littleaussie
I tell people my daughters are 75% American and 25
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
Woohoo! A day at Aruba! This morning was another late start for us. We got up around 8:30 a.m. I cannot believe how late we sleep, must be on vacation! My parents called and asked what our plans were for the day. We had nothing booked so we said we would meet them on shore after we got done with breakfast. Went to Parrot Cay for breakfast for a buffet. Yesterday morning’s scrambled eggs were really runny up on Topsiders but this morning’s eggs were firmer. The kids do really well with breakfast but lunch and dinner are a hit and miss.
We finally disembarked after renting a stroller from guest services. For those who don’t know it, you can borrow a stroller (3 wheeled jogging type) with a $200 deposit. When you return it, they credit your account again for $200. It just so happens we met up with my parents right on the dock inside the gated area. Aruba has a tourist building inside the gates with a few small stores and an information center. Outside, you have to pass through the gates. There were people inside the building making balloon animals, which DD 6 lost hers right away so we had to backtrack because she cried hard. Outside, my dad had bargained with a tour guide couple to give us a 2 ½ hour tour for $15 each. Apparently, some of the tour guides have an agreement where they can park inside the gates and solicit business from the cruisers. This particular tourism business had a mini van and 1 driver and another guide who rode along and told us about the stops.
The 6 of us piled in and were taken on a tour of the island. I think they said Aruba was 19 miles long so it wasn’t very big. The weather was hot and dry in the high 80s. We traveled to some rock formation where we climbed up and were able to view 40% of the island.
Next we traveled around the country area and they told us about their government, schools, medical practices and the price of living. Then we went to the opposite side of the island which was the desert area. All of Aruba is rocky with scrubby brush and grass growing. There are hardly any domesticated animals raised for food, they rely on a lot of fish and seafood. Their water supply is pumped from the ocean and purified for them. I loved the Aruban version of a fence:
We did not see any green lawns except in the very rich part of town and the golf course.
The desert was really pretty and the ocean drive was scenic. We stopped at several places to take pictures and could stay as long as we wanted, we weren’t on a time schedule like other tours.
After the desert, we went to the “tropical area” and toured a gated community of rich people. We also drove by a new community being built which was only being sold to Americans. We got to see Sylvester Stallone’s former house.
Our final trip was along the oceanfront with their beautiful beaches and fancy hotels, apartments and condos. The beaches were gorgeous, white sand and all.
They told us there are no solicitors on the beaches (only people who will rent you chairs) and that the crime rate is less than 1%. Then we found out that everything is legal there like Marijuana, Prostitutes, domestic violence, etc. . .
I have to say I really enjoyed our tour and the guides were friendly. I would do it again if I got a chance and I liked the flexibility to be offered choices on what destinations to see.
After they brought us back, we walked around town for a while checking out the markets. I am not into Diamonds or jewelry so we didn’t go in any of those stores but they were plentiful. X, DD 6 and I walked several blocks to a bank to exchange some money. I wanted some for a souvenir. I went inside and there was a police officer standing there. He confronted me and told me to remove my cap. Whoops! I didn’t see the sign that said no hats or sunglasses. I felt really naughty after that.
My daughter bought a flute, and hasn’t stopped playing it. I think it may have to “accidentally” get lost sometime soon. I bought a few secret mickey gifts for the kids that we have to give to.
We got back to the ship around 1:30, had a quick lunch and then off to the pool. It was pretty quiet around the ship, everyone was gone.
Tonight was tropical night and Lumiere’s menu was A Taste of the Caribbean. My meal consisted of a Chutney Flat bread, a soup with seafood bits in it and a spiced roast chicken. They were pretty good. DD 3 fell asleep before dinner so we brought the stroller in and I got to have dessert which was some type of nut cake. It was pretty good also. The servers did a limbo show and Adrian grabbed DD 6. She pretended she didn't like it but I know she did. . .
Afterwards, the girls went with my parents to their room and X and I went to the show. Tonight was the comedian/ventriloquist Kevin Johnson. His show was funny, I am really enjoying the entertainment we’ve had so far. Kevin had a child volunteer first and spoke for the kid in a funny voice. Next he drew on some kind of board that came to life with a voice. His 3rd part was various puppets. He had an old man puppet that was hilarious. He alluded to the adult show later this week with this puppet and it sounds like a Not-to-miss event. I’ll have to go to that. We didn’t see many kids in the theater tonight, probably because most younger kids wouldn’t be interested. I think dd 6 would have enjoyed the puppets but most of the jokes would have been lost to her.
I ordered the DOD which was Go West. It was a pretty aqua color but was very strong. I had to wait for the ice to melt some before I could drink it all.
Now on to my surprise. I am swearing all these readers to secrecy and I hope there aren’t any of my cruise-mates reading this. I’ve discovered that later on next week, they are definitely having a cruisers’ talent show. I’ve rounded up some of the Dis-kids to perform a humorous dance skit. We’ve gotten permission to have a few practices somewhere on the ship and I think it is going to be really entertaining. I better not tell you what it is, don’t want to spoil the surprise but I am sure people will enjoy it. I’ve been working on the music today and have to fine-tune it some more.
Up next: Day at Sea – cruise casual – Show night in Animator’s Palate – Scott Record, impressionist for our show.
