Aruba in August (1 Viewer)

pltrgyst

pltrgyst

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If you live in Florida, it might seem odd to travel to Aruba in August. But yesterday was our anniversary (12th or 25th, depending on how you count), and I wanted to get away and see if Nancy could really cope with being retired for a whole ten days.

We've been here before, and I have to say that in our experience, Aruba is the most civilized island in the Caribbean -- clean, safe, essentially no poverty and no crime, and the weather is absolutely perfect -- no hurricanes, daily high of 84-88, low of 73-75, all year round.

We have a bar on the beach about 50 feet from our hotel (Holiday Inn Resort) -- food is good, best Scotch is JW Double Black at $9 for a generous pour, could be worse.

Supper last night was at our favorite restaurant here, Papiamento -- outdoor dining at its spectacular best. A terrific bottle of Achal Ferrer, Mendoza, from a 30-page wine list; excellent meats, served on red-hot stones, at the cusp of barely done; a couple of rounds of Highland Park Dark Scotch and Ron Zacapa XO rum, all while listening to a very talented classical guitarist playing music from Bob Marley to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
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Toward the end of the week, we might grab a hopper to Curacao to see how it compares. But right now, it doesn't get much better than this...
 
Not that I dislike my life, but I would trade my past ten days for yours.

Well done, sir, and enjoy the rest of your time abroad! Meanwhile, who/what is guarding your chips?
 
If I recall, there was a casino in the Holiday Inn that had a sportsbook that I wagered on some horse races for shits & giggles. Since it was 10+ years ago, could be closed or changed. I would like to go back to Aruba, like you said, it is not like going to Dominica or Barbados where if you step out of the tourist areas, you are in abject poverty. Have a tiny Balashi beer for us stuck in the office.

Cheers,

BiGGyT
 
Been to Aruba and Curacao on my honeymoon cruise. Liked Aruba, but didn't get to see as much as I would have liked. Loved loved Curacao with the bright buildings and footbridge. The best part was the great snorkeling which happened to be on a topless beach. Thank you Mr Cabbie!
 
BiGGyT said:
If I recall, there was a casino in the Holiday Inn that had a sportsbook that I wagered on some horse races for shits & giggles. Since it was 10+ years ago, could be closed or changed. I would like to go back to Aruba, like you said, it is not like going to Dominica or Barbados where if you step out of the tourist areas, you are in abject poverty. Have a tiny Balashi beer for us stuck in the office.
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The casino is now called Excelsior. It's a middle-tier casino, doesn't offer much compared to Marriott's next door. No good chips. :(
 
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I recall one more thing about Aruba. It was late July and they said it only rains twice a year and of course it rained that day.
 
manamongkids said:
Been to Aruba 3 times now. I took a suggestion from a family friend about a restaurant, Madame Janettes, ouside/inside dining, live casual music, GREAT food. I would strongly suggest it to anyone visiting Aruba....
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We're headed there next Tuesday night.

We had lunch today up at the Tierra del Sol golf course, at the northern tip of Aruba, near the California lighthouse. Gorgeous setting, excellent food (including huge, plump mussels flown in from the Netherlands), a bottle of Marquese de Caceres Albarino, and this view, looking down the first fairway:

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That's the lighthouse in the distance, dwarfed by the radio tower...
 
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Live seeing/hearing this. Mrs. Payback and I have already started talking what we are going to do next year for our 10 year anniversary. She wants to go to the Caribbean (neither of us have been) and Aruba is one of the prime places we are looking at along with St. Lucia and St. Kitts and Nevis. Due to my work schedule we might have to go in early August/late July and don't want to hit hurricanes. Any suggestions or ideas that could sway our decision? Either way It's wonderful seeing your pictures.
 
Looks like a great place. Just cancelled our late September Bahamas trip due to the wife being pregnant and not wanting the risk Zika. I'll have to keep this in mind for the makeup trip. I love the Carrribean. I second the great pics. Keep em comin'
 
It was the Excelsior back in 04 when I was last there. Try Gauchos if you want a great steak. Also the Aqua Grill has great fresh catch of the day if you like fish.
 
Lil Tuna said:
It was the Excelsior back in 04 when I was last there. Try Gauchos if you want a great steak. Also the Aqua Grill has great fresh catch of the day if you like fish.
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Both are still highly recommended and advertised. Just like our area of FL, grouper is the dominant fish down here. You have to look to find anything else.

Dunno if swmbo wants downtown Oranjestad or the southeastern end by the Colorado lighthouse today, but off we go...
 
I liked Aruba when I went there back in '94. Had a great time at the craps tables and riding scooters around the island. We loved Boonoonoos Restaurant for the Papiamento food.
 
pltrgyst said:
The casino is now called Excelsior. It's a middle-tier casino, doesn't offer much compared to Marriott's next door. No good chips. :(
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Yeah, they were Chipco, not in great shape 10 years ago and the new ones are similar but meh.

Looking at the ChipGuide, there are not really any good chips currently available.
 
BiGGyT said:
....Looking at the ChipGuide, there are not really any good chips currently available.
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Agreed. The Stellaris BJs are the best of a pretty sorry lot. Not a single Paulson in the bunch -- I wonder if that might because they don't hold up in the heat and humidity, or if it's just that the Dutch stick with traditionally European manufacturers.
 
Just curious. How many of the casinos down there have card rooms now? When I was there in 04, I had to walk from the Hyatt to Holliday Inn to play poker. Games didn't normally start till 7pm and the 5-10 seven stud filled up quick. They had 1 holdem cash game, 10-20 if I recall correctly and they sat 12 to a table. Can't remember if the Radison had opened yet and the Stellaris casino at the Hyatt didn't have poker.
 
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We all know about European TV commercials, right? Well, how about European men's rooms? Here's the men's room at our favorite breakfast spot, A Taste of Belgium. Talk about pressure...
 
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The biggest casino in Aruba at 3pm on Saturady afternoon. Every seat is taken. Yes -- that's bingo.

This is the Stellaris, at the Marriott. The old nice BJs are gone -- now they are all the monkey chips.

The Ritz-Carlton casino is less than half this size, and has no poker tables.
 
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The Big Game -- 4/8 limit. in the Excelsior, every night.

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The rules. I wonder what #18 was...

One of the rooms is advertising a hold'em game with an option of playing against the dealer. I'll have to check that one out.
 

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