Tag: travel

Travels in Aruba 2016 – part fifteen

~ Spence's Girl ~ 5 Comments

On our October 2015 trip to Aruba, the spa at Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts was undergoing renovation.  As we prepared for our trip in May, I perused the menu of services offered by their new Purun Spa.

At check-in, we were given a welcome packet including a discount on spa service. I reached out to Nicole in Guest Services/Concierge and set an appointment for a Purun Happy Island Massage.

Purun Happy Island Massage (Swedish w/ Hot stone):

A gentle stream of warm oil escapes the marble of Purun and reaches the center of energy of the body, followed by a hand and feet massage ending up in neck and face. This truly unique experience calms the nervous system by uniting mind and body.

 

I was ready for some pampering after a long day dragging around our carry-on luggage and being crammed into always-too-small seats on the plane.

After my arrival and check-in I was offered fruit-infused water or ginger tea; I opted for ginger tea – my personal favorite.

My massage therapist was Margarita who was just lovely and her Purun Happy Island Massage left me completely relaxed.

As I was checking out, I was given another discount on services if used before the end of our trip.  Not that I needed any incentive but I booked a facial for the following week on my birthday!

 

Purun Sensation Facial:

Experience a pleasant feeling with our facial of essences that will give you a fresh face that is smooth and toxin-free. This treatment helps to protect the skin from the elements of the environment such as stress and dehydration giving you purification, softness, and anti-aging hydration.

Once again, I had Margarita who gave me a relaxing and amazing facial.  My skin was so soft and hydrated that I think I left looking a few years younger than when I went in.

Needless to say, I would highly recommend the services at Purun Spa and plan to go back on our next trip (God willing) to Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort.

 

Travels in Aruba 2016 – part fourteen

~ Spence's Girl ~ 3 Comments

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At Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort, there is a very special, fine dining restaurant called Carte Blanche.  Seating only 14 guests per evening, the reservations must be made well in advance and re-confirmed 24 hours prior to dining.  We were celebrating my 60th birthday on this trip and I’m such a foodie that when I was able to secure reservations, I did so.

Promptly at 7:00 p.m., the doors open and the guests are ushered in.

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Hector puts the finishing touches in place as rose petals added to the romantic ambiance

Just a coincidence, when we sat down at the semi-circle, granite topped dining area, I’d chosen seats where the chef would be prepping and cooking right in front of us. Once we were seated Dennis and Glen, our chef, introduced themselves. Dennis would handle the adult beverages, offering a wine pairing with each of the chef’s special courses to come though diners could have anything they preferred. If you’ve visited this blog before, you may have guessed that we chose the wine pairing. Since we’d all be together for the next few hours they asked that we introduce ourselves, where we were from and if we were celebrating anything special.  Not surprisingly, we had anniversaries, newlyweds and birthdays.

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While Glen took drink orders, everyone had a glass of Prosecco (my favorite)  while we got a chance to talk with other guests, anticipating Glen’s first creation.

The Amuse Bouche was Grouper Ceviche, one of my favorite things in the world.  Dennis paired the Ceviche with a Reisling from Germany, Spence’s favorite wine.

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Absolutely delicious and such a refreshing start to the evening.

Glen prepared the appetizer next and to my delight it was a Seared Sea Scallop, wrapped in bacon and served over a Dutch-style potato salad with basil, capers, micro-greens, a dollop of creme fraiche, salsa verde and baby spinach.  Dennis paired this with a lovely Vin D’Alsace, French Pinot Gris.

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Presentation was perfection and the flavors were heavenly.

The next course featured white aspargus, finely chopped hard-boiled egg with ham and a white wine hollandaise with minced parsley and chives served with a Gruner Veltliner Terrassen, an Austrian white wine – perfect!

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Too pretty to eat (but I did)

Glen’s next creation was Red Snapper, Shrimp and Fennel with Carrot and Micro Mustard Greens plated over a Lobster Bisque cream sauce; Dennis paired this with Stag’s Leap Chardonnay.

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Seriously delicious!

Next up I saw the most succulent lollipop lamb chops that Glen was prepping.

