I will categorize if you don't mind.
Makes for easier reading, ? maybe.

weather
december weather with lots of rain showers and lots of sun. well, maybe a little untypical as there were some really heavy downpours that lasted more than the usual 5 minutes.

the ocean was 81 degrees
pool temperature at lacabana was 78 degrees

accomodations and Lacabana BRC commentary
Lacabana BRC we had a 1 bedroom unit using our bluegreen points unit 127c and it was more than adequate. our son joined us on dec 24 and he had the living room as his "pad" for a week. he had the patio door key and was able to come and go as he pleased.

many many kind guests and workers at lacabana. it is such a pleasure to see old friends and new friends year after year. now my commentary.......................... where do some of the guests get off thinking that their SHI* does not stink?

example of a few cases:
guest to pool worker "you, clean this table. i have been coming here for 17 years and i have never seen anyone work as slowly as you"

guest to kirk @ the front desk at 1 am "I am not paying you to read the bible while you are working"

guest to samuel @ the pool slide "you are not a real police officer and do not tell me that we cannot make a train of people going down the slide. what is your name? i want to speak with your supervisor

me to an arrogant *itch of a woman "lady, you take the cake! i now know the answer as to why so many people hate americans. you are the poster child for hating americans. thank you"

Casinos
1st of all, Rogers is ill (the genie at Alhambra)
he has been in the hospital for a month or more..........prostrate and diabetes difficulties. Prognosis unknown and he is getting out of the hospital this weekend.

Alhambra, as smokey as ever. Air conditioning could be colder. Drinks plentiful.
Machines were tight. Craps was fun.

Riu, is a great airy well ventilated casino. We had no luck there, but the wine was served in nice wine glasses. AND they had a real christmas tree (balsam) in the casino. can we spell fire hazard?

Marriott, we won a few dollars here. very few. BUT, after all was said and done my husband thinks we were about even on the entire stay. So, staying even is just like winning, imo.

Ling Grocery
put on a terrific fireworks display on Dec 30!
Awesome show, better than any i have seen in USA.

grocery bags.............Ling was giving out reuseable grocery bags and bottles of turning leaf chardonnay! terrific.

we did a grocery order at lings and only spent $145 for basic staples....breakfast and lunch supplies.

Meet and Great
Paul, Kevin and i had the honor and pleasure of meeting
ArubaLisa and her husband Jerry and dear daughter, grandmother, parents, and brother!
We also met Cheryll Caron of the "arubahouse" fame.
We met and had a drink with EBB Eagle beach Boy aka Gary and his wife!

Along the way as the week progressed, different folks said to me "are you the mderator lady?" i denied everything


more to follow...................
andrea