Trip report 9/22-10/5

[Laura in NH]

Yesterday was fun. We had two from Buffalo, 3 from New England, and 4 non-Buffalo Patriots haters. We had Sahlen’s hot dogs from Buffalo and Boston Baked Beans, among other things, while we watched the game.

About 10 of us went to the Beach bar for happy hour at 5 o’clock. They were setting up part of the deck for some kind of party. We stayed until six and then all but two of the group left. Another couple showed up about 20 minutes later and so did the birthday girl for the party. It turns out she is a famous TV personality from Venezuela. Her name is Maite Delgado And she was very sweet. She even took a photo with us and gave us a piece of her birthday cake. The other couple and remaining friend left and I stayed to listen to the band because I thought they were great.

I went back to my room and freshened up and about 930 I headed up to the Alhambra plaza. I did some window shopping and then went to Fusion for a cocktail and to listen to the live entertainment. Just before they closed I took off, I caught one of the golf cart thingies and got a ride back to my room. Great day!

Today three of us are going down to Baby Beach and then about 10 or 11 of us are going out to El Gaucho for dinner.

[ArubaAce]

Thanks for the report and mentioning BINGOS. I haven't been there in a while. Maybe next trip.

[Laura in NH]

Baby beach was a bust. We put down our beach blankets and got into the water. It was pretty rough and the water was way up on the beach. I stayed in the water for about five minutes and then I rollie-pollied around for five minutes trying to get out. As soon as I lay down on the blanket, the water came up and got all of our stuff wet so after I was done laughing at our mess, we packed up our stuff and left. We stopped by the grotto on the way back home.

Nine of us went to El gaucho for dinner last night with a 6 o’clock reservation. Everybody ordered either fillet or The Gaucho steak and everybody was very satisfied with their meal. I got the Gaucho steak, and while it seem to be medium instead of medium rare, I ate about a third of it and brought the rest home. Then I hitched a ride with a buddy up to Alhambra Plaza. I went to fusion and listen to the piano player sing and play for a while. One of my friends that had gone to the casino came over and Had a drink with me. Then two more friends showed up and we all had another cocktail, and then we went over to Matthews for the last half hour of happy hour.

This morning was a heavy rain with some thunder, so three of us went downtown and I went to ladies choice and bought a new pair of shoes, of course. The rain let up and we went to the West deck for lunch. This was my first time there and we were all very happy with the food. We shared governors bay salad, fried funchi, fried calamari, conch fritters, grouper fingers. They had the white sangria and I had the tamarin juice. Jo-Ann was our server and she was just delightful. I will definitely go back there again!

[Pegmeister]

West Deck is one of my favorite stops, especially for late afternoon small plates and drinks. From there we usually hit the casino.

[scott]

I love the WEST DECK we always stop by for lunch good drinks and apps

[Andrea J.]

I always thought Baby Beach was flat calm with few waves or currents.
Well, boy I was wrong as the last time that we were there it was pretty wavy and it took some pretty slick maneuvering to get out of the water and back to our chairs.
I wish that you had a better time there.

West Deck........yum!
I could sit there for hours

Fusion is a great spot too.

[Laura in NH]

The water and tides were very high yesterday and we knew the water was rough. We should have known better but we took the chance. At least we can laugh at ourselves.

We had more laughs after. The only time I ever heard of a grotto was the one at the Playboy Mansion. I tried to explain this to Marsha and Susan after we left the grotto here on the island. The religious grotto here on the island. They got a kick out of that considering what my expectations were.

[Laura in NH]

Tuesday night was our member/guest Cocktail party. My name was drawn in the raffle to win the hiking tour. I told him I couldn’t do the hiking tour because my knees would not be able to handle it so they offered me the kayaking tour. I told him I did that one last year. So they gave me two cocktails at Seabreeze Café. I happily give those away to my friends Marsha and susan. After the cocktail party 5 of us went to Bugaloe for dinner. We all had Grouper in one form or another. Except Marsha she had the ground beef wrap which was almost like a taco rollup. Two had a grouper platter, one had the fish basket, and I had the grouper wrap. Everybody was happy with their meals. I would have stayed longer because it’s a fun place to be, but two had to get back to see their TV show.

