Deadliest Catch

Monday, 3/28/2022 was the start to another work week.  However this one started with me up at 6AM going for a walk.  The Aruban air was warm and humid - there also was a slight breeze which seemed to gently push me along my way.  The sun was rising in the east so the sky was varying shades of pink and blue.  After about 1.5 miles I arrived at Eagle Beach.  Eagle Beach is known for having the Divi Divi trees on the beach.  It is reported to be a very popular instagram spot.  No one was there so I took a few pictures.  Hopefully, PB will have some constructive criticism for me.

Divi Divi trees

Black and White?? 

You love this tree/shrub and you know it.  Am I an influencer yet?

Following the walk and a little work out I proceeded to crush the buffet at the Hyatt.  The morning was spent on the beach reading and relaxing.

Not a bad view if you can get it.

Palm trees and Palapas 

After a relaxing morning, it was time for a little adventure. 5 brave souls signed up to do a little charter fishing with me.  We arrived at the marina and we were greeted promptly by the crew of the Driftwood II.  A quick safety meeting and we were off.  

The first 45 minutes seemed fine but as we progressed into deep waters the swells and the 22 mph easterly winds conspired against us.  We made it to about 2 PM, no fish and swells  that would drop the boat down where you couldn’t see the shore or the oil rigs near Venezuela.  The situation was worsening on the boat. 2 were surviving and willing to grind, 1 was uncomfortable from the bouncing but otherwise OK,

I became bored and rapidly lost interest in bouncing around for another 2 hours and MC was about to lose his lunch.  After a brief discussion we decided to cut our loses and head for home.  We would troll for a while back, just for fun.

Then it happened all at once.  We hooked a fish on the hand line.  GB reeled it in with minimal effort and our first mate gaffed it like a pro.  One King fish was onboard and bleeding profusely.  In order to catch the fish our captain had cut the throttle abruptly sending us bouncing around the back of the boat.  At the same time MC finally gave in a and spewed chucks all over the side of the boat.  The amount was surprising. (Think pie eating contest in Stand By Me).  So 5 guys are bouncing around the back of the boat trying not to….fall out of the boat- fall into the puke- fall into the blood - fall into each other’s arms.  A few red club strikes to the head and the fish was in the cooler.  The deck was clean and we were hightailing it for home.  Back on dry land we recouped, had our fish filleted and finally headed back home.  None of use will be signing up for the Deadliest Catch anytime soon.

GB with the King Fish

Getting the fillets. This guy didn’t trust me with a sharp knife.

We got back to the Hyatt for a little rest and relaxation before a big Holy Family dinner at Matthew’s. It is a great little spot by the beach.

Holy Family senior girls rule. OS,CC,BB,KT & ET

Let’s get the moms in on the action

Should we just make this dude student body president at Ole Miss right now?

HF seniors on the beach.

We had a great dinner and the King fish was made into an appetizer by the chef.  Lots of laughter, a few beers and a few Ariba Aruba drinks. You hope you kids will find some good friends to go through life with and will cheer them on and help them up.  We are very blessed to have these kids and their families as friends.

The night ended at Moomba where the kids danced and at the end, I had to raise the roof.

I walked home on the beach.  I took some picture for people and headed to bed. 50 texts  and 12 work emails didn’t bring me down but they tried.  In the end, our kids, our friends, the weather and the fun overcame the obstacles for another great day on this “One Happy Island”.