Welcome to the Aruba Forum

~Amy~®

Sorry this took so long but we had a death in our family at the time and had alot to deal with when we returned from Aruba.

Here's the link to the trip report and photos (just click on the small photos within the trip report to make them larger):

http://www.aruba-travelguide.com/trip-reports/2014/amy-mike/

carolrd · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 12:57 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your report Amy. Loved the photos. I would love to visit the ruins you have been to, can you give me directions on how to get there?

Carol Cool

~Amy~® · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 1:28 pm Post subject:

Hi Carol -

It's on your way to Santa Cruz. Go inland at the light near the Balashi plant, pass by B55 (or stop for a cold drink - LOL!), and then look for the small sign that points toward Frenchman's Pass. Turn right at the sign. After going through Frenchman's Pass look toward your right for the ruins - you can see them from the road but not too well so keep your eyes peeled. When you see them just turn right onto the dirt road that leads there.

Lumberinc · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 12:38 pm Post subject:

Thank you Amy, as always, for sharing your trip with us. Glancing at the photos of the Amstel Bright's gets me even more excited on going! Interesting find on the ruins also. It's just amazing how structures can still stand after all the years-unlike the homes we live in today! Laughing

carolrd · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 5:52 pm Post subject:

Glenn · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 6:56 pm Post subject:

Hi Amy,

I'm thinking we both have impeccable timing. I haven't been on the bb for a week or two, then I sign in here and the first posting that catches my eye is your notice that your TR has been posted.

As always Amy, your TR is a really good read. The right mixture of information and personal insight. I always think it's that personal touch that separates our (And I mean yours and mine) TR's from things we can read in the tourist glossies or on the Tourist Authority websites.

The photos are always lovely and they have me asking a couple of questions. That drink you're sipping on; is that the Chilly Margarita? Looks almost too good to drink but oh, so refreshing! Second, I loved the look of the ahi. I often have that in Maui. When did you have the ahi?

Did I miss it or was there no El Gaucho on this past trip?

On a non-Aruba note; tomorrow is the last day of June. It feels like it has been pouring rain almost non-stop since we got back from Maui.

I'll close it off here. Take care and stay dry.

Bye for now,

Glenn

Corrine · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 8:41 pm Post subject:

I agree, Glenn, Amy's reports are always informative!!

Question (s) for Amy- what are Reflextions and The Wine Room??

~Amy~® · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 7:59 am Post subject:

Hi Glenn - no El Gaucho visit on this trip. L.G. Smith's was running a special for their anniversary so we decided to give a new place/new steak a try. It was really very good and we might go there again but....we'll be back to El Gaucho again, too. Wink

Yes, that's the Chilly Margarita (named by Peter the bartender) that I'm drinking in the photo. It's a frozen margarita with a Balashi Chill dropped into it. It was actually pretty good even though it sounds a little odd.

I LOVE ahi tuna (as long as it's a good piece of tuna) so I tend to order it when I see it on the menu. I almost always have it at Bingo's and I had it at one other place....trying to remember where that was....I'll have to look at my notes. Both were very good though!

Corrine -

Reflextions is the old Nikky Beach Club on Surfside Beach located next door to Barefoot. It's a nice place to hang out for lunch or happy hour, do a little swimming, etc. Just a nice break from the usual beach at your hotel.

The Wine Room - we LOVE the Wine Room! We went there for the first time last Nov. and loved it so had to go again. Some nights they do special tastings (which was what we did the first time) and other nights you can just go, have a few glasses of wine and some tapas, and just mingle with others. It's a small place and there really is no wine menu. But Monrick (your host and owner) knows so much about wine that you can tell him what you like and he'll set you up. Or you can tell him what you usually drink but want to try something new and he can steer you in the right direction there, too. It's located at Orange Plaza (on the main highway near Divi Links and the road that turns toward the hospital.)

Corrine · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 10:47 am Post subject:

The Wine Room is on my to-do list! It sounds perfect for something different to do at night. Where is it located?
Sorry that Nikky Beach closed. I enjoyed it but Barefoot's food was so much better. But Reflextions sounds like something different to do in the day, like you mentioned.

Thanks!

Glenn - Happy Canada Day!

~Amy~® · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 10:59 am Post subject:

Nikky Beach didn't actually close. They just had to change the name due to intellectual property rights of the company that owns the Nikky Beach name. It's the same owners, etc. - just a name change. It is a nice place to relax during the day for different scenery/different beach.

The Wine Room is located at Orange Plaza. Orange Plaza is a strip mall area on the main highway near the Divi golf course. Just look for the Red Fish restaurant out front - you can't miss it. But you might miss The Wine Room because it sits toward the back of the mall area. So just park toward the back and you'll eventually see it.

Here's their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Wine-Room/454618021290641

Just email Monrick (owner) the week you'll be there to find out which nights are tastings and which nights are "just drop by" nights.

Glenn · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 12:35 pm Post subject:

Good afternoon bb friends,

Hey Corrine, thanks for the Canada Day wishes. What could be more patriotic on Canada Day than etalking with my American friends, on the Aruba bb? I think Donna is switching between Y&R and Wimbledon while I'm posting this. Happy Canada indeed. Lol. Besides, national pride can be dampened a bit (literally) after four straight days of rain.

But this is the Aruba bb, and specifically Amy's thread, so let's get back on track. Is L.G. Smith's open for lunch or is it only open for dinner? Just thought I'd ask.

Last thing. There was a beach front restaurant opened about two years ago by a couple from Wisconsin. They served bratwurst (And I presume other things as well), and I think they were in the process of applying for a liquor license. Amy; are they still there? I haven't seen them mentioned in quite a while.

Take care Amy, Carol, Corrine et al. Enjoy the rest of your week.

Bye for now,

Glenn

~Amy~® · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 9:09 pm Post subject:

Happy Canada Day, Glenn! Very Happy

Yes, Scott's Brats is still there. They're located on the beach in front of the Playa Linda and are open for lunch and breakfast. They serve Bloody Marys so they must have their liquor license. Wink

Not sure if LG Smith's is open for lunch or not. I would guess no but....I've been wrong before. Laughing

Watched the U.S. get beat by Belgium today in the World Cup soccer match. We had a good run and got farther than anyone thought we would. It was fun! And now....we are hoping for the Netherlands to win! Wink

Corrine · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2014 6:18 pm Post subject:

Thanks Amy!

And you are welcome Glenn!