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Welcome to the
Visit Aruba Newsletter!
This section will be updated regularly, so keep coming back...
News Briefs for March 1- 31, 2002
- WET FUN, A LA DE
PALM TOURS
Happy Hour Snorkel sounds like fun, and we can assure you that it is. De
palm Tours Watersports just conceived a creative afternoon adventure,
combining underwtare exploration with cocktails at sunset on board the Fun Factory, one of
the fastest, most comfortable boats on the island.
- SUSHI CLASSES AT
THE HYATT REGENCY
The cuisine, like the decor, has Japanese overtones. The new Cafe Japengo at the Hyatt
Regency turns out terriffic sushi by an imaginative team of sushi professionals.
- GREEN IS OUR
FAVORITE COLOR
La Cabana All Suite Beach Resort celebrated the Green Globe 21 award this week with the
resort's tireless employees.
- NREMT BASIC
Graduates of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, Basic, were present
at La Cabana All Suite Beach Resort for their much-awaited graduation ceremony. Abraham
Vera & Diederick Dammers, members of the resort security team were certified this
year.
- DOG SHOW I
The Criollo Dogshow, at Moko, Rancho Monte Blanco, on Sunday was a barking success. With
more than 100 dogs of mixed breeds in attendance the competition raged in three difficult
categories: Beauty, Obedience and Tricks.
- PRESS RELEASE
ARUBA APART
Photo exhibit "A Separate Aruba/Aruba Apart" by Aruban
photographer Nadine Salas in the National Museum of Ethnography in
Leiden.
- NORTH STAR
LAUNCHES NEW MUSIC CD
Locals and tourists enjoyed a free concert on the beach Sunday, at Hadicurari, when the
North Star Steel Band launched its new music CD,
Aruba's Pan Lovers.
- $AVE in
Aruba with the VisitAruba Plus card!
Your VisitAruba Plus card is a convenient and
effective way to get the most out of your Aruba vacation with significant discounts and
special offers on hotel accommodations, car rental, watersports, sailing and party
cruises, spa treatments, entertainment, casinos, shopping and more!
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ON TIME, ON TARGET,
THE NEW BOSS, HUGO BOSS FLAGSHIP IS HERE
The new Boss, Hugo Boss flagship store on the
main street is here, as promised, on target, on time. And it is beautiful. Hugo Boss, a
familiar main street shopping landmark recently moved out of its permanent location into the
upstairs portion of its lovely art-deco building. The reason for the move was the upcoming
complete and total renovation of the place. In its new incarnation it offers a Boss Hugo
Boss flagship store, the first in the Caribbean to carry besides the world famous Men's
line also the complete Women's line, uniquely designed clothes for today's active,
assertive female. The 170 square-meter fashion store was designed by German architects.
The design, an original Hugo Boss creation is according to specs from the company's
international headquarters. Everything from modern light fixtures to blonde cherry wood
cabinets and lime stone floors was designed for the sole purpose of offering a trendy yet
practical shopping experience. Under the supervision of Eric Maris, the old store was
gutted and the new one installed over the last weekend. Owner Charles Croes targeted
Tuesday, March 19th as his re-opening day, and he delivered. We worked day and night he said,
to reopen on time, on target. Some credit is also due to local companies, Cotraco, Hecas,
Benjamin Security, Retraco, working closely with ECN building consultants to warp the
project up in record time. I believe in the main street, adds Croes, in the area's
viability and in its ability to attract shoppers, visitors and tourists alike. We are
making the mega investment with total confidence, he concludes. We understand that an
elegant gala opening party is in the planning. While details have not been revealed we
hope our name is on the invitation list.
 
[courtesy of Rona Coster]
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WET FUN, A LA DE PALM
TOURS
Happy Hour Snorkel sounds like fun, and we can
assure you that it is. De palm Tours Watersports just conceived a creative afternoon
adventure, combining underwater exploration with cocktails at sunset on board the Fun
Factory, one of the fastest, most comfortable boats on the island. The adventure departs
from the de Palm pier, in the warm afternoon sun. Captain Nymrod and his crew, Cesar,
Stuart & Emil unfurl the sails, then the bar opens, heralding the beginning of the
island's longest Happy Hour. The Fun Factory sails to two excellent snorkling sites.
