Live trip report 10/28-11/26/19

[WaltVB]

We went to Tortuga several times, it was never open. The scenery there is breathtaking.

[schexc]

Thursday Day 16:

Not much going on today…

Sat at Eagle Beach for awhile and soaked up the sun and then headed to the pool for a quick dunk.
The wife wanted to go to the new location of the Home and Nature store, which is in the new building across from Bushiri Beach. It houses several stores including AMC Union and Ashley Furniture, to name a few.

From there we went to the Glitz so she could play some slots. I walked around a bit and came across a beach cleaning machine parked in a lot next to PBV. I approached the driver and chatted with him for a bit. He was getting ready to clean Eagle Beach and then off to Baby Beach. He said they contract to do the beaches twice a week and he named almost all the beaches that I was familiar with. They do them all at night. I thought it was interesting that they don’t do Palm Beach. He said the resorts don’t want it done or I’m thinking don’t want to pay for it. I wonder what trinkets he picks up at the end of the night? I returned to the Glitz to catch up with the bride and had a beverage. She played for an hour or so and was able to recoup most of her losses from the previous two days. She is still in the red, but only by a small amount.

Dinner tonight was at the condo. We did our usual chicken cut small with mixed vegetables and had a couple beverages poolside.

Just a simple relaxing day.

Link to Photo Album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/N5nFuvAcpkULQzyr7

[schexc]

We have been to all of those locations on previous trips. We usually don't venture that way anymore. Of the three times that we've stopped at Tortuga Beach Bar, it was only open once. Like Andrea said, it's been closed for a bit now.

Let us know if you head over to the Tortuga Beach Bar at the Pro Kite School at Boca Grande on one of your crazy road trips. Another off the beaten track place with cool views of Kite sailors from the rooftop of bar. I know its never open, but you can B.Y.O.B and sit in a swing and watch those kites soar! We just don't hear much about the place but Boca Grande is a beautiful beach. Not to mention Grapefield beach and Bachelor's beach. An easy drive in a car and sooo remote.
Sean and Susan

[DiviDiviFan]

I’m always fascinated by the iguanas. It’s interesting how some trips we see more than others. When we stayed at the Divi there was one trip they seemed to be everywhere. There were even two large iguanas chasing each other inside the Buffet restaurant with kids screeching and servers trying to catch them. That was a show. I don’t think we saw any at the Ritz but there’s always a few at Manchebo.

Tom has told me I don’t need anymore iguana pictures!

I agree about the iguanas year to year. Last year hardly any, year before tons. Hoping for a good year of Iguana sightings

[schexc]

Friday Day 17:

Stopped at Super Foods after the gym and then back to the condo for a light lunch.

This afternoon we went to Arashi Beach. We used to go there more often, until it became more crowded. When we arrived, there were quite a few cars in the parking lot and several people on the beach. We decided to stay and headed up the beach a bit for a little more space. The waters were calm, but there was quite a shelf as you entered/exited the water. A few people were having a degree of difficulty climbing out of the water. We got a good deal of sun and then headed back to the pool for a dip in the pool.

We changed and headed downtown for happy hour at Café Chaos. There were a lot more people there this trip, but we were still able to grab a seat at the bar for a couple of beverages.

We walked back across the street for dinner. It was either Amuse or Hung Paradise, and we decided on the latter. We had the Chicken with Curry Sauce and the Kung Po Chicken. Both were very good. Total was $34.00 plus tip.

We walked across the street to the Seaport Casino. A lot of machines out of order. We stayed about five minutes and left.

From there we headed to the Glitz for a couple of hours. The Jury is still out on how the wife did. I think her beverages are the cause of the confusion…

Headed back to the condo and crashed.

Link to Photo Album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/N5nFuvAcpkULQzyr7

[Aruba4ever]

Love how you guys are out and about and eating like a local...Heck you are one, lol.

[schexc]

Saturday Day 18:

Another simplistic day…

Went to the Do It Center after the gym. That store continues to expand and add new things. It’s becoming a one stop shop.

Spent the afternoon at Eagle Beach and then took a dip in the pool.

We decided it would be a good idea to purchase a portable air compressor and battery charger for the car, so after price shopping at numerous locations during the week, we ended up going back to Price Smart and bought one of each. Even though the car insurance included road service, it is not included if you need a jump start or have a flat tire if you are in your own residential parking lot or your home street. If they send road service at those locations the charge is $35.00. Since we have been coming to the island and renting cars, we’ve had four flat tires and one jump start, three of those happening while we were in our parking lot. We plan on fully charging the battery in the car before we leave/disconnect it and then fully charge it when we come back. Nothing worse then coming back to a dead battery and a soft tire. For the $88.00 total we paid for both devices it’ll be worth it.

Went to the Glitz for a couple of hours and we walked away with the wife down a little bit more

We ate dinner in tonight, with fish and mixed vegetable on the grill. We sat under the gazebo for awhile and the went inside, as I had to work remotely, and the bride caught up with some of the family on facetime. End of day…

Link to Photo Album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/N5nFuvAcpkULQzyr7

[ArubaAce]

I'm really enjoying your trip report and especially photos. After being in Aruba so many times I can see how anyone would not want to take any photos I'm like that as well. However, my friends always ask me for photos so I guess next trip I will take my camera with me so as not to depend on my smart phone battery running low which it does when you take photos.

Even though i made a rest list with your photos of Fish House, Hung Paradise, I will probably not stick to my list. Actually I ended up changing it every week. LOL

[robin]

Saturday Day 18:

Another simplistic day…

Went to the Do It Center after the gym. That store continues to expand and add new things. It’s becoming a one stop shop.

Spent the afternoon at Eagle Beach and then took a dip in the pool.

We decided it would be a good idea to purchase a portable air compressor and battery charger for the car, so after price shopping at numerous locations during the week, we ended up going back to Price Smart and bought one of each. Even though the car insurance included road service, it is not included if you need a jump start or have a flat tire if you are in your own residential parking lot or your home street. If they send road service at those locations the charge is $35.00. Since we have been coming to the island and renting cars, we’ve had four flat tires and one jump start, three of those happening while we were in our parking lot. We plan on fully charging the battery in the car before we leave/disconnect it and then fully charge it when we come back. Nothing worse then coming back to a dead battery and a soft tire. For the $88.00 total we paid for both devices it’ll be worth it.

Went to the Glitz for a couple of hours and we walked away with the wife down a little bit more

We ate dinner in tonight, with fish and mixed vegetable on the grill. We sat under the gazebo for awhile and the went inside, as I had to work remotely, and the bride caught up with some of the family on facetime. End of day…

Link to Photo Album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/N5nFuvAcpkULQzyr7

That's good info about the tires and battery. We only have a trickle charger which he keeps on the car while we are not there. I know you bought a car cover. Are you going to just put it on the car or will you strap it down? We saw one at our complex that was blowing off from the wind and eventually shredded.

[schexc]

Thank you Ace...

It's the first trip report I've done incorporating photos. Pictures help coordinate the story with additional detail. It's quite easy to do with Google Photos and my iphone.
We hardly ever stick to a restaurant list either, as it changes on a whim, usually the wife's
Sure hope you get some relief with the back pain.

I'm really enjoying your trip report and especially photos. After being in Aruba so many times I can see how anyone would not want to take any photos I'm like that as well. However, my friends always ask me for photos so I guess next trip I will take my camera with me so as not to depend on my smart phone battery running low which it does when you take photos.

Even though i made a rest list with your photos of Fish House, Hung Paradise, I will probably not stick to my list. Actually I ended up changing it every week. LOL