March 16th - NORTH CAROLINA & OUR DESTINATION

We landed in North Carolina at 6am and we had an hour layover before we took off for our final destination.  Plenty of time to get breakfast, at the very least, a bagel.  NOT!  The airport was crazy busy and we had to wait for wheelchairs and attendants.  The lines at the bagel places were long and we knew we didn't have enough time. We got to our gate only to find that the ones who already boarded were deplaned and moving to another gate and a different plane.  So we made the move too.  Back on a plane sooner than we were ready for.  The seats are tiny, hard and give one no real leg room.  BUT.... flying but sure beats driving in getting from point A to point B. I fly, but I don't really enjoy it.  Does anyone?

Four hours.  Four long hours and we'll be there!  Finally!  As soon as we were in the air the pilot told us about major storms and that we had to fly around so our arrival time would be stretched to 15 to 20 minutes longer.  Oh damn!

Ok we landed and were expecting an easy time of getting through customs.  Our passports were new and the other paperwork needed was in order.  Or so we thought.  Walt was denied entry.  This was an OH SHIT moment!  WE HAD BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH!   I had our entry documents, but the lady couldn't find where it was paid for!  It was!  We weren't the only ones going through this, While we were there six other travelers were flagged for the same thing.   I think its a racket!  I paid the money AGAIN. RELUCTANTLY BUT I GAVE THEM ANOTHER $20.

So now we're in country and we hear, Snookie!  Walt! over here.  We turned and there was Susan from Delaware who invited us to spend the week with her here. She landed 15 minutes after us.

We cleared the airport and went outside to get a taxi.....along hundreds of other people.  It moved very fast. a taxi drove up, entire families and all their belongings disappeared within mere minutes.  We got into our taxi and Susan asked if our driver would drive past a particular landmark so I could get a picture. He said, "No problem"!  So here is where we are....  scroll down

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Yep, we're in Aruba for a week, staying with Susan who has a timeshare condo in the Marriott Ocean Resort.

I'll tell ya right, there is no way in hell I would drive here!  These people are freakin' crazy!  I noticed when we got in the taxi Susan asked right away what fare would be.  There is a list posted of what fares should be from one place to another and if it was too much you just refused that ride.  It keeps the taxi drivers honest and saves tourists from being ripped off.  Our driver was very friendly and spoke perfect English.  I asked if that was the native language here and he explained that one graduated from school each student could speak four languages fluently.  English, Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch.

Our driver also advised us that if we were going grocery shopping to go today or tomorrow because on Wednesday all stores would be closed because the King of the Netherlands was coming.  There will be a big celebration and parade.  Looks like we are here at the right time.

I just love the colors of the buildings.

Everything has been freshly painted in honor of the King's visit.

Arrival finally at the resort.  Luggage for three people for 7 days.

We got up to the condo and it is very nice!

I lost count on how many pool there are.  Five or six I'm guessing and the beach just beyond.  Every guest is given two beach towels everyday.  Bingo is played everyday and the bingo pots are quite large.

These resort guests are playing while standing in the pool.

I saw this passing by out in the water.

Since none of us had eaten since breakfast the day before, food was in order.  We went to a resort outdoor restaurant.  We all had burgers and fries.  I had a coke, Walt had a local beer he really wasn't crazy about and Susan ordered her favorite drink which was on special, so she ordered two.  

Our bill came to a little over a hundred dollars.   A bit pricey in my book but we are in Aruba at a resort.

Back in the condo we unpacked and made out a grocery list.  

I didn't expect to these scurry by while eating lunch.

Walt took much needed nap and Susan and I took a taxi to the grocery store. 

MAJOR MAYHEM!  The grocery store was nuts!  So incredibly busy and it was hard to shop because of the different languages the product names were written in.  The carts!  The carts were barely steerable as they had a mind of their own.  I held on to the front and tried to guide it and Susan pushed holding on to the handle.  For no apparent reason the cart would just slide sideways. And all the carts did this!  Add in hundreds of tourists and locals and it was just NUTS!  And EXPENSIVE!  everything is flown or arrives by boat.

Well, I'm just beat.  Walt and Susan have gone to bed, and I stayed up to get this caught up.  Susan has a busy week planned for us including a couple of tours.  You all should be familiar with Aruba by weeks end even if you've never been here, if I do this blog right.

More tomorrow.