One Happy Podcast

So on today’s episode of One Happy Podcast, you get Maggie and I talking about our most trip to Aruba.  Mostly we recap what all we did during our latest visit, but since this was supposed to be a more budget focused trip you also get us talking about costs.  

This trip down to Aruba was definitely atypical to our norm.  Not only did we set and more or less keep to a budget, but we did so without sacrificing any fun.  While we didn’t partake in a few of our vacation staples, this gave us a chance to see what was truly important.  As it turns out the number most important thing in any trip is not what you do, but who you are with.  

On this trip standing side by side with my best friend we actually avoided Palm Beach almost entirely.  For this visit to Aruba Eagle Beach and Arashi Beach were our stomping grounds.  Also, as much as it killed us, we stayed away from most of our favorite restaurants.  This trip down there was no Quinta Del Carmen or Tango Argentine Grill.  Instead we went to more local type places such as Ramada Columbiana and Mi Dudu.  

While our culinary and entertainment choices may have changed, our trademark fun continued on.  Episode 66 of One Happy Podcast is a recap of that fun, with elements of education.  We talk about our food choices, our entertainment options and our budget.  In this episode everything is laid bare for you, so I hope you enjoy it.  

On This Episode of One Happy Podcast you will:

  • Hear all about our September trip to Aruba
  • Find out just how much we spent on the island
  • The San Nicolas Carubbian Festival
  • A couple of local restaurants
  • Find out why we didn’t do the lighthouse

Restaurants Mentioned on this episode of the show:

Properties Mentioned this Episode

Direct download: EP66_-_Maggie_and_Curt_September_201.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

One Happy Podcast Episode 65 is a podcast that I absolutely could not wait to get posted.  This one is an interview with Jerome Nahr of the Arubian Taste Rum shop.  If you have never been to The Arubian Taste let me explain what it is.  Located in the Orange Plaza, Arubian Tastes is a rum shop owned by Jerome and Marcia Nahr.  Here Jerome makes and sells his own flavors of rum.  The selection is absolutely astounding and many are unlike anything I have ever tasted anywhere else.  To top it all off, you can sample any or all of the rums in the shop.  

My last trip down to Aruba I walk into the Arubian Taste and absolutely fell in love.  Not only is the shop an absolute paradise for a rum lover but Jerome and Marcia are two of the most amazing people you are likely to meet.  Their fun-loving demeanor and welcoming attitudes are the absolute epitome of what Aruba means to me.  I wanted to record them ever since I visited that first time but this wasn’t one that could be done over skype.  In order to get the full spirit and capture the love of rum, Jerome has it had to be done in person.  So, for this interview, I was able to sit down with Jerome to pick his  brain a bit on how all of this got started.  

I know many of you listening don’t really venture too far from the beach during the day, but after this interview that is all going to change.  Over the next half hour prepare to fall in love with not only the concept of a rum shop where you can sample more than 50 different products, but also the man behind the rum.

On This Episode of One Happy Podcast you will:

  • Learn how Jerome got started making rum?
  • Hear about Jerome's first rum?
  • Find out just how many different rums Arubian Taste has?
  • Learn about some of the Aruba hot sauces
  • Hear  why Arubian Tastes pre-mixed drinks are the way to go?
  • Find out the difference between Arubian Tastes Fireball and American Fireball?

Rums and Pre-mixed drinks mentioned this episode:

  • Arubian Mudslide
  • Cocoa Vodka Cream
  • 151
  • Mi Dushi Suchi
  • Pata Pata Pre-mix cocktail
  • Pistachio Rum
  • Premium Gold Rum
  • Super Banana Arubian Fly

Links and Resources Mentioned:

I love to read but on vacation I feel a bit lazy… hence the audiobooks:

Direct download: EP65_-_The_Arubian_Taste_by_Jerome_Nahr.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

On this episode of One Happy Podcast Maggie and I discuss our upcoming September 11th vacation to Aruba.  I know you are probably saying something like, “didn’t you just come back from Aruba?”. Well, you wouldn’t be wrong since we were just there at the end of September.  Now we are coming back not even two months later.  This is a completely unplanned trip and is our 3rd of the year.  Things just sort of lined up, where we would be able to do the trip relatively cheap, so we decided to go for it.  

