Hyatt Sunday Brunch, Aruba

Wow, the Sunday Brunch at the Hyatt Hotel in Aruba is something to behold. I have a few photos posted here but they don’t even begin to cover everything that’s on offer. Before we get to that, I want to send a word of thanks to Debbi, the nice lady in the photo with me below. She’s been seating me at this feast for years now; she’s also glad my novel, An Island Away, is finally available. She’s watched me writing bits and pieces in between bites over the years. So, Masha Danki, Debbi!

Like every Sunday Brunch, Hyatt has a station where your omelets are made to order. They also make Eggs Benedict to order. Standard, right? How about shrimp and oysters and such like this, not to mention caviar just out of the frame.

And fresh-baked bread of every conceivable type like this…

And salads like this…

 

Then there are more cold salads like these…

I didn’t get a shot of the soups, the three hot entrees, nor the waffles, pancakes, and french toast, nor the bacon and sausage, nor the mountains of fresh fruit. However, here is a shot of the carving station featuring roast beef and roast pork loin.

And the sushi rolls…

There are bananas foster made to order as well as a machine cranking out fresh donuts. And for the finale, here are some of the deserts…

All of this gets washed down with unlimited mimosas, coffee, tea, and various fresh-squeezed juices. In other words, this is a feasting event that you shouldn’t miss. The best part is, you only eat this one meal and skip the rest on Sunday. If your appetite is bigger than that,  be careful. You could hurt yourself.

Published in: on July 21, 2008 at 10:55 am  Comments (1)  
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Ready for the Roof

Now that the foundation and walls have gone up, we’re ready to frame out the roof. Since you don’t have to worry about the snow load in Aruba, the framing is a bit lighter. My own house is framed lighter than I prefer, but it’s been on the house for over 20 years without a problem (wood knocking sounds) so I’m going to leave well enough alone. Just the same, these photos will go on to show clay tile roofs that are built to newer, and better, standards. Here’s a house with the cross members in place.

That V shape looks like the man is ready to put a dormer in there or something which would add some character to the house. Either way, this is a good start. Some roofs are built with internal trusses that allow for a cathedral ceiling inside, such as this one.

Do some finish work on that and stain it nice and you’d have a great feature on the inside. On the outside, the cross members are covered with plywood, then tar paper, and then the slats that accept the tiles, as shown in the next photo.

The roof is all ready to go. Here’s a closer look at those tiles.

 I’m a big proponent of clay tiles as a roofing material. They’re durable, reflect the heat, low maintenance, and look great. Some houses in Aruba have switched to asphalt shingles. I don’t think this is a wise move. The sun here is brutal and those shingles may be cheaper but there’s no way they’re going to stand up to sun. You’ll be replacing them or dealing with leaks.

In the next post, I’ll show a couple of roofs with different styles of tiles just for fun.

Published in: on July 19, 2008 at 11:26 pm  Comments (1)  
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A Pilgrimage

Everyone has their go-to joint, the place to which they make a pilgrimage for one reason or another. For me, it is the Mont Blanc store. Now, let me say that I’ve been using a Mont Blanc fountain pen for more than two decades. As mentioned in earlier posts, I write pages and pages and pages most every day. A fountain pen is the best tool for this job. At any rate, I happen to be on the island of Aruba just now, and thankfully Mont Blanc opened a shop about a year ago. Thus, the Pilgrimage.

Of course you’re not allowed to take photos inside. Here I found an assortment of gorgeous pens. They had the Greta Garbo model, numberous 149’s, a J.P. Morgan, not to mention a smattering of the rest of the product line. (As for the other luxury goods, I’m not all that interested.) Earlier in the year they had the Franz Kafka pen but sold out. (Damn! That was a nice one.)

As with all the Mont Blanc stores, the staff is knowledgeable of the products, friendly, and willing to show a potential customer whatever pen he would like to see. I fondled a few of them, thinking the prices were pretty good, then reconsidered because I already have three and can only write with one at a time. I use two colors of ink, which gives me the opportunity to “claim” to use two pens at a time. Nonetheless, another one was just not in the cards. These things do not wear out despite my efforts to prove otherwise.

Having made my pilgrimage I returned to the writing table to crank out a few more pages of Under A Blue Flag, which is the sequel to my novel, An Island Away.

Published in: on July 15, 2008 at 8:54 pm  Comments (3)  
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Windsurfing Lessons, Aruba

People have asked me about windsurfing in Aruba. If you’re new to the sport, my suggestion is to head to the northwest edge of the island where there are a number of operators like the ones shown below. (If you’re on the main road, continue past the Marriot hotel and take the first cutoff toward the ocean. Can’t miss them.)

These guys are professionals. They have all the equipment and staff to help you learn the art. Aruba’s winds are usually cracking so you’re practically guaranteed a good day for this activity. (Many of the same operators also provide kitesurfing lessons as well.) Here’s a shot of an instructor in action.

Remember that the winds blow off shore, meaning they will try to push you out to sea. Remain aware how far your are from the beach. Don’t want to end up in Venezuela or somewhere else, unless you’re running from the law or someone’s husband. Last spring a woman kite surfed from Venezuela to Aruba, which I thought was quite an impressive feat. Just goes to show what the wind can do for you.

Anyway, I’ve been thinking of giving this a try, especially the kite surfing. Taking photos of these guys in action is difficult because they move FAST, perform stunts, and generally seem to be having the time of their lives. Whatever sport you choose, remember, safety first. Be sure to consult the professionals, wear proper safety equipment, and don’t go beyond you talent. You don’t want to ruin your vacation with a trip to the hospital. Enjoy!

Published in: on July 15, 2008 at 3:13 pm  Leave a Comment  
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