#TBT | Aruba
I am fortunate enough to travel ever so often and love to share all my travels and experiences with others. My travel buddy is my sister – no secret in that. We have the same taste and travel well together. Generally she picks the location and I plan. I want to share a series of our past travels over the next few weeks with my readers. Majority of these trips were taken before I started blogging – therefore the series shall be #tbt (throw back travel) and over the next several weeks I will share snippets from all my favorite past travels. This week it’s Aruba! My sister and I went to Aruba in August 2012.
First Night
Once we arrived in Aruba we took a taxi to our hotel and checked in. We were there for four nights and stayed at the Aruba Mariott Resort & Stellaris Casino. We booked our hotel through Priceline name your own price and got a great deal. After we freshened up we went to Flying Fishbone Restaurant for dinner. Words can’t describe how amazing this dinner was. The food was just amazing. However the location was unreal. Literally dinner on the beach with our toes in the water right at sunset. It was a very romantic spot and my sister and I kept saying how this restaurant would be perfect with a significant other but oh well – we have each other – sisters forever. #awkward
Day 1
Day 2 began with a trip to the Butterfly Farm. All the employees were extremely knowledgable and explained everything there was to know about butterflies. We bought some amazing souvenirs from the Butterfly Farm!
Afterwards we went back to the hotel for some beach time and laying out in the sun.
For dinner we went to Papiamento Restaurant – which was recommended by a taxi driver to us. Once again the food and location were on point!
Day 2
Day three began with a submarine ride via Atlantis Submarine which we booked through our hotel. Since I can’t really swim – that well – and there is no chance I can learned to SCUBA dive the next best thing is a submarine ride! This was definitely an experience I won’t forget! So much fun.
After the submarine ride we went back to the hotel for some beach time and then watched the sunset.
For dinner we went to Gianni’s Ristorante Italiano. It was located in the more touristy area of Aruba and we got a glimpse of the night life.
Day 3
Day three was a long one but so much fun. We hired a taxi driver – that actually picked us up from dinner on the second night. He was born and raised in Aruba and offered to give us a tour of the Island by the hour. We visited many highlights of the island and were able to see the entire island in the span of 4 hours. We went to the Ayo Rock Formation, Arikok National Park, Caves at Arikok National Park, Casi Bari, Natural Bridge, and Baby Bridge. The caves are just stunning because they are above ground and contain drawings on the wall. In addition there are bats – lots of them – flying around the cave. I had some moments of yelling – no shame.
Our last dinner was at Marandi Restaurant. We watched the beautiful sunset and enjoyed delicious seafood. All the restaurants in Aruba during our trip were a hit. Not only was the food delicious but also the ambiance and locations were breathtaking!
My tan in full effect on the last day in Aruba!
The only thing I will add was that my sister and I didn’t rent a car while we were there and instead took a taxi everywhere. Majority of the taxi drivers in Aruba were female! We chatted with a ton of them and they were so delightful and helpful with restaurant recommendations, information about the Island, and much more!
Has anyone traveled to Aruba? What is your favorite location on this beautiful Island?!
Happy Thursday!
Mackinac Island
Over the weekend I organized a girls trip up north to Mackinac Island! It was the perfect get-a-way weekend! I haven’t been to Mackinac Island since I was 10 years old – therefore I was very giddy and excited to visit one my all time favorite Michigan destinations. We drove up Friday afternoon and checked into our hotel in Mackinaw City. We stayed at the Ramada Mackinaw City Waterfront. It was nothing fancy – but a fabulous location! It was directly adjacent to the Arnold Line Ferry which we took in the morning to get to the island.
Once we arrived on Mackinac Island we rented our bicycles for the day. For those of you who may not know – there are no motor vehicles on the Island! The only mode of transportation is walking, biking, or horses!
Once we had our bikes our first stop was the Mackinac Island Butterfly House. I’ve been to a butterfly house before (in Aruba) and this was a smaller version of it. There were a ton of beautiful butterflies flying all over the place! While we were there a butterfly landed on my mom’s arm, another on a visitor’s head, etc. They were gorgeous creatures and it was marvelous capturing these colorful butterflies in action.
After the Butterfly House our plan was to go to the Grand Hotel and explore – however we missed the street and ended up biking around the entire island – which ended up being extremely fun! We ended up biking on the M-185 Perimeter tour which was 8 miles long. Along the way we stopped by the lake, ate some ice cream, and explored some historic sites.
Along the way we stopped at the Arch Rock to take in this magnificent natural wonder. From the bottom the view wasn’t that great. Therefore we climbed 207 stairs (one way) to get to the top to take in the magnificent view. Thankfully the minute we got up there the sun started to shine and we were able to view the “Live Life to Max” written in the lake with stones.
