Too much building on Aruba

[Margarita]

I remember years ago when I started traveling to Aruba and actually felt like I was on an Island.

It is just my opinion of course, but I think the island is becoming too overcrowded with building. Previously the local restaurants were always crowded (which is good) and now it seems that there are so many new restaurants that most places are not that busy. I went to Madame Janette's last night without a reservation and was seated withing 1 minute of arriving. On Saturday night, we went to Iguanna Joes (which is usually jammed) was also pretty empty. One of my favorites downtown (Villa Germania) is gone! Many of the retail stores are going out of business along with some restaurants downtown. I guess that is what happens when there is over building. Hopefully the government will realize it's too much.

[Margarita]

[quote=Margarita;128188]I remember years ago when I started traveling to Aruba and actually felt like I was on an Island.

It is just my opinion of course, but I think the island is becoming too overcrowded with building. Previously the local restaurants were always crowded (which is good) and now it seems that there are so many new restaurants that most places are not that busy. I went to Madame Janette's last night without a reservation and was seated withing 1 minute of arriving. On Saturday night, we went to Iguanna Joes (which is usually jammed) was also pretty empty. One of my favorites downtown (Villa Germania) is gone! Many of the retail stores are going out of business along with some restaurants downtown. I guess that is what happens when there is over building. Hopefully the government will realize it's too much.

[Glenn]

Good morning Margarita,

I read your post with interest and your concern about too much building and overcrowding is something I've read alot about.

By way of background, I've been going to Aruba, on and off, since 1980. When I first arrived, and stayed at Manchebo in the summer of 1980, Aruba was a clean, stable, well-run island with friendly people, great beaches, beautiful weather and a great array of hotels, restaurants, bars, discos, casinos, etc. It still has all of those things, only more, and that's why I keep going back.

I've seen posted here some lamentations that Aruba has lost some its charm. I must ask, what place hasn't changed, including your own home towns? Aruba should not have to remain stuck in a time warp so that Canadians, Americans and others can enjoy it's Dutch Caribbean charm.

It has more buildings, traffic etc but for a vacation, I still rather be in Aruba than anywhere else.

Bye for now,

Glenn

[ANTHONY]

We have been going to aruba every year since 1986. The changes we have seen are too many to mention and none for the better of the island. You want to talk infrastructure what if everyone went to thier room at the same time one day and flushed thier toliets.just something to think about and so should the government.

[Andrea J.]

the changes we have seen are many .
just like here in the usa there is a lot of construction of commercial and residences, but not so much improvement in the infrastructure.

the arubans allow the construction.
(and i say this with respect)...........we have no say in what happens with the expansion of building on aruba.

the tourism dollars are so important to aruba and if folks do not visit because of the expansions, aruba will have shot themselves in the foot.

maybe this poor economy will cause many to have a better and more realistic vision on the island's expansion as well as the expansion and construction that goes on in our hometowns, here in the usa.

andrea

[love aruba 99]

Originally Posted by glenn

good morning margarita,

i read your post with interest and your concern about too much building and overcrowding is something i've read alot about.

By way of background, i've been going to aruba, on and off, since 1980. When i first arrived, and stayed at manchebo in the summer of 1980, aruba was a clean, stable, well-run island with friendly people, great beaches, beautiful weather and a great array of hotels, restaurants, bars, discos, casinos, etc. It still has all of those things, only more, and that's why i keep going back.

I've seen posted here some lamentations that aruba has lost some its charm. I must ask, what place hasn't changed, including your own home towns? Aruba should not have to remain stuck in a time warp so that canadians, americans and others can enjoy it's dutch caribbean charm.

It has more buildings, traffic etc but for a vacation, i still rather be in aruba than anywhere else.

Bye for now,

glenn

i agree, been going to aruba since 1973 & seen many changes, all for the good. Imo

[arubamark]

I heard years ago they were supposed to regulate that and that all building was supposed to come to a stop. Apparently not. I just hope they don't go to crazy and over-build. But the tourist dollar is very attractive so who knows what can happen.

[Glenn]

Good morning Love Aruba 99,

Glad to see you been enjoying Aruba even longer than I have.

Can we at least reminisce a wee bit? Two questions for you. Do you remember Scaramouche? A scanadalous place in it's time, but so much fun!! Also, and this is a change I don't like; what happened to the great Indonesian restaurants like Bali?

Love to here from you.

Happy New Year, and 17 more sleeps till we leave for Aruba.

Glenn

[love aruba 99]

Originally Posted by Glenn

Good morning Love Aruba 99,

Glad to see you been enjoying Aruba even longer than I have.

Can we at least reminisce a wee bit? Two questions for you. Do you remember Scaramouche? A scanadalous place in it's time, but so much fun!! Also, and this is a change I don't like; what happened to the great Indonesian restaurants like Bali?

Love to here from you.

Happy New Year, and 17 more sleeps till we leave for Aruba.

Glenn

HI GLEN, I DON'T REMEMBER SCARAMOUCHE, I DO REMEMBER THE INDONESIAN RESTURANT, DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO IT. WHAT WAS SCARAMOUCHE ?
HAPPY NEW YEARS, HAVE A GREAT VACATION 99

[Jarubian]

Like everyone, the changes have been allot since I have been going 2000, but its good for the Arubians, and as long as there are happy and surviving, they make us happy when we go there.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.