Courtesy of: The Morning News
ORANJESTAD — Carolyn Pollack-Kruel is only one year away from her 35th anniversary of an annual trip to Aruba, where she has connected and is well-known among the local community. For decades she traveled here with her mother and aunt, and in 2006 she and her husband, George, were married at the Santa Ana Church in Noord.
As a busy travel agent, Carolyn has introduced countless other devotees like herself to Aruba, and for the 59th birthday of her cousin, Sonny Pollack, she could think of no better gift than treating him and his wife Roberta to a mid-winter trip to the island to celebrate.
Carolyn and Sonny both reside in Aliquippa, PA, and a view of the sea is a rare event for them, much less Aruba’s spectacular sunsets along the shore. The first and last time Sonny took a vacation beyond U.S. borders was for a four-day honeymoon cruise with his bride Roberta nearly 20 years ago. It was Carolyn’s fervent wish to treat her cousin and his wife to this fabulous treat.
For this, Carolyn selected a special “toes in the sand” shore side dinner on the beach at Simply Fish, in the Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, a favorite dining spot. They were treated like royalty by their server Daniel and his assistant Omar.
“We feel as if we have died and gone to heaven,” exclaimed Sonny and Roberta, “Aruba is paradise personified.” They were also very happy to escape for a week of temperatures well below freezing. They were properly appreciative of living the fantasy of sipping an exotic cocktail while watching the sun set over turquoise tropical seas, as they had never seen before in their lives.
As a travel agent and owner of Ambassatour Travel, it was very easy for Carolyn to arrange this trip for her cousin, as well as providing him accommodations in her duplex townhouse she owns on the island. Knowing Aruba well, she also arranged for him to be surprised with a beautiful cake during their celebratory dinner.
“Sonny doesn’t get away all that often,” explains Carolyn. “I just wanted to share this wonderful place George and I love so much with him and his wife. I have arranged a number of tours and filled him in on the many great things we enjoy while here. I am sure after this visit they will understand why no matter how much I travel, and where ever I go in the world, I always return to Aruba.”