After our loop around the Island we returned our bikes and grabbed some lunch at one of the local places. After lunch we walked over to the Grand Hotel to see the gardens. The hotel goes into dress code at 6:30pm and since we were wearing pants and didn’t have extra clothes we didn’t purchase the $10 pass to explore the inside of the hotel. Next time I fully intend on staying at the hotel and will have plenty of time exploring the indoors! However the garden area is free and doesn’t require a dress code therefore we hung out there and snapped some lovely photos.
After the Grand Hotel went down to Main Street and started sampling some fudge! In the end we purchased all our goodies from Ryba’s Fudge Shop – the best fudge in my opinion!
After we bought our goodies we headed to the beach and found a little secluded area to watch the sunset. It was just marvelous! Once the sun set we ran our way back to the docks to board the 9pm ferry to leave the island! It was a long day but it was so relaxing and fun! There is nothing better thank biking, eating ice cream, climbing, frolicking in gardens, and watching sunsets!
Sunday morning we woke up extra early to witness this stunning sunrise from our hotel room balcony. Just gorgeous!
After breakfast we drove over the Mackinac Bridge to enter the Upper Peninsula – just to say we went to the UP. Bragging rights! Woohooo! After snapping a couple pictures we piled up into the car and drove back home to Ann Arbor.
It was a very perfect Pure Michigan weekend!
Papermoon Diner | Baltimore
Over the weekend I went on a quick trip to Maryland. My flight got in super early in the AM and my lovely sister picked me up (after a night shift) and treated me to breakfast at Papermoon Diner in Baltimore. Paper moon is a very eclectic, fun, colorful place! We ordered the Challah French Toast Special and the Smarty Omelette – which were both delicious. Also can we all take a moment to recognize that this fabulous cow’s eyelashes are better than mine? So glamorous.
Frita Batidos | Ann Arbor
I have planned numerous times to dine at Frita Batidos but for some reason mother nature always intervened – polar vortex & thunderstorms – but finally I was able to make it to Frita Batidos in Ann Arbor with my girlfriends. I was a bit giddy because I’ve heard people rave about the food at Frita and since I’m a major foodie I had to try it for myself! We ordered the Black Bean Fritas, Big Bright Salad, and The Best Snack Ever and the Cocunut Cream Batidos. Honestly I can rave all I want about it but you won’t believe me until you try it for yourself. The food was AMAZING!!
Elevation Burger | Ann Arbor
I am beyond excited to share with you all the best thing has possibly happened in Ann Arbor – Elevation Burger! When I moved out to Maryland for grad school I was hooked on Elevation Burger because there was an EB near campus and I would go all the time for my dose of burger love. When I cam back to Ann Arbor for the summer I heard through a friend that Elevation Burger had opened in Ann Arbor last summer. I was over the moon to say the least!
Last week I had the chance to sit down with the owner of Ann Arbor’s Elevation Burger – Michael Tayter. Mike is an Ann Arbor native himself who went to school at University of Michigan and studied business. I asked him what led him to opening Elevation Burger in Ann Arbor. He stated that while living in Texas – where there are a few EB locations – he aspired to open a EB restaurant. However he wanted to open a location in Ann Arbor because Ann Arbor is home. When he and his wife moved back to Ann Arbor Mike pursued his goal and opened Elevation Burger on Washtenaw Ave just pass Arborland Mall.
Elevation Burger’s philosophy is to provide and serve it’s customers with fresh, flavorful, and high quality food and ingredients. They’re meat comes from ethical grass-fed farm which is organic and halal! Yes HALAL! EB offers a variety of food options to accommodate all dietary needs with options such as vegetarian, organic, gluten free fries, paleo, and lettuce wraps.
To accommodate the Muslim community last year Mike offered extended hours during the month of Ramadan for Muslims. He will be doing the same this year when Ramadan starts at the end of the week. This is a wonderful opportunity for Muslims in Ann Arbor because very few halal places stay open late during Ramadan. Therefore Ann Arbor locals don’t need to make the long drive to Dearborn to grab a burger because EB is just around the corner!
In addition to the delicious food served at Elevation Burger I have to rave about the friendly service at the Ann Arbor location. While I was at EB I definitely felt the Midwest friendly vibe! The staff was exceptionally friendly, helpful, and caring. From asking about your day, to providing you with extra napkins, and taking your trays. This is why I love Ann Arbor and couldn’t be happier that EB is open in my wonderful hometown.
Nothing says summer fun like a burger! Head on over to Elevation Burger at 3365 Washtenaw Ave, Suite L, Ann Arbor, MI for a delicious burger, shake, and fries! In addition you can follow Elevation Burger Ann Arbor on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter! Happy Monday!
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