Wonderful Wyndham (The best Aruba trip yet)
June 27 - July 6, 2000
Sent in by: Juliane (family of 4)
We flew Air Aruba for the first time this
year. Everthing went like clockwork leaving Newark and the plane was only a 3rd full so i
stretched out and slept. (The flight home was only 45 minutes delayed ...pretty goood for Air Aruba abd we also few trough the airport
when we went back home). When we got to Aruba I didn't even feel like i traveled. Breezed
right through the airport and had our bags and were at Econo in a matter
of minutes. Econo
is the only place I will rent from but this was our first time renting with them. When we
walked into the office they knew exectly who we were and even had a picture of my daughter
from my
webpage. She was amazed. They also had a huge fruit basket that had to weigh
50 pounds for us. Why i have no clue but i was
emailing Belkis back and forth and we took a liking to eachother. The fruit was a
wonderful surprise and was enjoyed by all of us.
We then drove over to the Wyndam and
check in was also a breeze. We were in our ocean front suite in a matter of minutes.
Unpacked fast and headed down to the pool. It took a little over an hour before we were at
the pool from when we got off the plane. The pool at the Wyndham is large and free form.
Lots of fountains and the lounge chairs are great. They have thick comfy pads so you don't
get those nasty lines on your back and leg. There was also always one available. I also
always saw huts available. You can also rent a float for $5 a day from Pelican right there
on the beach. They even pick them up for you and bring them back at the end of the day.
They also come around with frozen fruit cabobs, cold towels, and spray you to cool you
off. They truly seem like they enjoy thier jobs and are wonderful and friendly. The one
who stands out is Jander. He runs all the activities by the pool and he is just GREAT.
They are constantly doing some kind of activity. From the usual like bingo to the fun ones
like Mens Sexy Legs, and Couples contest (my husband and i won this on our first day) to
see how well you know your mate.......also a orange dancing contest (we also won this)
where you have to dance with an orange between your forheads (we won with me
holding my 3 year old daughtr the whole time). These contests were tons of fun and we got
some great prizes for them. My husband even won full card bingo 2 different days. They
also have nice activities for the kids. Shell painting and one night they even had
campfire where they roasted marhmallows, sang songs, and played games for prizes. Martha
at the kids camp is outstanding as is everyone involved with it. She truly loves her job
and was always on the ball. They have a package you can buy fron the kids club for $10.95.
It consists of a great book that the kids can write thier memories in and glue pics in, a
t-shirt, a canvas tote bag, and a camera that when you get the pics developed it says
Wyndham Memories at the bottom of the pic. We got 2 and can't wait to get those pics
developed. They frozen drinks at the Tambu bar right there by the pool are great. One i
tried for the first time is Frambulan. It is a 3 layered drink. on the bottom is a shot of
melon liquor and the drik is like a pina colada but no pineapple and on the top grenadine
is poured over it. mmmmmmmmm yummy. There is also a similar one that is called a hurricane
but has Blue Curacao instead of the melon. Also yummy.
Also on property when you are
walking out to the pool is about 8 or 9 cages with the most wonderful birds i have ever
seen. Jose Garcia the birdkeeper has them out from about 10 to 1 everyday. They give you
kisses and sit on your shoulder. We took tons of picks with them and visited with them
everyday. We all loved those birds and they are taken wonderful care of. Jose takes care
of them better than any birds i have seen at any resorts. He truly loves his job. But
watch out if you have on earrings or buttons on your shirt. You won't have them after you
put the bird back. They will eat them off of you.
We really didn't eat there but the breakfast buffet was included in our package. Same food
everyday so it bacame boring quick. It is $15 per
person other wise. I would not buy it if it was not included. Now about our suite.
Weeeeeeeell it was great. When you walk in there is a long hall and a living room with a
pull out sofa (this is where the kids slept), table and chairs, and tv and cabinet with
shelves to store clothes and that is where the refrigerator was too. This room also had a
balcony. There are french doors that lead into the master bedroom. There was a king bed
and sooooo was it comfy. Lots of pillows and a feather bed. We slept like babies every
night. This room also had a tv. There was a second large balcony with a lounge chair,
small table, and chair. Now about the HUGE bathroom. I wanted to take it home. Glass
enclosed shower and HUGE jacuzzi tub (i used it every night and i am sure it helped me
sleep like a baby). It has a double sink vanity and a seperate vanity with bench for
putting on make-up. This is also where the coffee pot was. Then there is a two sided walk
in area for the closet. It also had an iron and ironing board.
I think the beach is windier down at
the Wyndham but it didn't bother us
at all because the resort is so wonderful.
The managers cocktail party on
Tuesdays is not to be missed and is
great. They have a limbo show (Vincent) and give away a free week and
litle gifts to anyone celebrating a birthday, honeymoon, or anniversary.
Do not miss this party.
Now for our dinners. Sorry forgot to
write the prices down on all of them.
1. Bucaneer, great
as usual. I had baracuda (yum) and hubby and son had
steak, daughter had fish fingers (very yummy). dessert all around and 1
pina colada $68.
2. El Gaucho,
excellent as usual. Just hubby and myself. We both had the
churaso steak and 2 desserts and it was approx $60.
3. 3 Little Birds,
excellent. 2 appetizers (goose liver and french onion
soup) entrees (lamb chops and salmon) 2 desserts (something fancy with
apples and caramel (yummy) and chocolate mousse (hubby liked it so much
we went for desert 2 other times with the kids for it). $109 with 2 drinks.
