Odds and Ends

One last note on some random items that have popped into my head that are, I believe, worth getting on the table.

In my opinion, Oranjestad (the main city on the island) isn't much to write home about. It has its charms but it mostly kitschy shops and pot dealers. Seriously, you guys, like, tons of pot dealers. I will tell you my favorite spots and let you explore from there. Conveniently, they all center very tightly around one parking lot.

This is the parking lot. You can park there and walk around the Royal Plaza Mall (which is where I worked while I was there. I wish my staff was still at the Del Sol, they would hook totally hook you up). Here's a picture of the mall.

And speaking of the Royal Plaza Mall... Two of my favorite nighttime haunts happen to be there. The first is Iguana Joe's. It open air and sits on the second story of the mall and looks out over the pier/ocean. We sort of made it a habit to eat there once a week or so if we pulled a late night at the shop. The menu has changed a little but 9 times out of 10 we were very happy with what we ordered there so you're likely safe with the stuff I don't recognize.

Directly opposite in the mall there used to be a bar called Mambo Jambo. Every Wednesday night they would have a live salsa band that was awesome. Check with them to see if 1.) They're still open, and 2.) If/when they do salsa night. It is 100% worth it to even just to go check it out for 30 minutes.

And just around the corner from the Royal Plaza Mall, there is Carlos'n Charlies. This is a night club that is full of loud music and crazy drunk people. We went a few times because it was just such an energetic spectacle and because it happens to be the last place Natalee Holloway was seen alive by her friends. If you don't want to go dance (and with a sales pitch like the one I just gave, who would blame you?) I would say you could wander over there during the day just to say you saw it. I mean, it's just so close and people will be so jealous when you tell them you saw it.

Right next to where I recommended you park your car, there's a little flea market. Worth a look if you're in to that sort of thing.

I used to love to walk down the street from the Royal Plaza Mall to the Renaissance Mall and the boat docks. We saw some of our best sunsets down there.

Oh, and if you love excellent European chocolate, you can score some in pretty much any grocery store for a few bucks a package. The more run down the store looks, the less you'll pay for the same chocolate you'll buy anywhere else.

And lastly, if you want to see a marginally interesting rock formation, there is a place called Casibari I can give you more information about.

And that's it! Enjoy getting sunburned while I am safely sheltered under a layer of protective smog and ice!