Our Last Stop Before Fort Lauderdale!
Hallo Aruba! That’s Dutch for “Hello, Aruba!” And what a beautiful day to return to this little slice of Caribbean paradise, affectionately known as “One Happy Island!” ☀️🌊
We arrived in Aruba bright and early this morning aboard the Star Princess, with plenty of time to explore the shops near the port before heading off on our much-anticipated Wine and Distillery Tour.
After a little retail therapy, we hopped aboard one of the most colorful and entertaining buses we’ve ever seen! With lively Caribbean music playing, maracas shaking, and everyone getting into the island spirit, the ride itself was part of the adventure! 🎶🪇🚌
Our destination was Alto Vista Winery, situated on one of the higher points of the island, where we were treated to beautiful views of Aruba’s rugged, desert-like landscape. 🍇🍷
Who would have thought we’d be visiting a vineyard on an island better known for its white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and year-round sunshine?
Alto Vista Winery is a unique Caribbean winery where grapes are cultivated in Aruba’s challenging tropical climate. With its abundant sunshine, dry conditions, and cooling trade winds, growing grapes here is quite different from traditional wine regions in Europe or California. It’s fascinating to see how winemaking has found a home on this sunny Dutch Caribbean island!
During our very informative tour, we learned about the vineyards, the winemaking process, and the distillery. Of course, the highlight was getting to sample some of their creations! We tasted a refreshing Chenin Blanc, a lovely Tempranillo, and, naturally, their Star Rum! 🍷🥃
🍹 A Refreshing Taste of Aruba – The Strea!
We were also treated to a delicious and refreshing tropical drink called a Strea, which means “star” in Papiamento, one of Aruba’s official languages. What a perfect name for a drink enjoyed in the Caribbean sunshine! 🌟
It was such a delightful tropical treat that we thought we’d share a recipe inspired by our tasting, so we can bring a little taste of Aruba home with us!
🍍 Strea-Inspired Tropical Cocktail
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Star Rum
- 2 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ oz simple syrup (adjust to taste)
- Ice cubes
- Pineapple wedge or lime slice for garnish
Directions:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the Star Rum, pineapple juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake well until chilled, then strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a pineapple wedge or lime slice, and enjoy!
This is a tropical cocktail inspired by our visit, rather than Alto Vista Winery’s official Strea recipe.
Cheers, or as they say in Dutch, “Proost!” 🥂
🌴 A Perfect Ending to Our Caribbean Adventure!
The entire experience was loads of fun, and one of the best parts was meeting some really cool people along the way! There’s something about sharing a few glasses of wine, a little rum, and plenty of laughter that makes for a truly memorable afternoon.
Now we’re back aboard the Star Princess for a little well-deserved R & R before tonight’s festivities. After all, there’s still plenty of fun to be had before this incredible cruise comes to an end! 🚢✨
Aruba was the perfect final port of call on our Panama Canal adventure. From the colorful streets and lively island atmosphere to our unique winery and distillery experience, it was another wonderful day filled with sunshine, laughter, and new memories.
Dank je wel, Aruba! (Thank you, Aruba!) ❤️🇦🇼
You’ve certainly lived up to your reputation as One Happy Island!
As we left Aruba, we were treated to a beautiful sunset from our balcony.
And now, with our last Caribbean port behind us, we’re heading toward home.
Next stop — Fort Lauderdale, Florida! 🌴🚢⚓