ARUBA - Robyn Gardner, 35, Maryland woman missing in Aruba, 2 Aug 2011 - # 5

[SurfieTX]

Does anyone know if the business hours were posted outside of the restaurant?

 

[LambChop]

I think the fact that he kept refilling the cups (cheap date by the way) tells us that they probably drank from the minute they woke up until they went to bed, while they were on that island. I find a few things strange. First, didn't they go to the pool, go to the beach, do any of the normal things a tourist on an island does? They were not seen doing anything normal for the 2 days prior to the day she disappeared. Was it just a drink fest? I mean, no one has said they've seen them do anything except the first night at that party and then at the Rum Reef. Secondly, every picture taken of her shows her wearing the same darn dress. I find it weird. Maybe he liked it and told her to wear it over and over again because most women would not do that. Even if it were a beach cover up, you don't wear it during the day and at night. Women don't do that.

I've never been to Aruba. I decided not to after Natalee Holloway, so I know nothing about that island. Could he have pushed her over a cliff somewhere?

It really is not hard to wear the same dress for more than a day down there. You wash it out at night and hang it on your balcony over a chair and because of the trade winds it is dry within a couple of hours. You rarely see the same people and if you just take carryon luggage (which more and more people do today) you don't have to pay the luggage fee. That means you can pack very little clothes. Her dress is perfect to wear on the beach, to dinner or to a bar. Dress is very casual down there.....it's why I like going there among other reasons.

You should not let what happened to NH stop you from going. It is a beautiful island and it is safe as long as you trust your partner. lol JVDS did not intend to kill Natalie and these types of activities, as far as date rape, happen here in the US. Young women today have to be very careful who they hook up with in a bar. They need to stay with their group. It's very sad it happened and no one regrets it more than the people of Aruba because they had to pay the price for this man's misbehavior.

But the island is beautiful. It has the best seafood in the world. So fresh. Some restaurants offer Argentine beef which is out of this world in flavor...not like US beef. Weather is almost always perfect. Getting into this time of the year it starts to get rainy but showers usually last 10 minutes tops. Plenty to do, casinos, shows, sunset cruises, shopping, etc.

Even if you went for a long weekend it is worth the trip and if they offer a special in your area I would do it. The cliffs on the eastern side of the island are beautiful with the ocean spray coming up over them. While you can drive back there with a regular car I would recommend a 4x vehicle, even just for the day.

Now do I think she may have gone off one of the cliffs. Absolutely. They were gone probably 1 1/2 hours. Plenty of time to drive up to those cliffs, get out to look at them and then push her off. If she struggled I could see him getting scratched on the rocks. The eastern side is open sea and the currents are strong which may have pulled her body out to sea. Down where Baby Beach is the island faces Venezuela so if she went into the water there I would think the currents would bring her back towards the beach area if she did not go out too far but I don't know that for sure.

We have seen pictures of the divers in that area earlier searching for her and they don't seem to be having a problem in the water. Maybe LE believes, or knows, that had she gone under in that particular area her body would have wash ashore in a short period of time. jmo

 

[packerdog]

IMO there are three things that the LE has had to figure out

Was it an accidental death?

Was it a murder?

Was it insurance fraud?

I feel they have looked at all three scenarios

He is being held under suspicion of all of the above IIRC

Right! and they probably will never know. Aruba LE are a joke? They are lazy? They don't care? They turn a blind eye to crime? Aruba probably does have a low crime rate. I don't think that they have a DUI law. From what I have read, they can have drinks in the car. I know that joran and his friends did.

 

[LambChop]

Right! and they probably will never know. Aruba LE are a joke? They are lazy? They don't care? They turn a blind eye to crime? Aruba probably does have a low crime rate. I don't think that they have a DUI law. From what I have read, they can have drinks in the car. I know that joran and his friends did.

Not sure why you are saying they are lazy? GG is under arrest and I don't think there is anything lazy about that. I don't think they have a DUI law..until you have an accident. I do know they are strict on drugs and I also know there are many prisoners in the prison so they can't be that lazy. And just like any tourist's town the police are a little laid back when it comes to visitors. As a visitor you have to appreciate that fact.

