[Dom]

I arrived in Aruba on Thursday for a 15 day stay. Although I do expect prices to increase a bit from year to year, this year I was supprised by the size of the increase at the restaurants we have visited so far. First night we went for ribs at Tony Romas. Around $30 for a rack of ribs. I seem to remember them being around $25 on previous years. Second night The French Steakhouse. The Ambassador special is now $34.95. Last Year it was $32.95 and the previous year $29.95. Last night was Sole Mare. Chicken dish about $28 and around $21 for pasta. I do not remember what we paid here last year, but I remember it as being much more reasonable.

In looking at some of the menus in the booklets, it looks like most places have had significant increases since last year. For example, I seem to remember MJ's catch of the day being around $24, but now it is listed at around $28. One of the few places that I have seen that does not appear to have increased prices too much is the Buccaneer. Catch of the day still around $16.

With the economy the way it is, increasing prices is not the thing to do. If prices keep escalating this way, I may have to end by string of coming to Aruba for 33 years in a row. I just hope I do not run out of money before the end of the trip. Where will it alll end?