Aruba Trip Report September 10 thru 19th part 2

[Trebor]

Day 5

Today was the day we were taking the sunset snorkel cruise on the Black Pearl. We were on the pier at the Hyatt at 3:45 and off we go. The cruise was very calm and relaxing. Albert and Joanne were great hosts and made you feel right at home. This was another one of the highlights of our vacation. My wife was a little nervous about being on a boat but in the end, even she would say it was one of the best things that we did on our trip. It is a more laid back quiet snorkel trip, which was just what we were looking for. There were plenty of fish to see. We would highly recommend it! Grilled cheese sandwiches hit the spot too! Back at 7 p.m. and off to the Occidental to get ready for dinner. It was a low key dinner across the street to Casa Tua for some pizza. Pizza was good and reasonably priced. Tonight we’d go casino at the Occidental. Played for a couple of hours and came out even or very close to it. That counts as a winning night!

Day 6

I am noticing that it seems to be a little more difficult to get a hut in the morning. I was out there a little later; say 7:30 and many huts are reserved. But it’s not like I can’t find someplace, it just that the selection has been drastically reduced. We were going to try and get a space at the pool but anything with any shade or umbrella is always gone by 7 a.m. when I walked by. Floated in the ocean and then on to the pool. Never any luck at Bingo! Dinner tonight was Marriot at Ruth Chris steakhouse. I know that it’s a chain and there are so many local restaurants by if you are going to do a restaurant that you can do at home this would be the one. The meal was awesome, everyone really enjoyed themselves. We walked back and had to make a stop at the Hyatt for a little gambling. We made a little and had a great time, great end to the night.

Day 7

Thinking that we would normally be going home now and are glad we added those extra 2 days. Another day in the sunshine, ocean, pool and repeat. Tonight we are going to try Barefoot. We get a taxi and he takes us in the direction of Barefoot but then takes a left and brings us to the Driftwood. I have to practice my pronunciation I guess, must be the Boston accent. Thankfully we were right around the corner from Barefoot. I know I am supposed to remember what everyone ate and the cost of the meal but…. I had the rack of lamb and I have no clue what everyone else had. We sat out on the sand and there was a beautiful breeze. It was a perfect night for dining on the beach and everyone really enjoyed their meal. I know I loved mine. Barefoot is definitely on the keeper list we will visit there again for sure.

Day 8

These last two days we had to take the AI at the Occidental. So it was dinner at the hotel for the next two nights. Oh and I never mentioned that before dinner each night we had a cocktail at the lobby bar and they had 2 different guys that entertained. They were both very good, but the older gentleman was awesome. He really got everyone into it. We have seen him there for a couple of years and always makes it great. We ate at L’Olio’s in the hotel and the meal was very good. Went to the casino in the Occidental and looked out the door and the wind and rain was crazy. I guess a lot of homes were flooded from the wind driven rain. I was sorry to hear that but glad to see that the sunshine was back out in full force for the morning.

Day 9

We wanted a shaded area around the pool and my brother volunteered to get out there early enough to get one. He was out there at 6:30 and I came down at 7:30 to meet him. He was able to get a nice spot around the pool. We spent the day at the pool enjoying then swim up bar as we had all week. We did the Japanese restaurant in the hotel. It was also very good. I just wouldn’t say that I would put either of these 2 restaurants on my “must return to” list. Unless you had no choice but to “return to” if you get my point.
We did our final night of gambling at the casino in the hotel. We all were doing poorly and I just got up and went to another table and everything changed. I was able to make up for my wife’s losses at the other table. J

Day 10

Time to wrap things up and return home. Bully was picking us up at 12:30 for our flight out at 3:45. When we got to the front doors of the lobby the guy that was taking our bags said that Bully called ahead and was running a few minutes late. He was actually pulling up the drive as we got out there. The flight home was fine, a little less exciting that the flight down. L We had a wonderful vacation it could not have been any better. Thanks for all the suggestions from the board here. Gretly appreciated as always!

[Arubalisa]

Thanks for sharing! I grow to appreciate Bully more and more each day.

[Andrea J.]

loved your report

thanks!

[ace2063]

Thanks for sharing. I'm glad you had a great trip.
I agree that Ruth Chris is a great Steak House. I went there years ago for a business meeting and couldn't believe the mouth watering steaks. Out of this world!

[crimms]

We love trip reports and yours was great! thanks so much!


Sean and Susan

[kent]

Glad you had a GREAT 10 days in Paradice! Kent

[tch912]

That was a good trip report. Did you take notes each day because I can't remember what I had for dinner last night. I will be in Aruba in a few days. I will attempt a report that is as visual as yours.