Aruba -- The Messy End

     Thursday, 4/16/15.

     I woke up pretty early, per usual, on this my last day in Aruba and my inner debate raged on. I really wanted to take one last swim before leaving but knew that I didn't want to carry a wet swimsuit and towel on the plane. As I was packing up the rest of my stuff and checking over the room, I found the bill had been slipped under the door. Yes, it was outrageous but it also said that checkout was at noon instead of 11 which would give me plenty of time to swim, eat, checkout, and be in the lobby by 1:15. Cool.

     It was almost like I had the entire ocean to myself. The boats were still anchored just past the cordoned off  area and there were a few early risers sitting out on the beach but there was absolutely no on in the water as far as I could see. The sun hadn't quite risen yet and it was overcast meaning no risk of burning my forehead again.

     One last trip to the buffet then I gathered my stuff and checked out. I waited in the lobby until the shuttle arrived then it was off to the airport. Customs was different than I remember from my trip to the Bahamas ten years ago. You go through Aruba customs first, drop off any checked bags, then pick the bags back up and go through American customs. American customs was automated making the forms we were given when we landed in Aruba completely useless. Well, at least I wouldn't have to bother with customs once I landed.  The only issue I had was that I couldn't get a window seat on the flight to Atlanta.  Oh well, I figured it was only a two hour flight so I'd have to rough it on the aisle.  No big deal.

     The flight from Aruba went off without a hitch.  I at least had my window seat on this flight and there was one other guy in the 3 seat row who took the aisle.  Awesome.  We even landed in Miami a 1/2 hour early, giving me enough time to grab some dinner ...

     ... And even more time besides.  My flight was supposed to leave at 9 yet it was close to 8:45 before I noticed that boarding hadn't started yet.  It was only by looking at the gate sign did I learn that the flight was delayed until 10:40 p.m.  Fun.

     I sat for a while until I couldn't stand  being around the family of hyper kids who were all making too much noise.  I wandered around the airport for awhile but got tired of lugging my bag around.  I'd bought a new collapsible bag for travel spillovers and while it did hold a ton, the soft body and long shape made it incredibly unwieldy.  I was more than ready to get the night over with.

     No luck there.  The flight was again delayed until 12:30.

     Again there were no announcements about these changes.  I saw people going to the counter to ask but that shouldn't have been necessary as we were all wondering what was up.  The kids had finally dropped off to sleep but everyone else was just restless and getting crankier by the minute.  Count me among the cranky.  I was tired and more than a little pissed that my vacation would have as bad of an ending as it had a beginning.

     And every time I opened that bag I got hit in the face with the smell of the leftover Cuban sandwich I'd had for dinner. Not a bad smell but I didn't really want it permeating everything in my bag.

     I had just started to nod off when I sensed movement around me. Okay, I guess we’re boarding even though once again there was no announcement.  At around 12:15 a.m,, we all silently filed onto the over-cooled plane. The captain came on and finally gave us an explanation for the delay. Apparently there was some bad weather in Houston and the crew who was supposed to be on our flight got stuck out there. This crew was trying to go to Houston and had to turn around because of the storm. So they were just getting caught up with the doings on this plane. Including the fact that the ground crew hadn't loaded the luggage yet. The plane had only been sitting there for FIVE hours. What the flying flip were they waiting for?

     Fifteen minutes after everyone had been seated, the ground crew was still doing their check and loading the luggage. Then the AC shut off. The cabin quickly got overheated and the smell of jet fuel filled the air. I went from really wanting to board this flight to really wanting to leave because the combo of the heat and the smell was starting to make me sick. For the second time during this vacation I felt like a trapped animal – really not the experience I was going for. The captain came on again saying he would just have to spend the whole trip apologizing to us. The plane was working on auxiliary AC that was spotty at best so he was going to route some air in from the ground. A few minutes later the cabin cooled down. The flight attendants started to pass out headphones as this evening’s morning’s entertainment would be comped to make up for all the issues. Too little too late as most folks just wanted to sleep.

     We finally got off the ground at 1:00 am – four hours after we should have taken off. There was turbulence but I really don’t think anyone cared. As long as we didn't fall out of the sky … whatever. I tried to get some sleep but with the woman next to me loudly snoring and anyone passing me on the aisle making me dodge so they wouldn't hit me, it just wasn't happening.

