Anatomy of an 18-day Caribbean Vacation

Never in my life have I so much needed a total and complete break from life. On June 19th Dan and I boarded a plane (first class) to Aruba for 18 days of rest and relaxation. We left the phones, computers, and other distractions at home and we are so glad we did! Here is a brief breakdown of our trip for those who wish to know. . .

6/19 Fly to Miami first class stay in Miami overnight
6/20 Fly to Aruba first class stay at Marriott Stellaris and Casino eat the most amazing meal at Texas de Brazil (brazilian bbq)
6/21 Drive to the California Lighthouse and move to the Marriott Aruba Ocean Club
and grocery shop at Super Food (they had Magnum ice cream bars!!!!)
6/22 Relax with the iguanas at the pool and earn marriott reward points for our next vacation by taking a sales pitch tour of the Marriot Surf Club (we almost bought-but didn't)
6/23 Went on an amazing catamaran snorkeling trip around the aruba coastline. We snorkled at the Antilla wreck where a German warship from WWII was captured by the Dutch. (The Germans sank their own ship so the Dutch couldn't use it.) This was such a freaky experience but i loved it except for the horrible sunburn I got. (FYI- arisol sunscreen doesn't work on a windy boat trip)
6/24 Watched movies in the suite while recovering from my lobster colored sunburn
6/25 relaxed by the pool in the shade and finished reading The Magician's Nephew (great book!) and then played slots in the Casino
6/26 Watched European cup soccer with serious soccer fans (we actually did this several days)- relaxed by the pool
6/27 Relaxed on the beach (snorkel/swim/float, lay out and read, order a tropical drink, repeat)
6/28 Shopped at the local market place and watched the aruba syncronized swimming team perform and a bartending contest. Ate at Moomba beach restarant (we dined barefoot on the beach while the sun set)Moved to the Westin Aruba resort for two days
6/29 Spent the most amazing day at Baby beach snorkeling and wading in the most pristine water I've ever seen. Relaxed by the pool. Watched the sun set over the ocean after eating an amazing italian dinner that we won for free at a raffle
6/30 Got up very early to fly to Puerto Rico! (not first class) checked into our amazing hotel room at the marriot Stellaris and Casino in San Juan. (Our room was floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city of San Juan, the blue bay and the green rainforrest hills in the distance)
7/1 Explored Old San Juan which is very much like a real life pirates of the caribbean. We loved the ruins of El Morro and the other Spanish fort that protected the city of San Juan from the Brittish, the Dutch, and pirates.
7/2 Drove to El Yunque rainforrest to hike to Mina falls. it was very beautiful!
7/3 Relaxed
7/4 Relaxed by the pool while listening to an amazing steel drum band. Explored Old San Juan again!
7/5 Toured the Bacardi Rum factory - fun! Took the ferry to Old San Juan again.
7/6 Drove to the other side of Puerto Rico to explore Ponce and tour a restored coffee plantation then stopped at La Route de Lechonores (the route of the pig bbq stands) We were the only white people there and people yelled "gringos!" at us but it was so delicious and very fun. Anthony Bourdain would be very proud of us.
7/7 Flew back home first class (Thanks Dad for picking us up!)

Well, it was an amazing trip. I came back relaxed and tan and so happy that I didn't have to go right back to work- sorry Dan. . .Hmmm I wonder where we should go next! Help us decide by voting in our blog poll!