Tamarijn Aruba "All Inclusive"

June 11 to June 16, 2005 by Lee & Karen

This will be the first trip report that we have posted, though we visited Aruba in 2003 as well. For all of you who love the island as we do, I am sure this will be validation of Aruba's positive qualities, and for those of you who search for the downside of Aruba, you will not find much to work with here.

This was a trip that we booked in October 2004, but one we had been looking forward to since our trip in September of 2003 when we both fell prey to the "island fever" many others experience upon withdrawal from this wonderful island. And believe me when I tell you that the "fever" affects those of us with Aruba roots just as strongly as newcomers.

First, a bit about the trip to Aruba. We fly out of Cincinnati and use a travel agent to book our trips. This time, the best prices were with Vacation Express who uses TransMeridian Airlines for their charter. Having never used a charter before, we were not quite sure what to expect. Having done so now, I am not sure we will use Vacation Express again.

Our flight out of Cincy departed at 8:15 AM and the plane felt smaller and more cramped than any I had flown in some time. We arrived at Sanford, Florida pretty much on time, but things got a bit confusing there. We were told we would be departing through gate 4, but getting to that gate was difficult as it was gate 4 through one door that TransMeridian uses for all their flights. At any rate we wandered a bit before we found someone to help us figure out when and where to find our flight to Aruba.

The flight was full, as are most charters I guess, and we did have seats in the first row behind first class, so we had a bit more legroom. The attendants served drinks and told us all that the snacks would be served after all the drinks were served, and that we could purchase sandwiches or salads at that time. As our departure was at 11:00 am, we looked forward to purchasing some food. However, when the time came, some hour and a half later, we were told that they were sold out of everything but crackers. This disturbed me because I had requested a couple of salads when we had gotten our drinks, and was told that they would bring them when the food was brought out.

At any rate, we were on our way back to Aruba, so nothing could deter us from enjoying the fight. As we circled the island, we were treated to a view of the hotels on the left side of the plane where we had seats, and the sight of the oranges, yellows and pinks of the Tam buildings almost brought tears to my eyes.

Once on the ground and deplaned at about 3:00 pm, we headed for the far right line (of course). I always feel a special emotion when they stamp my passport and welcome me home. I was born in Lago Colony and lived there for the first nine years of my life before my father retired from Standard Oil of New Jersey in 1957. It was 46 years before I returned in 2003, and even then I was greeted with a "Welcome home, Sir" as my passport was stamped.

It being a Saturday, we waited about 45 minutes for our luggage, but we were soon at the check-in desk at the Tam. Let me say up front that we do travel quite a bit for my job in the States, and I do know what an upscale hotel is like. I also understand the dining experience in many fine restaurants. We simply choose to spend our vacation having no worries about food arrangements, and having that blue-green sea outside our door. The laid back atmosphere of the low rises and the all-inclusive dining is exactly what we desire.

Unfortunately, through no fault of the Tam, check-in did not go smoothly. We had requested through Vacation Express a first floor room in the 1900 block. I have heart disease, and cannot climb the stairs repeatedly in the heat, and we wanted to be close enough to the main building that the walk was not exhausting, but far enough to be quiet. We DO love the setting of the 1900 .2300 buildings.

At check-in they had NO request for us, so they had assigned us a second floor room in the 1400 block. I saw the reservation card they had and it clearly stated the word .none.in the .Requests.area of the card. I blame this on Vacation Express, not the Tam.

After much discussion and looking at a room in the 1100 block that we did not like, we were finally put in room 1905 and it was exactly what we wanted. Our refrigerator soon arrived as well. We must have seemed like a pain to the desk help, and they were swamped with incoming, but they took the time to eventually resolve our problem to our satisfaction. And that is another reason we stay at the Tam.

After unpacking, we donned our suits, and took our first dip in the clear waters of the Caribbean. Heaven at last. This trip we brought fewer clothes and more bathing suits. It is absolutely true that you need just a bathing suit, a shirt, and sandals for your entire stay if you stay at the Tam. The food, as always, was tasty with a nice variety. The breakfasts are great if you can eat that much in the heat, and they always have enough to please even the most finicky eaters.

We were in bed by 11:00 pm as we are not late night partiers. The air conditioning was wonderful and we slept well. One of the most inexplicable joys of staying at the Tam in Aruba is the moment you pull open the curtain each morning to see that water just feet away. And this trip, the expanded beaches at the Tam were wonderful. We walked every evening on the cool white beach.

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were spent around the resort relaxing and enjoying life. We did the time-share thing to get the freebies and used the $100 voucher at the casino in the evening. We ended up down about $20.00 after two trips. On Monday, we had a very nice dinner at Paparazzi at the Tam. It was made special as my life partner and love arranged a birthday cake for me. She was so pleased when the cake was delightful and tasted very good as well. We had planned for this trip to encompass my birthday so I could spend it in my birthplace 57 years after the event.

On Sunday we had called Charles from Aruba Fast Phones to rent a cell phone because we had a medical emergency at home that eventually cut our trip short by two days. Charles was as charming and kind as everyone says, and he accommodated our needs very well. (Charles, my parents DID know the Dunbars)

On Tuesday, we rented a car from Econo over by the Hospital. We got a nice rate of $72.00 for three days for something that resembled a Mini-Cooper, but had more room than it appeared from the outside. The car served us well as we went to town for some shopping (lunch at La Petite) and a leisurely drive around the western half of the island. We did see what appeared to be a search team near the Marriott.

Just to add my feelings to the growing debate, I believe Aruba was, and still is, one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean. We saw more visible security than in 2003, but we have never felt unsafe at any point in time or place in Aruba.

On Thursday, we packed up to go snorkeling at Baby Beach. My love has never snorkeled, so I thought I would teach her at the same beach where I learned to swim in my childhood. We had planned to have dinner that night at Gasparito for some local cuisine, and had a sunset sail booked for Friday night.

However, all plans were cancelled when we received the call that led us to make emergency plans to return home, which we did later that day finally arriving back in Cincinnati at about 1:00 am. The folks at Econo and at Aruba Fast Phones were great about rebating some of our rental costs.

Despite the shortened trip and the sad circumstances at home that led to it being shortened, I cannot speak highly enough or more eloquently about this island we love or about the Tam. The new lobby is beautiful and we found two cane chairs in a cool spot doused with breeze in which we spent a number of delightful hours enjoying frozen drinks and each other's company. It was wonderful and will be another entry in what my love calls our time of "making memories.".

We drove to the lighthouse one afternoon for the view and pictures. Along the way we admired the beautiful homes and talked often of how we could rent or purchase this one or that one. Though it may be a dream, it is part of the aura that is Aruba and that which sustains us until our next visit. It is beyond me how many folks cannot seem to appreciate the natural beauty that exists on this island. Once one understands that Aruba is NOT Hawaii and is not a lush, tropical forest, the true beauty that exists in so many secret little spots is enormous. You only have to open your eyes to see it, and when you do, you will want to return...forever.

In all, our trip was too short. But we have many things to do on next year's visit. There will still be snorkeling at Baby Beach, and my love is adamant about trying parasailing. And there most certainly will be a sunset cruise on which we will hold each other and delight in the "making of memories.".

And, too, I hope to see the remains of the ESSO Club in Seroe Colorado near Baby Beach where I went to the movies as a child and the dusty remnants of .Lone Palm.stadium close by where I played my first little league games in my youth. These, too, are a part of my Aruba. Aruba is always in our thoughts. I know many of you understand exactly what that means.

Lee and Karen