Aruba!

[buffettbride]

I'm going at the end of this month. What shouldn't I miss? Where should I eat? Anyone? Anyone?

[Bicycle Bill]

I'm going at the end of this month. What shouldn't I miss? Where should I eat? Anyone? Anyone?

No, you shouldn't eat anyone. These days, even in the islands, cannibalism is generally frowned upon.

-"BB"-

[buffettbride]

I'm going at the end of this month. What shouldn't I miss? Where should I eat? Anyone? Anyone?

No, you shouldn't eat anyone. These days, even in the islands, cannibalism is generally frowned upon.

-"BB"-

Human flesh is gluten-free.

[MICHIPHIN]

Two Cannibals were eating a clown.......one paused for moment, looked up at the other and said...."Does this taste funny to you?"

[catsway]

Aruba is one of our favorites. Don't miss the Jolly Pirates snorkel trip.

http://www.jolly-pirates.com/

They do an excellent excursion that includes rum punch and a great lunch. They make three stops at natural reefs plus you get to dive a sunken WWII German ship that's in shallow water laying on it's side. You'll love the rope swing off the yardarm!

[rumdrinks]

You are in luck I just got back from Aruba on Saturday, after a beautiful week on the island. We stayed at the Occidental Grand Aruba (very nice place). Where are you staying?
We rented a car, which made it very convenient to get around the island. (The island is only 20 miles long by 6 miles wide). You can take a cab to some of the places or your hotel will probably run trips to some of the places, also.

If you don't have all-inclusive at your hotel, I can recommend a couple of really nice restaurants : you gotta go to the Flying Fishbone, very romantic place with tables right on their own little beach and some tables actually sit in the water. Another good restaurant is the Screaming Eagle, they are affiliated with the Flying Fishbone and if you go to one, you get a coupon for 15% off the other (very handy because they are a little pricey, but everything is there). They are both in a little town called Saventta, just a couple of miles out of downtown. You can take a cab to both. We heard the El Gaucho was a good place for steaks, but we didn't go there. They also have a Hard Rock Cafe, Senor Frog and other chain restaurants.

As for things to do, you gotta go snorkeling, There are two beaches that I know have decent snorkeling. We went to Baby Beach (on the eastern tip of the island). Arashi Beach on the western end also has decent snorkeling (we were told). We also did ocean kayaking, not hard at all cause the water is calm on the hotel side of the island. You can parasail, water ski, tubing............and of course, you can always just veg out on your beach or at your hotels pool. the water temps about 85.......so nice.

Aruba is a desert island, outside of the resort area, it is all cactus and rocks. While that might sound like much, it is very cool to see what 95% of the island really looks like. You should go to the north side of the island...it is all rocky coastline with very beautiful little inlets where the waves crash on the rocky shoreline, baby Natural Bridge is impressive , there was a bigger one right next to it, but it collapsed a few years ago. there is also Natural Pool, we didn't go there...we were told it's not worth the trouble getting there, but it is quite popular for the tourists....There is a lighthouse, but you can't go up it..........AND IT IS HOT ! but the trade winds are always blowing so it's not that bad... low 90's during day and only about 80 at night so you will only need tee's, shorts and flip flops (sneakers if you go to the north side of the island and climb on rocks).

There are also a lot of casinos, so if you want to do a little gambling, all the bigger hotels have them and of course, there is shopping out the a** if you so desire. Lot of jewelry stores downtown.

You can use U.S. currency for everything even though they have their own monetary system. People are extremely friendly and they don't hound you like other islands (Jamaica to name one). They speak English and many other languages. You can walk the streets at night and feel safe (at least in the resort areas).

You will absolutely love it there. I'm sure I forgot a few things, but just ask if you have any other questions.

[buffettbride]

Thanks rumdrinks!

I know we are going to Flying Fishbone one night for dinner. My in laws who are going with us, have been several times and that is a place on their list where they really like to eat.