     We landed in ATL at 3:00 on a cold and rainy morning. MARTA had stopped running at least an hour earlier so I spent the flight trying to figure out what to do. I grabbed my bag and headed outside listening to the PA system telling me that the airport doesn't condone passengers soliciting unofficial transportation. Well, they shouldn't have stranded me in Miami then. MARTA was my only way back, I’m 20 miles from my car and another 25 miles from there to my house; what else am I supposed to do?

     Divine providence smiled on me for the second time this trip. A yellow checked cab pulled up and let this lady out (making me wonder where she was going at 3 in the morning). I ran up and asked the dude if he was busy. He said no, get in. I asked him if he took plastic as I had no money (in the 20 years I've lived in ATL I've taken a cab maybe twice so I had no idea how they worked). He said don’t worry about it, I’ll help you out. Get in. 

     Hallelujah!

     The reason he was so insistent about me getting in the car is that, like the announcement said, Hartsfield doesn't approve of cabs trolling the airport for fares. They could take his license if they caught him -- which is nuts in my opinion. He wasn't soliciting; he was just there at 3 in the morning when I had no other options. I went up to him so my hope is that he didn't get into trouble. We had a nice chat about both of our situations while he was driving and I kept an eye on that meter. I honestly think that if you even breathe in a cab it costs money.

     We pulled up in front of the job and he took my card for the $55 trip. I included a generous tip and he seemed surprised when he thanked me. “Dude. It’s 3 in the morning.” He helped me with my gear and I hoofed it through the parking garage to my car. I made record time getting home with no one on the streets. Plane got in at 3 and I was pulling into my garage at 4:30. If only all my commutes could be that fast.

     House is still standing, cat is still alive. Score. The house was freezing though. I had just turned on the AC for the season before I left only to come back to a house that was 64 degrees. Crawled into bed and despite being tired I was too wound up to get much sleep. Well, at least I had Friday off.

     I got up and took the car to the shop as planned. There was a recall on the airbags so no charge but the mechanic would have to keep it all day. The good thing about that is that Honda pays for a rental. A really big rental in the form of this huge white Ford F-something truck. I’m standing at the rental counter, punchy, tired, and with my mouth wide open as the attendant drives this behemoth into the bay. “This thing won’t even fit in my garage.” “Oh don’t worry you can just park it outside.” Brilliant.

     The truck was cool, though. It had satellite radio, a back seat, and this funky plastic key attached to a remote. But something was missing. How do I shift this thing? Turns out the gear shift is on the dashboard and looked just like a big knob for the radio. It only had park, drive, reverse, and neutral and it just took a few turns to get it moving. I had never seen anything like that before. I had to be careful driving it though, being tired and all.  Not to mention the fact that it was brand new (which encourages a lead foot), it was the length of a bus, and I could have easily run over one of those little European half-cars and wouldn't even have noticed. I’m not trying to catch a case just after my vacation.

     Sure enough, the Canyonero didn't fit in the garage (too long) so I managed to back into my neighbor’s garbage can before parking it in front of the house. Still too wired to sleep I puttered about the house until Honda called. They had checked the car while they worked on the airbags and discovered three issues with it; two that cost about a $100 apiece to fix and one that would cost close to $1000 … but we could hold off on that last one. Thank Odin. Sighing at yet another unexpected expense I told him to go ahead with the two smaller repairs.

     So to sum up; Aruba was beautiful and the Marriott was very nice but the whole vacation ended up costing 3 times more than I planned. The two hotels, the unexpected cab ride, the car I wasted $90 to rent, the $60 for the pet sitter (I swear it wasn't that expensive last time – and the sitter's bill had a note saying that tips are welcome!?!?), the repairs on the car … and I still have to buy a new mattress and a new pair of glasses. Despite hosing myself down with sunscreen, I still burned and I also have a very itchy heat rash on my arms and chest. Instead of feeling rested and having an island/vacation buzz, I just feel some kind of way. I won’t say the trip wasn't worth it because I did very much enjoy being on the beach (which was the point) but next time I’ll just go back to Hawaii. You get more for your buck and I truly love it there. 

     As for Aruba … ehhh.

Aruba -- The Sunny Middle

     Beach time!

     One of the reasons I decided not to post this blog day by day as I have in the past is because I didn't actually do much more than sit on my butt and swim in the ocean. As was my plan. I was in the water every day but Tuesday and loved every minute of it.  The area of ocean directly behind the hotel is cordoned off for swimmers and goes to a depth of about 5 feet. The water's calm though the weather was always windy.  The temp stayed at a balmy 85 degrees everyday and only rained for about a minute on one day.  Regardless of how the rest of the vacation went, this part could not be beat.

