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- Sea Breeze Apartments, 23 July - 7 August, 2003
By Frankie and Lesley Colclough
Sunday
The morning was a lazy day by the pool.
The afternoon was action packed. We went to the airport to re-confirm our flights and then hire a car. We went straight to Jansen to give them a second chance, they had already been unable to help us when we e-mailed them from England. We had wanted to rent a jeep for two weeks, they said they had nothing available. We are glad they didn't or we would never have had the fun on the bus! Anyhoo! We tried to rent a car for three days - once again they had nothing. So we went to Economy who gave us a little white car and discount 'cos we had our Arubaplus card.
We drove to Moombas - the place was rocking. There was live music, Happy Hour 5-7, Beautiful people, Party Atmosphere and a busy beach. (No Marlene though) -see my photos. I sampled some Amstel Brights again followed by.........no notes available....a variety of cocktails.
We had our evening meal at Moombas (more cocktails, including cocktail of the day? week? moment?) The evening finished back at the SeaBreeze talking by the pool to a Dutch family for hours!
The next part involves our trip to the Police Station. I will have to psyche myself up for this and post it before I go to work tomorrow!
Monday 4th August
We drove to the beach - you know - Manchebo! We stayed there for a few hours and then we headed off to Taco Bell for lunch, the family we were talking to last night had mentioned that they had been eating there - so they put the idea in our heads. We do not have Taco Bell over here in THE 51st State, so it was different. I recall that line in Demolition Man "Taco Bell was the only restaurant to survive the Franchise Wars. Now all restaurants are Taco Bell."
After filling up with "carbs" including Grape & cherry, we went on tour. First stop The California Lighthouse, there are some excellent views from up here, I also took a nice photo of Lesley by lying on the ground. W then proceeded along dirt tracks in our "Little White Car".
I found the piles of rocks very amusing. The car was shaking to bits and Lesley wanted to turn back a number of times, we were passed by Jeeps, 4WD, Humvees and an Abrams Tank .... Eventually we made it to The Alta Vista Chapel where Lesley gave thanks for our survival.
The chapel was very pretty and I am glad we made the trip to see it!
After our Bone Shaking adventure we decided to go to The Natural Bridge via regular paved roads, as far as possible!
We arrived at the Natural Bridge just after 5pm, the gift and snack shop was just closing, so here is a little tip - get there earlier if you want to buy anything.
We were having such a good time on Aruba, everyone we met was so friendly, we felt totally safe, you did not have to look over your shoulder anywhere, cars slow down to let you cross the road, we totally relaxed and left one of the car doors open - never thinking that the WORST could happen.
We took some pictures of the bridge and a few more of a Pelican fishing - I love those pelicans!
We returned to the car to find disaster had struck. Both of our backpacks had gone, inside those backpacks was everything one would not want to lose. Passports, credit & bank cards, cash (Sterling, Dollars, Florins), Driving Licence, 64mb card full of pictures, pentax 110 camera with BB Party pictures, Diary, address book etc etc etc.
(I knew this would happen - I am getting Depressed recalling these events)
It took a little while to get the police called, the wait seemed like forever. Some of the other visitors to the Bridge tried to comfort us; two of them gave us some cash, as we were now penniless. Thank you whoever you are.
Lesley was crying so much that people were staring at us like I was some sort of wife beater. I went off in search of our bags as it was possible that they had been dumped somewhere after being looted - no such luck. I climbed halfway up the hill behind the bridge, getting sunburned for my trouble - did I mention that they got my factor 35 suncream as well!
Anyway the Police arrived and they told us that they had had two calls about the same time, Us and two bags found by a woman, they said they came to us first as it was much more serious.
They took the details- including a full description of Marlene's present - which it turned out was still in the back of the car.
We had to go to Santa Cruz police station and wait while the officers went to the other report about the bags. Lesley was adamant that they would not be our bags! I told her that they would be as it was a small island and that there could be no way that another two bags had got dumped. We found the police station after a couple of wrong turns.
We waited at the police station for a while; the officers arrived with both of our backpacks. I believe Lesley embarrassed the young cop when she jumped up and hugged him. I spared the female officer the same ordeal.
Most of my stuff was still there (except cash, camera, 64mb card), Lesley was missing her handbag with all the essentials. The officers said that the bags had been dumped out of a moving car and that they were going to go back out in the dark and search for our stuff. That would NEVER happen in a million years over here!
