Jacki's Family Trip 8/6 - 8/19/2022

[Aruba4ever]

We came in on the 10th and it looked like it had been raining earlier but thankfully no rain since. Keep enjoying.

[Jacki]

Wow - it's been a few days. Sorry!

Thursday I made breakfast in the room, we watched Michael's college program's closing ceremony, the kids went to the beach and Rich & I went to Alhambra and walked around the area a bit. We honeymooned at Aruba Beach Club and have stayed a CDM in the past so we walked and chatted about the changes, etc. Had lunch at Ricardo's then came back to La Cabana for Happy Hour.

Friday was a beach day till noon when the kids and I left to go back to the Alhambra for a bit while waiting for my Sisters in Law to land. We all came out ahead, except for Jason (but he had won a few hundred at the Hyatt so....)

Picked up the aunts, back to my room, which is really their room that we are staying in, had some lunch and they checked in. We had dinner at Islander Grill and, of course, went for Gelato.

[Laura in NH]

Yay for coming out ahead! Love the ABC reminiscing.

[EveryAugust]

Oh, the TdB sangria! In our friend group, it's legendary. Our first time there, 4 of us went through 3 entire pitchers of sangria, and at all the fruit. To say we ladies were a bit tipsy walking back to the Marriott is an understatement!. We're hoping we can persuade them to let us buy a few glasses to go. TdB did not make it to our list this year, but that sangria is the stuff my dreams are made of.

Jacki--it sounds like you guys are having a great trip so far

[Jacki]

Just FYI, our server at TdB suggested the pitcher, Brianna said it's only mom & I drinking it and she said that's what we make to go containers for

[Jacki]

Saturday was a rough one.

We finished moving out of my SsIL's Saturday rooms and moved into our Friday rooms after hitting the beach for a few hours. We were to meet in the lobby at 10:30 to go snorkeling, but my SIL, Ann, got word that her mom was found unconscious, in an active, ongoing stroke. No idea how long she had been like that. So we packed her up and got her to the airport for a 3pm flight out to Texas. SIL Laurie stayed here in Aruba. We did some food shopping, hung out in the room and decided to try Piazza Italia for dinner as Laurie said she heard good things. Tried to call to see if reservations were needed and could not get thru so we drove up to Palm Beach and figured if it was too busy we would find another place. Turns out it was a very small pizza joint and they closed 4 months ago.

So we walked around & shopped and tried to get into Gianni's, but of course they could only accommodate us at 10pm. So we went to Papia Mia, where the Hard Rock used to be. We ordered a few appetizers, and 6 meals. Three apps came out, we were never asked if we wanted drinks other than water, even though the neon light on the wall says Drink like a Tourist, Eat like a local or something like that. We had to ask for plates to eat the apps off of. The server was cleaning up our app plates and accidentally spilled a full dipping cup of marina on my SIL's lap - down her leg, on her phone, on her shorts, on the ground. The kid stood there watching her clean herself and said sorry a few times, but that was it. We asked for a cloth or something to clean up with and were handed a rag and a bottle of cleaning solution by another server! Our meals came out one at a time with approx 5 minutes between each. My garden salad which I ordered as a meal was the last to arrive after I asked about it twice. Laurie's app Caesar salad came out with her meal. Never saw a manager, but never asked for one. Figured they would have apologized and at least taken one app off the bill but they didn't. We had to ask for the bill and it was delivered by a different server processed and the receipt delivered with no pen. I was SO tempted to rip the bottom portion off (tip, total, signature) and leave, but I couldn't do that. Went up to the bar, got a pen & signed. Should have asked for a manager but I was really annoyed and was afraid after the day I had I would not be able to control my anger.

Came back to La Cabana, went to Glitz. Played Roulette (not my norm) won a few bucks and got the chips I was looking for for Chip Collector. Brianna accidentally put money into a $5 slot machine and hit for $160! Nice turn around so she left very quickly. Michael & I played slots for a bit - I left being up $50 or so. Nice end to a very tough and emotionally day.

[cpjones]

Not a great day for you.... so sorry. I really hope Ann's Mom recovers quickly and properly. Dinner.... Yuck.... as bad as the service was you'd never even know if the food was good! Casino was the saving grace.... and tomorrow will be a better day.

[Laura in NH]

Wow that was a rough one! Hoping for the best for your SIL. Bummer about that restaurant. I have it on my list, but will probably cross that one out

[LisaGrn]

I'm so sorry, Jackie. She and all of you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
That restaurant sounds just awful. I'd be tempted to write to management and let them know. Or better yet write a TripAdvisor review!

[Pegmeister]

Many prayers for your SIL and her mom. What an awful experience and so difficult when you are away.