T - 24 hrs left on Aruba!

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  Noord, Aruba
Sunday, July 8, 2007

After a rough night last night, we decide to head back down to Baby beach before
dawn. My husband is insistent in trying to find the missing ring and has already woken up and showered by 5:15 am.  I, however, struggle to get myself to do the same. There is something really relaxing about driving on a small island before everyone is up. No traffic on the road and we slowly watch the island come to life as the sun rises.

At Baby Beach, we look for the ring in the shallow waters, hoping to
uncover more than just broken pieces of shells and rocks.  Amazingly, as
I head into the deeper part of the water [still shallow mind you], my
feet hit an empty beer can at the bottom

01--Where is "the Precious"?

.  How annoying!! I hate
litter!  It's important to respect our environment, especially our
pristine beaches. Ok, anyhoo.  After a few hours or so, I approach my
husband and say, "it's time to give up".  For all we know, the pelican
could have come down yesterday and swooped it up and ate it.  At
least we got to watch the sun rise over the beach. Ok, it was just me
enjoying that moment as my hubby was relentlessly searching the sand.

The rest of the day is spent napping and relaxing by the pool.  Dinner
that night is at Madame Jeanette's [about 7 minute drive from our
hotel].  The restaurant is known for it's spicy scotch bonnet peppers
used in making the spicy shrimp appetizer.  If you like spicy, make sure
to tell your waiter to be a bit more generous on the spice [we told
ours we liked it spicy, but when we tasted it, it was still on the
milder side]

02-Madame Jeanette's

.  The dishes offered at the restaurant are mostly european,
drenched in thick, rich cream sauces.  The ambience is warm.  When in
Aruba, try to eat outdoors as much as possible.  Dining al fresco is a
must.  We start off with the spicy shrimp and a puff pastry smothered in
a cream sauce sooo good, that we end up using all the bread in the breadbasket to
sop up the rich goodness.  My husband had the grouper and I
ordered a pasta dish.  The portions here are huge.  I wish
we had just shared.  The grouper is light and tasty.  It's served with a
béchamel sauce with peas, carrots, and onions.  It's not overcooked, so
the meat is tender.  My pasta dish has loose lasagna noodles with
parmesan-crusted chicken served in a cream sauce as well.  The noodles
are buttery and the chicken is moist. Yum! It's great comfort food. The evening
is topped off with chocolate bavarian mousse for dessert

03-

. Ok, I have tasted plenty of
chocolate mousses and I must say that I had the best one here.  It had good
consistency; light and airy, not overtly sweet. A great way to end our last night here.

Our Aruban vacation has come to an end.  Though my husband's wedding
band remains elusive, we walk away knowing we enjoyed ourselves
tremendously.  It is a great island known not only for it's beaches, but
also its' people's hospitality.  I really loved talking to the locals
and knowing they are made up of all walks of life. It's a safe island [I think
with the lowest crime rate and the highest employment rate].  The island
is infused with so much flavor stemming from its rich past of various
inhabitants, that it truly is an island paradise worth visiting over and over. 

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