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We did it! Pete and I took that long awaited couples getaway to Aruba and it was awesome!
With direct flights now to Aruba, Southwest made getting there easy! We flew out from Orlando and then on the way back through Houston and both were great! The only thing we would have changed about this adventure was if the girls could have been there with us (we are those parents.) Oh, and staying longer would have been great too! Forty-eight hours was definitely not enough time to see everything Aruba has to offer!
We landed on Thursday afternoon and immediately checked into our hotel. Aruba has two hotel areas, the high rise, and low rise hotels. They also have boutique hotels if you prefer those.
Then it was off to the beach! We were staying on Palm Beach, and it was beautiful. I highly recommend this area.
Along the beach is a boardwalk…really, it is a sidewalk but boardwalk sounds more romantic. Either way, there are a lot of restaurants, bars, and shopping along the way. There is even a mall behind it.
We made sure to stop along the path and enjoy the flowers too!
We had a packed day for us planned the next day, so we called it a night after enjoying the sunset.
We were awake early the next morning for a tour of the island that we were really looking forward to. Unfortunately, Aruba had a rare day of rain so our tour was cut short. But, we did get to see a few very impressive things, and Pete and I both really love rain, so we considered it a great day regardless!
We saw the south end of the island that has a rocky landscape and powerful waves. Totally different than the northwest side we were staying on.
We also saw “baby” natural bridge. The big one fell down so we were advised not to walk on it, and to enjoy it from afar. We accepted this non-challenge. It was pouring down rain at this point, but I think it just made the whole experience even more exciting!
We also made our way to California Lighthouse. Since we are from California, we felt a kinship to the lighthouse until we learned that it was named after a shipwrecked boat called California and was constructed to hopefully prevent other shipwrecks many moons ago. We would have loved to have climbed to the top, but there wasn’t enough time. That’s okay, it just means we need to come back again soon!
We took ALL THE SELFIES! I mean, we were selfie-taking machines. There are very few pictures of us together since the kids joined our family almost 17 years ago, so we set off to change that. We were very successful. I have no idea when the next time we will be alone like this, so we documented each and every moment. It was awesome!
The tour ended early due to weather, so while we didn’t get to snorkel like planned, we did get to enjoy a fun lunch and drinks beachside, so that was still a win to us!
This was our view during our late lunch/early dinner! So amazing!
We grabbed some coffee later and called it a day with yet another storm rolling through and this beautiful view!
We woke up to slightly bluer skies, and we set off on foot to explore the area more. We only had a few hours before we had to leave for the airport, so we didn’t waste any time!
We strolled down along the ocean and through all the resorts in the area. Each one having their own personal flair for us to enjoy.
We also did some souvenir shopping! The best places to shop are the little street carts. We couldn’t believe how good the prices were for these fun touristy items. We picked up a few things for the girls and we kept on going…
Aruba is very breezy, so we also sat and had coffee and just watched the trees sway back and forth. It was the perfect end of our time on Aruba!
Soon after we were back on the plane heading home to the girls!
Oh my-lanta Aruba looks amazing! And I’m sure even though you missed the girls, it was nice to have some alone time. I would love to get away with my husband, even though i would be thinking about how much i missed the kids too lol! Those nachos (or whatever that was) that you had for lunch looked amazing!
Wow what an awesome place! Thanks for sharing!
That sounds like so much fun! My husband and I have been trying our best to put together a couple’s getaway. Aruba is on our short list.
I have been to Aruba and I loved it. It was really windy when we were there too so I wonder if that’s just normal. It’s too bad you missed out on snorkeling I know that is a blast. You’ll have to go back with the girls. I have to agree when I go on vacation like to bring my child with me.
It sounds like you guys had a great time. I hope to get to Aruba someday.
It looks like you guys had an amazing 48 hours together there!!!!
What a beautiful getaway. I love that lighthouse.
Oh to be by sand right now!