Aruba's marine life is abundant, espeically around the famous Antilla wreck, a German
frieghter scuttled during WWII. The crew gladly takes you by the hand for a look at the
underwater if inexperience is your excuse for staying out of the water. Naturally, life
vests are available as extra security blankets for those venturing into the turquise arena
for the first time. At Boca Catalina, the second stop, snorkling grounds are waist deep,
and the beach at Arashi, on the trip's last leg, is a beach-comber's paradise.
Nevertheless, sailing, sunning and sipping is always a good option, without ever getting
your toes wet. As the sun prepares for a majestic sunset Le Dome's delicious cold buffet with sandwiches, snacks and tropical
drinks complement the seascape spectacular. Happy Hour Snorkel includes snorkeling
equipment and instruction, open bar, snacks, music and round trip shuttle to your hotel,
while Snuba is optional. The Fun Factory departs at 3 p.m. and returns to dock at 6:30
p.m., at a cost of $45 per person. For bookings visit the de Palm activity desk of your
hotel.
 
[courtesy of Rona Coster]
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SUSHI CLASSES AT THE
HYATT REGENCY
Cafe' Japengo's sushi club
The cuisine, like the decor, has Japanese
overtones. The new Cafe Japengo at the Hyatt Regency turns out terriffic sushi by an
imaginative team of sushi professionals. The restaurant menu is Asian influenced. Japengo
serves Sake Cocktails and Wok-tosses a fantastic Ten Ingredient Fried Rice! Patrons are
invited to move rapturously from sushi to hot appetizers to dinner and dessert oblivious of
how fast time flies when you're having fun food. This may naturally have something to do
with the rhythmic beat of the not so background music, the seamless flow of service, and
the sights of beautiful people who drop in to dine at the Hyatt's famed restaurants. Cafe'
Japengo is undoubtedly one of the hot new spots in town. And now sushi master David Castro
is taking Aruba to school - sushi school that is! Cafe Japengo introduces the
"Saturday Sushi Club". David who studied under four brilliant masters himself,
will conduct just one class each Saturday morning teaching the basics in sushi
preparation. David will facilitate "Sushi 101" using the tell-show-do method
instruction. As he speaks English, Spanish, & Papiamento, you may roll your own maki
sushi and nigiri sushi lunch to go, in your favorite language of instruction. Students
will receive an "Honorary Japengo Sushi Chef" certificate, as well as written
instructions and an ingredient list for future use at home. Best of all the Japengo Sushi
Club membership card will entitle the bearer to a 20% discount sushi at Cafe Japengo on
all future visits. Saturday Sushi Club classes start at 10:30 a.m. and the cost is $35.00
or Afl 60.00 per person. Whether you are a visitor or local you may call #861234, the
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino. Tell the operator you wish to sign up for the
sushi classes! Cafe' Japengo is open for dinner nightly from 6 p.m. except Mondays.
Reservations are suggested. Recommended attire - "dress to impress!" Sushi
classes start up these classes by Saturday March 16, 2002
[courtesy of Rona Coster]
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GREEN IS OUR FAVORITE
COLOR
La Cabana All Suite Beach Resort celebrated
the Green Globe 21 award this week with the resort's tireless employees. Green is our
favorite color, says Puncheon Deokie, the resort's environmental coordinator and president
of the Green Team as he poured green punch and sliced green cake under green balloons, in
the cafeteria.
La Cabana All Suite Beach Resort accepted the Green Globe 21 award with pride. Green Globe
21 is an Environmental Management Programmed for travel and tourism companies and destinations.
It is dedicated to improving environmental practices and increasing environmental
awareness. Maintaining a clean and healthy environment, says Puncheon, is essential to the
future of the travel and tourism industry. At La Cabana All Suite Beach Resort the
certification became a reality thanks to the commitment, dedication and hard work of all
employees, from top management to line employees, reports general manager Lou Roelofsen.
