One Happy Podcast

Liliana Gracia joins me on episode 58 of One Happy Podcast.  Many of you already know Liliana from her work at the Renaissance where she specialized in making visitors happy.  During her 23 years at the Renn, Liliana met thousands of Aruba visitors in the numerous roles she filled.  Having worked everywhere from the reservations department to the front desk to her eventual position of timeshare coordinator at the Ocean Suites, it’s safe to say Liliana is well versed at making people happy.

 

Over the course of our 40 minute conversation Liliana takes us on a journey from her beginnings at the Sonesta all the way to the present with Lock N Roll.  She also shares what its like to be partially responsible for so many visitors vacation experiences and what that meant to her.  Along this journey Liliana has met so many Aruba vacationers that she thinks of as family.  

 

So often we talk about how the people of Aruba are the real reason we continue to return year after year.  Well, this is an interview with one of those people, an interview that shows how it works both ways.  Not only are the people of Aruba incredible but those of us who have decided to call it our second home are pretty special as well.

 

On This Episode of One Happy Podcast you will:

 

  • Hear from someone who has worked in the Aruba tourism industry for 20+ years
  • Find out about a new service where vacationers can store their goods between trips
  • Learn what a patacone is and where to get one
  • Find out about Liliana’s favorite restaurant in Aruba
  • Learn about the special connection those who work in the tourism industry feel towards visitors
  • Hear about some other services Lock N Roll may be offering in the future

 

Lock N Roll Timeshare Storage

 

So if you are listening to this podcast you are likely a repeat visitor or soon to be repeat visitor to the island of Aruba.  If this is the case did you know you can leave some of your items on the island safe and secure for your next trip?  That’s where Lock N Roll Timeshare Storage comes in.  For a relatively small fee they will pick up your items, store your items and then deliver them to you upon your return.  

 

Visit their Facebook page to learn more about this service.  For an example of some of the things you can store, there are examples below:

 

Lock N Roll Do's and Don'ts

 

DO  : Clothing, Bedding, Pots & Pans, Small Appliances, Electronics, Crock Pot, Blender, Canned Goods, Laundry Detergent, Board Games, Personal Hygiene items: Razors,

Q-TIPS, Soaps, Shampoo, Sunblock, Towels,

Bathing Suits, Snorkel Gear, household decorations and Holiday items, and more

 

DON'T : No perishable food items - Canned Goods are OK. No Alcohol, Propane Tanks, Air Tanks, Firearms and or Weapons, Explosives or Combustibles No Drugs this includes prescriptions. We don’t recommend storing your personal computers, mobile devices, NO wet items.

 

Other vitals:

  • Bins are purchased from Lock N Roll
  • Standard bin sizes are 30 gallons
  • Larger items can also be stored
  • Yearly fee is 75 dollars (at time of recording 7/2016)
  • Yearly fee includes 1 drop off and pick up
  • Additional pickups can also be arranged for a small fee

 

Restaurants Mentioned this episode:

 

 

Links and Resources Mentioned:

 


Episode 57c of One Happy Podcast, the officially unofficial podcast of the island of Aruba recaps days 6,7 and 8 of our most recent trip.  This episode is a combination of audio recorded on the island and also back here in the States.  It begins with on Eagle beach recapping my first ever journey up "The Hooiberg" and concludes with us back in Delaware discussing the crying room.

 

As they say, time flies when you are having fun and this vacation to Aruba definitely proved that saying true.  You've already heard about all the fun we had the first 5 days.  Well, these last 3 days include the aforementioned trip up Mt. Hooiberg, the discovery of my new favorite rum shop on the island, another visit to Aruba Ray's Comedy, awesome restaurants and plenty of beach time.

 

While it's always a bit sad when a trip to your favorite place on earth comes to a conclusion it's a good sadness.  What I mean by that is, leaving sucks, but I have no regrets about how our time was spent.  Maggie and I tried new restaurants and activities but still found time to do the things that are staples of our visits to the island.  Things that we have come to love over our years of visiting  that truly make us happy.  I can also happily say that we have now added some new things.  

 

Places mentioned on this episode of the show:

Arubian Tastes Rum Shop

Aruba Ray's Comedy

Azzurros

Tango Argentine Grill

Texas De Brazil Aruba

 

Resources Mentioned:

One Happy Podcast - the officially unofficial podcast of the island of Aruba

The One Happy Podcast Facebook Page

 

Direct download: EP57c_-_Aruba_July_2016_Days_6_7_8.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:47am EDT

Episode 57b of One Happy Podcast is the second of our on island podcasts. This one is all about, days 3, 4 and 5 of our July 2016 trip. When we last left you we had just pulled into Baby Beach where we were set to enjoy a spectacular day. So we go through that day and all its events. Dinner that night was at Ricardo's and we had a late night snack at the El Mexicano Taco Truck.

