|
Aruba |
|
|
Aruba |
|
Saturday : July 10, 1999 |
|
 Sonesta Suites |
We left the USA in the morning and arrived in Aruba in the afternoon. We traveled with Apple Vacations and flew with UPS Charter. The plane was very crowded but the food was ok. When we got there, we walk around the capitol, Oranjestad. It's a small city that is similar to most seaside towns in the states. We ate dinner at Wendy's and went to bed. (I was tired.) We stayed at the Sonesta Suites. It's a nice suite style hotel near the water in the downtown area. |
 View from Our Hotel Room |
|
| Sunday : July 11, 1999 | |
 One of the 2 white Bengal tigers which is housed at Seaport Marketplace |
Ate breakfast at McDonald's and went to an Orientation meeting with DePalm Tours. It was worth it but a little chaotic to sign up for activities. It rained !!! Contrary to popular belief it does rain in Aruba. However it didn't last long.Ate lunch at Waterfront Seafood, a nice place in Seaport Marketplace. I had Buffalo Wings which were very good. My Parents had Fish and Chips. (Also good) Went swimming at hotel pool. We ate dinner at Sabarros (Pizza) and went to Seaport Casino. |
 Another view of the tiger |
|
| Monday July 12, 1999 | |
 Macaw Parrots that live on Sonesta Island |
Had bagels for breakfast in the room and went to Sonesta Island. Sonesta Island is a private island owned by Sonesta Suites and Hotel. It is quiet and nice. I went snorkeling. This was my first time and I went there to practice. The water is very calm and fairly clear. However, there wasn't anything to see except for one fish. The island is home to captive parrots and iguanas. There is also a flamingo that lives on the island. That evening we went to dinner and a show. We ate a L'Escale, a very good French restaurant. I had Chicken with rosemary sauce. (Excellent). After dinner, we went to see "Hot Tickets". It's a Las Vegas style show featuring singing and dancing and a white Bengal tiger. It was very entertaining. |
 After the show "Hot Tickets" One of the tigers is on the stage |
|
| Tuesday, July 13, 1999 | |
 The Atlantis Sub being towed to the dive site |
Mom and I went on the Atlantis submarine. It's a slightly expensive sub ride through the coral reefs of the island. It was terrific. I saw hundreds of colorful tropical fish and many varieties of coral and the shipwreck "Mi Dochi". It means my sweetheart. I would highly recommend this unless you scuba dive. The sub reach a depth of 150 ft and the trip lasts about 50 minutes. The total experience takes about 2 hours which includes a ferry out to the submarine. For dinner and entertainment in the evening we went to the "Bon Bini" Festival. It is on every Tuesday night at 6:30 PM. Get there early for a seat. It fills up fast, we had to stand. They serve local food and have live local entertainment. Also, some local crafts are available. The food was average but the show was worth it. It is held at Fort Zoutman in Oranjestad. |
 A fish viewed from the submarine |
|
 View of Atlantis Sub from the ferry boat |
|
| Wednesday July 14,1999 | |
 Natural Bridge on the Aruba Safari |
 A small blue/yellow fish seen while snorkeling |
 Mom and Dad near California Lighthouse |
|
| Went on the Aruba Safari (DePalm Tours). They take you on a air conditioned bus to most of the points of interest on the island. The tour was ok. After the tour they take you to DePalm Island, another private isle this one owned by DePalm tours. They served lunch which was ok at best. The best thing a DePalm Island is the Snorkeling. The island has a coral reef on one side. I swim with hundreds of fish. It was wonderful. That night we ate a the Driftwood, a seafood house. Dad said the fish was great. I had chicken pasta, it was ok. | |
 A fish seen while snorkeling
|
|
 Another fish |
|
 Another fish seen while snorkeling |
|
| Thursday July 15, 1999 | |
 Toucan at the Hyatt Hotel |
Breakfast at Waterfront Seafood. I had the Western Omelet. (Very Good) After breakfast, we went to the High Rise Hotels. We took the public bus. It is good cheap transport and goes to most populated sections of the island. Doesn't go to Baby Beach. The high rises hotels are beautiful. My favorite is the Hyatt. It is set up like a tropical rainforest with parrots and other exotic birds. All of the high rise hotels have casinos. I like the on at the Marriott the best. Near the Mill restaurant is the Bulali Bird Sanctuary. It is a little seen part of the island. If you like to take pictures and have a zoom lens. Go there. Ate dinner at El Gaucho. It is an Argentinean Steakhouse. Get the second item on the menu a big steak Argentinean style. (Excellent) |
 The Jolly Pirates |
|
 A blue macaw at the Hyatt Hotel |
|
| Friday July 16, 1999 | |
 View from Bulali Bird Sanctuary |
Went Shopping. It's not cheap to shop in Aruba but they have all kinds of stores. We bought souvenirs. Mom bought jewelry. Ate Dinner at Don Carlo's on the water. It's an open air Italian place. The food is very good and you get plenty of it. |
| Saturday July 17, 1999 |
|
| It rained again. This time most of the day. Ate at Sabarro's. And went to Seaport Casino again. Then it was time to go home. Our flight was in the afternoon. We took the DePalm bus to the airport. The airport sucks!!! It is old, small and confusing. We had to go through Aruban customs, security and US immigration before boarding the plane for home. | I didn't want to go but our vacation was over. Aruba is a wonderful place. I had a great time and would recommend it to any one. |
| Animals |
|
 An iguana |
Many types of animals live on the island. Some are native and other are feral imports. The native ones are birds, including parrots, heron, pelicans and seagulls and lizards (iguanas and geckos). The feral animals include burros, goats and dogs. |
| Casinos The Casinos are small by Las Vegas standards and have most of the games. A game that was invented in Aruba is very popular there. It is called Caribbean Stud Poker. It has a high wager so, I didn't try it. I played Roulette and Video Poker. Blackjack is a little different. The dealer's second card is dealt after all players have gone and they hit on soft 17. |
 Me on a Boat |
