Trip 2/26-3/8

waltham · 03-10-2009, 04:31 PM

Just returned from a week and half with my wife at the Casa del Mar (low rises) with family and friends. Had another great trip, very relaxing. Didn't really do much except drink Balashi, sit on the beach and go in the ocean and pool.

Like some other posts, weather was definitely a little out of the norm the last few days of the trip. We basically lost our entire beach overnight Thursday into Friday. It rained about 8 different times on Friday and off and on Saturday. A number of surfers in the water provided some entertainment. In all my years, I have never seen the beaches like they were at the Aruba Beach Club - people basically couldn't get into the water because of all the rocks in front to protect the erosion were exposed.

Cab driver one night said that she has never seen it rain in March and that she has never seen Aruba so Green as it is now. Felt from the first day that it was a little cooler than usual - cool in Aruba is hot, not the normal very hot. The Sunday we left was very sunny and hot and my parents who are still there said the last couple of days have been the same.

Seemed as though the ocean took a huge chunk out of the beach from the Costa Linda all the way to the Tamarin. Only had one of those "Aruba sunsets" in ten days.

All in all it was a good trip, definitely felt as though the island was not as busy as past years. Still don't like all the building going on, the island is becoming way too commercialized.

We ate in many nights but also went to some restaurants, had GREAT meals at Chalet Suisse, Madame Janette's - both unbelievable food and service - thought that MJ's on previous trips was starting to lose some of its luster but after this meal, I take those thoughts back. Chalet Suisse has been one of the most consistent places in terms of overall quality and satisfaction over my last 4/5 trips to the island.

Went to Gianni's near the high rises. Food was good but felt as though it has lost some of its charm as when it first opened. People racing around not adding the personal touches like the previous two restaurants. Also ate at Matthew's at the CDM, it was decent, all you can eat ribs.

All in all, trip was good. Just a little weird, weatherwise. Can't wait to go back.

fattypatty · 03-11-2009, 06:29 AM

Sounds like you had fun! The crazy weather is becoming a concern. I hop its just an anomaly and not the norm going forward.

*Arubalisa* · 03-11-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fattypatty

The crazy weather is becoming a concern.

Monday and today surely look perfect!

lindon · 03-11-2009, 10:39 PM

Sounds like you had a great trip. I like the relaxing part. That's my kind of vacation

DVIRGINIA · 04-22-2009, 07:56 PM

We wll be staying in a 1 bedroom there for a week starting May 9th. We are not renting a car are there restaurants in walkig distance that are not expensive. We plan on going to a grocery store and cooking in some can we walk to a grocery store or do we need a cab. Any info you can give would be appreciated because this is our first trip to Aruba . I have a disability and can't walk to far so I hope there are nearby places. Thanks

*Arubalisa* · 04-22-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DVIRGINIA

We wll be staying in a 1 bedroom there for a week starting May 9th. We are not renting a car are there restaurants in walkig distance that are not expensive. We plan on going to a grocery store and cooking in some can we walk to a grocery store or do we need a cab. Any info you can give would be appreciated because this is our first trip to Aruba . I have a disability and can't walk to far so I hope there are nearby places. Thanks

Unfortunately there is not much within walking distance. Mouseover locations on the map for details. Really on Pizza Bob's and Subway, but with a disability not sure you would be able to walk that far.
http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.5390222&lon=-70.0621855&z=16&l=0&m=a&v=2

The supermarkets would definitely not be within walking distance. Figure a mile each way.
http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.5353357&lon=-70.057776&z=16&l=0&m=a&v=2&gz=0;-700612521;125320471;0;68703;15664;75197;52571;1466 2;69737;0;75745;2932;104499;14872;107717;11101

03-10-2009, 04:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
waltham Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 21	Trip 2/26-3/8 Just returned from a week and half with my wife at the Casa del Mar (low rises) with family and friends. Had another great trip, very relaxing. Didn't really do much except drink Balashi, sit on the beach and go in the ocean and pool. Like some other posts, weather was definitely a little out of the norm the last few days of the trip. We basically lost our entire beach overnight Thursday into Friday. It rained about 8 different times on Friday and off and on Saturday. A number of surfers in the water provided some entertainment. In all my years, I have never seen the beaches like they were at the Aruba Beach Club - people basically couldn't get into the water because of all the rocks in front to protect the erosion were exposed. Cab driver one night said that she has never seen it rain in March and that she has never seen Aruba so Green as it is now. Felt from the first day that it was a little cooler than usual - cool in Aruba is hot, not the normal very hot. The Sunday we left was very sunny and hot and my parents who are still there said the last couple of days have been the same. Seemed as though the ocean took a huge chunk out of the beach from the Costa Linda all the way to the Tamarin. Only had one of those "Aruba sunsets" in ten days. All in all it was a good trip, definitely felt as though the island was not as busy as past years. Still don't like all the building going on, the island is becoming way too commercialized. We ate in many nights but also went to some restaurants, had GREAT meals at Chalet Suisse, Madame Janette's - both unbelievable food and service - thought that MJ's on previous trips was starting to lose some of its luster but after this meal, I take those thoughts back. Chalet Suisse has been one of the most consistent places in terms of overall quality and satisfaction over my last 4/5 trips to the island. Went to Gianni's near the high rises. Food was good but felt as though it has lost some of its charm as when it first opened. People racing around not adding the personal touches like the previous two restaurants. Also ate at Matthew's at the CDM, it was decent, all you can eat ribs. All in all, trip was good. Just a little weird, weatherwise. Can't wait to go back.

03-11-2009, 06:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
fattypatty Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 413	Sounds like you had fun! The crazy weather is becoming a concern. I hop its just an anomaly and not the norm going forward. __________________

03-11-2009, 10:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
lindon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: the beaches Posts: 148 Images: 1	Sounds like you had a great trip. I like the relaxing part. That's my kind of vacation __________________ lindon

04-22-2009, 07:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
DVIRGINIA Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3	Casa del mar We wll be staying in a 1 bedroom there for a week starting May 9th. We are not renting a car are there restaurants in walkig distance that are not expensive. We plan on going to a grocery store and cooking in some can we walk to a grocery store or do we need a cab. Any info you can give would be appreciated because this is our first trip to Aruba . I have a disability and can't walk to far so I hope there are nearby places. Thanks