Random thought: I ran into our stateroom host right before I left to go ashore. I stopped and asked him if he needed anything and that I would be happy to pick something up for him in town. He was very grateful and thanked me and said he was going ashore at 1:00 p.m. I was assuming that most of the crew don’t often get to go ashore for necessaries. When we came back tonight, he had a whole bunch of chocolates and extras on our bed. I think he was really glad for the offer I made but I just wanted to help him out. I appreciate the service he has given us so far.
We finally disembarked after renting a stroller from guest services. For those who don’t know it, you can borrow a stroller (3 wheeled jogging type) with a $200 deposit. When you return it, they credit your account again for $200. It just so happens we met up with my parents right on the dock inside the gated area. Aruba has a tourist building inside the gates with a few small stores and an information center. Outside, you have to pass through the gates. There were people inside the building making balloon animals, which DD 6 lost hers right away so we had to backtrack because she cried hard. Outside, my dad had bargained with a tour guide couple to give us a 2 ½ hour tour for $15 each. Apparently, some of the tour guides have an agreement where they can park inside the gates and solicit business from the cruisers. This particular tourism business had a mini van and 1 driver and another guide who rode along and told us about the stops.
The 6 of us piled in and were taken on a tour of the island. I think they said Aruba was 19 miles long so it wasn’t very big. The weather was hot and dry in the high 80s. We traveled to some rock formation where we climbed up and were able to view 40% of the island.
Next we traveled around the country area and they told us about their government, schools, medical practices and the price of living. Then we went to the opposite side of the island which was the desert area. All of Aruba is rocky with scrubby brush and grass growing. There are hardly any domesticated animals raised for food, they rely on a lot of fish and seafood. Their water supply is pumped from the ocean and purified for them. I loved the Aruban version of a fence:
We did not see any green lawns except in the very rich part of town and the golf course.
The desert was really pretty and the ocean drive was scenic. We stopped at several places to take pictures and could stay as long as we wanted, we weren’t on a time schedule like other tours.
After the desert, we went to the “tropical area” and toured a gated community of rich people. We also drove by a new community being built which was only being sold to Americans. We got to see Sylvester Stallone’s former house.
Our final trip was along the oceanfront with their beautiful beaches and fancy hotels, apartments and condos. The beaches were gorgeous, white sand and all.
They told us there are no solicitors on the beaches (only people who will rent you chairs) and that the crime rate is less than 1%. Then we found out that everything is legal there like Marijuana, Prostitutes, domestic violence, etc. . .
I have to say I really enjoyed our tour and the guides were friendly. I would do it again if I got a chance and I liked the flexibility to be offered choices on what destinations to see.
After they brought us back, we walked around town for a while checking out the markets. I am not into Diamonds or jewelry so we didn’t go in any of those stores but they were plentiful. X, DD 6 and I walked several blocks to a bank to exchange some money. I wanted some for a souvenir. I went inside and there was a police officer standing there. He confronted me and told me to remove my cap. Whoops! I didn’t see the sign that said no hats or sunglasses. I felt really naughty after that.
My daughter bought a flute, and hasn’t stopped playing it. I think it may have to “accidentally” get lost sometime soon. I bought a few secret mickey gifts for the kids that we have to give to.
We got back to the ship around 1:30, had a quick lunch and then off to the pool. It was pretty quiet around the ship, everyone was gone.
Tonight was tropical night and Lumiere’s menu was A Taste of the Caribbean. My meal consisted of a Chutney Flat bread, a soup with seafood bits in it and a spiced roast chicken. They were pretty good. DD 3 fell asleep before dinner so we brought the stroller in and I got to have dessert which was some type of nut cake. It was pretty good also. The servers did a limbo show and Adrian grabbed DD 6. She pretended she didn't like it but I know she did. . .
Afterwards, the girls went with my parents to their room and X and I went to the show. Tonight was the comedian/ventriloquist Kevin Johnson. His show was funny, I am really enjoying the entertainment we’ve had so far. Kevin had a child volunteer first and spoke for the kid in a funny voice. Next he drew on some kind of board that came to life with a voice. His 3rd part was various puppets. He had an old man puppet that was hilarious. He alluded to the adult show later this week with this puppet and it sounds like a Not-to-miss event. I’ll have to go to that. We didn’t see many kids in the theater tonight, probably because most younger kids wouldn’t be interested. I think dd 6 would have enjoyed the puppets but most of the jokes would have been lost to her.
I ordered the DOD which was Go West. It was a pretty aqua color but was very strong. I had to wait for the ice to melt some before I could drink it all.
Now on to my surprise. I am swearing all these readers to secrecy and I hope there aren’t any of my cruise-mates reading this. I’ve discovered that later on next week, they are definitely having a cruisers’ talent show. I’ve rounded up some of the Dis-kids to perform a humorous dance skit. We’ve gotten permission to have a few practices somewhere on the ship and I think it is going to be really entertaining. I better not tell you what it is, don’t want to spoil the surprise but I am sure people will enjoy it. I’ve been working on the music today and have to fine-tune it some more.
Up next: Day at Sea – cruise casual – Show night in Animator’s Palate – Scott Record, impressionist for our show.
Random thought: I ran into our stateroom host right before I left to go ashore. I stopped and asked him if he needed anything and that I would be happy to pick something up for him in town. He was very grateful and thanked me and said he was going ashore at 1:00 p.m. I was assuming that most of the crew don’t often get to go ashore for necessaries. When we came back tonight, he had a whole bunch of chocolates and extras on our bed. I think he was really glad for the offer I made but I just wanted to help him out. I appreciate the service he has given us so far.
Oh well, there's still time.
and I am hanging on every word! Love living it thru you guys!
