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Mrs_B
SkitzoOoOoO
Member since 11/04 7159 total posts
Wedding Date: 9/17/2005 7:00 PM
Wed. Location: Larkfield Manor
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My Aruba HM review
We stayed at the Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort.
My parents have a timeshare in the Cayman Islands which we traded in for the Divi Village. We chose Aruba since it is below the hurricane belt and knew we would be guaranteed beautiful weather. Neither of us has ever been there either. I did a lot of research before our trip and made sure we had dinner reservations at the restaurants that had been recommended to me. A lot of people say that you do not need to rent a car while in Aruba. I disagree, just being that we like to come and go as we please. We rented a car for the week and loved the freedom of just being able to up and go whenever we wanted. It was great. The last 2 days we rented a Jeep which was soo much fun. We drove into the mountains and to the other side of the island and were able to explore everywhere. We got "misplaced" a few times but it was soo much fun. The island is absolutely beautiful and the weather was perfect every day. We got the all inclusive package at the resort and were able to eat and drink at all 4 of their resorts. I was really impressed with the food at all of the resorts. We had dinner at the Red Parrot which is located at the Divi All Inclusive and we also ate at Paparazzi located at the Tamarajn. Both restaurants were really good. What we liked about the Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort was that it was located across the street from the beach and the other resorts were right on the beach. I liked that ours wasn't near the others simply because the other resorts were really loud and always had stuff going on, which was nice to visit, but it was always nice to come back to our resort for peace and quiet at the end of the day. We went to the lighthouse, Baby Beach, the Natural Bridge and to the caves (although we only stepped a few feet into one of them and left because I felt claustrophobic). We also went jet skiing and I snorkled. Going into town was so much fun, especially at night. The casino in the Renaissance Hotel was gorgeous and the Renaissance Mall was unlike anything I had ever seen. There were waterfalls and pools of water and bridges inside the mall. It was soo pretty. The only bad thing about the stores there is that they tend to close around 6 p.m., and nothing seemed to be open on Sundays. The weather was amazing every day. It rained one morning for about an hour but that was the only rainfall we saw all week.


 El Gaucho Restaurant (10!) OMG .. what can I say, all the girls that recommended El Gaucho were right on the money. It was fantastic! Everything was wonderful from the appetizers, to the main course to dessert. We were stuffed when we left. After El Gaucho we went across the street to Garufa. It's a cigar lounge that plays live music. It was nice to just sit and relax while DH smoked a cigar. I would HIGHLY recommend El Gaucho. DH actually wanted to go back there on the way to the airport!! LOL


Flying Fishbone Restaurant (10) Another amazing restaurant. The view was absolutely incredible. I had seen photos online but seeing it in person was even better. DH was not happy about the fact that we had to walk on the sand and actually sit at tables in the sand, but after arriving there, he changed his mind. It was breathtaking. The sky was a little cloudy so it wasn't the best sunset we had seen, but it still was beautiful. Our meals were amazing as well. We had a 6:00 reservation because I knew the sun was going to set at 6:30. Great idea because we had the best view. Only downfall, the day we went there it had rained there all day. By the time the sun went down, there were mosquitoes EVERYWHERE!!! We actually had to leave ¾ of the way through dessert because they were all over the place. While walking out the main entrance, one of the waiters was in the doorway with an aerosol can and a lighter and he was burning them all! It was gross and funny at the same time. If I could go back and do it all again, I STILL WOULD!

 Well, that about sums it up for my "review". I
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Posted 10/6/05 8:31 AM
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Aga
take me back to my RIU

Member since 6/04 5459 total posts
Wedding Date: 9/3/2005 3:00 PM
Wed. Location: Leonard's - A+
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Re: My Aruba HM review
thanks for your review, sounds like an amazing honeymoon great pictures
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Posted 10/6/05 8:57 AM
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nicothy
Mom, can i have a bro or sis?

Member since 8/05 4142 total posts
Wedding Date: 9/17/2006 4:00 PM
Wed. Location: Chateau Briand
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Re: My Aruba HM review
great pic.s great review
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Posted 10/6/05 2:34 PM
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SIBride06

Member since 4/05 7318 total posts
Wedding Date: 8/26/2006 2:00 PM
Wed. Location:
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Re: My Aruba HM review
Great pics.. GREAT review. I am going to Aruba too.. Im staying at the Radisson.. i cant wait!
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Posted 10/6/05 3:08 PM
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MrsFudge
LOVE MY HUBBY!!!!

Member since 4/05 2039 total posts
Wedding Date: 4/8/2006 2:30 PM
Wed. Location: Watermill
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Re: My Aruba HM review
Great Pics and review!!! I love Aruba!!!
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Posted 10/8/05 6:37 AM
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Mrs_B
SkitzoOoOoO
Member since 11/04 7159 total posts
Wedding Date: 9/17/2005 7:00 PM
Wed. Location: Larkfield Manor
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Re: My Aruba HM review
bump 4 spitsbride
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Posted 10/23/05 9:25 AM
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SPITSBRIDE
My Forever

Member since 1/05 4212 total posts
Wedding Date: 11/26/2005 12:00 AM
Wed. Location: Jericho Terrace A+++++
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Re: My Aruba HM review
Thanks Diana
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Posted 10/23/05 10:03 AM
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BJandDan
Happily Married :)

Member since 6/05 4574 total posts
Wedding Date: 7/1/2006 11:30 AM
Wed. Location: Westbury Manor- A+++
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Re: My Aruba HM review
Thanks for such a detailed review. Aruba is one of my choices!
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Posted 10/24/05 9:16 PM
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dbonilla
Board Enthusiast

Member since 12/05 215 total posts
Wedding Date: 9/17/2005 6:30 PM
Wed. Location: Larkfield Manor
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Re: My Aruba HM review
bump for KB
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Posted 12/31/05 5:23 PM
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JPC1125
Friendship=the key to marriage

Member since 6/04 5051 total posts
Wedding Date: 11/25/2005 4:00 PM
Wed. Location: Crest Hollow
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Re: My Aruba HM review
eek...i think im the only person in the world who hated El Gaucho...you should see the pic dh took with the pout on my face...I hated the menu....I guess if you really dont enjoy steak I wouldnt go
but next year I am looking forward to going to Flying Fishbone as well as the restaurant at the Lighthouse
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Posted 1/1/06 12:33 PM
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pupidda122505
I'M MARRIED! SPM 7-7-07

Member since 12/05 3598 total posts
Wedding Date: 7/7/2007 2:00 PM
Wed. Location: booked!
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Re: My Aruba HM review
Thanks for your great review. My FH and I are having some trouble picking a honeymooom spot becuase we're getting married in July and it's prime hurricane season. But from what I've read Arube is below the hurricane belt so as of now it's #1 on our list
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Posted 1/4/06 8:26 AM
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