow fall outside.
Right?
Not always.
How about Christmas morning lounging under a beach umbrella, drinking cold beer and watching zipliners flying overhead?
This is more my style!
For the second year in a row, we decided that we would spend our Christmas holidays on a cruise ship. While our itinerary had us cruising through the waters of the Gulf of Mexico on Christmas Eve, we would be awakened on Christmas morning by sunshine and views of the Belizean coastline from our balcony.
Norwegian Cruise Lines opened the port of Harvest Caye in November of 2016 which took four years and $50 million dollars to create. With such a huge investment, Norwegian has to be thrilled that it was voted the Best New Cruise Port in the Caribbean in 2017.
Not having done much research on what was available on the island, we decided that relaxation was in order for Christmas Day.
As our ship, the Norwegian Pearl, backed into position against the dock, we got our first glimpses from the back deck of the beautiful island dotted with beach umbrellas on the far side of the island and a lighthouse.
Disembarking from our ship, we made the long walk on the covered walkway to the island. Greeted by many locals at the Harvest Caye sign, wishing us a Feliz Navidad, we marveled at the beautiful, brightly colored buildings, home to many restaurants and shops. What is quite interesting is that all of these restaurants, amenities and shops are locally owned and all of the 400 staff members working on the island are locals.
Passing the excursions pavilion, which joins the marina, we took note of all of the guests lining up to travel to the mainland for the start of the many excursions offered…parasailing, exploring Mayan ruins, cave tubing.
Making our way to the beach, hundreds of bright blue beach chairs spread out before us beckoning for us to enjoy our Christmas Day…the perfect present! Finding seats, we spread out, eager to enjoy the Caribbean sunshine. Positioned in front of the lighthouse or Flight House, we watched countless zipliners fly over us and the bay 13,000 feet to the termination point at the other end of the beach.
Harvest Caye Flight House
The waters were a calm, emerald green and the 7-acre white, sandy beach made of man-made sand (made from crushed seashell), stretched out in an arc. We relaxed, enjoying the sunshine and a few buckets. So, after a few cold ones, it was time to venture out and find the restrooms.
Once I was out of the restroom, a path on the right caught my eye with its beautiful flowers growing on an arched trellis and I noticed what appeared to be a cage just beyond. Passing through the arch, I discovered a wildlife exhibit which houses many birds and animals indigenous to Belize. This area also includes a Blue Morpho butterfly house and the entire exhibit is free for all guests.
My curiosity peaked, I decided to continue my walk, admiring the many wooden carvings nestled in the foliage and along the pathways, while following the signs guiding me to the pool area. First, I encountered the kid’s splash pad, but the 15,000 square foot swimming pool was the happening place! The Caribbean music was pumping and the pool bar was packed with hundreds of guests enjoying themselves.
The pool area contained plenty of seating, some shady areas and tall palm trees. Bridges criss-crossed the water and on the far end, there was a zero entry area. There were several pool-facing cabanas available containing lounge chairs, couches, mini fridges, a personal concierge and private showers. There are also beachfront villas furnished much the same with the addition of air-conditioning, beach loungers, hammocks, and a golf cart for the day.
Continuing my exploration, I ventured into the commercial area which features shops selling chocolates, rum, jewelry, t-shirts, perfumes, handwoven items and paintings. Stopping at one of the small wagon kiosks, I made a deal with one of the vendors and walked away with a beautiful basket for my collection at home.
Returning to the beach area, I took a small detour near the lagoon which is the starting point for those wishing to kayak and paddleboard.
Finally, returning to my family, I found them wondering where I had disappeared to. Describing what I had found, they decided that it was time to check out the amazing pool, grab a bite to eat at one of the island’s eating establishments and check out one of the island’s four bars before heading back to the ship.
Having visited Belize a few years back, this was a much different experience from our time spent on Ambergris Caye. Though there were many similarities, both being islands along the Belizean coasts, this was a much different encounter. Of course, we were on a privately owned island on a cruise, however, we were also treated with a beautiful, sandy beach, something Ambergris Caye did not offer.
Beautiful Belizean sunset
Honestly, I would return to either place, on a cruise to Harvest Caye or just on my own to Ambergris Caye. My true desire is to explore more of Belize’s islands and its mainland. As I always say…so much travel to do, so little time!
With a tropical climate all through the year, excellent facilities and excellent service. Harvest Caye is indeed one of Norwegian’s premier destinations! If cruising with Norwegian, check your itinerary to see if you will be putting into port at this beautiful location.
So, do we still believe in Santa Claus? You better Belize we do! I actually saw him walking around in board shorts on the beach!
Yes, I actually did…
For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.
