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- Sea Breeze Apartments, 23 July - 7 August, 2003
By Frankie and Lesley Colclough
Wednesday 23 July 2003.
We flew from Manchester to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Aruba with no problems. The KLM staff were very efficient, they enlisted the help of quite a few children who went up and down the plane giving out ice cream and sweets. One poor soul took ill a few rows behind us. A call went out a few times for a doctor, it was eventually answered. When we arrived in Aruba they were stretchered off into a waiting ambulance. We don't know what happened to them, we hope they were OK.
The owner of the Sea Breeze apartments came to pick us up and took us on a quick tour of our vicinity. He showed us Mangel halto beach, Marina Pirata restaurant, local supermarket, chinese takeaway & bus stops! After such a long days travelling (18 hours door to door) we only had the energy to visit the shop for essentials, confirm our reservation for Madame Janette, unpack the cases including all Lesley's shoes and flake out.
Thursday
We woke up at the crack of dawn and caught the bus into Oranjestad. We were there before the shops had even opened. As soon as they were open Lesley was off to get her fix of Swatch Watches ~ no holiday is complete without one or two new watches. I joined in the fun and let her buy me one too. More money was spent in Casa Del Sol - "Do you know everything in here changes colour in the sun" - we do now. A shirt and shorts later plus a couple of spins of the wheel and we were on our way to the post office to buy some stamps. Somehow we found ourselves in the Internet Cafe, the first of many visits as it turned out.
We then decided to go on the Atlantis Submarine; we were given discount with our Visit Aruba plus card. The crew of the Atlantis worked hard to entertain the passengers, this was in part I feel for the lack of entertainment underwater. I knew that something was wrong when I saw the passengers getting off the sub as we were getting on. They were not "animated" and showed no signs of having had a good time. I personally would not recommend it at $78.00 per person, there just wasn't much to look at!
After the Sub we wandered around and came across the poor tiger in captivity, if there is a petition anywhere to stop this cruelty ~ I will sign it.
We made our way back to Pos Chiquito & The Sea Breeze Apartments by local bus. Everytime we boarded the bus during the vacation the driver and/or passengers told us that we were on the wrong bus and that we needed the L10 for the hotel area, we would have to explain that we were on the right bus as we were staying in Pos Chiquito. It was funny. It was even funnier when other tourists would follow us to the bus and we had to explain to them that they were getting on the wrong bus. (It's a Sheep thing I think!)
In the evening we made our way to Madame Janettes, considering it was built up to be the "Best" by many of the people on the Bulletin Boards........It did not disappoint. It was so good we ate there three times. A full review of MJ's will appear in the restaurant reviews shortly.
Friday July 25
From our apt. we walked to the local beach (Mangel Halto) less than 50 yards. It all looked very nice, there were local children on a school trip and some snorkel trips. I was pleased to be able to watch a Pelican fishing. We went into OJ on the bus shopped a little, had a look at the massive cruise ship. Then Lesley decided we could go in search of Tabasko on foot (I think she was trying to KILL Me) We walked and walked in the hot sun - then we found King Ribs. We decided to go in for Lunch/Dinner. It was basic but cheap & fun, we went to take a picture as we were leaving and the "Chef" came running out with some tongs in his hand- took my camera, gave Lesley the tongs and promptly took a picture of us at the griddle with Lesley turning the food. Great Fun.
We then continued our walk/search, eventually ending up at King Hong where we did a little more shopping. The rest room was a crime against Humanity!
We made our way home via the bus and pegged out!
Saturday--- Confessions Of A Serial Shopper
Back into Orange town, Shopping Again! Lesley looked at even more shoes and trainers, the 10 pairs she brought with her will not be enough!
After yesterdays prolonged fast I wanted some lunch - just a quick bite of anything. We found this place inside Dunkin' donuts - across from the Bus station- we didn't know what it was, the menu was all in Spanish. I ordered "The no. 4 special". It turned out that we were in a Venezuelan fast food joint - excellent.
We then made our way by (The right) Bus L10 to the Manchebo Beach -outside the Best Western & Bucuti. The Beach was beautiful, we paid $4.00 for two beds and an umbrella(chickee?)
This was truly paradise, no one bothering you. On other beaches (Antigua & Tunisia) we have been bothered by people trying to sell you something or braid your hair (Not Mine!)
That evening we had reservations for El Gaucho. Arrived early so we were given a pager - the Lady was so pleased when she didn't have to explain the whole rigmarole to us. We crossed the road to the very tastefully appointed "Garufa" where we had drinks as we waited for our table. the only fault I had with Garufa was that they had no "Makers Mark". The pager went crazy (at 7.30 - our reservation time). We were sat on a table next to a friendly couple from Connecticut - who tried to convince us to go to a presentation for the new Marriott Aruba Surf Club and get a $100 gift certificate. Just remember to say NO. Shame they didn't follow their own advice, apparently they went to a presentation 2 years ago at the Marriott and now they own two timeshares!
A full review of the meal and Garufa will be in the restaurant reviews area.
Sunday - couldn't shop day
Went to Manchebo Beach again - beach was a lot busier (being Sunday). I shared my shade under a fruit tree with a nice Dutch family (shared their beers), paradise again. Saw some big Iguanas. Lesley just tanned.
In the evening ate at Marina Pirata which was just a short walk from our apartment. Full review as before.
Monday (I think!)
For the first time in my life I am being bitten to death - its no fun. I believe the local biters have a taste for European Blood - it must be all the Port I drink.
The local buses are proving to be fun. We keep getting on at the same stop but they all seem to be taking different routes into town, as a result we are seeing more and more of Aruba. Lesley has been looking for a new bikini, she continued her search today but I was the only winner purchasing a new Reyn Spooner Aloha Shirt! I was horrified by the prices for compact discs; they were charging over £10.00 for cheapo £3.00 cds from England.
We had our usual Internet Fix, LuvGriz told us to get off the internet & see Aruba
We went into the small King Hong in town to get some supplies. I spotted some beers that I had never seen before so I purchased some to try. I could have kicked myself when back at the apartment I discovered they were ALCOHOL FREE
Lesley had a laugh at my expense!
In the evening we went to the excellent Cuba's Cookin'.
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