     Overpriced or not, the Marriott Stellaris is quite lovely. It’s a big high-rise hotel with eight floors (I was on the 6th so I had a nice sideways view of the beach), several shops, a Ruth Chris Steakhouse, some high end jewelry stores, and a nice medium priced restaurant. There’s a hot tub, a pool with a swim up bar, plenty of cabanas on the beach, and access to numerous water sports. I ate most meals at La Frite, the mid-priced restaurant that put on a very nice breakfast buffet. And since they offered me drinks upon coming to my table in the evenings, I did partake in some lovely tropical adult beverages. The bartender makes a mean Cosmo.

     Monday, 4/13/15, was my 44^th birthday. Wow. I don’t feel middle-aged. It’s not like I feel like a teenager or anything but certainly not middle-aged. Regardless of how I feel, my skin is definitely aging. I never got sunburned as a child – tans, sure, but no burns. Then I got horribly burned in San Juan a couple of years ago. With that experience still fresh in my mind, I brought plenty of sunscreen for this trip and made sure to reapply often. Didn't help; nor did my unexpected trek through the Aruban barrio on Sunday. Still burned the crap out of my forehead and nose and spent the next few days peeling. Huge strips of skin sloughing off, leaving distinctly paler skin behind … you know that’s just gross. I hate the peeling. This time wasn't as bad as San Juan but still yuck.

     I rented a car for the day on Tuesday only to realize that I needn't have bothered. I mainly wanted the car to go to the Hard Rock for a t-shirt but found that I could have just walked along the shore to get there.  The Hard Rock was part of a strip of stores and restaurants that led to a separate mall. Downtown Oranjestad is mostly high end stores that didn't interest me and further south of that was just more neighborhoods. Though the map the rental lady gave me showed points of interest around the island, I really didn't care. I meant what I said at the beginning of this trip. I didn't want to do much of anything except chill on the beach so I mainly just drove around aimlessly. At the very least the driving gave my skin a rest and I did manage to find that rarest of beasts; a hat that would fit my ginomous noggin. I wore the wide-brimmed straw hat for the rest of the vacation and that sucker really did its job. I didn't burn again for the rest of the trip and the hat managed to stay on my head despite the heavy winds.

     I did a lot of walking along the beach. Going to the left after exiting the hotel led to a bunch of other hotels including one called the RIU that actually had two buildings, one that looked like a castle and one that was an adults only hotel. Great idea but considering how expensive my hotel was I don’t even want to imagine how much that one cost. There were numerous piers that housed boats, restaurants, and stores. There were also stands for water sports including two I had never heard of before; surf-biking and fly-boarding. Yeah, surf-biking is exactly what it sounds like; a bike mounted on a surf board. I saw a couple of kids who seemed to be naturals at it but when one father tried to do it he couldn't even stay on the board. The fly-boarding was interesting. You have two people on a jet ski with a hose attached to the back. Boots attached to the hose hold a third person in place and allows them to ‘fly’ using the expelled water from the jet ski. It looked really cool when it worked though I couldn't help but think that people will come up with the strangest things to do on the water. I would have just been happy riding on the jet ski.

     Going to the right on the beach took me past the Ritz-Carlton, a big yellow hotel, and to some rough wooden shacks on bare beach. Locals were offering lessons on windsurfing and kite-surfing. The folks soaring over the water using the brightly colored kites just fascinated me. I went to this part of the beach everyday just to watch them. The students came by in the morning and spent most of their time just trying to stay on their boards and out of the water. I was rooting for this one chick who was having some trouble holding onto the kite while keeping her board beneath her. The instructor kept shouting instructions at her while she unfortunately face-planted. Twice. That can’t have felt good. 

      In the evening the pros came out and they were amazing. They made it look easy as they followed the breeze, coming in close to the shore only to catch some wicked air as they turned around and went back out to sea. Since I knew I’d be a face-planting fool, I didn't even think about trying. It would take several hours on the water to become even remotely proficient and I knew I didn't have the time or the patience. Maybe some other time. When I’m older and even less spry. Yeah. Good plan.

Aruba 2015 -- The Rough Start

   

     I haven't taken a vacation in two years.

     That's just wrong somehow.

     I have to keep reminding myself that I bought a new laptop last year which is where all my vacation money went. But still … no beach time and no plane ride makes Daphne an extremely antsy woman. Plus I'd gotten a new passport two years ago that still didn't have any stamps in it. Wrong, I tells ya! A nice trip to Aruba would take care of all of those needs.