In addition to this being a vacation for us, I am also turning it into a case study on how to do Aruba as affordably as possible.  However, the key is, to not sacrifice any fun.  So what I will need to do is, be careful not to be extravagant while resisting the urge to skimp.  I think this is something that will be of interest to a great number of podcast listeners.  Who wouldn’t want to sneak in an extra trip to Aruba if it can be done for not much more than a long weekend (insert your local drive to getaway place) close to home.

This episode of One Happy Podcast features Maggie and I discussing how this trip came about and our plans for our latest visit to Aruba.  There isn’t a ton of actual information about Aruba but it is a fun listen detailing what’s gone down so far.  You also get to hear about the plans that I have for the type of broadcasting a plan on doing from the island.  Lastly, you also get clued in on how little preparation we’ve done for this trip thus far.  I’m not saying it’s going to take a miracle for me to execute flawlessly.  However, as I sit here it is Wednesday night and I have until Saturday to get everything worked out.  Yikes!

On This Episode of One Happy Podcast You Will Learn:

  • Why we are going on another Aruba vacation so close to our last one
  • What Southwest Air does to take care of their customers
  • How we plan on doing Aruba on the cheap
  • Why subscribing to the podcast is something you are going to want to do
  • About the events, we are most looking forward to doing this vacation

Restaurants and Attractions Mentioned in this Episode:

 

Links Mentioned on this Episode of the Show:

Direct download: EP64_-_Maggie_and_Curt_Sept_2016_Tri.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

One Happy Podcast Episode 63 features a couple of repeat guests Debbie Mitchell and Patrick Mallison.  They were guests on the podcast about 9 months ago on episode  34 - Creating Fortuna Villas with Debbie and Patrick.  You may remember from that episode that Patrick and Debbie visited for the first time and purchased a home on the same trip.  Then the next trip was a 9 week project to completely transform that home into an incredible rental property.   Well now that all of the work has been completed and the rental is flourishing, Debbie and Patrick were able to actually enjoy a visit to Aruba.

 

This episode of One Happy Podcast is all about what Patrick and Debbie did once they touched down with a goal of just getting to know the island.  Over the course of this 45 minute episode we talk about some of the activities and restaurants they enjoyed.  We also discuss the Savaneta area where their home is located and why it could be the ideal place to stay on your next trip to the island.  I actually learned a lot about the area surrounding Fortuna Villas Aruba and do plan on considering their home for a future vacation.

 

So many visitors to the island are funneled towards the Palm and Eagle Beach areas, understandably so, but there is so much more to Aruba.  Savaneta is one of those areas that doesn’t really come to mind when thinking of a rental.  However, that should not be the case. While the Savaneta area is a completely different vibe than the main tourist area, it is equally wonderful.  Not only is it a fantastic area to experience total relaxation but the location on the island makes it an ideal base of operations for exploration of Aruba.  So if you are looking for a different Aruba experience try Savaneta and Fortuna Villas Aruba.



On This Episode of One Happy Podcast you will:

 

  • What Savaneta Beach is like (it’s only a 90 second commute from Fortuna Villas)
  • Hear about an area of the island you may not have considered staying before
  • Find out what the local Savaneta grocery stores and bakeries are like
  • Listen to a description of the snorkeling at Mangel Halto
  • Hear Patrick’s adventures on the North Shore of the island
  • How Patrick’s 80 year old father enjoyed his first visit to Aruba
  • FInd out how Debbie and Patrick found their home on Aruba
  • Be introduced to the next building phase of Fortuna Villas

 

Excursions and Restaurants Mentioned this episode:

 

 

Links and Resources Mentioned:

 

 

I love to read but on vacation I feel a bit lazy… hence the audiobooks:

http://www.audibletrial.com/aruba

Direct download: EP63_-_Debbie_and_Patrick_Fortuna_Vi.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00am EDT

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