Hate to be a downer, but I am currently in Aruba at the Radisson. The fact I am posting online should say it all. A storm hit around 9pm last night that was intense, but kind of fun. Then another major one hit this morning all but wiping out the beach. There are six foot muddy waves, and it is very dark and cloudy. We are hoping it clears, but there is no chance of the ocean returning to its gorgeous clear blue calmness we expect in Aruba for the duration of our trip.

Time to hit the casinos pretty hard.

Sorry to hear of your bad weather. When you say all but wiping out the beach, are you referring to the palapas? Good luck in the casino and enjoy those cool frosty drinks poolside when the sun returns.

Aruba Bound! ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Blogging to Aruba
Back to paradise Trip #18

Thanks Lisa.

The palapas are indeed a mess, and the De Palm Pier is drenched as waves are still crashing over the front of the bar area. However on the positive side (Aruba never fails us). The sun is starting to peek out from behind the clouds. We amy actually have a nice beach day after all despite not having the ocean to frolic in. Figures the first day I was early enough to get on line for a palapa on the water was yesterday, when reserving for today

intense sky shot

http://www.bucuticam.com/tara.html

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You are very welcome. Again you have my sympathy, but it sounds like you are making the best of a not so great situation...you are making lemonade. Enjoy the pool today. As New Jersey Mike posted, the sun is beginning to peak out from behind those clouds. Get out there and enjoy and make sure you apply PLENTY of sunscreen.
<<Stepping off my Coppertone soapbox now.>>

There is a person in the photo from Bucuti's beach down in the right hand bottom corner (click on thumbnail to enlarge), taking advantage of the sunshine.

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Aruba Bound! ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Blogging to Aruba
Back to paradise Trip #18

The good:

Got any shopping we wanted to do out of the way today.
Have reservations at Amazonia tonight (Sinful indulgence, and one I salivate for when planning our Aruba excursions)
Checked out the remains of The Natural Bridge (sad but amazing with the 30-40 foot waves hitting the sides due to the storm)

The Bad:

The sun never really made it out.

The beach is worse than I thought. Upon a walk from the Radisson nearly to the North Light House there were literally feet of seaweed at certain points. Many of the hotels are operating business as usual, and working around it, but the Radisson insists they must have the beach immaculate before they let anyone on it. However they are not doing any work on it till 6AM tomorrow, and already said it is not likely we will be on the beach at all (our last day).

Waaaaay too crowded at the pool area now.

However at least I did get three good beach days in. I am feeling for the people I saw checking in today, and may not be allowed on the beach at all till at least Tuesday.


That being said, I still love this place as the locals are all apologetic to us as if they had some control over the weather, and are going out of their way to accommodate us in any way. (Got a $110 rental car for $65 today just so we could cruise around). Love this island.

Does anyone ever stop and think after seeing the bucuti beach cams, does anyone there ever go to the beach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Its always empty.

More room for me when we are there in March!

Carmine, I have noticed that. Odd...

I believe there are probably more people there than you realize. Just very difficult to see them in the shadow of their palapas. People on the beach today...some of them have moved their chaises out into the sun. I guess they are making up for the clouds yesterday.

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Aruba Bound! ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Blogging to Aruba
Back to paradise Trip #18

Looks can be deceiving. We were there in March. While there was no one at the pool or in under the palapas in the immediate area, there were people occupying the ones closer to the water.