Americans tend to assume that other countries should function the way we do here in the States and most countries do not. They have their own way of doing things, their own rules and regulations. jmo

 

[Dushi]

Right! and they probably will never know. Aruba LE are a joke? They are lazy? They don't care? They turn a blind eye to crime? Aruba probably does have a low crime rate. I don't think that they have a DUI law. From what I have read, they can have drinks in the car. I know that joran and his friends did.

I am not sure about the drinking and driving laws there
Its never been something I have had to consider

They are more lax about adult beverages being carried on the street etc

 

[LambChop]

I am not sure about the drinking and driving laws there
Its never been something I have had to consider

They are more lax about adult beverages being carried on the street etc

Yes. I think if you were to have an open bottle of wine and were headed to the beach no one thinks anything about that down there. I've never done it myself and certainly don't even drink if I'm driving but it does not appear to be a problem, unless you get into an accident. If you were drunk, there might be an issue with the police. But I have never seen it myself, nor have I heard of anyone having a problem. jmo

 

[concentric]

Another thing that is disturbing. They went there to snorkel and where do they go but the restaurant to eat lunch at 3pm?? They brought their own drinks. Why would they not have just gone to the beach and drank their drinks there, snorkeled and driven anywhere to eat? At 3pm you are burning daylight. But they were seen at that location to establish they had been there. Now an eye witness says they left in the car and GG claims no they were there the whole time but that story does not fit. The person seeing them leave had no horse in the race, assuming, so their observations are probably correct. So where did GG go at 4:20 in the afternoon. If he went back towards San Nicholas why would they travel back again 2 hours later when they'd be headed back in the direction of the hotel. The only other place to go where there is water is up the eastern side of the coast, maybe for a little ride. So what were they doing for one hour and 40 minutes? This is what makes no sense. jmo

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No scuba diver would never drink right before a dive. I was a scuba diver not a snorkeler; however, I would think that it would also be extremely dangerous to drink that amount of vodka before snorkeling. It is obvious he was the dispensing the vodka.

 

[LambChop]

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No scuba diver would never drink right before a dive. I was a scuba diver not a snorkeler; however, I would think that it would also be extremely dangerous to drink that amount of vodka before snorkeling. It is obvious he was the dispensing the vodka.

Yes, plus the sleeping pills GG said she took. Nothing like falling asleep while you are snorkeling. jmo

 

[Dushi]

Yeah, its not hard to wear the same dress etc etc
But I can only base this on my personal opinion

She was all about image, perfect make up, hair etc
I can't imagine she would not want to wear different dresses
And you know, its a five day trip, of course everything could be put in a carryon

 

[Dushi]

------------------
No scuba diver would never drink right before a dive. I was a scuba diver not a snorkeler; however, I would think that it would also be extremely dangerous to drink that amount of vodka before snorkeling. It is obvious he was the dispensing the vodka.

They were not scuba diving, they were supposedly snorkeling
And really, how can you imagine anyone had good judgement if they BOTH had been drinking exccessively?

They looked like they were BOTH having a great timeto me

 

[Dushi]

Yes, plus the sleeping pills GG said she took. Nothing like falling asleep while you are snorkeling. jmo

Yeah but apparently, there is a high from ambian
So you and i may take them to sleep ,but from what i have read, thats not the only reason people take them
Go figure...

 

[LambChop]

Yeah but apparently, there is a high from ambian
So you and i may take them to sleep ,but from what i have read, thats not the only reason people take them
Go figure...

I never take them. I'm one of those fortunate people who puts their head on the pillow and nite-all. If there ever was a problem I get up and get a glass of milk.....works every time. jmo

 

[neesaki]

Yeah but apparently, there is a high from ambian
So you and i may take them to sleep ,but from what i have read, thats not the only reason people take them
Go figure...

