MARCH 21ST  -  ARUBA

 6 HRS -17 MIN

Today was a beach day.  We arrived at the beach at 10a.m and left at 4:17.  An absolutely gorgeous day.  Susan reserved a thatched roof hut for us to get an occasional break from the sun.  The water was like a sheet of glass and BLUE!

Some random shots from the beach.

I've done this twice.  No need to do it again.

Not too much to say about laying on the beach.  I have to say I was surprised that the resort we're in has someone spread your resort provided beach towels on the lounge chair for you when you arrive.  This was a first for me.

I also learned that there are no red (stop) lights on the island, but, oh the circles!  I don't know that I would be comfortable driving here.  They are very aggressive drivers.

Also, only Aruba born people can be taxi drivers.  The island is 19 miles long and 6 miles wide and there are 515 taxi drivers.  There is a trolley downtown, a bus system and taxi drivers everywhere!  They are all independent drivers, so they put in any hours they want.  I've lost count of how many taxi's we've been in.

Today was also laundry day.  Free use of the washers and dryers is a very nice touch.  After a quick hamburger for dinner out of the way we played cards for a bit and Walt went to bed.  A half hour later Susan retreated to her room and here I am writing this and after I post this next picture I'm heading to bed.  That sun takes it out of you!.  Goodnight all!.

PARADISE!

;1

 MARCH 20TH  -  ARUBA

Today was a busy day!  After breakfast we headed out to the nearest bus stop.  Scenery from the bus.

We were headed to Palm Beach for a couple hours of SHOPPING!  Somehow Walt ended up with two new shirts! We go on vacation and he ends up with a new wardrobe!  I did manage to get a new sweatshirt.  I first saw the one I wanted in a main street shop but it was $59.00.  I would never pay $59.00 for a sweatshirt!   Saw the same sweatshirt one block from the main shopping corridor for $35.00.  I snatched that right up!    Now {idid see something I had never seen before, a motorboat in a mall.  We saw this canal.....

...and then darn if we didn't see a boat come from under the bridge to drop off his passengers, turn around and head back out.

It was getting warm so we stopped to get something to drink.  Walt's beer this week.  CHILL!

We saw this double deck bus as we were sitting in streetside bar.  I would like to ride this but only if I could sit in the top deck.

All around town are these blue horse statues in different poses.

There was a swing for picture taking .....so we did, (Susan insisted on the kiss)

There was anchor so of course that turn into another photo op.

I don't have a clue!

Having shopped till we dropped we limped our way back to the bus station, exhausted.  We hung out in the condo until it was time to get ready or dinner.  

The elevators at the condo are very colorful and I finally got a chance to take these pics because for once there was no one in the elevator.

Susan took us out to dinner at Daniel's, a very popular restaurant.

We chose outdoor dining and the waitstaff couldn't have been more attentive but not so much that they were annoying.  We all ordered steaks, baked potatoes, plus an appetizer crab cake for Walt and I to split.  Susan and I also ordered the roasted Brussels sprouts.  Everything was absolutely cooked to perfection.  Our waiter has been working at the restaurant for nine years.  I'm guessing they make really good money here and that's why he has stayed so long.  The menu is ala carte and the baked potatoes alone were $11.50 apiece.  This just blows my mind because just two weeks ago I bought 2 10lb bags of potatoes for $5.00 total!

Saw this giant Buddha, photo op!

When we got back from dinner, we headed to the beach to catch the sunset.  We found the beach all tidied up, ready for tomorrow.  One reserves a hut and chairs for beach time.

We are so not good at this!

Now for the sunset....

No one in one of the larger pools.

What a day this has been!  Tomorrow is a beach day!

MARCH 19TH  -  ARUBA

ITS A POOL DAY

Susan started our day with a bacon and egg breakfast.  We needed to go to the store a second time and this time Walt went with us.  We wanted him to see the crazy!  We weren't disappointed.   I really should have taken my camera with me.

Today is a pool day.  On the way to an empty umbrella and chairs we passed this.  This is the biggest one I've seen so far.

THE POOL AREA.

FOUND YA!

Pool time!

Too cold for me.

Every day at 2.30 bingo is played around the pool.  Cards are $2 and three games are played.  Today's games played $34, $56 and $270,  The same woman won all three games between 2 cards.  The last game she did have to split it with another woman.

You can run......

...but you can't hide!

Easing his way in.

Another early night, this sun really takes it out of you.