The lamb chops were served with eggplant and basil roasted with tomatoes and spinach and paired with Malbec.

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What can I say?  Wow!

Around this time, Spence was nodding off a bit and I glanced at my watch – it was 10:30 and Glen was telling us that dessert was either a cheesecake or a chocolate choice, recommending we each try one and share.  As delicious as we knew they’d be, we were so stuffed, we opted to skip dessert and that last glass of wine.

All in all, a fabulous evening and a meal I won’t soon forget.

Travels in Aruba 2016 – part twelve

~ Spence's Girl ~ 6 Comments

Using Trip Advisor as a resource led Spence and I to the highly-rated restaurant, Madam Janette.  Having made reservations as suggested, we hopped in our rental car and drove a few miles to find this gem of a place, tucked into a residential area.  With lots of cars in the parking lot and tantalizing aromas emanating, we knew we’d chosen well.

With indoor and outdoor (covered) seating, Madam Janette can seat many diners. As we were led to our table (we chose outside) there are many little enclaves of seating which make Madam Janette’s feel intimate and romantic.

We had a team of servers who were on top of everything.  The menu is extensive and the food coming out of the kitchen looked and smelled delicious. We both chose the Almond Grouper, topped with a creamy spinach bernaise type sauce and served with Madam Janette’s Potato Gratin. It’s considered their house specialty and rightfully so.  It was one of the most delicious meals I’ve ever had, so flavorful and expertly prepared.  I’ve dreamt of it every since!

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I hope you’re enjoying “Travels in Aruba 2016” – there’s more to come. If Aruba is in your travel plans or on your bucket list, check out my October 2015 series, “Travel in Aruba” as well.  

 

Travels in Aruba 2016 – part eight

~ Spence's Girl ~ 9 Comments

 

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Mother’s Day gift from Bucuti and Tara Beach Resorts, a beautifully wrapped, scented soap – just lovely!

While in Aruba we celebrated Mother’s Day and after seeing that there was a special menu being offered at Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort’s Elements Restaurant (our favorite in Aruba) we made reservations.  It didn’t disappoint!

Mother’s Day Dinner Menu

 Choice of:

Smoked Salmon Carpaccio – Norwegian smoked salmon thinly layered over frisée greens with pumpernickel wedges and balsamic emulsion

– or –

Cauliflower Cream Soup – Roasted cauliflower unified with a hint of truffle butter and gently infused with parmesan cheese

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Grilled Mango Sea Bass Fillet – Carefully pan seared and topped with fresh mango salsa
Set on a mirror of Passion Beurre Blanc and served with roasted seasonal vegetables

– or –

Twin Tournedos Argentina Style – USDA choice tenderloin steaks char broiled and accompanied by a savory Chimichurri sauce and seasonal vegetables

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All main courses are served with choice of garlic mashed potatoes or wild rice

Mint Chocolate Crème Brûlée -Flavorful custard with a touch of mint and flamed caramelized sugar

Spence and I both selected the Salmon Carpaccio appetizer.

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For our entrees, I chose the Sea Bass and Spence chose the Twin Tournedos – mine with the wild rice and his with the garlic mashed potatoes.

And of course, we saved room for the Mint Chocolate Creme Brulee – did you have any doubt?

 A truly scrumptious meal and memorable Mother’s Day!

Travels in Aruba – part six

~ Spence's Girl ~ 2 Comments

For this next installment, as promised, I’m going to talk about the daily breakfast included with our stay at Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort. Spence teases me about photographing my food when I travel “Laura’s Eating and Drinking Vacation Diary” as he calls it.  But come on, if you’re a foodie it makes sense!

At home, I’m lucky if I can get Spence to have the occasional yogurt for breakfast.  He just isn’t a breakfast guy – until we get to Bucuti.  

Serving till 11:00, we stroll down around 10:00, are greeted by Martin who seats us (we prefer inside).  Then comes the decisions – what to choose?

