July 2000 Vacation
Aruba - Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort - July 1 through July 8
Saturday, July 1, 2000 - Beginning the trip - To Aruba
-- We were up very early - 3:30 AM. That started our trip. We arrived in Aruba at 12 noon. We flew on an Allegro Charter B727-200 with 173 aboard - full plane. I Read 1/2 a Tom Clancy book (Night Moves). We got to our room (#368) at 1:15 EDT. This was our first Charter Flight and was OK.
First we took a short walk around and then had a sandwich in “The Sea breeze”. It's an open air restaurant with lots of sun, shade, and wind. I went back to the room and Linda stayed downstairs and roamed around the shops.
We cooled off in our room while Linda unpacked us. Changed into clothes more appropriate to Aruba and took another stroll. Headed down the beach path past all the hotels. Walked back on the street side. Had a light dinner at Tony Roma's across the street and then back to the room. R&R'd for a while and then went down to the beach to watch the sunset at 7. We returned to the room for some R&R and TV.
Sunday, July 2, 2000 - 1st Full Day -- We were up and having coffee at 5:30. Took a walk via the road up to the Marriott's (Ocean Club and Hotel) and then back via the beach. Great weather for walking - not much activity yet. Breakfast at the “Boardwalk Cafe” in The Holiday Inn. A pretty good buffet with made to order omelet's.
We changed into our beach wear and down to the beach. Julio, one of the Beach boys, took good care of us with chairs and towels. We played in the water a little and then I read while Linda sunned. The beach was quiet.
We attended the TNT Orientation meeting. It was really very good and well worth attending. The Hostess - Glenda - is a native Arubian and did an excellent job. Then they had representatives from several of the Island Vendors present their wares. Excellent. We even won a T-shirt. We signed up for a rental car and two excursions - filling up our week.
Off to lunch soon after the meeting. We walked down to the Hyatt and dined in their Bar and Grill. Nice atmosphere. We had lunch inside instead of Al Fresco.
We changed and headed for the beach again. Julio once again found us two spots under a cabana. Lots to see. The beach still wasn't all that busy.
For dinner, we walked to “Roma di Notte”. Not far - 1 mile maybe. Excellent Italian food. Great service and atmosphere. Linda says it was the BEST Chicken Pram she's ever had... Walked back and arrived at the beach just a little late to see the sunset.
Monday, July 3, 2000 - Touring The Island -- Linda was up first at about 4:30. GadZooks!! We fired up the coffee pot and watched the news and read through several of the Aruba Brochures. Just at sunrise, we took a long walk down the beach - weather was perfect. Got back to the Holiday Inn in time for breakfast.
We picked up the rental car after breakfast and took a ride down to the southeast corner of the island. There, we found and walked around Baby Beach. This is an excellent spot to spend a day.
Then - we found our way to the middle of the north coast and toured the Natural Bridge area. Nice spot. Lots of tourists but nice.
Headed back home and quickly became lost. We knew we were going in the right direction - but no street signs/route markings - we just kept going west. We stopped and had lunch at “Salt and Pepper” right across the street from the Allegro. Good lunch.
Back to the room. I read and took a nap. Linda went to the beach and then off to Bingo in the Casino. No wins today.
When it came time for dinner, we took a ride east along the “Low Rise Resort Area” and ended at La Cabana. We had dinner here in “The Captain's Table.” Excellent meal. Linda had a Shrimp Cocktail and skewered seafood - I had Arubian Oyster Stew and Ciopinno. All the presentations were beautiful and outstanding.
Back to the Holiday Inn where a Beach Party was in progress. We missed the 1 hour open bar but enjoyed the music and crafters tables. We purchased several handcrafted gifts.
Tuesday, July 4, 2000 - Happy Independence Day - More Touring -- We drove down to The Buchiti for breakfast at The Pirate's Nest. Excellent buffet. We wandered around there and the Manchebo. Both excellent looking properties. Then we drove over to and explored the Divi Aruba. Very nice. Certainly a different atmosphere than the “High Rise” places.
