We left Houston on AA and
traveled to Aruba via Miami arriving around 2:30PM. Passing through customs was a breeze
and we arrived at the hotel at 3:20PM via taxi ($12.00). While checking into the Bucuti we
were greeted with a glass of champagne. Susan Biemans, co-owner, greeted us with a smile
and nice chat. Susan is a California native who has been in Aruba for over 15 years. She
and the entire staff were a pure delight.
We checked into our room on the second floor corner, checked out the beautiful ocean view
(looks just like the Bucuti Cam shot), unpacked in a hurry, threw our swimsuits on and
headed to the beach. Eagle beach has to be one of the most beautiful beaches we have ever
seen. It is a paradise for the over-40 crowd, with no crowding, no beach sports equipment
around (water skis, banana rides, parasailing, etc.). We liked the quiet atmosphere.
While on the beach we were supplied with a flag to stick in the sand should we want to
order something. Stick the flag upright in the sand, and a waiter comes to take your
order. We recommend the "Sex on
the Beach" and "The
Aruban Pina Colada".
The first evening (Tuesday) we dined at La Dolce Vita. Great atmosphere, good food, skimpy
wine list. We enjoyed it and will go back.
On Wednesday, we rose early and headed to the beach. As we are typical "beach
bums", we spent most of the day in lounge chairs soaking up the sun and reading.
Every hour or so we took a dip into the ocean. Again, there were relatively few bathers
and virtually no water skis or other water machines to look out for. We ate lunch at the
Turtle's Nest (connected to the Bucuti), which looks for all the world like an old Pirate
Galleon that beached itself in front of the hotel. The food was good and the service
excellent.
Wednesday evening we took the Kukoo Kunuku "Drunken Bus" tour and had the time of our
lives. The bus picked us up in front of the hotel ($50/person with a 10% discount from the
Visit Aruba Plus Card), and whisked us away
to a sitdown dinner at the Minister of Tourism's home. Included for the evening were a
drink and dinner at the Minister's home (he and his family were not
there, dinner included a salad, chicken breast and a chunk of filet mignon with veggies
and a sweet for dessert), and stops at five local bars (including the last stop at Carlos
and Charlie's). The first drink at each bar was free. We had a WONderful time, ended up
drunk (as were all on the bus (27)). The bus poured us out in front of the Bucuti around
1:30AM.
We snorkeled with Jethro and the Octopus. Met in front of the Holiday Inn at 8:30am. Set
sail at 9:00am. Included juice and pastries on the way to three sites. Snorkeled over the
WWII wreck, at Malmok and one other site. Very enjoyable with a sandwich lunch on the way
back.
Other restaurants visited: Madame Jenette's (wonderful), Jakarta (had indonesian
rijsttafel, very good).
All in all we had a wonderful time. And to top it off, we were pleasantly surprised that
U.S. Customs is located at the airport in Aruba. Therefore, we went through U.S. Customs
on-island and didn't have to mess with it back in the states. This was great as we were
exhausted after the whole trip and the flights back to Houston.
Bon Bini!!
Ron in Houston
