Community Forum

jeffnev · 07-13-2010, 06:15 PM

Wow, as I'm sure you can all relate I can't believe the week went by so quickly. A few general observations this year....

-The island seems more active than last year, maybe shaking off some of the recession's effects. More hustle and bustle, some new places, especially around Palm Beach, and it seems like there is more construction activity in general.

-The World Cup was a great event on the island with the Netherlands going to the final. We saw the last final in 2006 between Italy and France and it was nothing like this. People were so happy to see their team make it to the final, although it was subdued on Sunday night after the loss.

This was our 7th trip in the past 8 years but without kids this time so it was a bit different and we tried a few new things. Also, first time we went Monday to Monday as Marriott now allows check ins Thursday thru Monday. The airport is wonderful on Monday. We checked in and through customs in 15 minutes...and then donated some money at the new slot room at the airport since i had 2 hours to kill. Here's a few short reviews:

-snorkeled on the Jolly Pirates for the first time and had a real fun time, even without kids. Lot's of people on the boat (about 50) so not an intimate trip like some of the smaller boats we have been on, but nice crew, good food and drinks and the snorkeling was fine.

-Breakfast: we usually eat breakfast in the timeshare but tried and loved Linda's Pancakes so much we went back again. You must try the apple pancakes and remember they are really crepes, not IHOP pancakes. Also had breakfast at Matthews one morning at Costa Linda. Good food in a beatiful setting. Always nice drinking coffee looking at Eagle Beach.

-Dinner: tried 3 new places-loved Wacky Wahoos and Chef's Table. WW is just a nice local place with really fresh fish and lots of hustle and bustle. Not the place for a romantic dinner, just great fish. Chef's Tables is a terrific restaurant that has apparently been around for 4 or 5 years and is really not very far from Palm or Eagle Beach. Lovely courtyard tables (indoor too if you want AC), very friendly service, and great food. We also tried Amadeus and were less impressed with our experience. The food was fine but I think I would like this restaurant more in a city rather than a tropical island-it just didn't seem like it belonged in Aruba. As usual, great dinners at Madame Janette's and at Pincho's and terrific ribs at Smokey Joe's.

Already looking forward to next year!

*Arubalisa* · 07-13-2010, 07:33 PM

Thanks for taking the time to write a review. Chef's Table is a little gem.

*Andrea J.* · 07-13-2010, 07:58 PM

thanks for the report.
1 week is definitely not enough right?

sunworshipperII · 07-13-2010, 08:18 PM

Thanks love to read the reports...your right andrea 1 week is never enough, so this year staying for 13 days.

jeffnev · 07-14-2010, 10:07 AM

You are so right about the 2 weeks. I love my Aruba time from the moment we hit the beach - hopefully within a few hours of landing, but it goes by so quickly. Every year we talk about staying a second week but there always seems to be something going on back home that we need to get to. This year my daughter is getting married in LA in August, so still some last minute planning going on. We tried to get her to have the wedding in Aruba but she lives in LA and wanted it to be convenient for her friends.

kent · 07-18-2010, 08:24 PM

Jeff, I talked to Claudette abd she told me she knows you guys. She and her daughter has been our friends for 10 yeara. Let me know when you return to Aruba and we can hook up. Good luck with the wedding. Kent

jeffnev · 07-19-2010, 04:53 PM

Claudette is a wonderful person who works at the Surf Club and Ocean Club for years and actually remembers us and is our true Aruban friend. Kent was supposed to take us out but my wife had a scheduling conflict and Kent actually took Claudette's daughter, husband, and granddaughter out on July 10 . Aruba Today ran a color photo spread on his trip and had how Kent took them out because he wanted to "give back" to his friends on the island. Here's the link:

http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...&ct=clnk&gl=us

Kent-hopefully we will be in Aruba when you are next summer and will make it a must day with you. I'll let you know which week we book.