Heaven knows I need a couples only trip with my husband. This looks like exactly the type of place too!
Aruba looks so beautiful! I’ve always wanted to visit, looks like you guys had a lot of fun!
Wow, what a spot! The little bridge is so cool, how amazing is nature!
I have not been to Aruba. It looks like a great place to visit. 48 hours is the perfect amount of time away.
I would jump on a flight now for that destination and never leave!!!
I would love to go there sometime. I haven’t had a getaway ever with just my husband and I. This would be the perfect place to go.
I have been to Bonaire and Curacao, the two other of the ABC islands. I am really looking forward to going to Aruba someday.
Wow! What a beautiful place. What an amazing place to visit. I’d love to get there some day.
This sounds like it was a great getaway for the two of you. It must have been nice to get away just the two of you.
I would love to get away to Aruba. This looks like a great couples trip.
We are trying to plan a retreat just for us. I will have to look into this couples getaway.
What an amazing experience! Looks like a great place to visit!
Great pics of a wonderful get-away! I’m ready for Southwest Airlines to take us there, too.
Looks like you guys had an amazing time! I would love to go to Aruba one day!
Aruba has been on my list, but even mores now after your amazing photos!
Looks like a fun trip. I’m all about Islands. Haven’t been to Aruba yet, though!
wow, the photos are so amazing, you look like you had a great time. I wish I would travel more
As always, your photos are fabulous!! I wish I was somewhere tropical right now!!
How beautiful! Aruba is definitely on my list of places to visit!
Looks like a really romantic place to spend with your SO. I would love to go there!
What a gorgeous place. And to get to enjoy it with the man you love makes it all the more special.
This vacation looks amazing! I’ve got to check it out. My husband and I so need a vacay together!
Aruba is such a beautiful place to visit. I’ll have to make a trip there, hopefully soon.
It’s nice to be able to get away as a couple once in a while. It looks like you had a great time.
ok soooo i had all these amazing things to say and then i saw the beans and chips and lost my train of thought. lmbo. wowsers. looks delish
It sounds like you guys had a great time. I went to Aruba many years ago, I bet it looks different now! Loved your pictures!
I’m thinking of saving money for this! Work work work. Haha
Looks like a amazing vacation, I have never been but would love to go. The beach look beautiful and i love lighthouses so that would be one of my tourist stops.
It sounds like you and Pete had a great time. I would love to go to Aruba but I think I would love to stay a bit longer. 🙂
These photos are amazing. Love your blog!
xoxo
Tyler
I’ve never been to Aruba but we will be going there soon for sure. You are so lucky to get away just with your hubbie. We didn’t get to do a couples only trip until our kids moved to the other coast to go to college. Looks like you had wonderful time in this beautiful place.
I have never been to Aruba bt have seen amazing pics of this place.
Looks like you guys had a fabulous time! I have never had a couples getaway, but my youngest is still so young… I think I would worry the whole time anyways. Aruba looks amazing! Love all the pictures. 🙂
These pictures are amazing!! They’re making me SO jealous since it’s SO cold here haha! You must have had such an amazing time!
That’s an amazing place! Looks like you guys had lots of fun time. Makes me want to pester m hub to take me for a couple getaway. Awesome shots!
Aruba. These pictures are awesome and it looks like you guys had an awesome time and that’s always good for the marriage. – Yolonda
How totally fun! I would love to get away with just me and my husband. We haven’t done it for a couple of years now.
Your photos are amazing! Great post 🙂
Aruba is such a beautiful place for a vacation. I wish I could be there right now to escape from the cold! I am happy though that you and your husband had a good time, just the two of you.
I’ve always heard such amazing things about Aruba and based on these beautiful photos and your stories, I guess it checks out! Great post, glad you two had fun!
I’ve heard so many amazing things about Aruba as a vacation spot! Your photos look so lovely! looks like a great, relaxing place to be.
Just look at the blue!