Aruba Nights- Poster Perfect Wedding

Activities

Activities

Sherry & Daniel’s Aruba Adventures

by Susan Campbell

Not content to simply get married on Aruba, this couple set out to explore the island from top to bottom and then some...

Many visitors who flock to this sun­ ny isle are more than happy to simply relax on the beautiful beaches, seldom leaving the sand for more than a dinner out or an afternoon of shopping. Then there are those who thirst for new ad­ven­ tures and feel the need to examine every last inch of a destination. Sherry Bedard and Daniel Tremblay from Montreal, Quebec, Canada are of the latter group.

Self-confessed activity junkies, their is­ land explorations spanning a mere seven days left no stone unturned. Oh yes, and they also found time to celebrate with a beach wedding, too!

34 Nights

First impressions

Sherry and Daniel’s first visit to Aruba in January 2011 was very brief.

As part of a cruise with Royal Caribbean, they opted for the Seaworld Explorer semi-submarine tour. And though they thoroughly enjoyed the excursion, it was the island and the people they met here that day that really impressed. Inciden­ tally, Daniel had just popped the big ques­ tion to Sherry and they had both agreed that they would love a beach wedding. It took only one afternoon on Aruba to con­ vince them that this island was the perfect spot on which to tie the knot, and they

returned here in December 2011 to do just that. But before the “I dos” were said, they wanted to really get to know the special place that would be forever etched into the pages of their romantic history.

An island introduction

Upon arrival at the intimate adultonly boutique hotel Sherry and Daniel chose for their ceremony, the wedding party of eight set out to explore the island.

First was a visit to the Aruba Ostrich Farm as Sherry is an avid animal lover. They explored the farm, fed some lunch to the comical birds, and then jumped at the E

Photos courtesy of Sherry Bedard and Daniel Tremblay. Wedding photos by Timeless-Pixx Kenneth Theysen

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Activities chance to explore the real Aruba when one of the staff offered to take them on a personal tour. Sherry says, “The people on this island are so helpful and friendly and eager to share their island with visi­ tors. And I was so surprised at how un­ tropical the outback is! Arikok National Park is amazing: so many different land­ scapes and seascapes, wandering goats, cacti, wild donkeys. Bouncing around in the rocky terrain was a blast!”

They stopped by the secret natural pool for photos and at the Guadirikiri cave. The couple was touched by the story about how the natural skylight in the cave was created. Legend has it that two lovers who refused to be separated even though the tribal chief disapproved of their union were banished to this cave and left to die.

But their love was so strong that they burst through the rocks together to spend the rest of eternity as one; it was this spiritual exit that created the holes through which sunlight now filters. Very romantic.

Now that they had seen some of the countryside, they also wanted to en­ counter some other Aruba wildlife, the kind that only comes out at night! So they booked a bar-hopping nightlife tour aboard the crazy and rollicking Kukoo Kunuku party bus. Sherry says, “We really don’t remember exactly which bars we visited, but we do remember how much fun we had!”

36 Nights

Activities Water exploration

Horsing around Aruba

Since their introduction to Aruba had been aboard a semi-submarine, this time they wanted to explore even more of the underwater world and booked the wedding party on the Atlantis, a real sub­ marine. Daniel says, “I loved seeing the underwater wrecks and all the fish with­ out having to be certified to dive. I love to snorkel and that excursion had me im­ mediately wanting to go out and do some snorkeling on my own, which I later did at Boca Catalina.”

They also toured on top of the waves.

Their search for something unique for the rehearsal dinner led them to charter a catamaran and crew from Red Sail Sports for a private sunset sail with a buffet and open bar. Sherry says, “The crew was fab­ ulous and the sunset magnificent, and I even invited some local seabirds to join our feast!”

Sherry is an expert horsewoman, and one of her wedding fantasies had always been to be photographed on horse­back in her wedding dress. They had already booked a local photographer to take wed­ ding shots of them all over the island, now Sherry just needed a horse. So the entire wedding party went on a horse­ back riding tour with Rancho Notorious.

They split up into two different excur­ sions – one for less experienced riders that went through the countryside and to scenic Alto Vista Chapel, and the other one for expert riders that allowed for gal­ loping across the sand dunes and a trip to the famous California Lighthouse. When the ranch owners found out that Sherry was such an accomplished horsewoman, they allowed her to ride Sorento, who is typically only reserved for the tour guides.

Sherry says, “Though most of Aruba’s horses are beautiful paso finos, which means “fine step” in Spanish, I chose this bigger guy for his spirit. I just fell in love with him. And he was such a gentleman,

Photos courtesy of Sherry Bedard and Daniel Tremblay

he never balked at anything, not even being draped in a wedding dress – a backup dress since I didn’t want to ‘trash’ my real dress!”

Sherry is also a daredevil. And when she discovered that the island had a sky­ diving operator, she immediately signed up for a tandem jump, making it her fourth time parachuting. And though Daniel decided to opt out of that adven­ ture, he did get some great photos from the ground. E

Photo courtesy of Sherry Bedard and Daniel Tremblay. Wedding photos by Timeless-Pixx Kenneth Theysen

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Activities

Wedding on Eagle Beach

Somehow during their very active week, the couple also managed to go shopping for their wedding rings down­ town. “We wanted our rings to be from the island we were married on, and since there are great bargains on diamonds here – low duty and no tax – that really sealed the deal!” said Sherry with a smile.

At the resort they also took some time out for some luxurious massages and facials at Intermezzo Spa. But as far as planning for the actual ceremony, they left that up to the resort’s wedding plan­ ner.

Sherry says, “If it1 wasn’t for her3:51 effi­ Project1:Layout 5/26/10

BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD A visit to Aruba’s Butterfly Farm is an unforgettable encounter with nature in all its beauty and diversity. Step into a tropical garden teeming with butterflies from around the globe and prepare to meet some of the world’s most colourful creatures. Observe the life cycle of these fascinating animals from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly.

The Butterfly Farm is also home to Aruba’s most unique gift shop.

ciency, we would hardly have been able to do any of the things that we did. She took care of every last little detail so compe­ tently that we never felt stressed and were free to enjoy the island. All we had to do was show up! Which we did! And every­ thing was postcard perfect. We would not have changed one single thing!”

Next time

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Upon returning home, the couple’s only regret was having missed out on a few cool activities. Sherry says, “I did not know there was a sanctuary for wild donkeys or I would have been there in a Pag heartbeat! But I did go online to their website and adopt two donkeys named Nariz and Eva, and I cannot wait to go back and meet them in person!” Daniel, who is a great lover of plants, wishes he’d had time to visit the aloe museum. Other must-dos for their next visit include a trip to the Butterfly Farm and a day trip to De Palm Island to snorkel with the gi­ ant blue parrotfish. They might even try some windsurfing and kiteboarding as well. And as the poster couple for how to enjoy Aruba to the absolute fullest, they’ll be welcomed back with open arms.

We hope it’s soon! K

Open 7 days a week 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Last tour starts at 4 pm Call us at 586-3656

J.E. Irausquin Blvd Z/N Conveniently located across from the Phoenix Hotel www.thebutterflyfarm.com 38 Nights

Wedding photos by Timeless-Pixx Kenneth Theysen