June 14th. Friday
Even though the wind meter says 20 -24 gusts 27 the wind is very light. Drew and I are tired anyway so we went to the Natural Bridge ( it was cool ) then we went to three different caves. The last cave was 80' deep 610' long. The cave was very hot and humid. This cave is one of the most primitive caves I have ever been in and I have visited a lot of caves. No man-made steps. No rails. Very natural. Most interesting. We arrived back at SBV at noon. I checked the wind conditions prior to getting in and found that a 7.5 was the call. I rigged a 7.5 and Drew rigged a 7.0. After making several runs I stopped at the water cooler and low and behold Danny and Chuck were coming at me on a tandam board. Yes, two people on the same board with two sails and two sets of foot straps. They stopped, we talked, then they beach started and took off. Yes, Again! They beach started on the first try and took off. I was very impressed. Joe flew home today. Danny and Chuck went in for lunch. There must have only been five people on the water. I was trying to prefect my planing jibe with some success. Danny came back out on a 6.0, Chuck on a 5.2, Mel on 5.4 and there I was on a 7.5. I will admit that I was a little overpowered sometimes but I was making good runs and it was just like sailing at home on my 7.5. I didn’t see anyone else on the water today. I didn’t have any photo equipment on the water today and I really feel bad for missing the tamdam ride. Everyone would have been severely impressed. Chuck really has his duck jibe down, so Gene and Tim had better watch out. I got off the water at 5:00. Drew and I are going to go pool hopping at all the hotels this evening and then eat at one of them. If the wind allows, I plan on taking out an 8.5 tomorrow morning before my flight leaves at 2:30. I want to experience what that 8.5 feels like that everyone sails at home. Heavy or Not Heavy.
Last day in Aruba was a GREAT SAILING DAY!!!!!!!!
Final Notes on Aruba for anyone who cares to venture here.
Our accommodations ranged from Danny’s plush Marriott room at $350/nt, Andrew and Larry were in the Boardwalk about a ½ mile walk from the beach, very nice room with plenty of room for I think about $975 pp/wk including all the Vela wind gear you can eat. Drew and I stayed in Sailboard Vacations just 75 feet from the water for $624 pp/wk and included all the gear and breakfast everyday as well as a stretch session each morning, daily maid service and a clinic session on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Finally the other guys were trying to save money and all 6 of them ganged up in a two bedroom condo belonging to Doug. I think Doug’s condo was about 4 miles from the Marriott and they all used the bus to get around. They must have really gotten into the local feel of Aruba. I think Doug let them stay there for beer. I remember Doug being pretty lit most of the time. I looked at Roger’s (sp) and I just would not stay there. Very little room. Shared bath and kitchen and more than SBV’s rate.
Windsurfing gear. SBV has all Fanatic Bee boards and Gastra sails. I had plenty of choice because they are not fully occupied because of the Sept 11th deal. The gear was fine for me and Drew.
Vela on the other hand had a variety of boards and sails. They also seemed to have more customers because they were in the middle of the hotel area. Some ABC’ers wanted to change out sails but were unable to do so because what they wanted was already taken.
The grocery store has a card deal like Kroger Cards and if you don’t have a card you can’t get the good price. The only way to get the card is to apply then you get it two or three days later. Just a way to hike up prices for tourist by 30%. In Hood River I was able to get the card immediately.
Beer is a rip. No Coors! German beer and local Bashisa. Not only does a six pack cost $10 in the store but all the beer comes in 7 ounce cans and bottles. Double rip. Beer in the restaurant is $5.
Wind is free. At least something is.
Lizards everywhere. I almost stepped on an eel bringing in my board today. Coral in the water everywhere - bad to hit with your fin.
Water is just like at home - tastes good - no problems with germs
That’s all folks. I know it was a lot of reading. I enjoyed telling it and I hope you enjoyed reading it.
I have been to Aruba twice, Hood River twice and Maui about 7 times. Of all these places I rank Maui as the best for sailing. Not much in the way of shallow water but better and more consistent conditions. A lot of sailing on 4.0 to 5.5. A few shark problems, waves in the spring and winter and two major places to sail Kanaha and Kehie. I rank Hood River second. Both Maui and Hood River are on US soil and things are very familiar. Hood River has a wide selection of sailing but the water can be cold even in June. Aruba is limited in sailing area. The water is shallow in spots so you have to learn where those spots are. Always warm or hot. In Maui, I wore a shorty even though air and water tempartures were warm. For the non-sailor Maui offers the most, Hood River and Aruba tie for second unless you are really impressed with the US North West - which I am. Cost, Hood River is the cheapest and Aruba and Maui tie for second.