californiagirl
TUG Member
We leave tomorrow after spending 10 days in Aruba. We had units at the Surf Club and the Ocean Club that overlapped for 5 days. This allowed us to stay at the Ocean Club, but use the lazy river at the Surf Club. Loved the Ocean Club. Didn't care so much for the Surf club. Way too crowded and closed in feeling. We have really enjoyed the island. We've had a car for the entire time and have driven all over. My husband and I had been going at 90mph and needed a rest and to reconnect. (This trip was to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary.) We leave tomorrow rested and reconnected. 
The weather has been unusual according to islanders. The first thing we noticed upon arrival was how green the island looked. We came here 18 mo ago as a day stop on a cruise, it was brown except for the resort areas. The locals said that the weather has not been normal for the last 10 months or so. Lots more rain than usual. We had one day of rain all day and the rest of the time we have had puffy clouds and occasional showers, but mostly sunshine. It has reminded us of Hawaii...we love Hawaii. Half of the week very little wind and high humidity.
The staff and employees, (with the exception of the towel hut people) have gone out of their way to be friendly and helpful. Everytime we pass an employee, no matter their job, they offer a pleasant hello.
We have had a 1 bdrm on the 5th floor overlooking the new pool area and the ocean beyond. Our villa is near the end of the hallway, closer to the ocean. The noise has been loud this week as they appear to working overtime to complete the pool area, scheduled to open next Sunday. It looks like they will make it. It really adds to the view. Speaking of the view. This is considered an oceanview unit. Our Maui Ocean Club unit has the same view almost exactly, but is classified as gardenview. Our unit at the Surfclub was also listed as oceanview, but there was now water anywhere in sight! In fact it faced entirely the houses to the east of the resort.
The ocean is such a beautiful blue/green. There is an unusual occurence in the water. (Again according to the locals and returning guests.) Lots of seaweed on the ocean floor washing up onshore. In the shallow area as you enter the water it is thick. Feels like walking through seagrass. Earlier in the week there was so much that a tractor was brought to the beach to get rid of it. It has diminished throughout the week.
At the Ocean Club we never once had trouble finding two chairs together by the pool, in the shade...any time of day! Plenty of chairs and shade. Plenty of palapas by the beach as well. The Surf Club was another story! Way too many people competing for chairs. If we had kids with us we would have preferred the Surf Club. More to do and the average age seemed younger.
I would be happy to answer any questions. We will be in transit tomorrow, so it may be Tues before I get back to Tug.
The weather has been unusual according to islanders. The first thing we noticed upon arrival was how green the island looked. We came here 18 mo ago as a day stop on a cruise, it was brown except for the resort areas. The locals said that the weather has not been normal for the last 10 months or so. Lots more rain than usual. We had one day of rain all day and the rest of the time we have had puffy clouds and occasional showers, but mostly sunshine. It has reminded us of Hawaii...we love Hawaii. Half of the week very little wind and high humidity.
The staff and employees, (with the exception of the towel hut people) have gone out of their way to be friendly and helpful. Everytime we pass an employee, no matter their job, they offer a pleasant hello.
We have had a 1 bdrm on the 5th floor overlooking the new pool area and the ocean beyond. Our villa is near the end of the hallway, closer to the ocean. The noise has been loud this week as they appear to working overtime to complete the pool area, scheduled to open next Sunday. It looks like they will make it. It really adds to the view. Speaking of the view. This is considered an oceanview unit. Our Maui Ocean Club unit has the same view almost exactly, but is classified as gardenview. Our unit at the Surfclub was also listed as oceanview, but there was now water anywhere in sight! In fact it faced entirely the houses to the east of the resort.
The ocean is such a beautiful blue/green. There is an unusual occurence in the water. (Again according to the locals and returning guests.) Lots of seaweed on the ocean floor washing up onshore. In the shallow area as you enter the water it is thick. Feels like walking through seagrass. Earlier in the week there was so much that a tractor was brought to the beach to get rid of it. It has diminished throughout the week.
At the Ocean Club we never once had trouble finding two chairs together by the pool, in the shade...any time of day! Plenty of chairs and shade. Plenty of palapas by the beach as well. The Surf Club was another story! Way too many people competing for chairs. If we had kids with us we would have preferred the Surf Club. More to do and the average age seemed younger.
I would be happy to answer any questions. We will be in transit tomorrow, so it may be Tues before I get back to Tug.