This was our first trip to Aruba. Since 1999, we have only been going to St. Martin, usually once or twice a year. A rather unpleasant experience in St. Martin last November got us thinking that maybe we should be looking for another vacation spot. Aruba seemed like a good alternative.

Originally scheduled to depart Toronto at about 6:00 a.m. on May 11, our flight was pushed back to 3:30 in the afternoon – a change of schedule only communicated to us after it was too late to change our minds. It meant we would not get back home on our return flight until about 3:00 a.m. the following Monday. Not fond of these late flights at all.

Arrived in Aruba about 8:30 p.m. and after some confusion as to which bus would take us to our hotel, we arrived at The Mill Resort around 10:00 p.m. Checked in, dropped our bags in the room, then went looking for a cold drink. The mini mart in the hotel was closed so we went to the bar. We sat down and greeted the bar tender who told us, as she set a beer in front of a young man at the bar, that she was closed. We left, figuring tap water would have to do.

We had booked a Studio Room, which came with a kitchen, because we like to get our own breakfast and start the day at our own pace. The kitchen came well equipped, the room was clean and the bed was comfortable. However, there was no balcony, which made things a bit claustrophobic, and the windows looked out over the parking lot and a pile of rubble. The toilet needed four flushes to clear it every time and no matter how you positioned the shower head, the bathroom floor was covered in water after every shower. We had the plumber in to look at the toilet and he didn’t think there was anything wrong, so we just let that go.

We ate breakfast in the hotel restaurant on the first morning – an American style buffet which was quite satisfactory at $13.50 per person. After breakfast, we took the bus into town – Oranjestad – did a bit of shopping and bought groceries. Lots of jewellery and high-end clothing stores in the main shopping area, along with the usual souvenir shops selling t-shirts and fridge magnets. We bought enough groceries to take care of breakfasts for most of the week, along with a stock of drinks for the fridge, and rode the bus back.

I must say that the bus system on Aruba, from what we saw of it, is very good. Buses run on time, they’re clean, the drivers are helpful and pleasant and the fare is reasonable - $2.60 for two people one way into town.

We spent Monday afternoon in a shady spot by the hotel pool. Next morning, on the way to the beach, we stopped by the activities desk to inquire about tours. We were undecided as to whether to take a tour, rent a car or hire a taxi to take us on a tour. The lady at the activities desk persuaded us to take an island tour – half day – that afternoon. For $50.00 each, we went to the California Lighthouse, Alto Vista Chapel, the Natural Bridge – well, not really. The Natural Bridge collapsed 3 years ago but the Baby Bridge is still here. We also went to Lourdes Grotto and on to Baby Beach, with the bus driver giving us a running commentary on the history of Aruba and life on the island. After taking the bus tour, seeing the roads and the traffic, we decided that it would be safe to rent a car and take in a few sites on our own.

We rented a Yaris from Economy – approx. $75.00 for two days – and set off for the Donkey Sanctuary. This was the highlight of my trip and my poor husband thought we were never going to leave the place. Seriously, I could see myself staying there and looking after the donkeys. Donkeys used to be a main mode of transport on the island, hauling goods and people. When cars arrived, the donkeys were, in many cases, just set free to fend for themselves. They live wild in the Arikok National Park but occasionally wander into civilization where they can be hit by cars or otherwise abused. The Sanctuary takes them in, neuters the males and generally gives them all a safe place to live out their lives. I guess they missed one of the males, though, as there was a month-old donkey at the sanctuary the day we went – so cute!

We also checked out some of the beaches further up the coast from the hotel zone, beaches where they have windsurfing and kite surfing competitions in June. They sure picked the right spot. The wind never stops blowing.

Next day, we drove down to San Nicolas and beyond, foolishly thinking we could get around the island in a Yaris. Ha! Driving out of San Nicolas, the map shows a road passing along the edge of the Arikok Park, just near the coast. Don’t be fooled by the map. There is no road, at least not paved. What road there is, is a dirt track that runs through the Dutch Military training area where, the day we were there, they were engaged in a shooting exercise with live ammo. Signage was not too good here, as we were right into the area before we even saw a sign to that effect.

Next day, we went shopping again to stock up the fridge, and then took the car back. Later, we took the bus into town and had lunch.

On our last full day, Saturday, we stayed on the beach for most of the day, soaking up some sun and watching people scramble as a huge iguana wandered among the beach cots.

Sunday and it’s time to go home. Well, not right away, as the flight doesn’t leave until 9:15 p.m. We stayed in the room as long as we could – info from the tour folks said no “late check out”. We had a late lunch in the hotel restaurant and waited for the bus to the airport.

