Trip report oct 3-17

[Tuckahoe]

It’s been a long day but it sure is great to be back!
Travel was pretty easy. We checked in, shopped at Lings, unpacked, and napped before dinner.
I noticed that Lings was out of many items I had gotten there in the past. Will have to stop at Super Foods during the week for the rest.
We had our usual first night dinner at the bar at Ruth Chris. The rib eye steak never disappoints. We started out with shrimp cocktail. Then a blue cheese wedge salad and finished with the steak and baked potato. The portions are large so Mike and I split everything. And of course we both enjoyed the martinis.
We stopped briefly at the Stellaris where the casino goblins collected $200 from us.

[Colette M]

Sounds like a wonderful first day ending with a yummy first dinner. Are you staying at the Ocean Club? Enjoy!

[Andrea J.]

All sounds good except for the casino goblins.
Damn them!
I love Ruth’s Chris. So they charge extra for sharing?
Their baked potatoes are a meal in itself!
Have fun and thank you for sharing your busy day with us.

[Pegmeister]

Best to get the casino losses out of the way early so that you can enjoy wins the rest of the trip! Have fun.

[WaltVB]

Glad you made it down with no issues. Let the games begin!

[SusieLovesAruba]

Nice that you are back on the Island! I enjoy your trip reports so thanks for posting! Have fun!

[Laura in NH]

Enjoy your time on the island. Bummer about the casino but maybe you’ll make up for it in the coming days

[cpjones]

WOW! Another adventure unfolding. Glad you made it safely!

[ArubaAce]

Glad you made it back to Paradise. Looking forward to your report.

[Tuckahoe]

Day 2
Mike and I are well into our Aruba routine. This morning took us into town where Mike stocked up on cigars. Then, with my birthday coming on Saturday, he suggested I pick out my gift so we stopped at Little Switzerland. I chose a pair of Marco Bicego gold hoop earrings that are absolutely stunning! He’s definitely my new favorite jewelry designer.
We went to Super Foods on the way home to pick up the items Lings didn’t have. Super Foods wasn’t at all crowded and the selection great so we’re now thinking that going forward this is going to be the supermarket we shop at.
We ate a quick lunch at the Daily Fish next door. The shrimp tempura, seasoned fries and fresh coleslaw were delicious. We will be returning.
Back at the Ocean Club we got to our reserved palapa and found it occupied. The beach attendant had them move. I really hate the awkwardness of the situation but in fairness we DID pay to reserve something- I’m not sure if it’s the chairs that go under the hut or the hut itself because the laws, rules, interpretation, and implementation are confusing and everyone has a different take on it.
The sea was perfect. Weather great- light breeze and temps in the 80s. The water was warm and we had fun watching a pelican dive in and out of the water catching fish. More than a few people were caught off guard as the big bird dove in a few feet away from them!
We left the beach around 5:30 and had a drink on the balcony while watching a spectacular golden orange and red sunset.
A friend from our village is next door at the Surf Club and we’re going to meet up on the beach tomorrow.
Dinner was as Wacky Wahoos The grouper was delicious as usual. I hope we’ll get there again one more time next week.
We won $400 on slots at the Hyatt casino so now we’re even for the trip. (Although it is only Day 2).
Andrea, to answer your question about Ruth Chris- I checked the bill and we were not charged extra for sharing. We ate at the bar so I’m not certain if there would have been a sharing charge had we eaten in the dining room.