  • eggs to order – Nancy or Marjorie (depending on the day) will prepare eggs expertly including omelets – a favorite of Spence’s
  • Bacon and sausage
  • Potatoes – different varieties each day
  • Specialty items that change daily – some of which were eggs benedict, arepas, red beans and rice, empanadas style meat filled little goodies were among my favorites
  • 4 kinds of juice plus fruit or veggie infused water
  • 2 -3 kinds of meat – ham, pastrami, mortadella to name a few and 2-3 kinds of cheeses – always including gouda
  • smoked salmon or smoked trout with cream cheese, onions and capers
  • fresh fruit platters – multiple varieties each day including: pineapple, papaya, watermelon, cantelope, honeydew, mango, dragon fruit and passion fruit as well as bananas, apples, kiwi and orange on the other side of the buffet
  • easily eight types of bread as well as pastries, croissants, bagels, english muffins, banana bread and pound cake with an assortment of jams, spreads and butter
  • Yogurt and topping of granola, dried fruits
  • Cereals (3-4 varieties)

I’ve probably forgotten something but I think you get the drift.  Amazing.  This year I got to try dragon and passion fruit, both of which I’m totally smitten. Succulent, perfectly fresh and delicious, I had to stop short of gorging on these, such a treat.  With attentive, friendly service from Nakarid, Ricardo and Lina, it is the best way to start each day when staying at Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort.

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The inside of a Passion Fruit, I found it easiest to eat with a fork and the seeds and flesh just lift out. The seeds are edible in both Dragon and Passion fruit.  Now the challenge, can I find these in Michigan?  I hope so!

Travels in Aruba 2016 – part five

~ Spence's Girl ~ 2 Comments

Each morning at Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort, we enjoyed the breakfast included with our stay (more about that in future posts, I promise).  Though we opted for indoor seating which provides a stellar view of the beach and ocean, many guests sit a bit closer outside on the deck.  On several occasions we saw this colorful bird and though we have no idea what kind it is, it didn’t diminish our enjoyment as he stopped in after the guests departed, looking for a bite of croissant or a nibble on a piece of papaya.

Travels in Aruba 2016 – part one

~ Spence's Girl ~ 5 Comments

Spence and I got home a week ago from a return trip to our beloved Aruba.  Last October we travelled there and had so much fun that four days later, we booked two weeks in May to coincide with my 60th birthday.

Those who’ve followed this blog may recall my 15 part series, Travels in Aruba from 2015.  Hands down, it collectively brought the most activity to Spence’s Girl since it’s launch. I’m hopeful that you’ll enjoy this series as well.

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Starting the trip with an airport mimosa as we traveled Flint to Atlanta to Aruba.
We awoke well before the crack of dawn to arrive at the airport to check our bags by 4:00 a.m. and took off shortly after 6:00.

Arriving at our final destination around 2:30, we picked up our rental car and headed a short distance to Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort.  Having stayed there last trip, there was no question that we’d return there, we’d even requested and got the same room.

Upon our arrival, we were offered cool, lavender scented cloths to wipe away the travel grime – and a glass of ice cold champagne.  Nicole, who we’d met last year at check-in, took care of the formalities this year and got us settled in.  As always, they’d provided lovely welcome gifts.

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Chilled wine, gouda, crackers, cookies & Aruba Aloe lotion!
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Knowing that the first of two daily cocktail hours commences at 4:00, we scooted down to the Sand Bar for drinks and our first sunset of the trip.  Life is good!

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A little Prosecco

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Exhausted but we made it! 
We opted for night one to have dinner at Elements, the restaurant at Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort, which we think is the best on Aruba.  The menu is creative, food delicious, presented beautifully and excellent service guaranteed.

For our first night, we opted for a light meal and the selection of appetizers was very appealing…..what to choose???

Stay tuned for more in this new series……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Travels in Nevada – Laughlin

~ Spence's Girl ~ 2 Comments

Spence and I love Laughlin Nevada and just returned from a comped stay at our favorite Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino.