I have taken Ambien several years ago. It's a strange drug imo which must be why they tell you to take it and then go to bed, don't stay up. I can't say that it even made me really sleepy though, just made me feel drugged and in between asleep and awake. For me, things started moving around, like the walls, almost like a hallucinogenic type experience. It was weird, didn't like it and stopped taking it.

 

[neesaki]

------------------
No scuba diver would never drink right before a dive. I was a scuba diver not a snorkeler; however, I would think that it would also be extremely dangerous to drink that amount of vodka before snorkeling. It is obvious he was the dispensing the vodka.

Right, and if they had really been planning to go snorkeling or even swimming in the ocean, they would not have been drinking and drugging beforehand. GG may well be a lying psycho, but he's not just some stupid or self-destructive kid. Even he has enough common sense not to do something like that. He did, however, think the drinking and drugging would make for a better "accident" scenario. Also made it easier for him to overpower Robyn, JMO.

 

[suniskye]

It really is not hard to wear the same dress for more than a day down there. You wash it out at night and hang it on your balcony over a chair and because of the trade winds it is dry within a couple of hours. You rarely see the same people and if you just take carryon luggage (which more and more people do today) you don't have to pay the luggage fee. That means you can pack very little clothes. Her dress is perfect to wear on the beach, to dinner or to a bar. Dress is very casual down there.....it's why I like going there among other reasons.

You should not let what happened to NH stop you from going. It is a beautiful island and it is safe as long as you trust your partner. lol JVDS did not intend to kill Natalie and these types of activities, as far as date rape, happen here in the US. Young women today have to be very careful who they hook up with in a bar. They need to stay with their group. It's very sad it happened and no one regrets it more than the people of Aruba because they had to pay the price for this man's misbehavior.

But the island is beautiful. It has the best seafood in the world. So fresh. Some restaurants offer Argentine beef which is out of this world in flavor...not like US beef. Weather is almost always perfect. Getting into this time of the year it starts to get rainy but showers usually last 10 minutes tops. Plenty to do, casinos, shows, sunset cruises, shopping, etc.

Even if you went for a long weekend it is worth the trip and if they offer a special in your area I would do it. The cliffs on the eastern side of the island are beautiful with the ocean spray coming up over them. While you can drive back there with a regular car I would recommend a 4x vehicle, even just for the day.

Now do I think she may have gone off one of the cliffs. Absolutely. They were gone probably 1 1/2 hours. Plenty of time to drive up to those cliffs, get out to look at them and then push her off. If she struggled I could see him getting scratched on the rocks. The eastern side is open sea and the currents are strong which may have pulled her body out to sea. Down where Baby Beach is the island faces Venezuela so if she went into the water there I would think the currents would bring her back towards the beach area if she did not go out too far but I don't know that for sure.

We have seen pictures of the divers in that area earlier searching for her and they don't seem to be having a problem in the water. Maybe LE believes, or knows, that had she gone under in that particular area her body would have wash ashore in a short period of time. jmo

I have heard it is a beautiful and friendly island. I've been to various islands on cruises. Aruba doesn't look destitute like some of those islands were. You're right about alot of things. I stand a better chance of getting hurt in the neighborhood where I have to work than I do on any vacation I take.

I'm glad that they put divers in the water. We've not heard much on any searches. I really am praying that the US grand jury finds him guility of something, anything, so that if Aruba fails in their attempts (circumstantial evidence), he will not just come home a free man. He's bad news. I live in MD and I have worked in the past for the Federal Attorney's office ... they do not put grand juries together if they do not have a reason to.

 

[LambChop]

I have heard it is a beautiful and friendly island. I've been to various islands on cruises. Aruba doesn't look destitute like some of those islands were. You're right about alot of things. I stand a better chance of getting hurt in the neighborhood where I have to work than I do on any vacation I take.

I'm glad that they put divers in the water. We've not heard much on any searches. I really am praying that the US grand jury finds him guility of something, anything, so that if Aruba fails in their attempts (circumstantial evidence), he will not just come home a free man. He's bad news. I live in MD and I have worked in the past for the Federal Attorney's office ... they do not put grand juries together if they do not have a reason to.

