Today was a strange day! We actually have no photos of fish to show you! We started the day at Arashi beach, but the wind was a little too strong and made visibility poor. We swam for about an hour, but figured it was pointless to be out here, so we decided to – um – shop!

I’ve stayed out jewelry stores quite religiously. I bought a 15 dollar steel ring, just for the fun of it, a few days ago. That’s been it. But we drove into town and as we exited the car, a fellow handed us a coupon for a free 5 carat ‘gemstone’ from Kay’s Fine Jewelry. Anyone who knows Pam, knows that free is one of her favorite prices.

It was a lovely gemstone, and it took very little persuasion for me to convince her to get it set in a chain. But then, earrings are better right? In either case, Sunny did a great job showing us the settings, and soon we were happy campers.

Then we just had to head over to A Touch of Gold, a place that last year was the place we talked about how friendly and professional they were. Click here to read that post from last year. Anyway, they recognized us right away! He showed us a necklace that matched the ring Pam bought last year, and well, there went my resolve!  I just can’t resist sparkly things! Here’s the whole gang at Touch of Gold. Trust me, these guys are so good – such unique stuff. And let me tell you, on an island with 7000 jewellery stores, it’s nice to see something unique and wonderful!

Wednesday is also karaoke night at CPV. Last year that was a can’t miss event, and this year was no different. Pam was the unofficial videographer, and I’ve made the vids she took available online. I’ve put them on another of my sites, so you can download them if you want. The connection here is not good, and I’m having a tough time getting them there. if your vid is not there, it’s coming. Sorry for the delays. Most of the vids are 50 to 70 meg in AVI format – so when you download them, make sure you’ve got some time! If the singers in the videos do NOT want them here, let me know and I’ll delete them right away.

We finished the evening with dinner at Madame Janette’s. It’s located in a old cunucu – country house – and you dine in their courtyard. It’s very romantic. And the dinner’s don’t come much better than this. We were lucky to have come to Aruba during the only 2 week period in the year that they serve white asparagus. Asparagus is one of my fave veggies (and one of my fave sayings a la Augustus!) We ordered all our courses off the Specials Sheet. The appetizer of white asparagus poached in a Riesling wine, then baked with ham and cheese was so divine, I thought, we should stop here so we’re not disappointed! The main courses – schnitzel with asparagus and hollandaise for me and golden snapper with asparagus and a cream sauce for Pam – were every bit as good as the appetizer.

Desert of fresh pineapple soaked in rum with ice cream and coconut was simply to die for. The young lady who served us was attentive and prompt and friendly. All in all, you will not be disappointed in Madame Janette’s!

And finally, you didn’t REALLY think I’d make a post without a fish in it did you?? This is a picture of a Dusky Sergeant Major. In Curacao, the Sarge was nowhere near as prevalent as it was here in Aruba last year. But they don’t seem to be so dominant here either. I seem to remember seeing more of them.