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.