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Day Ten ~ The day began with our usual workout in the gym, then lunch, sometimes leftovers from the night before, and sometimes a sandwich from the deli. Some are heated on a grill and they are excellent. Then we spent the rest of the day at the beach, sunning and reading. This of course was followed by another Happy Hour at the Pure Beach bar.

Today we started off with frozen strawberry daiquiris.

They are tasty, but watch out for the brain freeze.

Alvin is an Aruban with whom Pete had chatted with a couple of years ago via the Internet. He was then preparing for the annual amateur body builder's contest. That year when we came to Aruba we contacted him, and went out for dinner to get acquainted. He's an interesting guy, with all the normal family issues. He won Third Place in the contest that year. He's going to enter again this year. When he described his diet, and the training routine his coach was putting him through, I thought to my self, I'm so glad I don't have such ambitions. LOL

This is Alvin with Pete. I think Alvin is 42. I suppose you need some kind of
a diversion like body building when you are living on a tiny island like Aruba.

That evening on the beach, watching the sunset, there were some kids playing in the surf. They were having a ball.

This little girl was really cute, and so full of energy.

However, it was not going to be a very interesting sunset tonight. The clouds were just not right for it.

We've been really spoiled by all the previous fantastic sunsets. You've got to have a dud now and then.

Now don't laugh. I won't be responsible for any complications from laughing too hard. I just thought I'd try to do something besides just stand in front of the camera. Look out Arnold, I may be the next candidate for the Governor of California.

I know that you are simply rolling with laughter . . .

There is a Thai Restaurant which has very good Thai food. We make it a point to go there at least one each year. Tonight we decided to do just that. We were pleased to see that the owner has taken over the connected building next door, and turned it into a German style restaurant. I'm sure it will be the same high standard of quality and taste we enjoy at his Thai restaurant, so we look forward to trying that next year.

I think I caught Pete just as he blinked, but you get an idea of the ambiance

The two dishes we ordered were excellent. Putting them over rice, we were in heaven.

The guy who owns this restaurant is not Thaiwanese, but I'm pretty sure he's spent a few years there, because he has certainly captured the ambiance so well that you think you are actually in Thai-wan.

One wall is like a shrine to the some great Buddha of Thai-wan

Day Eleven ~ It was a day like every other day, with one exception. On my way to the beach to meet Pete, I happened to pass by a young couple I had seen around the pool area the last few days. As I walked by the guy said hello, so I stopped to introduce myself. It turns our that they are husband and wife, and are both chiropractors, with their office in Stephens City, VA, and they have a website: http://www.activehealth-chiropractic.com/

Have you ever come into contact with a perfect stranger, and immediately felt some sort of cosmic connection? I have, a couple of times in my life, and this was definitely one of those times. We both knew that our meeting was not merely by chance. I have read The Holographic Universe by Michael Talbot, and I can relate very well to his paradigm. I know that we all have needs, and our existence provides a means of fulfilling those needs, whether they be a need to heal some physical problem, or resolve some personal trial. I've met only one other chiropractor in my life who I felt actually had the capacity to truly heal the body. Although I was only able to visit him for a short period, just before we departed for Argentina, I knew that he had an innate skill which allowed him to place his hands on the very spot that needed healing, and it was like magic, every time. Darrell Voll has that same innate skill, just in his words alone. I mentioned to him that I have a problem with my lower back, and would like to talk to him about it. He said he would be glad to talk during lunch that day. I met him by the pool, and we must have talked for an hour. I went away with my mind in a whirl wind, filled with ideas, and had learned more about my body in that short time than I had ever known possible. Darrell has a vast range of knowledge which he was eager to share with me, and I was like a sponge. I still communicate with him via e-mail whenever I have a question, and he responds with the same honest and clear perception that carries me just a bit further.

After a very pleasant day at the beach, we went to Happy Hour, and decided to have Mango Daiquiris.

Another happy time at Happy Hour. We are such creatures of habit.

Fortunately the habits we practice, like this one, are only for vacations.

I saw Darrell and Gretchen across the pool from the bar and went over to ask if we could buy them a drink at the bar. I wanted to thank Darrell for all the information he had so patiently shared with me at our earlier meeting.

This is Darrell and Gretchen. They are such great people, I felt very fortunate to have met them.

It seems like each year in Aruba we always encounter such nice people, and remain friends with them long afterwords, and stay in touch via e-mail. Our circle of friends is an ever growing circle, and it enriches our lives greatly. I only hope that we give something back by enriching the lives of our friends to some degree. Monty Python once made a movie called "The Meaning of Life". I think this simple act of mutual enrichment might be the true meaning of life.

Well, it is time to enjoy another beautiful sunset on Aruba . . .

. . . and I've got the perfect companion to share it with. Life is good.

Day Twelve ~ Today something new has appeared: a beautiful Clipper Ship, which we later discovered was from Venezuela. I believe that the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland has used such a ship to train midshipmen.

This majestic Clipper Ship from Venezuela has anchored just off shore from our resort.

While I was photographing the big ship, Pete was enjoying his book and the wonderful sunshine. This is the view you'd have of us every day from about 1 in the afternoon until 4, and then we'd be enjoying a cool cocktail at the Pure Beach Happy Hour. Sometimes after Happy Hour we would go to our room and play cards for an hour, then as the sun got close to the horizon, we'd head for the beach to watch it set. After that we'd return to our room and shower before dinner. It's a very happy routine, with absolutely zero stress. It's a life style that is hard to beat.

Pete was reading "The Devil's Punchbowl" by Greg Iles. I read it on my Kindle. I really enjoy Greg Iles books.

This is a view down the beach showing the Westin Hotel, and behind it the Riu Palace. The thatched
umbrellas are on a public beach that the locals use, and it separates the Phoenix from the Westin.

At Happy Hour this afternoon we ordered a snack from the kitchen. The chef came out
to introduce himself, and asked how we liked our order. He does a first class job.

From the long shadows you can see that the sun is now very low on the horizon.

To be continued in Chapter Seven