     I'd had a few stressful weeks with horrendous traffic and odd weather so I was more than ready for my yearly personal spring break. I booked this trip with the express purpose of just lying on the beach and not doing nuthin'; no tours, no activities, no rental car. I didn't even want to jet ski or get on a boat, two things I really love. I didn't want to have a schedule to stick to or things to keep track of. I bought no guide book and did very little research on the place. As long as it had a beach and a clean place to stay, I was good.

     Some issues beforehand. I was a little worried about my head exploding on the plane. I was just getting over a sinus infection that had both my ears stopped up so I had no idea what the air pressure of a plane would do to me. Secondly, I had flaked on getting back to the pet sitter about looking after my cat, Beata. I'd contacted her by email and she'd responded by phone – to a person who rarely checks messages and never answers a ringing phone. As it got closer and closer to my Saturday, 4/11/15 departure, I kept thinking that the service would never get back to me and Beata would just have to rough it for the six days I'd be away. Fortunately the sitter was able to come on Friday to get the key and instructions. One less worry on my mind.

     Got up early on Saturday morning so I could catch the first train out of MARTA. Parked the car at the job (I do love being able to do that) and went to the station. An hour later I was at the airport which was way too crowded to be so early. It didn't help that I got in the wrong line and had to be rerouted since American was partnered with US Airways for the flight and I had to check in with them. The lines did move relatively quickly and I was able to grab a small meal before the flight.

     I went to Charlotte first which still baffles me, having to go north before I go south. I understand if Atlanta doesn't to do flights directly to the islands but it still seems stupid to have so few flights that even go through Miami to the islands. No, I have to go north. Whatever. Caught the next flight, waved to ATL when I passed over it (?!) and I was onto Aruba.

     I landed in Oranjestad airport and hey! My head didn't explode! I quickly found the shuttle I'd chartered and climbed aboard. I think the bus went to every hotel on the island, both the smaller hotels a bit inland and the big hotels along the shore. The sense of unease I'd had before the trip resurfaced as I watched every person on the bus get dropped off leaving only little ole me behind. I went to talk to the driver who had no idea where my hotel was. He had to get in touch with dispatch who in turn had to contact the hotel itself to get directions. Great.

     We finally got moving again, going further and further away from the beaches that I wanted. There are a lot of circles on Aruba streets reminding me of Europe until I learned that Aruba was originally a Dutch settlement. We went deep into the residential neighborhoods (making me wonder where the hell the guy was taking me) stopping eventually at a Wendy's. The hotel proprietor was waiting there to take me down the narrow street to the hotel since the bus couldn't make it there. Everyone else got dropped off at nice, established places while cheap me was piling into a strange lady's beat up old car to go to my hotel. I think I should have done some more research on this place than none.

     The apartment I rented was indeed settled around the pretty courtyard that was pictured online. It was also hot and tiny. I hated it on sight. The woman was very nice in showing me the amenities like the WIFI codes and the free soda, pack of crackers, and bag of Fritos that served for complimentary snacks. There was no phone but she'd be happy to make any calls for me which included calling for a rental car since there was no other food in the place and no grocery store nearby that I could see. Trying not to freak out, I nodded when she showed me her place next door (just ring if you need anything) and left me to my situation.

     I was racking my brain trying to remember the description of this place. There are certain things I assume when I see a hotel advertised online. I assume there will be a phone. On an island vacation, I assume that the place will be somewhere near the water – doesn't have to be on it but at least nearby. My hotel in Oahu wasn't on the water but it was a short two blocks away from Waikiki Beach. The apartment I rented in Myrtle Beach wasn't on the water either but I drove my own car there so I didn't worry about it. That place was also fully stocked with cookware, plates, and a full-size fridge. This was just … bad. No cookware, a mini-fridge, and, other than the Wendy's, no place nearby to buy food. And did I mention hot? There was an AC unit on the wall but I couldn't figure out how to work it. So much for making assumptions.

     Since I hadn't had anything to eat since breakfast, I decided to walk to Wendy's. The apartments were located behind a closed gate and while I had the code, it took me several attempts to get it open. Feeling like a trapped animal, I finally realized that you have to input the code and then turn the knob underneath the keypad before the door would open. Already frustrated and pissed, I really didn't need any additional challenges. I also didn't need the dog barking at me from the gated house next door.

