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Aruba

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I would explain how I loaded this picture today, but I would be too exhausted to blog.  This shot is from umbrella 63 at the Holiday Inn Resort and Casino in Aruba in the Palm Beach area.    We are spending the week and having a very relaxing stay.
This is our first trip to Aruba, and probably not our last.   The weather is very warm with very intense sun and brisk winds all day.  The wind is from your back as you look at the water and ranges from 20 to 40 mph in a rather steady manner.  You must keep your stuff nailed down or it is gone! The wind is a blessing for keeping bugs and mosquitoes away, but it annoying because you cannot leave anything lay around.  The beach is clean and well kept with blue water that is warm enough to swim and cool off.  It also an open beach so there is a steady stream of walkers and running coming by all day.  Something for everyone to watch.

The resort is full of East Coast folks with families, couples -young and old-- mostly American but with a few European couples.  Everyone is quite friendly and the staff actually speaks to you and is glad to chat you up.   That is refreshing!  Most of the locals speak 4 or 5 languages, English, Spanish, Dutch, a local dialect and French.
For activities, there is food on the beach, at the hotel or across the street at some very good family run restaurants.  We have sampled them all and really enjoyed the fresh fish.   We have not done any boating, with the high winds, it can pound you pretty hard and that is not what we are after.  There is a little sports bar on the beach close by, that is open from 10 to 10, with Happy Hour from 10 to 9.  Happy Hour is 2 for 1.  It is a good place to visit around sunset.  I have sampled the local Balashi beer with good success.  It is similar to Yengling that is brewed in the US.  The bottles or cans are all 22 cl or 7.5 ounces.
I have run on the beach twice and I am resting today.  The hips get sore from the soft sand and uneven surfaces.  But I had two really good workouts and will do some weights today at the hotel gym.  I ran the first day at midday and survived, but it kicked my butt.This close to the equator (12 degrees) the sun is really strong and it will beat you down.  I ran the next day much earlier and recovered much better.   There are a lot of runners and triathletes here.
Speaking of the sun.  I stay in the shade at our little umbrella made from palms.  I have not laid in the sun as such.  Walking around and swimming is plenty of exposure.  I have had all the fry jobs I ever wanted. Keep covered and use the sunscreen.

Aruba is great spot to visit and compared to Mexico, it wins out on many counts.  1)You are left alone- big deal for us-no vendors are hounding you.  2) Money is not a problem, US dollars work fine. 3) The plumbing is done right and you do not smell sewage  4)  Security is very good.  We have not seen any police and have no need.   5)  Southwest Airlines flies here.  6) There is shopping for those   that want that.  They really advertise watches for some reason...7)  I can walk to 2 different Dunkin Donuts in 5 minutes!!!   It is relatively expensive and you will need quite a bit of cash.  Many of the small places do not take anything but cash.

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