We were waiting to sign the police report when they returned with some bits and pieces - lens cleaning pen, deodorant!
We had to head in to the Internet cafe (any excuse!) to cancel all of Lesley's cards. Then we headed back to the SeaBreeze to await the police who were coming with the statement for us to sign.
Down in the mouth.
When the friendliest, most helpful police force in the world arrived at the SeaBreeze they had Lesley's handbag with them! Passports, Credit cards everything returned. Those thieves must have been desperate for my holiday snaps.
The police report that we had to sign was in Dutch. It was so funny trying to read it, as none of the four of us could really understand it. I think we have agreed to an all expenses paid return trip to Santa Cruz if there is ever a trial. At least that what I hope it said! After the police left I was finally allowed a drink - I sat at the poolside with the Dutch man discussing crime.
Tuesday
We woke up feeling depressed after being robbed, it took us hours to motivate ourselves to get back on the tourist trail but we did. I said to Lesley why should we let one or two losers spoil the end of our holiday.
We went into Town, did the internet again, did some last minute shopping, Aruban Licence Plates, and then we headed off to Lindas, on the way took another picture of King Ribs as it was one of the lost photos (unfortunately we have lost the pictures of Lesley cooking the ribs). We found Lindas after a few missed turns; we had a nice late lunch and chatted to Linda (discovered that her son was one of the 400 students going to Holland to study whose flight was delayed for two days because the KLM plane needed a replacement part - only available from Holland!)
We also did a quick visit to Moombas where we finally met Marlene.
Went back to Manchebo to get a few rays and watch the sunset. Once again I was chasing pelican pictures. On the way home popped into King Hongs for some wine (for pool party) and Taco Bell fajita mix (for home). Quick shower and change and then headed for Brisas Del Mar for dinner. Still a bit depressed and didn't really enjoy the meal so it would be unfair to review this restaurant, as we were so low. We must just mention our waitress, Sita, she was from Surinam and studying law on Aruba - she cheered us up no end.
Returned to the Sea Breeze about 10.30pm and had a last night drink with our German friends by the pool. Their youngest son Kevin came out to be sprayed from head to toe with Autan (mozzie repellent) as he was going to sleep that night in the hammock. If I had done this it would be like a human sacrifice!!
Wednesday (last day)
Got up early and packed, then set off at 8am for Baby Beach, beautiful beach and perfect for snorkelling (nice pelicans!!). Lesley snorkelled first and started to take pictures with our underwater camera, which immediately took in water faster than the Titanic! (not much luck with cameras this holiday). There are plenty of colourful tropical fish to see (more than on the sub). The beach was very nice and it is shallow and excellent for kids big and small. We met yet another pair of honeymooners - they are everywhere.
Returned to the apartment to finish packing and relax by the pool. We went to Santa Cruz to get a copy of the police report - which they had ready for us. Then we gave the car back, we didn't have time to fill the tank - but it didn't matter. The discount from our Arubaplus card paid for the gas! We then checked in our suitcases for our flight home - those airport taxes are wicked $33.50 each.
Back on the bus to town for our last 4 hours in Aruba.
I got really lucky by the Seaport market place harbour, there were 6 lizards lounging in the sun. They were kind enough to pose for some photographs - replacing some of the ones I lost.
We had an excellent meal at "'t Pannekoekhuis" - The Dutch Pancake House, opposite the poor tiger.
The flight left on time at 8.20, I managed to find a bottle of Makers Mark in the duty free - Hallelujah! We noticed a couple of MJ's staff on the flight, it was so nice of MJ's to make sure we had company home
Thursday
Schipol Airport - its a lovely airport. We shopped again. Technically we were still on holiday! We bought some Gouda, Swiss Chocolates, King Edward Cigars - No New Swatches for Lesley.
Transfer to Manchester uneventful, apart from the man on his mobile who did not stop talking (loudly) until the doors actually shut. One old woman was shouting at him..."I don't want to know your business!!" - I did but couldn't understand Dutch!
Fin
Quote:
"It is not travel that narrows the mind but travel writing"
- James Buchan, British Writer (1916 -....)
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23 July 2003 - 6 August 2003, Sea Breeze Apartments
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