Sunday, Sept 11th
Here we go with our 26th year to Aruba! All went well at Newark Airport - we flew first class so we checked in, and got through security quickly. There was someone waving the first class travelers through a short line. The United Club has definitely been upgraded. Huge variety of hot breakfast and items they never had before. Flight was great. Breakfast meal on board was yummy - highlight was waffles with bananas foster! Arrival into Aruba was quick and easy. We did not have to go through customs. No lines for a cab so we jumped into one and were on our way to the Marriott Stellaris. We checked in and when we turned around to get our luggage we were shocked to see our best friends from CT standing there! No one is usually able to surprise me. They pulled it off and videoed the whole thing. It was priceless. So this is a major reason why you are receiving this report now. We were constantly busy with them! As we were unpacking we received a bottle of Moet champagne and cheese plate from the GM and his assistant. So nice of them. Went to Waves for first pina colada and said hi to some folks we know. Our friends stayed at the Ocean Club as they are Vacation Club folks. So they came over before dinner to share our champagne and goodies to kick off a great vacation. They had made a reservation at the Vue for dinner. Food was good and so was the sax player. Carolyn and I had shrimp and scallops over risotto and Larry and Joe had ahi tuna. I would go back - food was yummy. Then we went for gelato at the Marriott. It was a happy first day in my happy place!
Monday September 12th
Had our first continental breakfast at La Vista (included for elite members) with pope Francis. This waiter is so entertaining. Everyone calls him pope Francis even the management. He pretends to dip his fingers in the holy water and blesses his guests. He is so fun. We had the pleasure of meeting the new complex food & beverage manager for all 3 Marriott properties. What a nice guy! Then we enjoyed the beach all day with our friends. Weather was breezy all week but very hot. Dinner that night was at Yemanja. My husband Larry and I shared philo goat cheese app and we both had the skirt steak. Delicious! We then drove to the Hyatt area and walked off our dinner.
Tuesday September 13th
Breakfast was the usual. Another beautiful day at the beach. Water so clear and warm. We shared chicken wings on the beach for lunch. Another example of why to get trip insurance….to enter the water the beach had a step down then a step up in the sand so it was uneven. You have to be very careful. An older woman just walked right in, fell and twisted her ankle and her knee. She could not walk as her hip hurt too. She went to the hospital and her husband came by 2 days later to thank us for our concern. Thankfully nothing broken. She tore ligaments, was at the pool with a cane and they were going home next day. Dinner was at Wacky Wahoo….soooo good. 2 of us had the barracuda with lobster tail. Outstanding! Then we got to see Amy Sorinio at the Marriott Lobby. She has an amazing voice.
Wednesday September 14
Another great beach day we all enjoyed. Our friends had a kitchen so they invited us over for cocktails and apps. We enjoyed it and then went to Bohemian for dinner. The restaurant has a very cool vibe. Food was good but not great. More importantly the menu was off. 3 of us had lamb shank. To me it was a winter dish but it was good. Larry’s duck was a bit chewy. My suggestion is to read the menu before you go. If it suits you, then try it for the experience. Most of us really wanted grouper but it was not on the menu.
Thursday September 15th
The guys went on the 2 hour Segway tour. They loved it. The girls stayed at the beach. It was a short beach day. We showered and got ready to go downtown to window shop the stores before our sunset dinner at Barefoot which was better than ever since they had an amazing special weekly menu. Larry and I shared goat cheese medallions for appetizer. He had the beef tips and loved. The rest of us had the grouper topped with shrimp and lobster sauce. It was fabulous. They do not always have that. We had snickers cheesecake which they are known for. Joe had the frozen key lime pie. It was a memorable night.
Friday September 16th
Larry and Joe did the 1 hour Sea Bob which was a lot of fun. The guy who ran the tour was feeding Bob, the pelican, from his hand. Lol. That night we went to OceanZ. I know it gets great reviews but for us it was an off night. We had an eccentric hyper waiter. The violinist/singer was on vacation and the fill-in was out sick. So we missed out on that. The scallop app was delicious but it wasn’t enough to share. The paella for 3 was fabulous and Larry’s lamb chops were good. We skipped dessert and had gelato back at the hotel. When the waiter brought the check he did a whole song and dance about the 18% service charge and how it’s not a tip and how he doesn’t get any of it etc etc. It was beyond a turnoff. So we did not add a tip. Not sure I’d go back to OceanZ anytime soon. Again off nights happen.
Saturday September 17th
We spent the day at the Ocean Club beach and had lunch at the Malmok beach restaurant. It was very good. Last dinner with our friends that nigh was at Wilhelmenia. Hands down our best meal. I had the pasta with large shrimp and a white wine sauce, Larry had the short ribs. Our friends had 2 other fish dishes. All flawless.
Sunday September 18th
The wind died down to due to hurricane nearby so a hot day. Our friends left and it was sad to see them go. Larry had someone to do boy things with. I am just a beach bum and would not be interested. Lol. It was a great week together. They like what we like with no pressure to be together every minute. Very difficult to find people you can travel with who are on the same page. Sadly travel home didn’t end well for Joe and Carolyn. When they got off the plane at JFK Carolyn was wearing a backpack. While walking to claim their luggage someone sideswiped her and she lost her balance and fell. She broke the bone below her shoulder and is in a lot of pain and must wear a sling for 8 weeks. Ironically she is a physiatrist and it’s a challenge for her to examine patients right now. At least it didn’t happen on the way to Aruba but we feel so bad it happened. We spent Sunday on the beach. Larry went parasailing and loved it as usual. That night we went to Quinta Del Carmen tapas garden. I highly recommend it. If you are 2 people, start out with 2 or 3 tapas each. Then you can add. Best Aruba Aribas I had on the island. Standouts for food were the truffle fries, grouper dish and the beef tacos with a delicious brown Asian sauce. We will definitely go back. Very reasonably priced with quality food.
Monday September 19th
Swells/waves in the water from hurricane! Never saw this on palm beach! Also the water was filled with seaweed so definitely from the storm. Not your usual clear Aruba water. Welcome wind was back though. We went to La vista for skirt steak salad for dinner. Was delicious. We usually have that first day upon arrival but plans changed due to the nice surprise from our friends. Then we took a walk to the shops and had gelato in that area.
Tuesday September 20th
Last full day always sad, you feel like you are almost out of there. Enjoyed the beach all day. We went to Matthew’s for rib night. I should have listened to I believe Walt who indicated Mathew’s food so no longer edible. Ribs were ok. Larry’s salad was not good and food came out before the very weak drinks. ,Matthew’s is off the list! If we want ribs we will go to Ricardos on a Monday night.
Wednesday September 21st. We left the hotel around 11:30 for a 3:05 flight. Five minutes into the cab ride it started pouring. First rain we saw! Roads flooded! Thankfully it stopped when we got to the airport to allow us to drag our luggage in without getting soaked! We breezed through the airport. Easiest we’ve ever had it. They had 3 agents at customs. No line at all! United had horrible food in first class on the way home. Rubber chicken and stale cookie! Then they made an announcement on board they wanted medical assistance and someone who spoke Italian for a sick passenger. Would have been good if our friend Joe was on our flight since he speaks Italian and is a critical care physician/pulmonologist. We were happy there was a trauma nurse on board so all was well. Pilot wanted to land in PR if we needed to. No power there!
That’s the end of my trip report. Thanks for reading and please know that I took you all along with me in spirit every step of the way!!
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Originally Posted by Colette M
