Due to Jim's busy work schedule this winter we decided to forgo a family beach vacation and instead go on separate vacation with friends. Our first family trip to Aruba ended in 4 days of Nicholas battling 15.3 degree fever and the second was less than rejuvenating as we were caring for two kids under three, so I welcomed the break and ability to focus on myself this trip. It was relaxing but it was not uneventful. Here is a quick recap of our trip.
- On the way to the airport at
3 am all town roads heading towards Boston were closed because of flooding which required me to take a huge detour. The flooding enabled us to get a lengthy extension on filing our taxes but that morning I could not see the silver lining.
- Once at the airport we literally ran into the soon-to-be ex-wife of a good friend. Talk about awkward.
- Being chummy with the attendant checking you in can be useful. We scored 4 free drink passes for our flights.
- Requesting two queen beds through a second string 'vacation deal' site does not mean you'll get it when you reach the hotel. We lost out on a few prime hours of sunbathing because we had to wait for one to become available.
- I think the pictures posted of hotel rooms by the hotels are never accurate of what you get. Here is our actual.
- Two kids screaming in the hotel halls does not mean they are misbehaving. On our way back from working out (yup, I'm patting myself on the back!) we found two young kids, approximately 4 and 6, crying, screaming, and knocking on every door looking for their parents. Poor kids were trying to follow their dad to the lobby and got lost. So glad that two responsible moms (that'd be us) found them and got them back to their father.
- Texas de Brazil means meat.
- Aruba is hot, humid (hello, wild wilma hair!), and windy!
- Meeting up with one of your husband's friends for dinner on vacation to a foreign country provides endless amounts of entertainment. He's a sweetheart too.
- It's been close to 18 years since I had my lifeguard certification and lucky for some middle aged father of two I still remember my training. I was taking a dip in the ocean, chatting it up with Eve when this man started calling out for help. He wasn't that far out, and his two teen kids were fairly close by and it appeared from an onlooker that he was playing so no one moved at first. Well, the helps kept coming and his wife ran down the beach and screamed out, 'Someone help him!" So, I kick it into high gear. I'm the first one to reach him (other than his kids), tell him to roll on his back, and I tote him back in to standing. Apparently the wind was kicking up waves in his face, he was getting tired, and he felt an undertoe. Poor guy. I think he was embarrassed. We were sitting in the next palapa and could hear him getting teased by his kids. He ignored me the rest of the afternoon.
- Sadly one of the most expensive restaurants on the island turned out not to be one of the best. I think we would have traded in our fancy schmancy dinner for another round (or two) of ribs. At least the company was enjoyable.
- I had a
Twilight Zone moment on the return flight. I was sitting in the window seat two rows back from the wing. Lightning struck the wing right in front of me. It reminded me of the epidose
Nightmare at 20,000ft where the man saw a creature on the wing of the plane. Yes, it happens frequently with no harm to the plane but it makes me wonder.
- I'd say lucky for me, but I guess it wasn't because of luck. I am happy that I was strong enought to resist endless amounts of temptation in food, drink and just being lazy in the sun and was responsible to both my work's Biggest Loser program and my 1/2 marathon training. I not only worked out 3 out of 4 days there but even lost weight that week.
Ahhh, Aruba.
Look how teeny he looks.
We took our second family trip two weeks ago. Changed much!?
The tide pools never cease to entertain.
No success in finding Nemo but we did find Dori.
Although, this might need an explanation. This egg looks like it says, "Catherine" doesn't it? 
Up until a young girl named Christina came along and altered the name to read, "Catherina" to try and acquire the egg as her own. 
Notice the different "basket". Someone was an eager beaver and not willing to share the goods.
back says, "Christmas is coming"
I didn't sit on his knee but he did witness me saving that man from drowning, so he knows I've been good.
