This past spring break I went to my favorite place, Aruba. If you have never been, you are missing out, lucky for me this was my fourth time coming to the island and each time I go I understand more and more why it is called “One Happy Island.” For starters the plane ride is nice and quick being only 4 hours and 15 minutes, and once you land you are immediately in warmer weather and happier people. The weather there is always 80 degrees, with no rain, and a constant breeze to cool you off. Once we arrived at our hotel we were immediately greeted with smiles and drinks as we waited to check into our rooms.

This is the Marriott Stellaris where we stayed and have stayed for the last 3 years we have gone. There is so much I love about this hotel and island, but one of my favorites is the workers there. In the hotel, security by the pool, and the workers at their restaurant on the beach, most have been there since the first time I went, and we are close with some of them which is such a fun time.

Another one of my favorite parts of coming to Aruba is getting to lay out by either the pool or the beach all day and tan, read, and swim. As well as hanging out on the balcony before the sunset and dinner.

Another favorite thing about coming to Aruba is spending the night watching sunsets, and even going for a swim during sunsets its magical and one of my favorite things to do because I love sunsets and something about being in the warm water seeing all the pretty colors is the best feeling.

Although laying at the beach all day is relaxing and fun, there are also many different fun excursions to do. One that we do every year is called the Jolly Pirate, and it is a pirate ship that takes you to a sunken shipwreck you can snorkel at and see. Then the second stop is a much calmer area where you can snorkel and see a bunch of intriguing fish and also the opportunity to see a turtle. Then after about 20 minutes they bring out a rope swing for you to use and it is a lot of fun.

The second excursion we went on was a new one, we went to Flamingo beach and got to spend the day hanging out with flamingos and snorkeling in a new area. This was one of my favorite parts of the trip because it was new, and I have been wanting to go for the last two years. If there was one thing I recommend doing when coming to the island it is visiting the flamingos.

The trip ended way too quickly, and I already cannot wait to go back again. The second we landed in Boston; I could feel the difference in the weather and the vibe. In Aruba, the world seems so bright that it is hard to have a bad day, but in Boston and other parts of New England, it looks gloomy, and everyone is either in a rush or a bad mood. I know that is part of Boston and being a “Masshole,” but once you experience life in Aruba, it is hard to leave and live in an area where people don’t get along often. Not only is it a relaxing time when you go, but it is also life-changing, and I recommend that if you can go, then do it.