When we got back to the rooms I changed my clothes and caught a cab up to the high-rise area. I was going to sit and listen to the music at hard rock, but there were very few people there, so I went across the street to soprano’s. I had a margarita and listened to a few songs and then went to do some shopping. The cab ride home was three dollars more. Is that because it was late? It may have been close to 11 o’clock, I really don’t remember the time. Today is a pool day for me. I will Check in later!

[lucky]

https://aruba.bynder.com/m/168d9a9a4...-2018-2022.pdf

[Laura in NH]

Thanks, Lucky, it must have been after 11 then!!

Yesterday was spent at the infinity pool. It was partly cloudy with a nice breeze. Went down the slide a few times. Left about 3 to go get ready for the service. Let me digress a moment. Did I tell you about the Honey Jack? If I did, sorry for the repeat. At the airport while waiting for my luggage, I went over to duty-free. I grab a big bottle of Bailey’s when I went to pay for it I saw a big bottle of honey Jack behind the cashier. I put the Bailey’s back and grab the honey Jack and bought it. I drink Baileys. I do not drink honey Jack. I must have been overtired. I would be lucky if I could sip two fingers over a four hour period. There’s a reason I am telling you this. Stay tuned…

at 4:30 the week 39 family at Divi village gathered on the beach near the beach bar, the old Jimmy’s bar, to have a memorial service for one of our family members who passed away last December. One of our week 38/39 members is an Orthodox minister (priest?) and he conducted the service with his wife assisting. It was quite moving and quite beautiful. During the service there were some big clouds blocking the sun. As the service continued, the clouds parted and let the sun shine through over the water, it was absolutely stunning as well as timely. At least what I could see through my tears.

After the service, we took a couple of group photos and then I pulled out my bottle of honey Jack and the leftover cups from the pudding shots and everyone did a shot of Jack to toast our three departed week 38/39 family members. And then we stayed for happy hour. We were able to say farewell to our friend, Bobby, and I was able to get rid of 2/3 of that giant bottle of honey Jack. Everyone left by 5:45, but I stayed behind and got what I hope are some gorgeous pictures of the sunset. I took the pictures with my regular camera and I won’t be able to see them until I get home and load them into my laptop.

I went to my room showered and got dressed, and then headed up to fusion because the singing guitarist guy was going to be back and I find him to be very entertaining. I went for a seat at the bar, but the only seat available actually had someone’s feet on it so I sat on one of those little comfy couches. I ordered my Bailey’s on the rocks as I had the first two times I was there this trip. Just as I took the last sip of my Bailey’s, the server came walking over with a new beverage. So I enjoyed a second drink while I listenEd to the music and did some people watching. The bartender came by and asked if I wanted another and I said no thanks, just bring me my tab. When I got the tab it only had one drink on it, so I wasn’t sure if the bartender knew that the other server had brought me the second drink. I flagged him down to let him know that my bill wasn’t right and that there should be two drinks on there. So he sat down and looked at the bill and then looked at me, and said you did not order the second drink, I just sent it to you, so that means it’s on me! Then he scooted away. That was very kind and quite unexpected. I thanked him and left a generous tip. I would have stayed for the second set but I wanted to get home and to bed so I could be bright eyed and bushy tailed by this morning.

I am up early this morning because I have my ‘made in Aruba’ tour today. They are picking me up about 8:10. When I get home this afternoon my plan is to eat a tossed salad with some of my leftover gaucho steak on top of it. And then karaoke tonight at mulligans. I did so well with groceries on week one, but this week I have so much food that I am not going to be able to eat. My last full day is tomorrow and I have enough food for at least four or five more days.

question for the group: does anybody know the story behind the photo of the lady on the motorcycle that hangs above the bar or in the bar area, at Madame Jeanette‘s?