2004-10-18 - 9:52 a.m.
I�m back from my vacation in Aruba. I arrived home last night and I am exhausted and I think I have a slight sinus problem. Yuk. I hate flying. I think I am also suffering from alcohol withdrawal. I blame the all inclusive package and their damn free drinks. I damn thee, oh free drinks. :^)
I am sorry to say that I left my wife in Aruba. I will miss her. She was a good wife. You see, I got involved in a shady, local poker game and ended up trading my wife for $50 in poker chips and 2 coconuts. I eventually ended up losing at poker (I guess those are the breaks), but I do have to say the coconuts were delicious. Mmmmmm coconuts.
Ok. I didn�t trade my wife for chips and coconuts. I brought her home with me, laden with all sorts of new jewelry and tacky souvenirs.
We had a fantastic time. I have been to several islands in the Caribbean, and I have to say Aruba is one of the cleanest, friendliest, safest, sun-shinyest damn fucking islands I have been to. There is something for everyone. If you are considering a tropical vacation, Aruba is a great choice. I would also recommend an all-inclusive package. It was well worth the money. Drinks were $6.50 a pop, breakfast ran $15 per person, lunch $25 and dinner $80-$100. For us, all inclusive was a no-brainer and I more than got my dollars worth. I don't see how, unless you are independiently wealthy how you could afford not to. Anyhow. Arubu. Go there. Tell them Andy sent you.
Some of the highlights were taking a full day jeep tour of the island. We went off road it was hot, dusty bumpy fun. We also snorkeled several beaches including a wreaked/beached ship. I was told that in the 90�s this ship was busted for drug running and was eventually scuttled by the local authorities. A few years ago, a hurricane blew the ship towards the coast and now rests a few hundred feet from shore in about 10� of water. I spent a significant amount of time inspecting the ship to ensure that no �contraband� remained. (All in the name of public safety, mind you). Alas, no contraband. I guess I will have to settle for free rum drinks.
We also went to an ostrich farm (those things give me the willies). We went to a light house, the famous �natural bridge, the ruins of a gold smelting fort, a butterfly farm, an aloe vera farm, we saw some incredible rock formations, shopping in the downtown area, driving and getting lost/exploring the local island, gambling at the casinos, great food�.
By far the best thing we did was make reservations for a shore/beach/barefoot dinner. We did this our last night on the island. We were seated out on the beach, had a fabulous 5 course dinner, several bottles of champagne and watched the sun set. It was stunning. We danced in the night away in the moonlight on the beach�.ahhhhhh.
We also rented a limo to take us to and from the airport. This is a great way to start and end a vacation. It�s not as expensive as you might first think. Many limo companies have an airport package at a fair rate. If you consider the cost of long term parking or taking one of those damn shuttle buses in, for a few dollars more, the limo is not too bad a deal.
I could on and on, but I am beat and have a ton of work to catch up on.
I hope everyone here has had a nice week.
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