07-13-2010, 06:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
jeffnev Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: palm beach, eagle beach, any happy hour Posts: 547 Images: 4	Trip Report -July 5-12 Wow, as I'm sure you can all relate I can't believe the week went by so quickly. A few general observations this year.... -The island seems more active than last year, maybe shaking off some of the recession's effects. More hustle and bustle, some new places, especially around Palm Beach, and it seems like there is more construction activity in general. -The World Cup was a great event on the island with the Netherlands going to the final. We saw the last final in 2006 between Italy and France and it was nothing like this. People were so happy to see their team make it to the final, although it was subdued on Sunday night after the loss. This was our 7th trip in the past 8 years but without kids this time so it was a bit different and we tried a few new things. Also, first time we went Monday to Monday as Marriott now allows check ins Thursday thru Monday. The airport is wonderful on Monday. We checked in and through customs in 15 minutes...and then donated some money at the new slot room at the airport since i had 2 hours to kill. Here's a few short reviews: -snorkeled on the Jolly Pirates for the first time and had a real fun time, even without kids. Lot's of people on the boat (about 50) so not an intimate trip like some of the smaller boats we have been on, but nice crew, good food and drinks and the snorkeling was fine. -Breakfast: we usually eat breakfast in the timeshare but tried and loved Linda's Pancakes so much we went back again. You must try the apple pancakes and remember they are really crepes, not IHOP pancakes. Also had breakfast at Matthews one morning at Costa Linda. Good food in a beatiful setting. Always nice drinking coffee looking at Eagle Beach. -Dinner: tried 3 new places-loved Wacky Wahoos and Chef's Table. WW is just a nice local place with really fresh fish and lots of hustle and bustle. Not the place for a romantic dinner, just great fish. Chef's Tables is a terrific restaurant that has apparently been around for 4 or 5 years and is really not very far from Palm or Eagle Beach. Lovely courtyard tables (indoor too if you want AC), very friendly service, and great food. We also tried Amadeus and were less impressed with our experience. The food was fine but I think I would like this restaurant more in a city rather than a tropical island-it just didn't seem like it belonged in Aruba. As usual, great dinners at Madame Janette's and at Pincho's and terrific ribs at Smokey Joe's. Already looking forward to next year! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook Last edited by jeffnev; 07-13-2010 at 08:11 PM.

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07-13-2010, 07:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boca Catalina Posts: 10,685 Images: 174	Thanks for taking the time to write a review. Chef's Table is a little gem. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Blogging to Aruba ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Pictures of Aruba

07-13-2010, 07:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor/passions beach bar, Hung Paradis, alto vista chapel, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 13,258 Images: 80	thanks for the report. 1 week is definitely not enough right? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Please, I'll have a Grande' decaf Mocha Latte' with a shot of liquid tranquilizer.

07-13-2010, 08:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
sunworshipperII Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Palm Beach, The Marriotts lazy river Posts: 1,015	Thanks love to read the reports...your right andrea 1 week is never enough, so this year staying for 13 days. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ url=http://www.caribbeanmag.com/cd/vc/][/url]

07-14-2010, 10:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
jeffnev Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: palm beach, eagle beach, any happy hour Posts: 547 Images: 4	You are so right about the 2 weeks. I love my Aruba time from the moment we hit the beach - hopefully within a few hours of landing, but it goes by so quickly. Every year we talk about staying a second week but there always seems to be something going on back home that we need to get to. This year my daughter is getting married in LA in August, so still some last minute planning going on. We tried to get her to have the wedding in Aruba but she lives in LA and wanted it to be convenient for her friends. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

07-18-2010, 08:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
kent Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: palm beach, mangel halto for snorkling Age: 48 Posts: 606	Jeff, I talked to Claudette abd she told me she knows you guys. She and her daughter has been our friends for 10 yeara. Let me know when you return to Aruba and we can hook up. Good luck with the wedding. Kent Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Snorkel Mangel Halto, day or night with a waterscooter. Check out our website. E-mail Stuart at arubabob@live.com or call Stuart local: 745-7459 Or visit: www.arubabobsnorkeling.com

07-19-2010, 04:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
jeffnev Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: palm beach, eagle beach, any happy hour Posts: 547 Images: 4	Claudette is a wonderful person who works at the Surf Club and Ocean Club for years and actually remembers us and is our true Aruban friend. Kent was supposed to take us out but my wife had a scheduling conflict and Kent actually took Claudette's daughter, husband, and granddaughter out on July 10 . Aruba Today ran a color photo spread on his trip and had how Kent took them out because he wanted to "give back" to his friends on the island. Here's the link: http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...&ct=clnk&gl=us Kent-hopefully we will be in Aruba when you are next summer and will make it a must day with you. I'll let you know which week we book. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook Last edited by jeffnev; 07-28-2010 at 03:13 PM.