We're on!
Dennis says the waves are small and there is a long time between sets, but that doesn't matter because I. Get. To. Surf!!!
We rush back to the hotel to drop off our purchases and grab stuff for this evening, then hit obscure back roads to dodge most of the cruise traffic crowding the streets.
Dennis says the waves are small and there is a long time between sets, but that doesn't matter because I. Get. To. Surf!!!
We rush back to the hotel to drop off our purchases and grab stuff for this evening, then hit obscure back roads to dodge most of the cruise traffic crowding the streets.
Dennis texts to say he's stuck in traffic, so swing by Café 080 to pick up some bitterballen for the road.
I finish the last of the bitterballen sitting on the stone wall at Arashi, while we wait for Dennis to get there. Someone else is out surfing and I'm bouncing with excitement just watching the waves roll in.
Even the quiet end of the beach is seeing some wave action.
Even the quiet end of the beach is seeing some wave action.
The red and white barricades visible at the very left of the pictures help protect sea turtle nests hidden under the sand.
I'm a bit nervous about surfing here, because there are obvious rocks in the water and I'm the queen of imaging the worst case scenario. Dennis manages to calm my nerves and it turns out there was nothing to worry about.
Whieeeeeee!!!
They all look pretty similar, but I promise it's not all the same wave. Got lots of rides in!
Happiness is surfing!
They all look pretty similar, but I promise it's not all the same wave. Got lots of rides in!
Happiness is surfing!
Dennis gave me lots of great tips to better my surfing, but what I'm most thankful for was the friendly kick in the butt I needed to get out there more:
We were hanging out talking between sets at one point and I explained that I didn't get to surf very often, because we don't live near the ocean. Dennis asked how far the closest beach is and looked at me funny when I told me it's three hours one way. "Three hours isn't bad! You just have to do it!"
And I have done just that. I love sneaking away to the beach now, even if I can only surf for a few hours.
Anyway, after the lesson I lie down for a while to try to dry off a bit, while I talk a mile a minute about all the things I learned and how amazing it felt to be on a surfboard again.We were hanging out talking between sets at one point and I explained that I didn't get to surf very often, because we don't live near the ocean. Dennis asked how far the closest beach is and looked at me funny when I told me it's three hours one way. "Three hours isn't bad! You just have to do it!"
And I have done just that. I love sneaking away to the beach now, even if I can only surf for a few hours.
For dinner we are heading to the fancy, Passions on the Beach. Our reservation is for 6:00pm, which means no time to get freshened up, except for the ever effective parking lot towel change -- not an easy feat with Aruba's winds tugging on the towel covering my bottom!
The famous fofoti trees at the end of Eagle Beach on our walk over to Passions.
The Jolly Pirate ship is docked close to shore and we have fun watching people using the rope swing to launch themselves into the water.
Sandy starts the night off with vegetarian spring rolls, while I order a Caesar salad that is served tossed with the dressing despite my request to put it on the side. It has a strong anchovies flavor I don't care for, but I don't feel like sending it back.
Since this is our splurge dinner I decide to treat myself to an Aruba Ariba cocktail from their extensive cocktail menu. It's made with rum, vodka, orange curacao, banana liquor, coecoei (an Aruba agave based liquor), pineapple juice, OJ and grenadine. I'm not much of a drinker, but it's pretty good and I love the fruit spear/umbrella and the pineapple straw.
Meanwhile the sunset is amazing! I feel bad constantly getting up to take pictures, but Sandy is egging me on and “everyone else was doing it too!” No, really mom, they were! And if they would jump off a cliff I probably would too, because that sounds like fun!
For our entrees Sandy orders the fresh catch special of a pan baked grouper with scallops and shrimp.
My attention is piqued by a dish called Crunchy Tigers. It's cereal crusted tiger prawns served with the most delicious curried lemon-grass coconut sauce.
Back at the hotel, a frazzled Sandy tells me I must take care of bug crawling around in the shower. She has serious bug phobia, which means I'm on pest control duty whenever she is around.
But this hardly a bug. Instead, I find two adorable baby lizards hanging out high on the shower walls. Sandy tells me I still need to get rid off them, but they are way too cute for that!
And still in the shower as we speak haha.
But this hardly a bug. Instead, I find two adorable baby lizards hanging out high on the shower walls. Sandy tells me I still need to get rid off them, but they are way too cute for that!
And still in the shower as we speak haha.
♥
Lunch: Café 080
Dinner: Passions on the Beach
Hotel: Wonder Boutique Hotel
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