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Shnyda · 12-30-2009, 08:18 AM

My New Year's trip to Aruba finally arrived.

We drove down to Philly from Northern NJ on Saturday night and grabbed a cheesesteak at Geno's. Stayed at the Rennaisance Airport hotel and left our car there. We breezed through security and got on our 8am US Airways flight and got down to AUA in great time.

As we were getting off the plane the announcement was made that 27 bags were left in Philly We were semi-relieved because we left a good amount of clothing down here the last time we were here in October. We flew through customs(much better than the hour we waited last time) and went to baggage claim. My bag came right out - my poor wife didnt get hers. We went to the counter and were told that it would come in either later that evening or tomorrow. So we headed up to the condo.

We spent a couple hours by the pool and met a few new people and then headed off to Buster's to catch the Jets/Colts game. J-E-T-S Won!!!. (I should have bet them). We had a few beers and some sandwiches. A little expensive, but the food was good and the bathrooms there were finally finished. We also quickly checked out the new mall. The mall is very empty at this point, but it does have promise.

Monday morning we headed to Super Food first thing and picked up food supplies. We had a late breakfast and then spent a couple hours by the pool. In the afternoon we headed over to Price Smart and found the perfect lounge chairs and a few other items we needed.

In the evening we spent a couple hours at Bugaloe beach bar and then had dinner at Rembrandt Cafe which was excellent and very reasonably priced. They have an interesting German/Belgian/Asian/French mixed menu. We will go back!

Yesterday we woke up and headed down to the Marriott to be picked up for a Jeep Natural Pool tour through De Palm Tours. The bus was late - but as I was waiting I bumped into Jim Leyland (Detroit Tigers Manager). Had a fun conversation with him about baseball and then the bus arrived.

We went to the natural pool which I am glad I didnt attempt on my own as that road is RIDICULOUS. The pool was not swimmable due to large waves and strong currents. One person on a rock got knocked in and had to be pulled out - he came out with some nasty cuts and bruises.

Came back to Gold Coast and went to the pool for a nap for a while. We had 6pm reservations at Pincho's and had a lovely meal. The staff and food was great as usual. Stopped for some fireworks at one of the many container/stores set up on the Island. We hung out in the backyard for an hour and then fell asleep.

Today is the big Ling's fireworks show... so thats todays only real plan.

mjn109 · 12-30-2009, 09:26 AM

Sounds like a great trip so far!! And to start it off with Geno's - what could be better-I am jealous already!!!!! LOL Have a great time and I hope your wife gets her luggage soon.

aruba here I come · 12-30-2009, 09:33 AM

sorry to hear about your wifes luggage, I hope you finally recieved it!
Glad you are having a great time, missing this wounderful cold weather we are having in NJ!

Shnyda · 12-30-2009, 10:20 AM

We stopped by the airport about 24 hours after we landed and actually caught the luggage as it was being loaded onto a truck to be delivered to where we are staying. Perfect timing!

sunworshipperII · 12-30-2009, 02:20 PM

Glad your having a terrific time so far...Missing luggage is a drag, thats why when I pack I put some of my clothes in hubbies suitcase and some of his in mine that way I have at least 2 outfits, in case it doesn't show for a day or so....not a petite personso its hard to just go buy clothes.. Keep the report coming

Shnyda · 12-31-2009, 04:35 PM

Great idea sunworshipper - splitting the packing. Next time we may try that.

Last nights Ling and Sons fireworks were spectacular. It was a real party they had over in front of Ling's. Cheap beer - free music and a great 20 minute fireworks display. The only real issue was the insane traffic. We parked about a 1/4 mile away when we arrived at 8pm and it took us over an hour to get back home after the show. We know for next year to park even further away and closer to the main road.

Today has been a lazy day, spent the morning at Arashi which was more crowded than I had ever seen it. Had burgers and chicken for lunch. Spending the afternoon by the pool and setting up for tonights New Year's Eve party. We have 60 lbs of ice in the freezer!!!

sunworshipperII · 01-01-2010, 12:25 AM

Sounds awesome, I would love to be in aruba for new years eve. Maybe next year...Have never gone to arashi, is it worth the trip

sunworshipperII · 01-01-2010, 12:25 AM

Oh by the the way we are getting snow tomorrow and sunday light constant snow...ugghhh