My daughter has some dietary restrictions, so I'm a little nervous about ordering food for her and making sure there isn't anything in there she can't eat, but I think it will be a good experience to overcome that challenge so she knows that she shouldn't limit herself because of her diet.

I'm hoping we'll be able to find a lot of lightly seasoned meat/fish, rice, and veggies at a lot of places without too much breaded food and sauces.

I think we are going to snorkel the shipwreck one day when we are there and hubby and I are taking a dinner cruise on our night out w/out kids. We're doing something in caves my FIL has told us about also, so we'll see how that goes.

We are staying at a condo w/ kitchen and not all-inclusive (all-inclusive doesn't work well with dietary restrictions) so that is a bonus, and I've heard they have a great grocery store there (Lings).

[FunkHouse9]

I loved Aruba!! We went on a snorkeling trip that appears to be identical to the Jolly Pirates one called Mi Dushi. We also went on a sunset catamaran cruise with Red Sail Sports which had an open bar. Those were tons of fun. We also went on a jeep safari (ABC Tours) that took us to the natural pool, some abandoned mill or something like that, the Natural Bridge (which is now gone) and an ostrich farm. That was a lot of fun too. The only requirement to drive the jeep was to have a pulse and to be able to drive a stick shift. We stayed at the Palm Beach Hyatt and loved it. My best advice, especially on the snorkeling trip, is to reapply sunscreen frequently. I applied once in the morning and spent all afternoon snorkeling without reapplying and still can see where my burn was years later. The sun there is deceptively brutal. Also, don't leave with any strange guys if you go to Carlos N' Charlies.

[buffettbride]

Woohoo!!!

I found an online Papiamento language translator to help with ordering food in Aruba. This is our first int'l trip since gluten free, so it's a bit scary. It would be no fun at all to lose a day or two of vacation because of a glutening. For those not familiar, when my daughter and hubby eat gluten, the effects are very similar to Montezuma's Revenge and last for days.

Please keep your fingers crossed for us that we make it through this with no more sickness!!!!

[SMLCHNG]

Good luck, Mal!

Because I suffer from a lot of tummy issues, but not Celiac, my gastro doc recommended this: and it's made a world of difference

http://www.aligngi.com/

[buffettbride]

Probiotics are a GOOD thing. Victoria doesn't take that, but there are a few foods from Vitamin Cottage she eats regularly to keep the tummy world in balance. I'll look into that for hubby.

[rumdrinks]

Gotta re-emphasize the post about the sun screen. I don't normally have a burn problem, but I used a higher number SPF than I would usually use and still burned a little. So lather up!

Enjoy and give a report when you get back

[Thewino]

Aruba is one fun island. I found this message board to be helpful when I went a few years ago: http://www.aruba-bb.com/.

The Flying Fishbone is a pretty good place to eat. Madame Janette's is another option for dinner one night. The food and service are fantastic.

I used Econo Car Rental when I went to Aruba and they will treat you right.

If you have time, check out Baby Beach. It's a nice place to spend an afternoon.

[SuperTrooper]

Mal, I found this reply on a thread at http://www.celiac.com:

"Restaurants that were able to accomodate me were:

- Texas De Brazil- filet mignon. Everything is cooked on a skewer over a flame. I would stay away from the salad bar because they use soy sauces. Email them first.
- Wyndham Hotel- Pago Pago
- Tony Roma's (get gluten-free menu from website first)
- Flying Fishbone (a bit far from tourist area)
- Le petit cafe ( cook your own meal on a stone). Email them first.

Do not go to Chalet Suisse. Horrible experience with contamination.

Grocery Markets are affiliated with IGA and SObey's. You will be able to find a lot of Kraft products there.

