Willypan, Aruba

Willypan Bakery and Reposteria is located on Rodgerstraat in San Nicolaas, Aruba. It’s basically around the corner from Charlie’s Bar. In my quest for continued caloric conquest, I stopped in here after a sojourn at the aforementioned house of hospitality.

Looking for a treat, I was not disappointed. The nice fellow working behind the counter served me up three pastries: one with cheese, one with carmel and one with a strawberry filling. This chap told me he was from Medellin, Colombia. We had a few minutes’ conversation to polish my Spanish, talk shop about baking, and off I went.

Prices are cheap, basically between 2 and 7 florins, 1.50 to 4 US dollars. Can’t go wrong for that price. And the aroma of fresh baked bread, rolls, and pastry is a great way to stimulate the appetite for the mighty Bandeja Paisa or other feast of your choice.

Bon dia.

Published in: on November 30, 2010 at 12:52 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Canton Overseas, Aruba

Canton Overseas is a little bar/restaurant I stumbled into last week while running errands on the east side of Oranjestaad. I like small, local joints for snacks or an ice-cold Coca-Cola. Passing by this place, I saw a pleasant looking Chinese woman working an outdoor grill with real charcoal under the metal. I thought to myself, hey, this is worth a try. In I go to find a buffet line with roast chicken, ribs, fried rice, and a bunch of other items. Naturally, I ordered up a couple of plates. Check it out.

Simple fare to be sure. That’s roast chicken and a some pieces of spicy chicken, too. The nice thing was, you could buy each piece and mix and match. Can’t beat that for variety and value. Two platters as shown, with tap water followed by a Coca-Cola cost all of 21 florins, about 12-13 US dollars. Great price. I’ve been back a few times with good results. The young man working behind the bar has also taught me some Chinese words which will come in handy sooner or later.

Bon dia.

Published in: on November 26, 2010 at 3:18 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Essoville Rum Shop, Aruba

Essoville gets its name from the days when Esso owned the Lago Refinery on the southeast end of Aruba. It’s a collection of homes and business with a few churches, schools, and yes, a rum shop thrown in. What’s a rum shop? Well, most of them are simply long bars shaded from the sun inside a shack. Essoville is a little more grandiose as it sits inside a regular building but is open to the breeze thanks to several large doors. Here’s a look from the outside. Click on the photo to open it in a separate window and see the whole span.

Hard to miss the place. Going inside, you’ll see the simplicity of the establishment.

Not much to it but friendly company and a variety of beverages including, rum, whiskey, beer, and even wine. During my touring of the various rum shops throughout the island, I found the beer at the Essoville Shop the coldest. Some of it will have ice floating in it. At any rate, enjoy your beverages responsibly and check out some of these local places in Aruba to experience the true Caribbean.

Bon dia.

Published in: on November 11, 2010 at 5:44 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Pool View, Aruba

Here in Aruba there are several different kinds of views. You can have a sea view, a countryside view, even a city view. Well, I posted several times about a particular home that was under construction in an area in the middle of the island known as San Fuego. The house is now finished and occupied. The owners have a pool with a beautiful view out over the cunucu as the countryside is known in Aruba. Using the panorama function on that spiffy camera of mine, you can see it’s for real. (As mentioned, just click on the photo to open it in a larger window for the full width.)

That’s an incredible location, no? Absolutely. The good news is, there are a few lots in that area for sale with similar opportunities for spectacular vistas. If that’s your kind of Caribbean living, I suggest you wing to Aruba and plunk down some cash. In a year, you could be lounging by a pool like this, sipping a cool beverage with a dozen of your closest friends. And those friends won’t be in a hurry to leave, either.

Bon dia.

Published in: on November 9, 2010 at 7:32 pm  Leave a Comment  
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