This was our fifth trip to Aruba and LaCabana BRC. This time our daughter was away at school (yippee) and we went with another couple and my cousin, Renee. After a one hour delay on Song Airlines, due to “immigration problems of the pilot” (hello, could you have sorted this out on your own time??), we arrived safely. We rented a Yaris from Economy. I seemed to have paid a little more than other trip reports - $185.

Our room at LaCabana was ready early!
We unpacked and headed for the pool and then Happy Hour. Our Brown Ladies were wonderful. In the hot tub, the 2 Yankee fans (Renee & myself) encountered a large group of Verizon employees from Mass., all Sox fans. We were a little nervous, but after a bit we were all laughing and teasing each other in good fun. That night, we went to Bingos, on Amy’s recommendation. And I am glad we did! My curried shrimp was the best, Renee had a baked scallop salad and Steve my husband a burger. We met Mike who was very nice! The weather was hot with no breeze, but Mike had the fans going outside and the atmosphere is very cozy.

Sunday, we went to Linda’s Pancakes but they were not open till 10am. So we went to Amici’s instead. For $10.95 you can get a Belgian waffle, eggs, baguette and I think bacon, enough for 2 to share. I tried the Dutch pancake – very good, moist, and thin. The OJ is also fresh. After breakfast, my friend Donna introduced me to T.H. Palm & Company across the street. My new favorite store! Nice quality clothes and items for your home. We all went to the beach. It was still hot, sunny with no breeze. There was a very strong wave and undercurrent along with some grass in the water. I had never seen this before, it had to be from Hurricane Wilma. Dinner that night was at Moombas. Great place! You sit right on the sand, they had a live band, BBQ buffet was $22 each and the food was good. Excellent service here. Hubby Steve won $600 at the HI Casino (soon to be lost later).

On Monday, it was hot, sunny with no breeze again. We hung out at the pool and shopped at the LaCabana shops.  We had lunch at the Islander Grill where I forgot they won’t make you a rare hamburger. I must remember that! Dinner was at Pizza Bobs – food was OK but the martini was fantastic. I would like to try Tomato Charlies next time. We all lost at the Alahambra Casino that night. I stink at video blackjack but I like it.

By Tuesday, a breeze had picked up. The water at the beach had cleared up and there were little waves. Spent an hour on the float. Ahh… Before dinner, we stopped in T.H. Palm & Co. again. Dinner was at Hostaria da Vittorios. It was excellent as usual– we had pasta pomodoro, spaghetti and clams, a fish dish and 2 veal dishes. But I noticed the prices went way up. We had three glasses of wine, 2 appetizers and coffee/cappuccinos (no dessert) and it was $250 for five. The old Italian waiters are gone. Hubby and friends wanted to go to the Marriott to gamble, so I needed to drive me and my cousin back to LCB. I didn’t have my glasses with me. This didn’t go too well. I left the high rise area and made a right at the Wyndham, like they told me. I wound up in the Wyndham parking lot. I left the parking lot and went straight instead. Passed the Wind Mill, which I knew was wrong and got to the intersection that said Oranjestad right and Lighthouse left. But I wanted the low-risers! What to do? I turned around and went back to the high-rise area. At the Wyndham I went straight, passed the Wind Mill AGAIN. Turned around in the parking lot. Went back to the high rise area. Now I was confused and getting panicky. I decided to wait for a bus to come, so I can follow it to the low rise area. This worked!! I guess you do make a right at the Wyndham after all (Hubby and friends got quite a laugh over this the next day!).

Wednesday was our shopping day downtown. It poured for an hour, we went to Amici’s first for breakfast. The omelets are a little over done for my taste. The rain stopped. What Luck! We went to Ren Mall for duty free perfumes. At the Royal Plaza Mall I found a store on the second floor (don’t remember the name) that had packaged gift sets on Aruba Aloe. I bought a few for Christmas gifts. For lunch, Iguana Joes was MOBBED. We went to Rumbas. My friends were not happy with the location, being very close to traffic. But I loved the Rumba salad – grilled chicken, apples, walnuts and lettuce with a sweet curry dressing. Prices were very reasonable as well. What a dinner that night! My husband’s new favorite – Eleanora’s! The very best ribs and paella I have ever had. Jan and Eleanora go around and personally check on you. And the sangria – the best I have ever had. Total bill for 3- $58 with tip. This is a must on our list for next year!

Thursday was a great day, sunny with a breeze. Is it possible to have another great meal? Marandi is a large cozy hut on the beach. Excellent service. I had Sunset Strip – an Angus steak with mashed potatoes with bacon and cheese. My husband had Manage a Trios – lobster, shrimp and grouper. We all loved it. Five people cost $230 including tip.

Friday we had some clouds and rain in the afternoon. We ate a late dinner at Bingos again and stayed for the band. We had either the steaks or fish, everyone loved their meal. It was Mike’s first year anniversary. It was fun to people-watch, we were the only Americans there, I think, everyone was Dutch.

Saturday it was time to leave. We had breakfast at Amici’s again and got take out sandwiches. The 3 hour window was necessary, I couldn’t believe it. There was a short line at Song Airlines, but the line for security was huge. The US Customs line was quicker, except we got pulled over and told we couldn’t take our Amici’s sandwiches with us – no meat is allowed on US soil that is not USDA! You cannot even eat it there! It gets taken away immediately. They are concerned about Mad Cow and now Bio-terrorism.

Overall, the trip was wonderful. I think Aruba is changing – it is getting very built up, lots of restaurants, shops and worse, so much more traffic. The driving is getting bad – very fast, too much traffic without lights. Be careful! And parking is getting to be a problem.

We were mostly pleased with LaCabana. The room was refurbished with new furniture, the tile floors and bathrooms were the same. The computer situation needs work. There are no instructions posted for the Internet Café, or the TV in your room for internet service. Member Relations desk no longer handles the computers. I was sad to see the upstairs lobby and bar so pathetic. It is a large space that could be used for something fun. The DJ and pool tables are gone. You need to be there at 7am to get a decent hut or table by the pool. By 8am, you will get one of the last ones available, in a lousy spot. Note: The ATM in the upstairs lobby does not accept VISA backed ATM cards.  The maintenance and housekeeping staff were wonderful, the room spotless, the bartenders friendly. There was increased security on the beach and at the pool. Oh! One of the pools at the Villas is closed.  No biggie, there was plenty of room for all in the pools.

Can’t wait for next year!