Dushi Bagels, Aruba

Dushi Bagels near the Casa del Mar in the low-rise hotel area of Aruba will satisfy that urge you might have for your favorite baked item. Here’s a photo so you’ll recognize the place.

dushi1As the name implies, they have “authentic New York bagels,” which after being on the island for a while you probably have to have. I stop in here from time to time and have not been disappointed.

dushi2As you can see there is plenty of seating if you want to enjoy your bagel in the sunshine. While we all want to try local cuisine or something different, sometimes its the old favorites that must be satisfied. Give this place a try. It might do the trick.

Bon dia from Aruba.

Published in: on February 7, 2009 at 11:58 am  Leave a Comment  
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Fiction Becomes Fact

As the newspaper below tells the story, fiction has become fact. Dechi Bislip, a local fisherman here in Aruba, was separated from his boat off the southeast corner of the island. Bislip comes from a family of strong swimmers and fisherman with roots in the town of Savaneta. Lucky for him. He swam and drifted along the coast of the island, eventually managing to save himself. In my novel, An Island Away, there is a scene where Captain Nathan Beck finds himself adrift at sea a bit farther away than Bislip. However, Beck’s course follows one very similar to Bislip’s. Beck ultimately comes ashore in Savaneta, not far from Bislip’s family homestead. Here is the cover of the Diario that related Bislip’s adventure.

swimbeck1

It’s quite amazing when you think about how some people manage to survive. The warm Caribbean is pleasantly inviting, but it can turn on you. Be careful out there. Stay close to shore, beware of currents, and don’t over exert yourself. As Nathan Beck’s grandfather told him, “Always wear your life preserver.”

Wok Away, Aruba

Wok Away is a little concept restaurant here in Aruba that I’ve taken a liking to. It’s located on the main road that passes through Santa Cruz. Can’t miss it. Here’s a look at the exterior.

wokawayfrontThere are tables inside and outside. Most of the trade is take out, however. The way things work here is you select a base for your dish, such as rice, noodles, or vegetable mix. Then, you pick and choose items to add: chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, as well as broccoli, bamboo shoots and so on. Finally you choose a sauce: black bean, oyster, sweet and sour, curry and coconut, or terayaki. The guy then makes your meal before your very eyes. Here’s a view of the menu.

wokawaymenuOne order easily feeds two people, especially if you add lots of good things into the mix. This is a great place for that evening take-out when you’re not in the mood for all the trouble of a sit down meal. Enjoy and bon dia from Aruba.

Published in: on February 5, 2009 at 12:55 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Aruba, Watching the Super Bowl, video

Many popular restaurants and bars set up large screen televisions so visitors could enjoy the Super Bowl. I put together this video to show some of the venues. Take a look.

In general, the crowds were relatively subdued. Of course, if you’re sitting on the beach with the stars overhead, the ships’ lights twinkling at the horizon, and the sand between your toes, you might feel particularly mellow no matter what was happening in the game. Anyway, it was a tall courtesy for these places to accommodate the mostly American audience that watches the Super Bowl. I did spot some Dutch people getting into the game as well.

Congratulations to the Steelers and bon dia from Aruba.

Published in: on February 2, 2009 at 11:54 am  Leave a Comment  
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