Two years ago, I was excited about going to Aruba. I really wanted to see the beautiful beaches and the cool flamingos. But then, the Canadian government said I couldn’t travel because of COVID-19. It made me feel sad because I was already dealing with a lot of problems in my life. I needed a break to feel better.

In Sep 2023, I saw an ad from Westjet on social media. They had cheap flights to Aruba, so I decided to go for it. I booked my flight without thinking twice.

To save money, I found a hotel a bit far from the beach. I thought I could see flamingos there, but I was wrong. I learned that flamingos only live on Renaissance Island, the best beach in Aruba. But to go there, you have to stay at a fancy hotel for at least two nights, which I couldn’t afford.

But I didn’t give up. I found out that Renaissance Island sells a few tickets every week for people to visit. So, I waited until Saturday morning when they released the tickets. It took a while, but I finally got one.

My flight left right on time one sunny morning in December. When I got to Aruba, I realized things were pretty expensive, especially the taxi ride to my hotel. The lady at the hotel reception was really nice and even messaged me to check how I was doing while I was still on the plane. After checking in, I didn’t waste any time. I headed straight to the closest beach, which was just a 15-minute walk away. I had a quick swim, relaxed on the sand for a while, and then went to a pub by the beach for dinner. The food wasn’t amazing, but the atmosphere was really nice, especially with planes flying low overhead as they landed at the nearby airport during sunset.

I went back to my hotel room early because I had to wake up early the next day. I only had one day to visit Renaissance Island, so I wanted to make the most of it. They took us to the island by ferry in the morning, and the moment I stepped off the boat onto Renaissance Island, it felt like stepping into paradise. The weather was nice, the sand was soft, and the water was really clear. I was excited to see the flamingos, so I went looking for them. I found them walking around, their pink feathers standing out. I spent a long time watching them and taking pictures. It was so peaceful just sitting there. When I needed a break, I found a shady spot under a palm tree and relaxed on a chair. The sound of the waves was calming, and I felt really happy. I also went for a swim in the warm water. It felt really good to float around and enjoy the sunshine.

As the day came to an end, it was time for me to leave the beach and bid farewell to the flamingos. But the memories of my time on Renaissance Island would stay with me forever. I had such a great day, watching the flamingos and relaxing on the beach.

As I rode back to the mainland on the boat, I was treated to one of the most amazing sunsets I’d ever seen. The sky was painted in vibrant shades of orange, pink, and purple, reflecting off the calm waters below. It was a breathtaking sight, and I felt so lucky to have experienced it.

As I watched the sun dip below the horizon, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the incredible day I’d had. Renaissance Island had truly been a magical place, and I knew I’d always cherish the memories of my time there.