A Day in Aruba

Ring… Ring… Ring… THUNK!

 

Uh.... wonder if the phone will survive the abuse 'till the end of the cruise.  Welllll, there ARE a few sea days ahead where wake up calls won't be necessary.
 
A foggy, fumbling, frantic Dance of Tiny Bathroom ensues as THEY hurry to make breakfast with L&D @ 10AM [hey, it's almost like sleepin' in] before debarking for a stroll around main street and the immediate area. 
Tchotchke’s may, or may not be involved.
 
S&E are off on their own to re-visit some favorite family haunts of theirs and their late Daughter Lesley’s and will try to hook up with us later.
 
A little stroll turned into a Hike, first this way, then thataway, then a back track to…
“Hey Let’s try that side of the street…”
as they sauntered past one Tchotchke shop after another that line the bay side of the main drag, then on the other side of the street trolling the Name Brand shops of the Renaissance Mall, avoiding the Casino.
Since breakfast was light, the hunger pangs were hitting Lenny so time to find a place to land, rest the feet, hydrate and grab a nosh.  
But where?  We were almost back to the flea market outside the port entrance and all the eateries were “Back Thatway!”
Sooooo, back thataway they go to The Paddock a quaint waterfront bar and eatery.
 
As we were settling in at a lovely shaded waterside table, Donna’s phone rings.  It’s S&E who are  just 2 doors down, looking for us.  Donna directs them to Lucy’s and we grab another table to settle in for a delightful lunch of dis ‘n’ dat, with tasty margarita’s to wash it all down.  The sparkling Jamilla with the Bright smile and hearty laugh took excellent care of us and after a lovely afternoon watching some locals trying to hook dinner in the bay along side us, we  headed back to the ship.

NOTE TO ROYAL:
Ya gotta get a tram or some type of transport from the gangway to the port exit, it is almost a half-mile hike and too much for many passengers, particularly the elderly.

Once back onboard, after Dragon Chick sets off all the alarms at security with her bangles etc. TE6 then all head to their cabins to refresh, relax and work up enough energy to make it to happy hour by 6PM.

After partaking of Claudia’s marvelous mixological mastery, it was time to head to the dining room to see what was in store for us tonight.  

Anwar and Stefan did their excellent best to welcome us back, taking drink and wine orders, having missed us when we defected to the Driftwood.  

Ahhhhh, the Driftwood, if only….

 

Prime Rib was the supposed highlight of the night so Lenny went that route, while Chucky opted for the Creamy Risotto with sundried tomatoes. Swallowing issues still prevail until a little procedure on his return.

After some passable appetizers, it didn’t take long to for tonight’s "Kitchen Katastrophe" to make its appearance.

To say that Lenny’s medium rare - Tender Aged Prime Rib, au jus, resembled bright Pink shoe leather, would be an insult to shoe leather everywhere.

But to say that Chuck’s Creamy Risotto could have been used for hanging wallpaper would be a mild understatement.

And of course C/G, grinning like a Cheshire Cat was hovering about trying to look useful; not a good move on his part, as Lenny summons him over and begins another lower body orifice excavation. 

Poor Anwar, sensing Chuck’s annoyance with the Risotto, starts to lean in as Chucky quietly says:

“Please Find Stany.” [Stany Dias, Food & Beverage Director]

This is not going to go well.

 

Meanwhile, pointing at the shoe leather, Lenny is telling C/G to “remove this Trash” from the table, but Chucky asks for the plate, placing it beside his Wall Paper Paste to wait for Stany to make his appearance, which doesn’t take long.

 

He must know something is up as he heads straight to Chuck, who picks up both disasters, steps away from the table and tersely says, “Follow me”, leading Stany away from the table into the waiters alcove. 

 

As most of you know, Chuck spent a career in hospitality management and the last thing he would ever do is make a scene in any dining room in front of guests and staff. 

He would however, in the back of the house, proceed, in true Sicilian Fashion to “Take Stany to the Woodshed”; not only for tonight’s disaster but the Chicken Marsala debacle as well.

 

Dragon Lady would later report that from her vantage point peeking into the alcove, by the looks of Chuck's wildly gesticulating hands, clinched jaw punctuation and oscillating shoulders, things were not going well for Stany.

 

Lenny, approached trying to see what was happening but “The Hand” turned him around fast where, back at the table, he tried to use his spoon to reflect the action back over his shoulder, to no avail.

 

By now, C/G , the Maître d’, Laresh and Restaurant Ops Manager, Mustafa were all huddled furtively doing their best to avoid the alcove with the visibly demonstrative ”Little Sicilian Man” and the now resigned Stany.

 

Eventually Chucky emerged from the Alcove followed by a very dejected Stany who headed straight to the huddle of minions, disappearing with them into the kitchen, just as the chef was about to join them in the Dining room.

 

One can only wish to be a fly on the wall for THAT little meeting.

 

Back at the table with the rest of TE6, who were anxious for a report, Chucky declined for the moment suggesting they head to the casino for after dinner libations so he could regain his composure.

 

As they were headed to the casino, C/G made the ultimate mistake of trying to approach Chucky with that “Mea Culpa Look” mouthing meaningless platitudes, still trying to deflect blame for everything, up to, but not including the sinking of the Titanic. 

 

Wrong Move.

 

Chucky wheeled about, steering him outside the foyer to a corner of the men’s room alcove and gave C/G his turn “Behind the Woodshed”. 

Needless to say, it was not pretty, as C/G, head down retreated to the dining room, and the waiting, Hands on Hips Stany, who led him back to the kitchen for what we can only surmise was Stany’s version The Woodshed.

 

The rest of the evening was pretty much spoiled for anything else but some minor, or major gaming, depending on your point of view, and then off to Nonny-Nonny land.

 

Tomorrow is the first of two sea dayze on the way home.  Hopefully it will be a bit calmer, both about the ship, as well as the dining room.

 

One can only hope.

 

Ciao 4 Now

Uncle Chuck & The feelin’ just a tad bit sorry for Stany, 

Dragon Lady