We arriveed in Oranjestad, Aruba Tuesday April 17th, around lunch time. This was a view of the city from my balcony on the 8th deck.



















We had booked an excursion for DePalm Island so we went down the gangwalk and straight to our tour bus. Once we arrived at the pier, the kids were right away looking for fishies, lizards and any kind of creepy crawlies they could spot! I couldn't believe how hot it was outside -- about 40 Celcius (which is what, 1000 farenheit or some crazy thing?!?) but that changed once we got on our little boat that took us to the island. The breezes were fantastic and made all the difference in the world.



















First things first was we hit the waterpark area for the kids. We easily spent most of our time there and Morgan thought he had died and gone to heaven! They made me go on some crazy waterslides that were pitch black and had me landing headfirst in water... they laughed their butts off when I came limping out of that one, that's for sure.





















Brent & Serena headed for the other end of the island where they both went snorkeling together... the first time for each of them. They went to the coral reef area and saw giant blue parrotfish and other exotic fishies. This was a HUGE hit and while I would have loved to try it, I was stuck drinking Pina Coladas at the waterpark hanging out with Mister Moo. Gee, that was rough!


















Anyhow, we spent the afternoon there and came back in time for dinner and dessert (yum). When we'd installed the kids at the club for the night, we found an awesome fruit & chocolate fountain set up at the Lido pool area. Now it was MY turn to have dies and gone to heaven!!! There was even a white chocolate fountain, too -- and tons of little nibblies to dip in to devour. I wasn't happy that my belly was full of dinner already because I think I could have camped out for hours there before passing out on a deck chair. YUM YUM!!