EP69: Frank Tisellano Sr. and the Playa Linda

One Happy Podcast would like to welcome to the show Frank Tisellano Sr., a 20-year member of the Playa Linda Family. Twenty plus years ago, Frank and his wife Patricia took a trip to a place called Aruba. Shortly thereafter they completely fell in love with the island and decided to purchase a timeshare there. That timeshare was at the Playa Linda which has been home to Frank Sr., Patricia and their children Frank Jr. and Kristina.

Frank and I sit down for about an hour to discuss his love for Aruba and what the island has meant for him and his family. Having introduced their children to the island when they were only about 4 or 5 years old, Aruba has been part of their family dynamic nearly as long as anyone can remember. I guess you could say the children grew up on the island.

This episode seems to follow the theme of family. There is Frank’s actual real family but also another one. Being an owner at the Playa Linda for so long, the other families who share the same weeks have also become a sort of family. This is a running theme I have heard from many of the guests I have had that own a timeshare. However, I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen it represented as extensively as what you get at the Playa Linda. If you have doubts, just wait until you hear episode 69 of One Happy Podcast – the officially unofficial podcast of the island of Aruba.

EP68 – Sean and Khanisa Darby talk about One Happy Island

Joining me on this episode of One Happy Podcast are Sean and Khanisa Darby, two guests who love Aruba.  Although Sean and Khanisa have only been visiting the island for a couple of years, they are definitely hooked, which is completely understandable considering their grandparents have been visiting for more than 20 years.  Now as…

EP67: Listening in on a conversation with Ann Fontaine

This episode of One Happy Podcast featuring 30 year Aruba visitor Ann Fontaine is one of my favorites. It’s a bit unique not only because it was recorded on location but also because there are four active participants in the conversation.  It wasn’t planned out that way but sometimes you just have to go with the flow.  While there were audible challenges that came with 4 people being limited to 2 microphones, the end result is something pretty special.  

So the interview took place at the Passion’s Beach Bar at Amsterdam Manor, during one of the bulletin board meetups.  The four of us commandeered a table and had a bit of a round-table discussion about Aruba.  The end result is a recording that gives the impression of a conversation being eavesdropped on from an adjacent table.  I really like doing the in-person interviews and would love to do more such interviews in the future.  

Over the course of this hour-long episode, we find out how Ann first discovered the island 30 years ago and what circumstances led to her purchasing a home.  Ann tells us all about her experience buying their home and also about the Aruba residency requirements.  We finish off the episode by talking about some of Ann’s favorite places on the island to eat.  While most of us can tell you about all the popular tourist places, it’s always nice to find out about lesser known establishments from someone who actually lives on the island.

EP66: Maggie and Curt Aruba September 2016 Recap

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.

EP65 – The Arubian Taste by Jerome Nahr

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 essence 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.