Beach tennis, anyone? On Moomba Beach, it’s a real sport attracting pro and recreational players worldwide, not just an excuse to drink grand-slamming mint-orange mojitos at the Aruba Marriott next door.
The tennis-volleyball hybrid is an all-ages game played with paddles and depressurized balls on cushiony sand courts. Professional player Mike Edison of Darnestown, Md., comes for the International Tournament held here each November. “When players say beach tennis is ‘not just a sport, but a lifestyle’, that holds true in Aruba 100 percent.”
Aruba’s no stereotypical tropical isle. Its landscape is distinguished by cactus short and tall, aloe fields, and divi-divi trees, which lean southwesterly in permanent deference to year-round tradewinds. Native birds include the Bananaquit and diurnal Burrowing Owls.
Located beyond the hurricane belt, the 75-square-mile south Caribbean island inspires outdoor action such as snorkeling resort-side and in conchi, natural coastal pools ringed by jagged boulders. Climb the curious Ayo rock formations, then stroll through the Donkey Sanctuary.
De Palm guided Jeep tours let guests drive rough, sometimes perilous trails to Parke Nacional Arikok and the 1750s Alto Vista Chapel. Behind the chapel, walk the labyrinth and meditate while overlooking the sea. Winding to the center and back is thought to reduce stress, calm the mind and increase mental clarity.
Prefer liquid refreshment? Aruba’s own Balashi brewery offers beer and soda-pop tours. And locally grown aloe, says Marriott executive Keirsin Tjon Pian Gi, is used everywhere from the spa (Aloe Cucumber Wrap) to the bar (Aloe Fantasy).
“Aruba is a great place for families,” Lisa Hewitt of Ashburn, Va., who stayed at the Marriott with her husband and teenagers. “You are guaranteed plenty of sun, friendly people and nightlife options.” Other advantages: safety and accessibility. “We walked to the snorkel-boat area, and did a long walk to the lighthouse,” which they could see from the hotel’s top-floor Tradewinds Club lounge.
Now, direct flights from D.C., the Marriott’s $50 million resortwide makeover and package deals make Aruba an alluring fall escape.
The Netherlands flag flies, but English and Papiamento are spoken. From the beach tennis courts to the Marriott’s swim-up restaurant-bar where Edison relaxes between matches, the smiles need no translation. As they say in Aruba: “Bon Bini!” — welcome!
