When you’re on your hands and knees scrubbing “accidents” out of your soft pile carpet, you find yourself seeking mental refuge in “the before”; Before you had children, before you had a crippling mortgage to house your ever-increasing brood, before your living room turned into a homage to soft play. The simple days when boy met girl and you spent your days either drunk, in bed or holding hands. The pre-stretchmark days were a kaleidoscope of colour; festivals, night clubs and beach holidays. Now, the colour in your life is derived from the primary-coloured plastic toys in your bathtub.
I sound bitter. I’m not. I love my life with my two protégés in it. I just sometimes miss the solitude of Craig and I.
The next time we’ll be alone, truly alone, will be our honeymoon. So when real-life threatens to turn me into an alcoholic, I’ll Google destinations and lose myself in images of white sand, birds of paradise and romantic secluded cabins.
The Caribbean offers all this and more. Its warm waters play host to small and fiercely independent islands, all offering something new (both culturally and atmospherically) to us stressed and emotionally-stilted urbanites. A warm welcome and week’s worth of unspoiled beaches, dramatic rock formations and tropical wildlife awaits you. Explorers can explore, lovers can fall deeper into each other, and sun-seekers can simply relax with cocktails laced with fresh fruits and generous measures.
Among others, the beautiful island of Aruba boasts all of this, and is perhaps one of the lesser known destinations that peppers the Caribbean Ocean’s southern tip. At just 19.6 miles long and 6 miles across (total area of 70 square miles) this island is not to be overlooked. It’s home to one of Trip Advisors “Top Ten Beaches in the World”, and has a water-taxi that transports you to a nature reserve complete with island-renowned iridescent flamingos.
On top of this it offers a surprising variety of accommodation, and dining experiences that will enthrall the most die-hard critic. Catering for the adventurer there’s horseback riding, SNUBA, windsurfing and off-roading, whilst party-lovers can dance down the streets of San Nicolas carnival-style and enjoy live entertainment and local cuisine at the weekly Carubbian Festival. Finally, for those that just can’t sit still there are high stakes casinos and a truly stunning golf course to shake off the inertia.
Despite the 82 degree climate Aruba also benefits from refreshing east trade wind breezes. This creates the perfect climate for producing aloe vera, and the island has a wide expanse of aloe fields in Hato. Grown since 1890, the plant features so prominently in the island’s culture and heritage and marked Aruba’s first source of welfare. Spa and beauty lovers will be well-versed in the healing and cell-reviving properties of aloe and can luxuriate in one of the many pampering treatments the island has to offer.
Put simply there’s so much for honeymooners to indulge in, it’s little wonder that Aruba consistently features in top industry guides as one of the most romantic places in the world.
Tempted? Who wouldn’t be?
Well the Aruba Tourism Authority has recently launched a competition to WIN a romantic 7-night getaway to Aruba for two. Head on over for the easy-entry competition that could see you basking in a romantic experience of your very own.