We headed into town and parked right where the cruise ships discharge all of us passengers. Familiar territory for us. We spent the morning wandering around Oranjestad window shopping. Then it was time for a little lunch. We both had a Hagen Daz hot fudge sundae.
We took the short drive to the NW end of the island and explored around there - California Lighthouse area. Some beautiful views.
At 6:15, we headed off to “Twinkletones” for dinner and a show. It was excellent. A troop of about seven girls and guys singing and dancing Caribbean/South American stuff. There is no stage - they are right amongst the audience with lots of audience participation. A good time for everyone.
Wednesday, July 5, 2000 - A Day At The Beach - DePalm Island
-- We headed down to the Costa Linda to have breakfast at “Frangipani's”, but that didn't open until 7:30 - so, we went to the “Greenhouse” at the Wyndam. Good buffet with an excellent atmosphere and service.
We went to the Holiday Inn lobby and the DePalm Tour bus was waiting to take us on the “Sun and Snorkel” tour. We bussed on over to the DePalm Island Ferry on the other side of town and then ferried over to DePalm Island. We put on our gear and snorkeled for a while. The area was full of fish of many varieties. There were lots of bright blue parrotfish that looked to be up to 24”. Beautiful. The whole area is only 2' to 3' deep and a varied bottom. We sunned, had lunch, more snorkeling, more sun and then it was time to head back. Good day.
Soon it was time to decide on where to have dinner. We elected “The Buccaneer.” We got ready and then walked on over there - about a 20 minute walk. Nice atmosphere but the food wasn't the best we've had this week. Not bad mind you - but not outstanding. When we came out to start the walk back to the Holiday, we saw a Taxi in front and quickly elected to take the taxi back - $6.
Then we settled in to watch “Survivors.”
Thursday, July 6, 2000 - Sailing Aboard Mi Dushi
-- We had a leisurely coffee on the balcony and then headed for breakfast downstairs in The Boardwalk Cafe.”
Today's adventure started at 9. We headed down the beach a short walk and boarded the water taxi out to the “Mi Dushi (My Sweetheart).” She is an 85' two masted yawl built in 1925. There were about 50 of us aboard and we had a great day. First we sailed up and down the coast and then picked up a mooring near the beach on the north west shore. Great snorkeling - open bar - and a good meal. Next - we dropped back about 1/4 mile and moored again over the Antilla. This is a German supply ship that was scuttled here at the beginning of W.W.II.
A good time was had by all.
Sailed back to Palm Beach. The Captain (there were 2 aboard, Mario and Ziggy) was fishing the whole time we were underway and about 1/2 way back he hooked up. Dragged in a jack about 18” and maybe 7 or 8 pounds. Everyone loved the excitement.
Where to go for dinner? We walked the 1 mile up the road to the Roma di Notte again. We had another excellent meal and strolled back to the beach and the Holiday Inn.
Friday, July 7, 2000 - A Beach Day
We woke up and started our day just as the sun was coming up. Down to breakfast here at The Holiday Inn. The restaurant was very busy this morning.
Today was a beach day. We staked out a couple of beach chairs under a cabana right after breakfast and spent the morning sunning, swimming, reading and generally watching the people. We quit about 11:30 and back to the room.
To Tony Roma's and had a good lunch. The rest of the afternoon was R&R for me and Linda visited some other hotels, shopped and played Bingo.
We decided to have dinner in “Piccolo” at the Hyatt, a short walk down the beach. Excellent dinner in the mid-priced restaurant in this Hotel. We stopped at TCBY for some ice cream and watched the sunset from Palm Beach. Then a quiet walk on the beach and it was time to retire to our room.
We spent the evening preparing to leave tomorrow morning.
Saturday, July 8, 2000 - Going Home
-- Up and at'em at 5:30 AM. Today will be used getting home. And that it was. Arrived home at 10:40 PM.
