ATheRU BA Travel Issue
INTRODUCING ARUBA
Luxury Island Living The Beach Boys (our personal contenders for best band name of all time) summed up the Caribbean way of life best in Kokomo:
“ Bodies in the sand, tropical drink melting in your hand; we’ ll be falling in love to the rhythm of a steel drum band” And top of their list of islands?
“Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take you…” It gets the ultimate surf-pop stamp of approval and we just so happen to think it’s pretty swell too. That’s right; the Beach Boys aren’t the only ones who want to take you to Aruba.
This is where the sun is a permanent fixture, the soft sand is sugary white and the eternally enticing Caribbean is your playground, home to mind blowing marine life and shipwrecks a-plenty and crying out for snorkels, surfboards and swimsuits. Framed by beaches practically the entire coastline round, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding on a sunbathing spot – the adventure of the northern side’s surf versus the sleepier waters of the south and west coasts may be the most difficult choice you have to make here.
Latin music, Caribbean food and Dutch colonial influence make Aruba a triedand-tested recipe for the ultimate tropical getaway – it doesn’t take much to figure out why it’s nicknamed “one happy island”. Now, bearing all of the above in mind, it’ll come as no surprise to you to learn we’re about to embark on an Aruban takeover of Beach Tomato. ‘’What does this mean?!’’, we imagine you’ll exclaim as you read this. Well, over the next three months, we’ll be uploading content dedicated to this special slice of paradise in our Travel, Fashion, Beauty, Life and News sections.
Check in every day and you’ll be treated to yet another in-depth look at life on the island. From a carefully picked beach of the week in Aruba to the low-down on what to wear in such a trendsetting destination, by the time we’re through, Beach Tomato will be transformed and you’ll be booking your flight to sunnier shores. Well, that’s the plan anyway. Without further ado, it is with great excitement that we formally introduce you to Aruba. And here’s a few of our favourite island snapshots to kick start this Caribbean collective.
BEACH OF THE WEEK...
Eagle Beach, Aruba BEACH
Eagle Beach, Aruba
WHERE
This sandy stretch is often thought of as one of Aruba’s most gorgeous beaches and rightfully so we think. Eagle Beach is the widest beach on the island and a true natural beauty. You’ll discover it on the west coast of the island, looking out across pristine waters, but don’t be surprised if you recognise it when you get there… it’s home to two of the most photographed fofoti trees, which create beautiful trademark silhouettes against the Caribbean sea.
SAND TONE:
Icing sugar (well, almost)
HOW: A taxi or hire car will take you less than 20 minutes to get from Queen Beatrix International Airport to Eagle Beach. From there, you are the same distance to the very north of the island, and only 35-40 minutes down to the most southerly tip. It’s extremely likely you won’t want to move once you get here though.
H2O TONE
Vibrant turquoise
WHY
Aside from housing two of the island’s iconic fofoti trees, Eagle Beach is a haven for wildlife and sees turtles come to lay their eggs here every year. If you’re there during hatching season (May to November), watching the baby turtles hatch and make their mad dash for those azure waters is a spectacle not to be missed. A perfectly pristine paradise, Eagle Beach is the Caribbean island idyll you’ve been dreaming of.
STAY:
A hop, skip and a step from the white sands is Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort, the perfect base for your time staying on Eagle Beach. A traditional Dutch building (did the name give that away?) with bright, airy rooms bring a touch of the Caribbean from the outside in. We love the character and charm that this place oozes.
Best beach hotel
Bucuti & Tara Beach Best Beach Hotel
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort
Where
Only 15 minutes drive from Aruba’s International Airport, this resort also happens to be in close proximity of many major attractions, including a golf course, casinos and world class shopping. Despite these being so easily accessible, do not be fooled into imagining you will be stuck right in the thick of things. Bucuti is a resort nestled in a secluded area of its own; achieving ultimate tranquility with readily available entertainment should you desire it.
Why
The Bucuti Resort stands as the perfect base from which to explore the island’s abundant attractions, yet never loses the important feeling of seclusion. Wellness and relaxation is the philosophy of this hotel, and no doubt you’ll spend most of your time living up to this mantra, but it’s also nice to know you’re close to a livelier side to island life. The best of both worlds? Never has a cliché been so apt.
What
Be treated to your own little patch of paradise at the Bucuti. The hotel boasts a stunning stretch of white powder sands and offers an intimate and boutique style getaway for adults only. Let your worries drift away as you are spoilt by the helpful staff, and relish in a feeling of wellness and relaxation. On site facilities include a state of the art fitness centre, day spa, beach bar, infinity pool and restaurant. For a particularly romantic and memorable dining experience, we recommend savouring a specially created menu under a private cabana, along with your own personal waiter. With swaying palms and flickering torch light illuminating the warm white sand as the sun sets, you’ll be left inspired by the sheer beauty of your surroundings. Rooms are classically luxurious and all have internet access (should you wish to make a few people jealous with your incredible photographs). Local aloe products are provided in all the rooms, which range from rooms to suites to penthouses.
h Resort
one week in aruba
The Activity Guide Imagine you’re in Aruba. The sun is warming your skin and the sand between your toes feels as soft as silk. Now imagine you’ve only got five days here in paradise. How will you make the most of it? We know the temptation to baste like a turkey on a sun bed is really rather great, but we’ve got other things in mind for you.
