• Kathie Lassos the Moon
  • Kathie Lassos the Moon

Vacay

Joe and I are celebrating our 38th wedding anniversary in Aruba! Read more
  • Trip start
    April 23, 2023
  • Early Go, and so far Smooth Sailing!

    April 23, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    We left the house at 4:30 am! The weather in Dallas was cold (48 degrees) and raining.
    Just landed in Micky Mouse country, a.k.a. Orlando. We will have an early lunch and on to Aruba! 🇦🇼 🏖️☀️
    We are excited to just relax on the white, Sandy beaches of Aruba for the week.
    I was curious about the SWA plane design at the gate. Joe said it is called the Louisiana One (not our plane). It was introduced in 2018.
    More later!
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  • First Sunset in Aruba

    April 23, 2023 in Aruba ⋅ 🌙 81 °F

    Once we unpacked and changed we went to one of the bars on the property and had something to eat and drink.
    We finished in time to walk to the beach to watch the sunset.

    It wasn’t a spectacular sunset because of the clouds blocking the horizon view of the setting sun, but still there was a beauty to marvel—the waves of the Caribbean, the sky’s reflection from the setting sun, the sound of the water, quiet sound of others gathering for the event. Joe and I talked about how thankful we are to see the magnificence of God in these moments
    Good night.
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  • Eagle Beach Aruba

    April 24, 2023 in Aruba ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

    We spent our first morning in Aruba on Eagle Beach. The beach is less than a five-minute walk. Our apartment is situated behind one other property. We literally walk through our lobby, to the next property’s lobby entrance passing several bars and shops to a beach walkway.

    Everyone is incredibly friendly. When we got to the beach we were searching for a little hut to lay under. We found one, but it didn’t have chaise lounge chairs. While Joe went to get two chairs, a sweet woman was yelling to me that a couple had just left and did I want to sit closer to the beach shore. “Oh! Yes! Thank you!” I moved our belongings and got Joe’s attention to come back. The woman who was so kind was Margarita, from Holland. She is an older woman — a frequent vacationer of Aruba. Aruba is a Colony of The Netherlands. I told her we had vacationed in The Netherlands last summer and expressed how much we loved it! She was so excited to hear this! She asked what cities we visited, and I began to list them, expressing what I liked about the various areas we explored! Joe chimed in with his favorite too! She called her husband over and introduced him. Then she asked if I was from Spain. I told her I am from the States. “Why do you ask if I am from Spain? She pointed to my hat (I forgot which ball cap I was wearing). I laughed and said, “Oh no, I bought this when I finished the Camino de Santiago Compostela.” Leo exclaimed, “Did you walk the Camino?” I told them yes and then asked if they had walked it. “Oh wow! You walked the entire way?” I told them yes. “Margarita she walked the Camino!” Then I told them we live in Dallas, Texas. We chatted a while longer and then they went into the water and we lay on our chaise lounge chairs halfway under our hut.

    The beach was full but not packed. The water was cool. After an hour or so we decided to go to one of the three pools our property has. Such a relaxing way to spend part of the day. In Aruba you don’t have to be in the sun ☀️ long to get tan! We wore SPF 46 and SPF 50 and both got some sun, but didn’t burn— which is the goal!
    More later!
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  • Evening Sunset was Just Gorgeous

    April 24, 2023 in Aruba ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

    Our pictures say so much more than the words I can use to describe it! And truly, the pictures barely capture the majesty I felt watching the sky!

    After sun, sand, and suds Joe and I went to check out the sunset. It was fast, and breathtaking.

    While the twilight started to set in after the sun disappeared beneath the horizon, we just sat quietly and looked at the vastness of the Caribbean. We saw a sailboat on its sunset cruise, the waves were starting to subside, and all was calm and honestly quite lovely.

    Let the beauty of nature remind you of the goodness of God. Or as Luke says “You are beautiful with God’s beauty.” ― Luke 1:28

    So we need to look around and not miss the beauty that God gives us daily. The sunset tonight was certainly the handiwork of our mighty God.

    Blessings to you this night!
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  • An Aruban Breakfast

    April 25, 2023 in Aruba ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

    We have a very nice kitchen in our little bungalow (I use the term loosely ☺️). Joe and I did a little grocery shopping yesterday, to buy coffee, fruit, wine, more wine, and snick-snacks.

    When I woke up I made a pot of coffee, washed the blueberries, and took my coffee out to the balcony. The stillness of the early morning--no matter where I am is my favorite time of the day.

    When we go out of the country, we like to try the local cuisine favorites. So this morning I tried an Aruban breakfast.

    Aruban breakfast has eggs, pastechi.

    Pastechi is a traditional Aruban breakfast that can also be served as a snack. It is a deep-fried, crescent-shaped dough filled with a variety of ingredients such as chicken, beef, tuna, vegetables, or cheese. My pastechi was filled with cheese.

    We found pastechis throughout the island. I really liked this pastry. It is like a fried pierogi I always pierogi I loved eating it when I lived in Pittsburgh.

    The second Aruban item for breakfast is the arepas. Arepas are mostly known as corn cakes made out of corn dough made into a flat circular shape, similar to a crab cake. These I didn't care for as much. Too bland!

    We are off to the beach this afternoon and plan to jet ski.
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  • Sun, Sand, and Jet Skis

    April 25, 2023 in Aruba ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    A glorious day! There was a bit of a breeze at the beach today. We relaxed under a hut and enjoyed the blue, cool Caribbean water. After about two hours, we rented a jet ski. The best of the day, the wind from zooming on the water made for a fun time.

    We headed back to the pool on the property where we are staying. Most of the pool huts were taken, but Joe spotted one on the other side of the pool. As we approached the lounge chairs Joe asked me to stop. There was an Iguana under the chair. The iguana wouldn't move. To sit in the chair you would have had to straddle his long tail.
    A worker in a golf cart saw our dilemma and quickly “shooed” away the big reptile!

    Now we need to get ready for cocktails in our room and dinner out before the sunset!
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  • Ruinas Del Mar

    April 25, 2023 in Aruba ⋅ 🌙 81 °F

    Oh what a lovely evening we had tonight!

    We dined at the Hyatt’s Ruinas del Mar Restaurant. The ambience was beautiful, the service was excellent, and the seafood was outstanding.

    We also had the entertainment of Koi fish, a few ducks, and a black swan!

    We also made it in time for another sunset!
    Lovely!
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  • Trip end
    April 30, 2023