4. Tony Romas, well
you all know how Tony Romas is don't you? It was our
first time. We went with the kids. 1 pina colada, 2 appetizers, 2 rib dinners, 2 kids
dinners. approx $55.....good meal. Back to 3 Little Birds for choolate mousse for dessert.
mmmmmm.
5. Brisas Del Mar,
well this was a big disapointment. I have wanted to
go for a couple years and we finally did. I was not impressed and neither was my family.
The guys had steak that was very very small and over cooked. I had the Brisas Del Mar
special and did not like it at all but ate it because i was starving. Price was approx $70
and we left very dissaointed. Back to 3 Little Birds for dessert.
6. La Bouliabase,
great meal as usual but it has been better on our other
visits. We will return. There were no lamb chops for hubby. The waiter looked at us like
it was never on the menu. 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 2 dessert, 1 banana daquari. approx
$80. They accept Visit Aruba Card and gave us 10%
off the bill.
7. Back to El Gaucho
again, this time with the kids. We always say we
will go 2 times but neer do. This year we did it and are glad we did. My
stepson LOVED it.
8. Ruins Del Mar at
the Hyatt, by far the best meal we had on this trip. I had shrimp tempura salad for an
appetizer and hubby had ceasar salad. Carribean Lobster tails for an entree and hubby had
lamb chops. 2 chocolate mousse for dessert and 2 drinks. $118 with tip. We sat outside and
it is sooooooooo romantic. We will definetly go back and highly recommend it.
9. Flying Fishbone,
absolutly great. 1 appetizers, 2 entrees, 2 desserts, 2 drinks. $98 with no service
charge. Very romantic on the beach. Wear sandals so you can stick your feet in the sand
while you eat. I had lobster salad for an appetizer and Lobster for an entree also. Hubby
had...........you guessed it "lamb chops".......this is a place not to miss if
you want a romantic dinner.
Our activities:
1. Snorkeling with Pelican on the
afternoon sail. My husband and i each
took Ryan one time. The crew is sooooooo much fun and dragged me up to
stand on the sail for a pic. Lots of dancing and good times.
2. Diving with Unique. We wouldn't dive with anyone else.
They are just
the best and treat you great and are a great bunch of people.
3. Discovery Glass Bottom Boat. We
went for my daughter and it was
great. Went to 2 wreck sites and a reef. Lots of fish and very informative and it is a
covered boat so you get a break from the sun and the ride is smooth and only an hour and a
half.
4. Wave Runners.......we rented
these through Unique and had a blast.
Boat takes you down to Eagle Beach and back. They are new looking and
run FAST. What a blast we had. We split the half hour. Hubby went with
Ryan and I went alone. Wooo Hooo i flew and had soooooooo much fun. But
the 15 minutes i had on it was plenty for me.
Casinos:
We visited the Alahambra every
night. I didn't hit the progressive like last year but still came out way ahead. I
actually left Aruba with more money than I came with even afetr buying lots of gifts and
even jewelry. So all in all I did well. Each night i hit a jackpot of at least $100. My
husband also did very well playing the slots. Over the 10 days he hit at least 5 jackpots
and the last night won over $1000. We also played craps and won with that also. We played
at the Wyndham a little and did cone out ahead there also. The Casine at the Radisson is
good to and i hit a jackpot there one night. The Hyatt was a bust and I lost there. But
all in all I love the Alahambra casino. be sure to get the Lucky Buck coupon out of the
Aruba Experience book (wich we did every night) and you put it in a slot machine a can win
prizes or cash. We won lots of pens (and they are nice too). On Wednesday they have ladies
night and there is free chmpagne for the ladies and you get two chances in 3 different
drawings to win prizes and cash. I found the Alahambra had such great people there. The
staff is excellent and we can't wait to go
back next year.
Now for other stuff. The BB party was fun and we met lots of great
people. We had it at Pega Pega at Manchebo and they gave us yummy snacks and the drinks
were great. We had a turnout of about 20 or more. Roosje came out to be with us on her day
off. She is so nice and I hope to meet her again. She is also very attractive to boot.
Daphne (from Visit
Aruba) also came just to say hi to me. Also very attractive. But she couldn't
stay and we had hoped to get together but with time being so tight we didn't have a
chance. Maybe next year. But it was so sweet of her to come to say hi. Milie was also
there and she is such a sweetie (but more about her later).
Babysitters: We
used the same woman we used last year and she was great
but there was one morning that she was late (she has to take the bus) and we missed our
boat to go diving. We thought she wasn't showing up so we made other plans. When we came
back to the room there was a note from her. But this year we used Milie
to sit and my Alexis is still asking to see Milie. She is a wonderful girl. I really hope
we can get together with her in Atlanta when she goes back to school. Alexis misses her. I
highly recommend her but she is only there in the summer when she is off from school. But
hey that is when i go so it works out. We also met her boyfriend Leonardo who is very nice
and they make a great couple. There is also a new jewelry store that is on the
street behind the Seaport Mall called Dazzles. Very nice people and the prices are the
best i found. Definetly go and check it out.
Well all in all this was the absolute best Aruba vacation we have ever
had. We would definetly be back and stay at the Wyndham again. I was so
sad to go home this year and I told hubby next year he can go home with
Ryan and I will stay for a few more days with Alexis to hang by the pool
and beach. If anone has any questions just
email me and i will help in
any way i can. Sorry about the spelling errors and that it was sooooo
long but i hope you enjoyed reading it.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!! <><
JULIANE, MOM TO ALEXIS 7/28/97
Check Me Out !!! http://community.webtv.net/JKARshaw/ALEXISMARASHAW
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