Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort

May 7 – 23, 2010 by Susan and Dave

Aruba Forum Profile: su fisher

We had a very lazy vacation this time spending a lot of days on the beach just chilling out and finding each other again, so I won’t go into every detail of our stay as it would be just TOO boring! Usually when we’re on vacation we do sightseeing or something one day and then relax the next but we really did need to just completely relax this time. The plan was to do nothing the first week to re-charge and then the 2nd week to see and do some things we didn’t see and do the last time we were in Aruba, like climbing Hooieberg and going to Palm Island etc. but it didn’t pan out that way and we ended up just enjoying doing a lot of nothing! We did eat some lovely meals at various restaurants and will post reviews on the appropriate forum.

May 7th

We left home in the north east of England to fly down to London ready for our flight to Aruba on the 8th arriving at London Gatwick airport at 12 noon in time to check our luggage in for the next day. I can hardly wait and am on tenterhooks with excitement at going to my favourite place again. Stayed in our usual hotel and had a beautiful evening meal. Of course I dare not go to sleep in case I sleep in (hardly likely as I’m up by 7:00 every morning of my life regardless), but you never know!!!!

May 8th

Up and at ‘em. Got to Gatwick at 09.00 a.m. ready for our flight at 10.35 am. HORROR!!!! Flight to Aruba delayed nearly 2 hours - what are they doing to me? Well eventually got on the plan then the pilot announced that we would be taking off at 13:00 instead of 12:15 and because of the volcanic ash over the north Atlantic our flight would be almost 12 hours instead of 10 as it would have to travel down to the south of Spain westwards over Portugal instead of diagonally straight over the Atlantic. We eventually set off at 13:00 BST and got to the Amsterdam Manor at 21:15 Aruba time (really 02:15BST). We had been travelling for over 19 hours!!!! We could have got to Australia nearly!!! Never let me say I look forward to a 10 hour flight again - "tempting providence" my mother would say. We were very tired by this time had a quick drink at Passions and went to bed. I had decided to unpack the next day.

May 9th

We were awake and up at 07:00 and we unpacked and got sorted for our 2 week stay. We decided we would go to the supermarket for our supplies and called in at Tulip for continental breakfast before we went. We were going to have breakfast in Mangos but they were serving brunch for Mothers Day. Once we had done our shopping (plenty of Amstel Brights and tonic for my gin) we went to the beach for an hour or so, had a couple of drinks at the beach bar and then went up to the High rise. We were starving by this time and went into Papillon for our evening meal. Thoroughly enjoyed by both of us. Went over to my favourite casino and I won $100 on my favourite slot machine. Aah! We’re home!!!

May 10th

Beach day - When we first got settled under our palapa we turned around and found that we had been joined by 3 dogs. They seemed quite content just lying in the shade with us and were still there when we left the palapa for an hour. When we got back we found another sun lounger had been added to ours and it was being used by 4 ladies who were in the sea. When they got out of the sea they all just sat on the lounger under our palapa with us, I got a fit of the giggles and could not stop laughing, I was amazed at the nerve of it. We believe they were from one of the cruises that were in port that day. So funny!!! Attended the bb party at 5pm and met Amy, Carolina, Millie’s mum, Beachgirl, Dnorman and quite a few others - I am so sorry I’ve forgotten your names (it may have something to do with the long island teas I was drinking ) it was lovely to meet the people who have posted the messages I have been reading for a long time now. Went up to Giannis - very nice meal but very big restaurant and very busy. Back to Amsterdam Manor for last drinks.

May 11th

Went up to the High Rise - looked around Paseo Harencia and the Village (neither were there the last time we were in Aruba). Went to Salt and Pepper for lunch, we really like this place. Dave loves the Heineken on draft here. Went to Excelsior, won a little more and I am up $250 all together now. Dave’s still waiting for a win. Had dinner at Rembrandts - cool place. Lost a little money in Radisson casino.

May12th

Do nothing day.

May13th

Ascension Day (not that we knew this at the time) - We thought we’d go into Oranjestad today and we were commenting on how quiet it was and were shocked at all the shops being closed. We thought the recession had had a very bad effect on Aruba and then noticed a sign saying they were closed for Ascension Day - doh!!!! Lunch in Iguana Joes and back to beach for an hour. Managers cocktail party (and beyond) was so much fun, met up with Carolina and Ken, and Amy and Mike again. When we went back to the room, Dave made me a sandwich (he had to look after me a little as I was definitely feeling the effect of the alcohol on this night!!!!).

