Right now I'm back at work on the dreaded Monday morning after.
Had another awesome week at LaCabana. We flew out of BWI this time on Air Tran with their new direct flight. We used to do the United direct flight out of Dulles but we wanted to try something new.
It was an uneventful flight that got us in at 12:30 PM. Customs was less than 10 minutes. We got to the luggage area and there was a lot of people there watching luggage come out. I figured it was from a previous flight so I went to the restroom. As I came out, I saw on the carousel all 3 of my bags together going round and round. This never happens.
Outside the luggage area, Hans from Tropic was waiting for me. Within 2 minutes we were inside the car on our way. From the time we got off the plane to arriving at LaCabana was about 45 minutes. A great way to start.
Our room was not ready so we ate lunch at the Grill, first day ritual. John helped us to our room. They have a new key system on the doors. You have a key card that you just lay up against the sensor instead of inserting a key card in the slot.This is a nice change. Left the boy in the room and off to the grocery store.
Back at the room I made up a few quick Mai Tais and we officially started. I make my own Mai Tai mixture at home and pack it in the luggage in empty plastic 1 liter coke bottles and place those in a large zip lock. I get the pineapple juice and sweet and sour at the grocery store in Aruba.
We met up with all the week 27 regulars and met a lot of new people too. We hit the beach for day 1 volleyball but the Mai Tai sort of zapped the energy out of me.
We ate at Smokey Joes, El Gaucho, Madame Jeanette's, Passions ( first time), Bugaloe, The Paddock and Casa Tua's. We were at The Paddock for all you can eat ribs night. Our server was either totally clueless or he just didn't give a crap about us. I used to go here when I was single. It is definitely a locals bar and he treated us like he could care less if we were there or not. We didn't let it ruin our night though.
There was a lot of painting going on at La Cabana. There was a lot of scaffold up but after a while you didn't notice unless your room was affected and you couldn't use your deck. The lobby looks so much better now that it is decorated. Last year when it was open it was so bare. It looks good now. I do have a concern about the stairs in the lobby. There are cracks all over them and stress cracks on the floor tile. Is this warranteed? The casino? What casino? That is a disappointment. It may get done someday. I think the contractors just tell us what we want to hear. We are up to September now for completion. Someone needs to light a fire under their ass and get that done!
It was good to see the familiar faces of the staff but some have moved on. Salima from the health club has left and so has Jason but I saw that coming last year. He was quite the player but a lot of fun. Nixon took his place. He is a good guy. The bingo ladies were a lot of fun too.
Second row palapas were easily gotten as late as 8:30. There was always umbrellas available around the pool. The weather all week was perfect except on Wednesday, there was a downpour but we were in transit to go windsurfing and by the time we got there, the clouds were gone. At least the car got cleaned.
Played volleyball every day at 3 on the beach. Some of the games were a little heated but that is what happens and after the game we have a drink. Went snorkeling with Kent from Arubabob Snorkeling, by far the best snorkeling experience on the island.
As always, the time warp starts as soon as we arrive in our room. My son met a girl . Luckily we had one day left, and they just got there. He is 13 now, his 5th trip, and he didn't want to leave this time. We are definitely looking forward to next year already.
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Originally Posted by John