Located right on the Colorado River, in the middle of the Riverwalk that connects all hotels and casinos on the watr, we love the location. The comfort of the rooms, friendly staff, cleanliness of the casino and hotel, great restaurants, comped drinks and lovely landscaped atrium with hundreds of Bromelaids and trees with waterfall make this a desert oasis.  Having visited all the area casinos, hands down – it’s the best casino with the most fun and up to date slot machines.

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This was EXCITING!!

Bubba Gump’s, Saltgrass Steak House and Claim Jumper are the featured restaurants as well as an on-site Starbucks and a deli!  Bubba Gumps has both indoor and outdoor, on the water seating.

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Saltgrass Steakhouse had Country Fried Steak which was delicious and for one of the happy hours, Spence and I split an appetizer with our drinks.

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Range Rattlers, are shrimp and cheese stuffed jalapenos which were HOT!  Seriously HOT!

Good times to be sure!  We had breakfast every morning at the Claim Jumper – the best soft breakfast tacos (2) were a great start to every day.

The Riverwalk is a nice way to see both the Colorado River and visit other casinos.  We loved walking here, safe and a good way to get in some exercise! And as we did, you can take the Water Taxi anywhere up and down the river for $4 per ride/per person.

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The pool area
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The pool
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There were a couple of visitors
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Hello Ducky

Just a few more interesting photos….

59 Candles, 59 Things – part thirty four

~ Spence's Girl ~ 7 Comments

 

Forty second thing: For my next entry in this series about things that make me happy I want to talk about traveling with my soulmate and husband, Spence.

In my almost sixty years of life, I’ve gained a substantial amount of wisdom.  Many times I’ve shared this vital relationship litmus test with my girlfriends.

“Find out early on if you travel well together.  If not, the relationship is doomed”.

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I have more than a few painful-at-the-time, hilarious-in-the-retelling stories from my pre-Spence dating/travels but this post is about the joy of travel when you find a partner that is simpatico. It truly makes every trip better.

Spence and I will celebrate 25 years as a couple later this week. During that time, we’ve traveled extensively both across the USA and internationally.  Spence’s fearless nature and grasp of languages has afforded me great adventures with lots of off the beaten path experiences.  Ever flexible, we don’t overthink where a trip will take us.  Less interested in tours, we’re inclined towards finding where the locals go and our own spontaneous exploration.  What I love about travelling with Spence is that we feel the same way about places, frequently going back to destinations that hold happy memories.

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Last week, we went back to Laughlin Nevada.  We’d last travelled there for a few days when en route from Las Vegas to a rental in Sedona.  We liked the laid-back vibe in Laughlin and in particular, the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino. The hotel had sent us offers since our last visit and a few weeks into 2016, we booked a 6 day/5 night free stay.  Using Delta SkyMiles, we snagged two free tickets flying direct from Detroit to Vegas. We did tons of walking checking out other casinos, solidifying that the Golden Nugget is our favorite. While strolling along the Riverwalk (which is on the Colorado River), Spence struck up a conversation with a guy wearing a U of M t-shirt. Gary, who’d moved there from the Detroit area a few years back, was a wealth of knowledge, sharing local history and enthusiastically suggesting we visit Oatman, Arizona.

“Oatman?” we asked.  He told us how to get there and since we had a rental car, we decided to take a road trip the next day.

We started the day with a delicious breakfast, mine – breakfast soft tacos with avocado, eggs, cheese, bacon, sour cream and pico de gallo, Spence – two fluffy scrambled eggs and a dish of fruit. Driving across the Colorado River to Bullhead City Arizona, we continued out of town and into the desert in search of this old mining town. It was a fun day in a unique old west town (I’ll be blogging about Oatman in the next post) and a fine diversion from the casino action.

My favorite thing about trips with Spence is that we make our own fun, enjoying each other in the process. Our expectations are alinged, the delight in places we love is shared and our flexibility to spontaneous side trips and discovery of hidden gems creates new memories.

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What works splendidly in travel for us, may not work for others but isn’t that what makes our world an interesting and diverse place?

I hope that you find that soulmate who can make your journey better just by being part of it.

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For more on my series, 59 Candles, 59 Things, check out “59 Things” under Categories.  What makes you happy?