May 14th

Yet another beach day , I decided to go parasailing - Dave said "What in this wind, do you think it will be ok?" and I said "Oh I think it will be much more fun if it’s very windy!" - WHOA! The parachute was tugging and yanking and I thought I was going to take off and they would have to go over to Venezuela to find me! Once I had decided just to relax and trust to fate I really enjoyed it. A different experience though to the parasailing I have done in Europe. Screaming Eagle for dinner, this meal was absolutely wonderful, service exemplary.

May 15th

Morning on the beach. Went up to the high rise for an hour or two. Went to Tulip for dinner, another lovely meal. It was Carolina’s 40th birthday today and she and Ken were dining at Passions, Dave and I were really pleased they had a beautiful sunset sky to complete their dinner. Carolina, Ken, Amy and Mike and Dave and I had all arranged to meet after dinner at Passions and we had a few drinks there, then at midnight we went to Moombas and then to Café 080. We loved this bar and had a great night - got back to Amsterdam Manor at about 03:00a.m!!!!

May 16th

Lazy day - Met up with Amy and Mike, Carolina and Ken at Passions for happy hour - Amy and Mike were eating at Passions, the rest of us looked for Amadeus but didn’t find it and instead went to Bingos, this is another really lovely place. Had another great night.

May 17th

Carolina and Amy both went home today - Very lazy day for us - we had pizza, sandwiches and snacks etc. in room

May 18th

Spent the day in Oranjestad and thought we would go back in on the evening to check out Driftwood and the night vibe in Oranjestad. Driftwood is closed on Tuesdays!!!!! So went to Casa Tua, just ok I thought. Oranjestad was very quiet - spent quite a few hours in the Crystal casino and gave our donation.

May 19th

another beach day Went to Rembrandt for dinner - another excellent meal - Over to The Excelsior where I gave back all my winnings that I’d won at the beginning of our vacation. Dave won a really nice amount on roulette and gave it all back! We were here until 02.00am and the rum and cokes / gin and tonics they were plying us with were really strong. We were both very much on our way to being drunk when we left!!!

May 20th

As usual I was down to the beach at about 08.00am and put our towels etc. out, but due to us having hangovers we did not get back to the beach until 10.30 ish - a young couple with her mother who were staying at the Amsterdam Manor had taken over our palapa and even put our clean towels back into the towel hut, the young woman "kindly" offered us one of their towels that they hadn‘t used, needless to say we declined!. I went to get some towels (because now we had no towels or towel cards) and spoke to William from the Amsterdam Manor who said that he had told them they could sit at the palapa but only until we came back, William was annoyed at the situation and told them in no uncertain terms that they could not do this but these people were not moving!!! Luckily we’ve had 12 days of pure "chilling" in Aruba by this time so we were not as inclined to make a fuss as we might have done at the beginning of the vacation. He got us two more beach towels and we sat towards the back of the beach nearer La Cabana for a couple of hours. The thing is I have often seen palapas reserved with towels for much longer than 2 and a half hours and if we are in the sea we can be away from the palapa for an hour or two at a time so there was nothing to say we weren‘t in the sea or walking down the beach. We went up to Rembrandt because we wanted to get spicy shrimp for lunch. When we got there we discovered that Spicy Shrimp (which is to die for) was only on the dinner menu but the chef kindly made it for us. Our faith in human nature completely restored - thank you. Dave started to feel very weak and dizzy and was feeling quite ill so we headed back to our studio where he could lie down in the cool. I think it was a reaction of the spirit drinks he had had the night before (he is a beer drinker and does not normally drink rum and coke) and the medication he is on. Unfortunately this meant we missed the Management Party . We thought we might have to cancel our reservation at Amadeus but luckily he started to feel better in time for the taxi we had booked to take us there (we will find it this time) and how glad are we that we were able to get. Absolutely superb. Ambience, food, service everything. Amadeus is an absolute must do.

May 21st

Our last full day - stayed on beach all day - and to Passions in time for happy hour and then our last dinner on the island. The sky was a little too cloudy to actually see the sun going down but the sky was so pretty and it was really amazing to watch the colours change. I suspected that the food at Passions would take second place to the location and ambience, not so, everything was equally superb. Again highly recommended.

May 22nd

Sad day. Aruba is he only place we have ever been to where Dave is never ready to leave. A couple of hours on the beach - packed luggage - went to S & P for lunch and then off to the airport. No delays and on to England.

Our vacation was made all the more enjoyable due to the company of our new friends Carolina, Ken, Amy and Mike. Here’s hoping we will be able to spend time together again during another vacation. We really enjoyed your company.

Aruba - See you next year!!! Can’t wait.

Susan and Dave