12-30-2009, 08:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
Shnyda Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Gold Coast Villas Age: 33 Posts: 575 Images: 6	First 3 days here My New Year's trip to Aruba finally arrived. We drove down to Philly from Northern NJ on Saturday night and grabbed a cheesesteak at Geno's. Stayed at the Rennaisance Airport hotel and left our car there. We breezed through security and got on our 8am US Airways flight and got down to AUA in great time. As we were getting off the plane the announcement was made that 27 bags were left in Philly We were semi-relieved because we left a good amount of clothing down here the last time we were here in October. We flew through customs(much better than the hour we waited last time) and went to baggage claim. My bag came right out - my poor wife didnt get hers. We went to the counter and were told that it would come in either later that evening or tomorrow. So we headed up to the condo. We spent a couple hours by the pool and met a few new people and then headed off to Buster's to catch the Jets/Colts game. J-E-T-S Won!!!. (I should have bet them). We had a few beers and some sandwiches. A little expensive, but the food was good and the bathrooms there were finally finished. We also quickly checked out the new mall. The mall is very empty at this point, but it does have promise. Monday morning we headed to Super Food first thing and picked up food supplies. We had a late breakfast and then spent a couple hours by the pool. In the afternoon we headed over to Price Smart and found the perfect lounge chairs and a few other items we needed. In the evening we spent a couple hours at Bugaloe beach bar and then had dinner at Rembrandt Cafe which was excellent and very reasonably priced. They have an interesting German/Belgian/Asian/French mixed menu. We will go back! Yesterday we woke up and headed down to the Marriott to be picked up for a Jeep Natural Pool tour through De Palm Tours. The bus was late - but as I was waiting I bumped into Jim Leyland (Detroit Tigers Manager). Had a fun conversation with him about baseball and then the bus arrived. We went to the natural pool which I am glad I didnt attempt on my own as that road is RIDICULOUS. The pool was not swimmable due to large waves and strong currents. One person on a rock got knocked in and had to be pulled out - he came out with some nasty cuts and bruises. Came back to Gold Coast and went to the pool for a nap for a while. We had 6pm reservations at Pincho's and had a lovely meal. The staff and food was great as usual. Stopped for some fireworks at one of the many container/stores set up on the Island. We hung out in the backyard for an hour and then fell asleep. Today is the big Ling's fireworks show... so thats todays only real plan. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ -E&K- Follow me on Twitter @ShnydaOne

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12-30-2009, 09:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
mjn109 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The beach, Boca Prins & just about anywhere with my husband! Posts: 208 Images: 18	Sounds like a great trip so far!! And to start it off with Geno's - what could be better-I am jealous already!!!!! LOL Have a great time and I hope your wife gets her luggage soon. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

12-30-2009, 09:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
aruba here I come Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Age: 42 Posts: 297 Images: 6	sorry to hear about your wifes luggage, I hope you finally recieved it! Glad you are having a great time, missing this wounderful cold weather we are having in NJ! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook Last edited by Andrea J.; 12-30-2009 at 10:14 AM. Reason: deleted profanity

12-30-2009, 10:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
Shnyda Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Gold Coast Villas Age: 33 Posts: 575 Images: 6	We stopped by the airport about 24 hours after we landed and actually caught the luggage as it was being loaded onto a truck to be delivered to where we are staying. Perfect timing! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ -E&K- Follow me on Twitter @ShnydaOne

12-30-2009, 02:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
sunworshipperII Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Palm Beach, The Marriotts lazy river Posts: 977	Glad your having a terrific time so far...Missing luggage is a drag, thats why when I pack I put some of my clothes in hubbies suitcase and some of his in mine that way I have at least 2 outfits, in case it doesn't show for a day or so....not a petite personso its hard to just go buy clothes.. Keep the report coming Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ [/url]

12-31-2009, 04:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
Shnyda Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Gold Coast Villas Age: 33 Posts: 575 Images: 6	Great idea sunworshipper - splitting the packing. Next time we may try that. Last nights Ling and Sons fireworks were spectacular. It was a real party they had over in front of Ling's. Cheap beer - free music and a great 20 minute fireworks display. The only real issue was the insane traffic. We parked about a 1/4 mile away when we arrived at 8pm and it took us over an hour to get back home after the show. We know for next year to park even further away and closer to the main road. Today has been a lazy day, spent the morning at Arashi which was more crowded than I had ever seen it. Had burgers and chicken for lunch. Spending the afternoon by the pool and setting up for tonights New Year's Eve party. We have 60 lbs of ice in the freezer!!! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ -E&K- Follow me on Twitter @ShnydaOne

01-01-2010, 12:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
sunworshipperII Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Palm Beach, The Marriotts lazy river Posts: 977	Sounds awesome, I would love to be in aruba for new years eve. Maybe next year...Have never gone to arashi, is it worth the trip Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ [/url]

01-01-2010, 12:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
sunworshipperII Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Palm Beach, The Marriotts lazy river Posts: 977	Oh by the the way we are getting snow tomorrow and sunday light constant snow...ugghhh Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ [/url]