Aruba is very cooperative with the US govenment and it would not surprise me if they just turn him over to Federal authorities if the grand jury decides to indict him. I really don't think they want to deal with him because there is no body, at least not yet. jmo

 

[Just-a-Guy]

Aruba is very cooperative with the US govenment and it would not surprise me if they just turn him over to Federal authorities if the grand jury decides to indict him. I really don't think they want to deal with him because there is no body, at least not yet. jmo

So...cooperative with the US government...but lazy?

Sorry. No slight meant. Or maybe there is. I have been offended by Aruban LE since the NH case, and sadly nothing happening here has changed that. Other than perhaps making it worse, since things really should have improved by now.

They sent out divers. Yeah. How many days after she disappeared? And I saw the pics, obviously made for PR purposes. A handful of guys in semi-choppy seas with diving gear. Did they really expect to find anything that way? There? Come on?

They waited 30 days to send out the iPad and a blood sample for forensic analysis? All the while, stating that this is a potential homicide? Huh?

There's no excuse for this kind of thing, really. There's plenty of money on that island to fund decent LE, if it was a priority. Apart from the tourism itself, the gambling is a huge source of income. In fact, the gambling, and the culture it fosters and people it attracts, are the main reason I've never wanted to go there, even long before NH (and I've traveled a lot in the Caribbean).

Sorry, don't mean to vent, and I mean no disrespect to any posters here. But seriously, these are major issues with this case, imo.

 

[neesaki]

Aruba is very cooperative with the US govenment and it would not surprise me if they just turn him over to Federal authorities if the grand jury decides to indict him. I really don't think they want to deal with him because there is no body, at least not yet. jmo

But the crime was committed in Aruba, not the U.S.
No body? It's well established it seems, that it's quite easy to get rid of a body in Aruba due to the ocean, the tides, etc. So when there's no body there's no crime? When someone is thrown out to sea for their body to be washed away or eaten by sharks? :waitasec:

I do hope that Aruba is cooperative w/ the US authorities, but I also hope that Aruba maintains it's responsibility in seeing the prosecution of this case through to the end, JMO.

 

[neesaki]

So...cooperative with the US government...but lazy?

Sorry. No slight meant. Or maybe there is. I have been offended by Aruban LE since the NH case, and sadly nothing happening here has changed that. Other than perhaps making it worse, since things really should have improved by now.

They sent out divers. Yeah. How many days after she disappeared? And I saw the pics, obviously made for PR purposes. A handful of guys in semi-choppy seas with diving gear. Did they really expect to find anything that way? There? Come on?

They waited 30 days to send out the iPad and a blood sample for forensic analysis? All the while, stating that this is a potential homicide? Huh?

There's no excuse for this kind of thing, really. There's plenty of money on that island to fund decent LE, if it was a priority. Apart from the tourism itself, the gambling is a huge source of income. In fact, the gambling, and the culture it fosters and people it attracts, are the main reason I've never wanted to go there, even long before NH (and I've traveled a lot in the Caribbean).

Sorry, don't mean to vent, and I mean no disrespect to any posters here. But seriously, these are major issues with this case, imo.

Agree, there's no good excuse for waiting that long to send out evidence for forensic analysis. And also agree there are major issues w/ the case, should have had search dogs long ago, regardless of what LE believed happened and that she was probably in the water. All they had to go by was what the accused perpetrator told them. And that's nothing as he's a liar anyway.
AT LEAST they are still holding Giordano, but there does seem to be a lax attitude toward solving the case, sad, IMO.

 

[AuburnSchnauzer]

I still don't understand why a woman would want to go to Aruba after what happened to our Natalee.....

We don't know what happened. In all the videos I watched, she appeared to be DRUNK. She was wearing what I call a light dress that could have had a bikini on underneath. I've heard that earlier that day, there were Bloody Mary's ordered at their room.....I'm guessing the drinking continued ALL DAY. Do we know if food was ordered or eaten during the day or at the seaside restaurant where they were last seen?