[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by Andrea J.

I am sorry that they are paying their own BBO tax and that the fares have not increased in 5 yrs and that gas is obscenely high..........but ya know what???? not the tourist's fault.

Originally Posted by Andrea J.

If a tourist gets into a taxi, and the first impression is oh crap, i have got "mr cranky driver", and then there is NO CONVERSATION/no pleasantries by the driver, and then they get rogered with the fare..............that first impression is a lasting impression and could set the tone for the whole vacation.

This is EXACTLY how we feel. Dh is so very disgusted, read more below, that he is wants to cancel the two other off property dinners that we had planned. One, our anniversary at Passions I am not willing to concede, but the other maybe.

Today the weather was glorious just as the ones previous. We awaken to a few white puffy clouds and the further the day goes on, the fewer and fewer the clouds.

Dhaley from here on the forum, ourselves and another couple with 2 kids who I had met online and are also staying at the Tamarijn all sailed aboard the Jolly Pirates today. A great time was had by all. Imo, the Antilla is still a MUCH better dive than snorkel, but I guess if you don't dive, this at least gives you a glimpse. That is, IF, you can stand the waves and wind.

The other two stops at Boca Catalina and Malmok were nice easy snorkels. Lots of seaweed today, don't know what was up with that. Last stop is the infamous BBQ lunch and rope swing. Dd took her chances 3 times and needless to say had a blast. I have to see if any of the pics came out.

Only downer came when it was time to get back to the Tamarijn. A friend had given us all a ride to MoomBa and the departure point for JP's this a.m. but it was up to us to taxi back to the Tam. We walked from MoomBa to the Holiday Inn and out of their lobby and there were 4 taxi drivers seated on benches hanging out. Asked them what the fare was to the Tamarijn and they said $10. I had confirmed with Iris the concierge at the Tamarijn ESPECIALLY before we left this a.m. that the ride back "should" be $8.

Dh demanded to see their fare sheet where it showed the fare was $10. They all of a sudden acted like they did not even understand ENGLISH. Dh did not back down and again asked to see it in writing. Finally one of the drivers got up and went to his taxi to get the fare sheet. Came back saying it was still $10, dh told all of them point blank we would pay the $10 but we were also going to take taxi numbers and report them to the ATA.

Well don't you know, all of a sudden the taxi driver whips out the fare sheet and fumbles around and points to Oranjestad ($10). Yeah, right, we told them all right from the start that we were ALL going to the TAMARIJN! so they finally admitted the fare would be "only" $8.

Tonight another delicious dinner at the Red Parrot at the Divi and tomorrow just more of the same, old, same, old...next plans are for the helicopter tour on Thursday. Will just have to fill the time in between lounging on the beach. It is tough, but hey, someone has to live it.