Aruba #2

Aruba trip #2
First document ended up with our trip to the Dutch Pancake House and meeting the cool bunch of kids. Monday morning, we headed out to the grocery store, but on the way made a side trip to the tip of the island. (it is very close to us) We saw the area quite near us where we can go snorkeling and all kinds of wild goats near the lighthouse on the tip of the island. Also saw some beautiful Aruban residences, overlooking the water, big $$$$. We went off to the local IGA (via a stop at McDonalds for breakfast) to shop for some “stuff” for our 2 week stay here. The grocery store called XXXXX was quite interesting. Was a large store, but was slam full of folks shopping. Also, it seems like Monday is the day they stock every shelf in the store. So in addition to the 38 million shoppers, every isle was clogged with carts of material waiting to be restocked. Seems like the Aruban grocery store clerks union has negotiated some interesting work rules for them. Most of the restockers were standing around dividing their time between chatting vigorously in the native language, and restocking the shelves. (about 70-30% 70 chatting, and 30 restocking) Some of those who didn’t have someone close by to chat with were talking on their cell phones with one hand while restocking with the other. All the prices in the store were in Aruban Florins. Conversion involves dividing by 2 and adding 10% so 2 Florins comes out to be about $1.10 US. Still the prices are quite high on many items. This is due to the fact that everything in Aruba must be imported. Only thing they grow much of here are Aloe Vera plants and Iguanas, neither of which is immediately edible. It was, however, great fun looking through the very different offerings in the store. Because Aruba was in the past a Dutch colony, they still have very close ties with Holland. Because of that, this is cheese heaven. The deli section had a great selection of meats and cheeses with a Dutch flair. Bought some incredible Edam, goat cheese, and unfamiliar, but interesting lunch meats. Also had fun substituting European products for our normal brands. Bought mustard, mayo, and other condiments, passing up the standard American products, and going for the stuff I couldn’t read the labels on. After checkout, we loaded everything in the Suzuki something or other we have for a rental car, and carried back to the resort. One of the bell guys was more than glad (for a fiver) to help us upstairs with our purchases. After stowing stuff, it was off to the pool and lazy river for an afternoon of exquisite indolence. For dinner, we got reservations at La Fondue D'Aruba. Corky and Judy had been there before and also were familiar with fondue in general. Enroute to La Fondue, we once again saw all sorts of back street sights in Orangestad (lost again but having a big time). I hate to say it, but I sold my 6 or 8 fondue sets received for wedding gifts back in the 80’s. Fondue has been making a big comeback of late. Vickie and I just have not been on the cutting edge of this gastronomic experience (never had fondue). With the able tutelage of our food mentors, we sailed through our first fondue experience, and enjoyed the trip. Of special note is the desert fondue (which it seems is why folks eat fondue in the first place) that was wonderful. We ordered the large desert for four, and the 50/50% dark and white chocolate. The owner offered us serving the white and dark separately (usually swirled in one pot), and each couple got a plate of fruit, pound cake, brownies, marshmallows, etc for dipping. Suffice it to say that it was some of the best chocolate we’d ever tasted. (hum Dutch chocolate—just made the connection, duh) Tuesday morning, Vickie and I had an appointment with the Marriott dude, to talk about joining the “Marriott Family”. Guy was very interesting, before working for Marriott, was a photographer for Wind Surfing Magazine and spent his time shuttling around the world in the windsurfing scene. (he was pretty cute—I think Vickie wanted to have his children) In any event, to make a long story short, we realized the merits of joining the Marriott family, and are now the proud owners of a week at a two bedroom condo in Aruba every year. It has a lot of advantages for Vickie and I planning to travel a lot. Also, as one of the perks, we essentially got a trip, including airfare and lodging, to anywhere in the world. After our morning with the Marriott folks, we adjourned to the beach this time instead of the pool, and parked ourselves under a palapa (Vickie and I call it a tiki hut--one of those ubiquitous thatched thingies you see at most tropical resorts). Spent some time swimming in the ocean, and watching the sun go down into the water. Corky struck up a conversation with some local fishermen looking for a past acquaintance that had taken him fishing quite successfully. (I believe he and Vickie were cut from similar cloth in the “they never met a stranger department”) Spent some idyllic time on the dock watching the local guy throw fish guts to the birds, and chatting. As we departed the dock, I struck up a conversation with a couple who had a late 70’s Toyota land cruiser (when it comes to vehicles, even I can meet folks). Turns out the guy’s name is Vader (not Darth), and he runs a jeep outing on Thursdays. (among other offerings like deep sea fishing and iguana wrestling) This sounds like it is not your run of the mill structured tour. Told us to contact this specific Jeep rental place and “tell them you are going with Vader so give you one with good tires”. He supplies the coolers and does the guiding. You supply your own supplies and the rental jeep. We think this might be in our future. For dinner we went just down the road to the Radisson that has a dinner buffet. This night was Italian night, and the food was great. There was a musician performing guitar with a drum machine. I sensed there might be more to him than what he was doing to pay the bills. Corky struck up a conversation with him, and as it turns out, he was a heavy metal rock n roller who did what he had to do to pay the bills. Also turned out his father was an Italian violin maker, and he had recently constructed his own electric guitar that as he said, was just right. Such an interesting assortment of people on this island. Finally off to bed and Vickie to the casino.