Just came back from our Aruba vacation yesterday. Here's a few initial thoughts.

[Glenn]

Good morning everyone,

As has been the case with previous Aruba vacations, I usually do a fairly detailed trip report about a week or two after we get home. I look over the notes I made to make sure I still feel the same way about things and try to ensure that the writing is the way I want it. Prior to writing the t/r, I usually like to offer a few initial observations about our trip.

Ok, let's get started.

Did not see that coming

We get the car from Hertz, put the bags in the trunk, get the a/c working and start driving. We make a sharp right turn, then a left and,...whoa! Where for years there was only a billboard for Polar Beer at the end of the AUA property, there is now the gleaming Hyatt Place Airport Hotel. A welcome addition for business people I'm sure.


Hey, have we passed it already?

When you're driving, have you ever tried to find a place in it's relation to well-known landmarks instead of using the actual address? That was us last Sunday, driving to Sunset Beach Studios. Easy enough, right? Find the old, rusting wreck off-shore and SBS is about 100 yards beyond that on the opposite side of the road. Well, pounding waves, remnants of Hurricane Dorian, ripped the bow from the wreck a few weeks ago and reduced the remainder to where it is just above the surface.

We drove right passed it. My wife got out the reservation printout which had the address on it, we turned around and quickly got to SBS.


Shipping containers, along with mounds of sand & gravel across the road on the beach? What now?




We were a little curious about the construction activity across the street but our concerns were quickly dispelled by JP, the owner of SBS. They are building a walkway which will provide some separation of joggers, cyclists, segway riders, etc from motor vehicle traffic. Better for everyone.


I don't always follow my own suggestions, which I so freely give out to others

For years I have extolled the virtues of the steaks at El Gaucho, going so far at times as to call a meal there a health break. Well, we didn't go to EG on this trip at all. We wanted to try as many new places as we could. We enjoyed elegant dinners at the Chophouse at Manchebo and at A Taste of Belgium. More on our restaurant visits in the longer t/r.


Lights out. Now what do we do?

We were in Aruba for 6 days in total (more about that in the t/r), and during that time, for at least three days, the traffic lights at the Bavaria/Wendy's intersection were either flashing amber in all directions or not functioning at all. Most North American drivers treat these as four-way stops. You have a major highway intersecting with a suburban roadway. I'm not familiar with the Aruba drivers' manual, but perhaps I should be. The Aruban drivers using the highway barely slowed down when approaching this intersection while tourists (V licence plates) usually came to a full stop before proceeding through. Use caution please.



That's it for Aruba 2019 thoughts for now. The full length t/r will be coming soon.


Have a great day everybody.


Glenn
Winnipeg, Canada

[~Amy~®]

Hi Glenn! Welcome back!! I am so sorry I missed you again on this trip by just a few weeks but Paris was calling our name again (just returned last week.) Thank you for your observations - I will definitely remember to use caution at the lights when I'm there again in a couple of weeks.

No El Gaucho for you? Wow! But it is fun to try new places!!

[crimms]

thanks Glenn, we have been dying to see a new trip report. Cant wait to read the longer TR.
Thanks Sean and Susan

[Andrea J.]

thanks for sharing the mini version of your trip report.

you are fortunate indeed to have been able to visit aruba again.

the rusted out hulk of the vessel is always our landmark on to get ready to turn right into SBS.
have they begun work on their pool? I was told a pool renovation would be happening before the end of 2019.
it is indeed a wonderful spot.

those darn traffic lights at that intersection have been problematic for YEARS.
it is dangerous.

again, thanks for sharing your story and if you do not get around to the unabridged version, that is OK.

[robin]

Thanks for the info.

Those traffic lights were not working when we got there after Christmas last year and I was told they were a problem since Nov. They were still not working when we left the end of March. There were so many accidents that they made it that you could only make right turns and that you could not go straight across if you were coming from the beach area or inland area. Only the Smith went straight through. They were having issues getting the parts they needed from Europe. They had them working sometime in the spring. I'm guessing they'll be making that into a roundabout at sometime in the future.

[Pegmeister]

Thanks for the start of your report. I so enjoy reading them. Don’t you just love the Chophouse!?

[Arawak]

Locals don't stop when coming from the highway because they have right of way.

https://www.rhinocarhire.com/Drive-S...px#/searchcars

In that link you will find explanations for road signs in the Netherlands(the same ones are used here). Its the only one I could find in English atm. Most of them do not apply to Aruba but if you scroll down you will see the "priority road signs" and all of those ones apply minus the 1st and the 7th one.

Anytime you see the "Priority road ahead" or the "Crossroad ahead, side roads to right and left" signs, you have right of way. If you don't see them then you are probably on a road with the "priority road ends" and "give way to all traffic" signs.

[WaltVB]

Thanks Arawak, very good info.

[Laura in NH]

Looking forward to reading your extended trip report. Welcome back!

[cpjones]

Thanks...