Page 22 - ATA

A16 LOCAL
Friday 5 July 2019

Rick and Dede Grosser:

“At home we have family, here we have friends and family”

perfect. Everyone we meet here shows respect
and that to us is what the island represents:
respect and love. The Aruban people are the
most respectful people you ever meet, they
treat you with love and warmness and are
genuine.” The European touch is a big plus
to them. “We love our Dutch friends here,
we go to 080 bar, Bugaloe and Aruba water
Sports. The Dutch are trustworthy people. The
European efficiency and safety, mixed with the
Caribbean flair is a unique cocktail they say.

Points of Attention
The couple can be considered Aruba experts,
knowing what Americans want and having the
many years of experience on the island. Some
recent developments worry them, like the
excessive traffic and construction.
“They need to slow down the construction, this
will bring in too many workers from outside and
what will that do to the values of the island?
You don’t want this to become a Dominican
Republic. The resorts on many other Caribbean
destinations might be more majestic sometimes,
but that is also because you cannot leave
the resort. You need to stay inside for your
safety.” That on Aruba is not the case, but
the government should maintain that, is their
PALM BEACH — They fell in love with Aruba they invited us to go bowling. It was a terrific opinion. “There are also too many rental cars
on their first visit to the island in 1991. For the night. I told Dede: I love this place; they are so and ATV’s. I am not a big fan of that, they make
last 28 years, they have been staying at what friendly and even invite us to spend a night out too much noise and ruin nature. They also cross
is now Barcelo Aruba, the resort has changed with them without even knowing us. We were neighborhoods and not everyone knows how
brands and names during the years but they hooked ever since then.” Even when Dede to drive them. The government should have
stayed loyal to the resort. For the past 15 years was pregnant they came to vacation and their more safety regulations in place for activities.”
they’ve spent their vacations here four times a three children have spent their youth vacations Americans tend to think they are covered for
year. They bring their family, about 50 people, on Aruba. Once a year, in June, they come injuries but they are not, Rick explains. “And the
in June every year. We can - without a doubt - with the whole family, about 50 people in total. maintenance of the equipment many times is
call them VIP Ambassadors of Aruba. Meet the The group fell in deep love with Aruba. “We not done properly.”
wonderful couple, Dede and Rick Grosser of all come together here as family, my nieces, He reads about what is happening on the
Rochester, New York. nephews, in-laws, the children. The group has island and his friends that live here inform him.
branched out and they all know us. Some of The couple represent a lot of Americans in their
The interview with Aruba Today is interrupted the resort’s staff and repeat guests are even opinion. “There is a general lack of education
a couple of times because staff of the resort coming to my daughter’s wedding soon.” and information available for the visitors. How
and other guests are being greeted by Dede to treat the underwater world, how to drive on
and Rick. They seem to know everybody, well European Safety & Caribbean Flair the island. Many do not realize, they are not
not seem, they do know everyone. Rick: “It is The friendly people, the resort, and the climate informed not to touch the coral, not to drive the
a large resort, but we grew up with the people are all ingredients they love here. Dede: “The sand dunes etc. Not to drink and drive. Do this
who work here. Also, we vacation here year romance of the island, every single part of it is to protect your island!” q
around and we meet the many repeat guests.
Together with the resort’s employees they
are our Aruba family.” The resort treats guests
with respect, whether you are a first timer or a
repeat guest, says Rick. “That is just how they
are. It is convenient that this is a full inclusive
resort, but when we feel like dining out we do
so. The resort’s beach to me is the best stretch
of sand on Palm Beach.” Rick even opened the
Facebook page I Love Barcelo Aruba Group
creating a meeting point for travelers to Aruba.

First Visit
Dede had heard about Aruba. And after
they experienced a nightmare vacation in
Mexico, the couple was up to a success story.
“The very first night we went to the Buccaneer
restaurant for dinner, which was back in 1991,
we met the chef who was going around every
table to check up on the guests and we had a
great chat together. He introduced us to some
cab drivers that used to hang out there and