     There were few lights along the street (more like a back alley) so I made sure to note where everything was. I got to the rather nice restaurant and ordered my food. When I gave the woman a twenty, she asked me if I wanted American change or florin. I didn't even know what she was talking about so I said American. Yet another tidbit learned, Aruba has its own money. I'd already figured out that it was mostly Spanish speaking but I also found out that there is another language spoken there called Papiamento which I'd never even heard of (turns out it's a mix of Dutch, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese).

     I ate my food and figured out my next move since there was no way I was spending my short trip in that place. I resigned myself to stay the night and call around on Sunday to see if there was an available room and if the hotel could send someone to get me. Back at the hotel room, I turned on the TV and figured out that the second remote was for the AC. Okay. I got it to work, figuratively speaking – it worked great as long as you were standing right in front of it. The bed was located a whole six feet away. Sigh. I spent the night trying to sleep while dogs barked outside my window and Spanish music drifted in. I was stifling as the room never did cool down and my legs kept trying to Charley horse on me for no apparent reason.

     I just wanted to lie on the beach. Was that too much to ask?

     I woke up early (hey! I did manage to sleep!), showered and immediately started to look up other hotels on my tablet. The WIFI worked but was spotty; every time I tried to book a hotel the connection kept dropping. I made a few attempts to use my cell but could not make a call. Then I left the room on the hunt for something, a phone, a cab, anything. It was early on a Sunday and nothing was open except for a gas station which, of course, had no phone. Great. Even though I walked for a while in both directions I couldn't see the water or much of anything but houses and small closed businesses. Oh, and roving dogs and chickens everywhere.

     I paced around in the room for a while before going out to ring the proprietor’s doorbell. No answer from her and since there was nothing else to do but watch TV, I said screw it. Turned off the lights and the AC, left the key on the table, gathered my stuff, and got on the good foot. I pointed myself towards the water and began looking for the first cab, hotel, or phone I could find.

     I got about a mile up the road when a red car pulled over just ahead of me. The passenger, a young woman with braces wearing a bright orange shirt, poked her head out and asked if I needed a ride. Are you kidding? “Can you take me to the Marriott?” “Sure.” Divine Providence! It turns out that the passenger worked at the Radisson which was just a few hotels down the beach from the Marriott. We chatted while I noticed that I had been miles away from just about everything. Sure, there had been some businesses along the road while I walked but I didn't bother to check them for a phone since it was so early in the morning.

     There are actually three Marriott hotels on the island. The one I'd looked up online was the Renaissance but I didn't see that one from the road so I chose the Stellaris. We pulled up in front of the hotel and I couldn't thank the ladies enough. I offered them some money for their kindness and both of them said no, no, you keep that and have a blessed day. Already done. Those ladies, whose names I didn't even get, truly made my vacation. I will be forever grateful to them.

     I think the Stellaris Hotel and Casino was the more expensive Marriott on the island. They had a room available but it would cost a hundred dollars more a night than the already high-priced room I'd found online. Whatever. While I could have easily walked to one of the other hotels on that street, I was already too through with this. I could see the beach just outside the reception area and that's all I cared about. The room wasn't ready yet but the hotel allowed me to store my bags and gave me a voucher for the hotel's facilities until I got a room number. I grabbed breakfast at the lobby cafe and headed straight for the beach.

     Ate and walked around until the room was ready as promised at noon. The room, like the hotel, was lovely. Two king size beds, a big TV, and a really nice bathroom with two of those bowl sinks that sit on top of the counter. Very nice. And cool! As in the AC was already turned on when I got there. I changed into my suit and hit the water. One touch of that initially cold water reminded me why I came here in the first place. The water is indeed very turquoise though you can't see to the bottom. It took some time but I did get used to it. Then I didn't want to leave. This is definitely my happy place; just floating on the water listening to the surf and staring at the sky. Ahhhh. After all the crap I went through to get to this place, I was more than ready to relax. The only reason I left the water that first day was because I had to go to the bathroom and I was craving meat. Meat and french fries – highly unusual for me since I don't eat when I travel but I decided to go with it.

     The Marriott serves a mean burger as well as something else I really needed – a drink. The house specialty is the Aruba Arribi and it was very tasty. The meal also opened with this delicious bread served with vinegar and olive oil and I absolutely gorged myself on it. I was so stuffed I didn't do much more than head to the room and lay down. It may have only been around 6 pm but I was exhausted. So happy to be out of that last place and finally starting my vacation, I was quickly sleep.