A week before I headed back to the Caribbean for a magazine assignment, I was interviewed on a podcast called Our Food Adventures by two Americans who called me from where they were staying in Hanoi, Vietnam to talk about what I love about Aruba. That’s a lot of continents for a conversation.
From the food to the people to the beaches to how easy it is to get around to motorcycling with an organic Aruban cigar maker across the island for mango slushes and local grouper, I love a lot of things about Aruba.
I’ve been maybe five or six times now, writing for Menu magazine, which is a free magazine available in a lot of the hotels, restaurants and even the giant Super Food grocery store next to the Blue Residences condo where I usually stay.
The first time I went there, I used my phone to get everywhere, which cost a fortune because it was when most Canadian cell phone carriers were just starting their per day rates travel abroad rates. This last time, I was approached to test out an international sim card from GoSim, which gave me enough data, texting and calls for a week long trip. I’d recommend it if you’re planning on going on holiday and don’t want to get charged an arm and a leg in roaming.
But on Aruba, I don’t need GPS anymore. The card was more for calling my interviewees or making reservations. Sure, I can get turned around if I’m driving through the desert terrain in the north near the old gold refinery ruins, but you’re never far from a coast, and it’s only about an hour from the west to the east. So drive until you hit water and you’ll be fine. You might even find a guy selling fresh coconut along the way.
Barbados is another story. I’m heading back there next week for another round of interviews with chefs, bartenders and restaurant owners. You drive on the left. No roads go straight. There are roundabouts everywhere. And Google maps tries to send me on to old airport runways or into ditches. But I still love it. This is why. And this. It has something to do with the tropical flowers, the Mount Gay XO and the soca music, I’m pretty sure.
It’s going to be hot and sticky. Summer is the low season, which is nice because it’s a bit quieter and relaxed, but with crop over coming up, I’m expecting a soca party. I’m also going to do some liming (I’m not sure about how to say that one: I’m going to lime? I’m going to a lime? I’m going liming?). I imagine there’s some dancing, some lounging and some rum involved, though. And maybe some macaroni pie. Not for me. But that’s actually a local delicacy. Like pudding and souse and pickled sea cat (octopus, my favourite).
It’s also the less expensive season. So to get you excited for a Caribbean vacation, here are the photos from my last trip. For tons more info and stories, listen to the Aruba episode of the Our Food Adventures podcast.
Two Fools and a Bull – My favourite meal of the trip
Lobby Restaurant – Aioli heaven and I don’t usually love aioli
Madame Janette – A classic that’s only getting better
The incredible rum selection at Oak Restaurant
Water’s Edge Restaurant: Highly underrated
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