Taking away the stress of planning, we’ve curated a day by day list of activities. Indulge in just one of these a day and you’ll be coming home with plenty of stories to share; a morning spent diving amongst old plane wrecks? Bragging rights: earned. What’s more, five activities over five days = plenty of time left over for you to baste. Everyone’s a winner.
Paddleboard Yoga Paddle board yoga on your first day will definitely kick-start your feeling of wellness and relaxation, and ease you into island living. Slightly different from the norm, this style of yoga takes place on extra wide stand up paddle boards (big surf boards). Zone out and forget about life on land as the combination of sunshine and cooling trade winds enhance your experience. The water is very calm with little waves, so don’t worry about any wobbles. For the ultimate feeling of serenity, try paddle board yoga in the cooler hours of the day, at sunrise or sunset. Whether you are a seasoned athlete or first time paddler, this form of yoga will enhance flexibility, balance, and overall fitness. Escapism at its very best.
Diving and Snorkelling Crystalline, azure blue waters around Aruba hide a world whose beauty you can’t even begin to imagine. Take a catamaran cruise for a day and dive off into clear, warm waters, snorkelling above ship wrecks and tropical fish. If you fancy exploring a little further than dipping and peeking under the surface, you are right above some world class diving sites, and knowledgeable guides are close at hand. Lap up the history surrounding the island as you float around diver-friendly wrecks ranging from old military vessels to tug boats to planes. You’ll return to that sun lounger with a sense of achievement, that’s for sure.
Yacht Charter You’re half way through your stay now, so you might be feeling a little more adventurous. How about your own private adventure? One of our favourite things to do from the island is to charter a sailing boat with a crew. Sunset cruises, snorkelling, swimming, dinner cruises, drinks; the options are endless. Sail on your own schedule, and design the trip exactly as you wish it to be. Then all you have to do is sit back and relax as you are whisked off on a seafaring adventure.
Exploration Well you know now there is a lot more to Aruba than white sandy beaches... but there are still white sandy beaches. The water is calm, turquoise, magical, and wonderfully refreshing, and the sand whiter than white. We think renting a bike is the best way to explore the island, and this way you’re sure to come across many secluded beaches and hidden coves. Your own little corner of paradise. We recommend heading for Arashi Beach, which is tucked away from the main coastal stretch and boasts excellent snorkelling. If you’d prefer to be in closer proximity of bars and restaurants, however, Eagle Beach and Palm Beach offer a multitude of restaurants and refreshments, as well as water sports and beach activities.
Aruba’ s Spas What better way to end your holiday than by spending some time in one of the several wonderful spas in Aruba. Numerous styles and options are available with a diverse menu of treatments. Any worries will become a distant memory by the end of your week, as you relax with a treatment in a bamboo cabana on the beach, or in a private treatment room, with essences of lavender, jasmine and orange blossom stimulating the senses. As gentle winds and the warmth of the Caribbean sun compliment the effects of your spa treatment, your only worry will be whether you’ll be able to muster the strength to leave.
the best dive sites
In Aruba We know, it’s a hard slog trying to pull yourself away from that sun lounger, but Aruba is an island surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and incredible wrecks that you need to get wet to explore. It’s an area that’s been on the divers’ map for decades and with so much to see, we figured it’s about time you discovered for yourself what treasures lie beneath. Don’t worry, the sun isn’t going anywhere; there’ll be plenty of time to catch some rays when you surface from these wondrous sites.
Renaissance Wreck There are two aircraft wrecks off the coast of Renaissance Island and both offer a unique and slightly eerie underwater experience. Once upon a time, these planes served as drugs runners. Nowadays? Well, they form part of a large artificial reef. The Beechcraft plane is only 14 feet below the surface so it’s a great dive for the novice adventurer. The Convair craft on the other hand lies 40 feet deep, so you’ll need a good bit of experience before you attempt to tackle this one. Both planes are in great condition and you can even enter the cockpit, but only if you’re prepared to ward off the octopi and eels that now call these wrecks home, of course.
Antilla Wreck The Antilla is the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean. An old German freighter, the ship was once used for trading between Germany and the Caribbean. Antilla’s life on the trading route was to be short lived; she sank to her new home on the sea bed in 1940. Still, every sunken vessel has a silver lining, and Antilla’s is that it’s been a popular dive site ever since. Covered in coral and sea sponges, you’re likely to see eels, turtles and lobsters in and around the wreck. At 40,000 feet long, this is a sight that will blow you out of the water (pun most definitely intended).
Get your gear on and dive in There’s so much more to diving than exploring old wrecks, and luckily enough the waters around Aruba boast an astounding selection of coral reefs that are home to a diverse array of marine life. You’ll be able to choose between Barcadera Reef, Kantil Reef, Skalahein Reef and more (a divers’ paradise? We think so). Get your gear on, dive in and keep an eye out for turtles, eels, lobsters and even a manta ray or two. It just goes to show, the Caribbean isn’t all cocktails and sunshine. Although that’s still our favourite bit…
S tay tuned on beachto m ato . co m