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Below is my trip report. It has taken a little longer than I had hoped.
Aruba
October 19-30, 2022
A different kind of vacation
After previous Aruba vacations, I could hardly wait to write a trip report so I could share our experiences with all my friends on the Forum. This vacation, and I knew this from the get-go, was going to be very different. That is why the delay in writing this. I wanted to make sure I did it right.
Most of you know that my dear wife Donna passed away at the end of July. This trip was one that we had booked some time ago. I wasn’t even sure if I should go but so many people; family, friends (including many here on the Forum) said that I should. So I went.
Aw, come on. We know where Aruba is
Going from Winnipeg to Aruba is a two-day thing. I flew with WestJet from Winnipeg to Toronto, over-nighted in T.O. then WestJet from Toronto to Aruba the next day.
The WJ flight was scheduled to leave at 9:00. We boarded on time but as the minutes started to tick by, the captain told us that there was a problem with the aircraft’s navigation software. I felt like telling him that I’ve been to Aruba plenty of times. Point the plane south and five hours later we’ll be there. Apparently they wanted something more precise than that.
The aircraft finally got the required new part and was ready to go at 1:00pm. Anyone who has ever worked in an office or factory and had to wait for the IT guys (and it usually is guys who show absolute disdain for the rest of us) knows how this works.
Finally, we were on our way.
Did I do that again?
Our arrival into Aruba was easy and I was met by Hans from Tropic Car Rental. He called Sunset Beach Studios for me and told them I had finally arrived. After some quick paperwork, I was on my way.
As was the case with our 2019 visit, I initially drove right passed Sunset Beach Studios but eventually I got there and found my unit, one of the garden units.
My unit was well appointed and comfortably equipped.
Where the heart takes us
I arrived in Aruba on a Thursday evening and on Friday morning I had a couple places to go. I needed a few things from SuperFoods, so I did that fairly quickly.
After putting my groceries away, I headed for the Alto Vista Chapel. This was a special place for both Donna and I on previous Aruba vacations. After a couple of wrong turns I finally got there.
I lit a candle, said a prayer for Donna and made a small donation to the chapel. I visited the chapel four times before I left Aruba at the end of 10 days. I knew that Donna’s candle and her spirit were burning bright in the chapel.
I felt her spirit in other ways. Each afternoon, as I sat on the bench beside the makeshift memorial (Andrea, you know about this) across the street from SBS, that beautiful shimmer off the water was Donna telling me she is okay.
Karma comes in many forms
On Friday morning, after I came back from the chapel, I met two women who were also staying at SBS. Two retired medical lab technicians who were both widowed. They knew what I was going through.
We quickly became friends and they provided me with a measure of comforting friendship I may not have had otherwise.
Maui friends in Aruba
One of the highlights of this vacation was meeting friends who we see in Maui every spring. This family, two from Baltimore and the rest from Seattle were in Aruba on a cruise stop.
I met them outside Kay’s Jewelers on the Sunday morning and I took them for breakfast to the Dutch Pancake House. It was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning.
I’ll be seeing them all again in Maui this coming April/May. They are like family.
Dining made comfortable
With the exception of two evenings, I ate all my dinners at BINGO’s. That I could order the smaller portions was great. The food was always very good, I felt very comfortable and it was just the right place for me.
Solo at Bugaloe’s
While there were plans to meet some Forum members at Bugaloe’s one evening, plans change so I decided to find a table for myself, had a gorgeous grouper platter and enjoyed the evening. The live music put all the patrons, including me, in the right frame of mind.
Something completely different
Someone here on the Forum suggested that I do something that Donna and I did not or would not do while we were here. Going out on a sailboat seemed to fit that bill.
My two widow friends from SBS invited me along on the Tranquillo. It was a wonderful morning and afternoon. I was so happy, being out on the water with new friends.
Yes, I’m pretty sure
People may wonder if I will be back in Aruba again. I’m pretty sure that I will.
Glenn
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