I also stayed where i could cook. I brought cereal, pasta, canned tuna, frozen bagels, can of tomato sauce. As for spices i just brought Mrs. Dash. I didn't use their toaster, i just toasted my bagels on a frying pan. I brought my own dish soap and sponge so that i could wash their items on the first day i arrived. Also, i just brought plastic cutlery. At Cosco you can get restaurant mini packs of jam, dressing, salt, pepper and peanut butter (kraft). I took a handful of those with me as well. "

I found this review of a restaurant called Pincho's Grill & Bar:
"i have been coming to pinchos for approximately 5 years at least once a year ie when i visit aruba. every time i go i am not disappointed. this year, i was slightly nervous about my visit as i have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease meaning i can't eat gluten (wheat) containing products. i emailed pinchos prior to my visit & was immediately put at ease by anabella. shortly after arrival, i spoke with her & her grasp of a gluten-free diet was great. actually their menu is very gluten-free friendly."

From a review on Tripadvisor.com for Linda's Dutch Pancakes & Pizza:
"Linda's was wonderful. I eat a gluten free diet, and it was such a treat that she served delicious gluten free pancakes. According to my husband, the regular ones are great too.
The service is very good, and the setting is charming. We went there many times during our stay in Aruba, and we highly recommend it as our favorite restaurant in Aurba!"

Another tripadvisor review of Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort:
"...I am gluten intolerant and can not eat anything that contains wheat, rye, oats, or barley in any form. My wife and I spoke with the food and beverage service manager and were assured that we would be taken care of. Because of their ability to make a wide selection of excellent meals that met my dietary needs, all our meals were eaten at their Margo’s Restaurant. The food and service were wonderful and sauces were made to accommodate my requirements. All the wait staff were wonderful.

You can be sure that on our next trip to Aruba, we will stay at Amsterdam Manor. Their service and hospitality was wonderful. We would definitely recommend Amsterdam Manor to anyone planning a trip to Aruba."

Yemanja Woodfired Grill will prepare a special menu for you. http://www.yemanja-aruba.com/specials.php

Enjoy your trip!!!

[buffettbride]

The best thing about Aruba was the food!! Everyone was eager to accomodate hubby and Victoria. We made it through the whole trip without a glutening! Granted, my in-laws paid to take us to very nice restaurants each nite we were there, so the higher-end eating definitely makes a difference because they are there to serve.

Our first night we ate at Moomba Beach, a small place near the resort. Food was good there too, although not memorable.

Our favorite meal, by far, was at Driftwood, which is located downtown. Yum. Yum. Yum. I had the catch of the day (mahi mahi) cooked Aruban style. Service was excellent and the meal just rocked!

We also ate at Flying Fishbone (Great atmosphere, but I learned I'm not a fan of Chilean Sea Bass). Would order something else next time. My son Tony almost adopted the restaurant's cat.

Then we ate at Salt n Pepa which is in the new mall area near the high-rise resorts. Service was so-so, but the food was great.

One night we ate at the Italian restaurant at the resort. Kind of bland for hubby and Victoria, but no getting sick!

Another night at a place called Papillion, a French-Carribbean place also in the new mall area near the hi-rise resorts. I went with filet mignon that night with a red wine sauce. Yummm!!

The last night we ate on a party boat excursion. Food was crappy (expectedly) and I got sea sick. Tasted no better coming up than it did going down.

The neatest food moment was when we went on a day trip to De Palm Island. We had called ahead about food accomodations and the chef cooked hubby and Victoria a specialty breakfast, complete with gluten free toast!

More to come!

[FunkHouse9]

I'm glad you had a great time!!! I usually prefer to go to new places over ones I've already been to. Aruba, however, is certainly an exception! I can't wait to go back someday! That was my ideal beach vacation spot!

[buffettbride]

I'm realizing I've posted nothing more. I do have pictures and some w/ Flat Stanley so hopefully I can pull my head out of my butt this weekend and get that taken care of.

I'll probably go somewhere other than Aruba the next time we do the beach thing, but I'd definitely get back there eventually and definitely suggest it to a friend.

[Hockey Mon]

I'm realizing I've posted nothing more. I do have pictures and some w/ Flat Stanley so hopefully I can pull my head out of my butt this weekend and get that taken care of.

Good luck with that. (the posting part, not the head/butt part)