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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Roof Tiles and Styles

At last we’re ready to put the roof on a house in Aruba. You have your choice of tiles here. Some are the standard, uniform Spanish clay tiles. Others are the glazed blue “Dutch tiles.” Lately they’ve been importing ones that look rustic. Whatever your choice, tiles are a great way to keep the weather out. Here’s a look at a house that’s going to get those blue tiles.

The above photo is a little difficult to work with. It’s the house in the back of the photo where you see the blue tile on the upper roof and lower roof is ready for installation. The roof in the foreground is sheet metal, which can be a good, economical alternative for this climate. Nothing beats the look and durability of those glazed tiles, however. At least in my humble opinion. The next photo shows some of those rustic tiles, here used on a front wall and entrance gate.


And then there are the flat tiles used below to cover awnings on the side of a house as shown below. This dresses the house up and gives it a classy, totally finished look.

So we’ve gone from the foundation to the roof. Next weekend, I’ll post about some of the internal issues, like water sytems, electrical, and so forth. In the mean time, we’ll stop into some restaurants, a few hotels, and maybe a run to the beach or something. Thanks for stopping by.

Published in: on July 20, 2008 at 7:24 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Food From The Window

Since we’ve been working hard getting this house built (figuratively, not literally), it’s time for a snack. Just up the road from my place in Savaneta, Aruba, is a little place with no tables, no chairs, just a window in the side of a house. However, through this window passes some great locale fare. Here’s a look at the joint.

You’ll recognize the cunucu house shape from my earlier photo essays. Anyway, the guy is ordering a sandwich which is made of homemade bread baked on the premises, plus a variety of fillings from a curry-style chicken to fish to all sorts of things that I can’t pronounce. You give your order to the lady inside and she makes up your sandwich and off you go. They also make homemade donuts here as pictured below. This is not your typical dunker; this thing is massive and dense.

(I don’t know the name of this place, nor the name of the people inside, but I’ll find out one day when I slow down enough to ask instead of just grabbing a bite and hustling off.) At any rate, it’s only open in the late afternoon, early evening, probably as the bread comes out of the oven. Locals stop here, parking two and three deep sometimes along the road. They get a fix of their favorite things the way people in the US might run out for a cheeseburger.

Now that we’ve fueled up, it’s time to get back to work. The next post will show some different tiles on the roof. Don’t forget your hammer and ladder.

Published in: on July 20, 2008 at 11:59 am  Comments (2)  
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The Ring Beam

Continuing with my Island Practical series about home construction in Aruba, we’re now to the point where the “ring beam” is poured. The Aruban Department of Works has a standard for the dimensions of the beam and the reinforcing steel to be used in it. Again, make sure your plans comply with these regulations. Here’s a photo that shows the ring beam poured as well as some steel hanging out from one side.

It’s not a good idea to leave the steel hanging like that. Better to brace it and keep it in shape. You can see the various vertical braces holding up the poured sections throughout this structure. The ring beam serves to tie the walls and columns together into a single unit that is stronger than if they were separate. There is very little seismic activity (earthquakes) in Aruba, but every once in a while things get a little shake. The ring beam, hopefully, will keep things from tumbling. Here’s another look.

This time, metal jack stands have been used. I like those things, they’re strong, easily adjusted, and can be reused almost for forever. In this photo, you’ll also note the rebar sticking up from the beam. The roof joists can be tied down to the ring beam which reduces the lifting action of the wind as it swirls around the eaves. In a storm, this is a critical function. If not, your roof lifts off and you’re on your way to the Yellow Brick Road. Not good.

Next we’ll take a look at the roof itself.

Published in: on July 19, 2008 at 6:52 pm  Leave a Comment  
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