Day 4 was all about playing chicken with the weather. We woke up to rain which changed our plans of going to the animal shelter. Instead, we got breakfast at Salt and Pepper and spent the day at Arashi. Happy Hour was at the restaurant at Tierra Del Sol for the ARF Paws for a cause fundraising event. The ARF ladies did a wonderful job putting together a phenomenal event. Dinner was at my favorite restaurant Quinta Del Carmen which has never disappointed me in either 4 or 5 visits. In fact, this last one may have been the best ever.

On Day 5 in Aruba weather would once again play a role. This time, we didn't let it affect our plans on visiting the puppies and kittens and we made it to Aruba Animal Shelter. After the Animal Shelter we picked up lunch from a place neither of us had ever visited. Then we made our way to Arashi once again since the previous day was a short one. The rain had other plans for us so we executed plan B. Dinner was at Terrazza Italiana and the night time entertainment had us visiting Bugaloe for karaoke and the El Mexicano Taco Truck.

Sponsored By:
Jays Car Rental Aruba – The place to go when you want an affordable, reliable and safe vehicle on the island of Aruba. They are committed to providing the customers with the highest standards of quality and reliability and all with a personal touch.

 

Direct download: EP_57b_-_Aruba_Curt_Days_3_4_and_5_Aruba_7-2016.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:11am EDT

Episode 57a of One Happy Podcast is actually going to be broken up into 3 parts. This first part is a recap of our first two days in Aruba. It begins with us waking up in Baltimore on Tuesday morning getting ready for our flight. Then it progresses through days 1 and 2 of our latest Aruba adventure.

This is not your typical episode of the show as it is being recorded in Aruba using equipment that is relatively new to me. However, I will say what it lacks in polish it more than makes up for in capturing the raw emotion and spontaneity of the trip. We recorded the recap in our car on the way down to Baby Beach. Here are just some of the things we saw while recording; the Aruba Aloe Man walking out of a supermarket, a herd of goats blocking a side street, kite surfers down by the prison and other random Aruba sightings. Not your typical podcast episode for a trip that is turning out to be something other than typical as well.

Although day one was arrival day it was actually surprisingly busy as we hit the beach right away, something new for us. It also did not involve us going to the grocery store to do a large stock up for our rental. Now I won't get too in-depth in what all went down as that's the point of the episode, but I will say we didn't stop moving from the time we arrived until pretty much me sitting here typing these show notes.

 

Direct download: Episode_57-a_Arrival_Days_1_and_2_in_Aruba_7-2016.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:58pm EDT

Episode 56 is the last in our series on planning our vacation to Aruba.  In this episode, Maggie and I go over what we plan on doing while in Aruba.  So if you are into restaurant talk this is the one for you.  That being said all the others are also informative and in my opinion pretty entertaining.  If you haven’t had the opportunity to listen to those yet, please make sure you do.

We start out by talking about our affinity for the Park Sleep Fly, which is our way of avoiding having to wake up at 3 in the morning to drive to Baltimore.  Instead, we drive down the evening before and park at the hotel for the duration of our trip.  This also gives us an excuse to stop for crab cakes at G&M which is close to the airport.  If you are someone who is attempting to avoid waking up at some ungodly time to drive to the airport you should definitely look into it.

Next, we go into our intended list of restaurants.  Now I say our intended list of restaurants because as you all know, on vacation planning and doing are two different things.  We have been agonizing over our list for quite a while now and it is almost complete.  However, it isn’t completely finished and also nothing is carved in stone.  Actually, we need your help in deciding on one of our last slots.  It’s too close to call on a few restaurants, so we are depending on you guys.:

We also talk about the different forms of entertainment we plan on engaging in around the island.  Aruba Ray’s Comedy, the ARF Paws for a Cause fundraiser, visiting the Aruba animal shelter and karaoke are all on our itinerary.  In total, this episode is 40 minutes of fun and informative Aruba talk about our upcoming vacation.  Whether you are someone who has never been to the island or have been to Aruba dozens of times there is something in there for you.  I hope you enjoy!

On This Episode of One Happy Podcast you will:

Find out where to go when you want basic beef cooked really well

Hear why you need a reservation if you want great Italian food with a killer view

Learn who has the best Sangria on the island

Get my opinion on the best beach bar on the planet

Be able to help us choose between



Restaurants Mentioned this episode:

   

 

  • The El Mexicano Taco Truck
  • Tia Rosa Snack Food Truck

 

Links and Resources Mentioned:

 

 


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