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Trip report continued...
In reading part 1, I realize I left some gaps and there are some other items that should be included. First, breakfast each day was the buffet at the Westin in the Bon Bini cafe. A very nice buffet that was included in our trip but not nearly worth the $25 per person that is normally charged. That being said, it was a nice start to each day.
Each evening, we ended with a night cap at the Lobby bar where we enjoyed great conversation with other guests and also with bartenders Karen and Jojo. Wife had the espresso martini every night and loved it. I usually opted for a port wine or sambuca or baileys. The lobby of the Westin has this unbelievable scent that can conjure up memories the moment you enter the revolving door at the main entrance. The hotel is non-smoking and this is great if you are a non-smoker.
I generally commented on the perfect weather in the prior report. The first 2 days or so were extremely humid with virtually no breeze at all. This caused a lot of flies and gnats but still no sign off mosquitoes. That comes later.
I think I left off on Wednesday evening at MJs. While a bit disappointed, I still enjoyed the experience and the live music.
Thrursday was another beach day. We would usually hang under the palapa and move to the pool late in the afternoon to rinse the salt and relax. I brought a few balashis to the beach in a little cooler bag. What a money saver. A balashi is $5.50 or so at the outdoor bar and we paid $24 for a case. Highly recommend this. Should have bought two cases. Wife is not really a beer drinker but does enjoy Corona in the summer. I convinced her to have a Bright the first night at Casa Tua and she was hooked.
So Thursday was another steak night and we decided on LG Smiths. Cab dropped us off but the driver had no change at all. So I go up into the casino and get change and run back down. We sit by the window in LGs and order the shrimp cocktail and tuna sashimi appetizer. Very good. We both had the filet, my wife the 8 oz. Cooked perfectly and very soft. Shared sides of mushrooms, creamed spinach, mashed potato and onion rings. This place has a very elegant atmosphere but I think the steak at El Gaucho may have been better. The dessert was a mango cobbler with ice cream and cinnamon sauce. Outstanding.
Friday, a bit of sadness was starting to creep up as we were leaving the next day. A sunset dinner at Passions was our plan. This place is beautiful with exceptional service. We had the crab salad to split and loved it. Wife had the seafood parade and I have the grilled ahi. Good meals and loved the potato casserole and grilled veggies. This was a mosquito-fest. I had used to Off wipes before leaving the hotel and they came around with spray. My wife got bit on her forehead and it blew up right away. It looked like she hit her head. We had to hang in there though to order the Passions suprise dessert. Since it's a suprise, I won't say what it is other than very good.
Went back to the hotel and to the casino for the last time. Only gambled 3 nights and ended up winning a few bucks over the course of the week. Enough to pay for a few dinners.
Saturday morning, one last early morning swim and then Bully called to break the bad news...he was picking us up to go to the airport. We never flew out on a Saturday, now I know why. After checking in, the line for customs was outside around the building and snaking all the way back into the check in area. We had a 3:30 flight and made it to the gate at about 2:45. It took us about 2 and a half hours to get there. Boarded the plane and paradise was left behind.
Another amazing trip. I must add that I read "An Island Away" by our very own SanNic44 while on the beach. An excellent read and I highly recommend. Can't wait for the sequel.
Something about this island captivates me. The spirit of the Aruban people, the weather, the great restaurants; but I also find the regular and repeat visitors to this island to be one of a kind. People we met at the gate in JFK became like old friends, we wold see them on the island and it would be like we really knew each other. People we met at bars or restaurants became immediate friends and we will miss them all. Maybe the island brings us together or maybe we all continue to congregate on the island together because we are similar as a people that we instantly click. Maybe it is just the euphoria of being in paradise that allows us to open up and enjoy the company of new friends. Even the members of this forum. ALthough many have never met and we live in different parts of the country, we share this common interest that makes us enjoy interacting with each other on this forum. It is an interesting phenomenon that always makes me think and smile. To each of you, I say thanks again, enjoy your future visits and always keep a vacation booked to satisfy the addiction.
Andrew
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