Monday September 15, 2014

The kids weathered the flight well but how bad can it be in first class?  It took us longer to go through immigration than previous times I have been here but the kids got their first stamp in their passports!  We actually got here and were able to check in and get our assignment right away so that was a positive.  We brought a good amount of dry food with us so we could put off going to grocery shop until Sunday.  After unpacking the kids went to the pool and we made arrangements to meet Debbie and Andy at the restaurant we could walk to on the beach.  By the time we were all ready all and walked there we were all really hungry.  We were in trouble though since what they had told us about peanut products was not true so Debbie, Andy and I stayed and the kids went back to the condo and ordered pizza.  I felt bad for Lindsay but we just can't chances with her allergy and especially when we have no idea of what the medical care would be like here if she needed it....better safe than sorry.  Debbie, Andy and I got into the Sangria which was very tasty but heaven knows I had enough to drink on the plane and with all we had it seemed like the longest walk ever to get back to our building and into our room.  The Kendrick's had finished their pizza and had started on a puzzle we brought with us for evening entertainment.  I took a shower and went to bed with the kids and slept like a baby.

The next morning I got up and made a pot of coffee (since Kuerig I didn't know if I could still do it) and it was quite good.  The kids got up and enjoyed having breakfast on the balcony.    I was nice sitting out there shielded from the wind which is brutal here.  It has been blowing at a steady 22 mph since we arrived.  Teresa ran the beach then went to the gym and when she got back Keith and I went to pick up the rental car and then we went to get groceries.  Poor Keith was shell shocked looking at the prices of things here.  We actually went to a new grocery that was much closer than the one Debbie and I generally use when we are here but this one had everything we needed and some things we didn't.  We were going through the frozen section and found this package call "Bitterballen".  We couldn't read what it was because it was in Dutch but Keith and I decided to buy it because we thought it was funny.  When we got home we had to look up the translation online to find out what it was but the funniest part was that we cooked them and everyone including the kids loved them.  They were like little appetizer balls of some sort of beef and butter or broth with a crispy coating!  We spent the day at the pool or at least Teresa and the kids did doing the lazy river floating around in the tubes we brought with us.  I had to laugh since everyone here has the same ones...Walmart special.  If you have been here before you know that they charge $12 for one here and I bought them for $3 at home and we will leave them here!  They are loving this Marriott Resort.  We had a great dinner with steaks Keith did on the grill and we had a nice salad and baked potatoes.  After dinner we took at drive to Debbie and Andy's to see their penthouse unit that is huge.  We got our schedules coordinated and we are doing go carts with them tomorrow.

The kids first experience with an iguana!

Lots of baby iguana's

We stayed up late doing the puzzle and I for whatever reason did not sleep well at all.  I tossed and turned all night and listened to Paige talk in her sleep and Chris cough in the other room.  Unfortunately my knee was hurting and I was too lazy to get up and get some Advil and water which added to why I did not sleep because I was in pain from so much walking.  We are on the 8th floor which I have been before but this time we are in the very last rooms at the end of the hall.  These buildings are huge so it is quite the hike from the pool or beach to the building then up the elevator and all the way to the end of the corridor...just like being in the aft cabin on the cruise ship!  Not that I couldn't use the exercise but OMG it is a long way.  Anyway it was overcast this morning and we did breakfast then got ready and headed out for a day of seeing the sights of Aruba.  We actually got rained on when we were at the lighthouse then we stopped at the I love Aruba sign and did some goofy photos and I got a great picture of them in a Divi Divi tree.  From there we did the usual Aruba thing and got lost several times before finding the rock formations, gold mines and then the natural bridge.  Chris of course was bored half way through but the girls loved it.  We stopped at a fish market that was local and bought some fish and shrimp for dinner.  Keith is grilling it now while I am catching you up on the news.  The kids are going to the hot tub after dinner and I am doing some laundry and will work on the puzzle.  Tomorrow we are meeting Debbie and Andy to go to the Go-karts.  What an exciting life I lead huh?  Andy wanted me to go ""helmet diving" with him but as I told Debbie many times I can't swim and breathe at the same time so that is out!  Later!