We got to the airport about 6:20 p.m. and there was a line up right out into the parking lot for people checking in for our flight, a KLM flight to Amsterdam and a couple of flights to neighbouring islands. We stood in line to check in for over an hour. Once checked in, we headed for the departure gate, via the passport check. Here, one gentleman had to compare the passport and boarding pass for every passenger, thus creating another line up, this one swollen to soccer-crowd size due to the fact that well-wishers can hang out in the line-up with departing passengers, while everyone hugs and cries and kisses goodbye. Finally past the passport check and there is yet another line up for the single security check-point i.e. one X-ray machine and one metal detector in use for all those passengers. More than two hours after arriving at the airport, we got to the departure gate.

Once on the plane, we had seats in the very last row, the ones that don’t recline. As I can’t sleep on a plane and my husband was constantly being woken up by the lady in the seat next to his, we were both pretty much zonked by the time we got to Toronto. After a 45 minute wait for the bags and a mercifully swift passing through customs, we were on our way home.

Just a few more comments:
We are not big foodies but should mention that, for those who crave fast food, there is no shortage on Aruba. Every town and community, it seems, has McDonalds, Taco Bell, KFC, Wendy’s and Domino’s Pizza.

A couple of meals worth writing about:
We ate lunch one day at Salt & Pepper. It’s on the main road of the high rise area, across from the Hyatt. I had an appetizer of shrimp in a creamy sauce followed by their tenderloin. The word “tender” is correct. A really tender piece of beef, topped with a stroganoff sauce. Excellent. Service was friendly and the price, for two, not too steep: $66.00 U.S. including a $14.00 t-shirt for my husband.

We also had lunch at the Paddock in Oranjestad. We both had the mahi-mahi, grilled, no batter or other gucky stuff. Quite good, with a nice view of the harbour.

And we found the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shop just next to The Mill and visited that a couple of times. “Bananas on the Rum” ice cream – yum!

We’re not big drinkers, either, but on a couple of evenings we walked across to the Westin Hotel and after a little time spent in their casino, had a drink in their lobby bar. I order Manhattans wherever I go and the bartender there, Karen, made a fabulous Manhattan, the second best I have ever had anywhere.

About The Mill:
Because of kitchens and availability of large suites, it appears to attract lots of families. Also at night, there is some entertainment around the bar. The night we looked in, it appeared to be “Dancing with the Staff”.

We tried to make an outside call one day but couldn’t get a line out. I tried to call the hotel operator but got no answer so we went down to ask about the phone. We were told that the line would have to be unlocked but only if we had left a $100.00 deposit at the front desk on check in. We had done that – didn’t have a choice – and were a bit peeved to have to go down and straighten that out.

Hotel info sheet says guests get 10% off Thrifty Car rental, which happens to have a desk in the lobby. The info said to go to the front desk to pick up a discount card. Front desk staff didn’t know anything about it, even when I pointed out the blurb to them on their own literature. They told us to go to the Thrifty desk. We did but the lady there didn’t know anything about it either. Back we went to the front desk where a staff member rather rudely tossed a tourist magazine at me and told me to look inside where I might find a coupon. Really not too impressed with the front desk staff at all. However, restaurant staff was very pleasant, as were housekeeping, the beach boy and the beach shuttle driver.

The beach for The Mill is across the road behind the Westin Hotel. You can take the shuttle or walk – equivalent of 3 or 4 blocks at home – to the beach at end of Westin Hotel beach. They supply beds and towels, but no other facilities – there is nowhere to get a drink or food.

The hotel itself is tired looking, with some areas in disrepair. It will need to raise its game a lot to compete with the likes of the Westin, Hyatt and RIU Palace nearby. Too, I’m not sure we got good value for our money. For what we paid, a couple of hundred dollars more would have bought a week all inclusive at the Holiday Inn just down the road and, in St. Martin, it would have given us a week at a very pleasant small hotel on the French side with money left over. I would not go back to The Mill.

About Aruba:

Beautiful beaches, white sand and clean, clear water. Most beaches appeared to be quite shallow and calm on the west coast.

Very friendly people. Most speak English although we did find a few folks who spoke only Papiamento or Spanish. There is quite a big Spanish influence which surprised me but should not have, seeing as how the island is so close to Venezuela.

Great roads, at least the main roads are. They are well paved compared to a number of other islands. However, here are very few directional signs once you get out of the main city/towns and the roads in the “country” are not marked/named at all. It makes it a bit difficult to find your way but people are willing to provide directions.

The wind! Yikes! It never stops! Lather on sun tan lotion on the beach, sit in the wind for a while and come away looking like an emery board. Do your hair to go out at night, step outside and whoosh! You hair is now standing on end in the wind. Add to that the fact that the place is so dry that the wind constantly stirs up dust and this is no place for the contact lens wearer.

As I said at the outset, we were looking for a replacement for St. Martin. Sadly, Aruba isn’t it but for anyone looking for a vacation with great beaches, great weather (almost never rains) and American style hotels and food and a sense of safety, Aruba is the spot for you.