Holidays at the Hilton

[cpjones]

"Sorry, we're late for dinner," I lied and literally bolted out of the store.

I am not their market. I am at peace with my age. I have had my time being a pretty young thing and that season of my life is behind me and that's just fine. They need to target the nipped-and-tucked bunch as they have more disposable income and are more invested in their appearance.

Thanks for more smiles.... you're just plain cool! .....and write a delightful trip report with great humor!

[ideastowords]

Thanks for more smiles.... you're just plain cool! .....and write a delightful trip report with great humor!

Aw, thanks so much! You are too kind!

[ideastowords]

We prefer Eagle Beach as well, but have to say it’s fun to stay in Palm Beach area as well. At this time of the year the Ritz rates would be outrageous but have to say you can get more reasonable rates in the off season. We stayed there a few years ago and I have to say the service was fabulous. They even upgraded our room to ocean front when we checked in, which was a surprise. It helps that we’re retired and our timing for vacation is flexible.

Those cosmetic sales people are worse than the timeshare vendors! Never came across one in Aruba but when we’re in Vegas they are everywhere! Enjoying your posts and glad you’re having fun.

Thank you! A stay at the Ritz would be quite the experience, I am sure! Good for you!

[ideastowords]

gullible tourist ............laughing!!
I am loving your writings!!!

Thanks so much!

[ideastowords]

We are enjoying your trip report - thank you! We are anxious to hear about your outbound covid testing in detail. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience.

We had our Covid tests at the Hilton yesterday and are glad to have tested negative - though a few more days in the heat would not have broken our hearts - they are predicting 35 degree below zero windchills tonight when we land in Minneapolis.

There was no wait to be tested we scheduled an appointment but decided to test earlier and could walk right in. In contrast, off-campus testing sites had long lines. We lucked out - the nurse barely dabbed our nose; easiest Covid test ever. We tested at about 11 a.m. and got our results at 10 p.m. Easy peasy. Though, again, it's good they have testing right at the hotel for hotel guests only.

[Andrea J.]

thank you for sharing your time with us here.

I laughed loudly lots!!

Safe and easy travels back to frozen USA today.

Time to start planning another Aruba trip!!

We had our Covid tests at the Hilton yesterday and are glad to have tested negative - though a few more days in the heat would not have broken our hearts - they are predicting 35 degree below zero windchills tonight when we land in Minneapolis.

There was no wait to be tested we scheduled an appointment but decided to test earlier and could walk right in. In contrast, off-campus testing sites had long lines. We lucked out - the nurse barely dabbed our nose; easiest Covid test ever. We tested at about 11 a.m. and got our results at 10 p.m. Easy peasy. Though, again, it's good they have testing right at the hotel for hotel guests only.

[ideastowords]

Right now I am sitting on my balcony, feet up and typing, and basking in the heat - because the temperature at home will be about 115 degrees colder once our plane lands. And it's at these times I ask myself why I am living in Minneapolis. Especially last night, as we were getting ready to go out and fireworks were popping off nonstop.

"Sounds just like home!" laughed my companion.

At home, we regularly play the is-that-gunfire-or-fireworks game. Since the George Floyd murder, crime in Minneapolis has skyrocketed. At least one percent of our population has been carjacked in 2021. I feel far safer walking in Aruba than in my own neighborhood these days. We observed this morning that we have never been approached by anyone for money here; we have beggars on every thoroughfare in Minneapolis. I am doing my best not to go on a rant about how the middle class is disappearing and 80% of the American population is one illness or two lost paychecks away from poverty and the super wealthy (people who make more money in a day or an hour than I do in a year) are getting wealthier at the expense of everyone else. Google Michael Parenti and his essay "The Super Rich are Out of Sight." It was written almost a quarter century ago, and now the disparity between the crazy wealthy and the rest of us is even greater. I am too lazy right now to list a bibliography of articles for you to read, but if anyone is interested, let me know. You don't hear a lot about it on the news because they are owned by corporations (like Jeff Bezos buying the Washington Post); websites like the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, however, are very good. You have to be so careful what you consume outside of mainstream media because that, too, can be very suspect. In sum, I wish America had better safety nets for folks so there isn't so much begging and homelessness (especially where I live, my companion was streaming the news this morning - the top story was the hundreds of homeless under threat of dying from being exposed to 35-below-zero temps.)

But I REALLY digress.

I am profoundly, profoundly grateful to have had the opportunities in my life that have placed me here at this moment. And have had the opportunity to visit Aruba three times now; I understand why people come back time and time again.

Yesterday I was up crazy early - 5:15 a.m. and finally gave up and walked over to Linda's Dutch Pancakes which were more than worth the jaunt; though I would probably have to walk 12 laps around the island to burn off my strawberry-almond-brie-whipping cream treat. Then off to round two at the Butterfly Farm - I love that place and was thrilled to capture an orange trupial there on film - singing!!!! Here it is, but I am not sure if the link will work: https://www.instagram.com/p/CYLDFi_oCno/

I love orange trupials and I felt like the avian gods were smiling down on me at that moment.

After Covid tests, I spent the day lounging in the pool and reading. Heaven. Then happy hour - Gilligan's happy hour (at the Hilton) starts at 3 p.m. and, of course, it is open to the public - two-for-ones on fancy drinks like the Aruba Ariba and Sex on the Beach and all kinds of daiquiris . It would be a good jumping off point to the multitude of happy hours at place like Bugaloe or Bohemian which run 5 to 6 or 5 to 7. My companion and I are not big drinkers, though; 10 or 15 years ago though and it would have been one nonstop party for me, let me tell you. I'm observing what I consider to be a good time change as I age. Drinking all day and dancing all night holds no appeal anymore, but if you wanted to - this would be the place. They had quite the fete at the Hilton last night - all you can drink and eat for $199; alas, when two drinks and a couple of appetizers are more than enough, it wouldn't be the best investment. Instead, we wandered over to Papillon again where we indulged in their amazing lava cake and lobster bisque soup, and a spectacular blueberry martini. Palm Beach was packed, of course, and most of the restaurants completely booked. I tried to get into some place new - but had no luck; I booked Papillon weeks ago.

The night concluded with the fireworks display over the ocean - it was magical an I feel blessed to have experienced it.

Well, I should wind up, finish packing and check out, then off to the airport - because the plane doesn't take off until 5 p.m. they have advised us not to show up until 2 p.m. Which is fine with me. God wiling, 10 hours from now I will be landing in the tundra I call home but I will have the memories of Aruba to keep me warm.

[sgt11946]

Thank you for your trip report. I felt as if I was with you. Have a safe trip home.

[annf]

Loved reading your reports!! I have a home here....grateful....have not been to Palm Beach at night in over 2 years! You just helped me stay away for another 2 years....lol! Safe travels back to the USA....and thanks again!

[Pegmeister]

Safe travels and thank you for your fun trip reports!