Key players in the process are the members of the Green Team, naturally. They brainstorm
first, then implement and monitor environmental friendly practices. This group includes
die-hard environmentalists from each department, guided by Puncheon. La Cabana All Suite
Beach Resort wholeheartedly embraced the 4 R’s - Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle,
and has proven to be successful in reducing negative impacts on the Eagle Beach
environment. This practice generated cost savings in various areas which added to the
resort's bottom line. Many of La Cabana's employees have also taken good environmental
practices homes with them.
La Cabana is now the largest Timeshare Resort in the Caribbean to become Green Globe 21
certified, Puncheon reveals, and this is only one stepping stone in our journey to Quality
and Excellence, he adds. The message the resort hopes to send out to the island community
is the following: WE MUST PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT TODAY SO THAT OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR
CHILDREN WILL HAVE A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORLD IN WHICH TO LIVE.
[courtesy of Rona Coster]
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NREMT BASIC
The E.M.T. Certification Ceremony
Graduates of the National Registry of
Emergency Medical Technicians, Basic, were present at La Cabana All Suite Beach Resort for
their much-awaited graduation ceremony. Abraham Vera & Diederick Dammers, members of
the resort security team were certified this year. They joined two other members of the Engineering
Department Ilka Lacle & Angel Rojas to form a core of four pre-hospital services
experts. True to its slogan, "You get things you don't get anywhere else," La
Cabana All Suite Beach Resort offers certificated emergency technicians on staff. Abraham
Vera who won "Supervisor of the Year 2001," mans the First Aid station at the
resort. Guests enjoy a greater peace of mind around their kids, he says. They know we can
handle emergencies well here. Also from Snuba & Sea Trek, Amy Spagnola & Norbert
Araugo were certificated. De Palm Tours must be proud of its affiliated companies, taking
the training of its staff seriously. Amy who is the Snuba girl on de  Palm island
reports the company's level of preparedness is always optimized. The aspiring EMTs
undertook the NREMT, Basic, during the last six months. The course required 240 hours of
instruction, twice a week from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and was conducted by Toni Duran the
Coastal Aruba Refinery Paramedic. Mixing practical experience with theory, the students
assisted during medical trauma in the hospital, helped deliver babies, mastered the art of
lifting and carrying, studied mental health at PAAZ, learned how to drive an ambulance, in
short when it was time for their oral and written final exams, out of 42 who enrolled, 12
graduated. It was challenging and demanding, they report, it required great sacrifices,
making the time, reviewing the materials. Yet those who graduated are pleased to declare
that in emergencies they are qualified to help save lives, which is a great privilege,
they add.
[courtesy of Rona Coster]
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DOG SHOW I
The Criollo Dogshow, at Moko, Rancho Monte
Blanco, on Sunday was a barking success. With more than 100 dogs of mixed breeds in
attendance the competition raged in three difficult categories: Beauty, Obedience and
Tricks. The vets of both veterinary clinics, situated in Wayaca & Sheba, organized the
family-fun afternoon, sponsored by Pedigree. The volunteers of the animal shelter did most
of the work, they also got to exhibit their shelter residents which were the stars of the
show, landing two trophies for Obedience and Tricks. The most beautiful dog, an Aruban
Saluki, won the pageant not on looks alone. During his final round, he also sported some
Carnival-style feathers. The panel of judges was made of two vets, one animal lover and
one animal trainer. The contest was designed to promote the local mixed breed such as the
popular Aruba Shepherd, the rare Aruban Borzoi, and the ever prevalent Aruban Retriever.
You don't have to be a pedigree dog to be a good, loyal pet, says vet Peter Brandsen.
 
[courtesy of Rona Coster]
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PRESS RELEASE ARUBA
APART
Photo exhibit "A Separate
Aruba/Aruba Apart" by Aruban photographer Nadine Salas in
the National Museum of Ethnography in Leiden.
On Friday March 8, 2002 the
exhibition "A seperate Aruba" by Aruban photographer Nadine Salas opens at 4:00
PM at the National Museum of Ethnography in Leiden, Holland.
Aruba-born photographer Nadine Salas' work is
part of the artshow "Anceaux's glasses, ethographic pictures 1860-today".
Based on photographs in the collection, or lack thereof, the
museum has commissioned 4 contemporary photographers with an assignment: Diana
Blok, Susan Meiselas, Nadine Salas and Martin
van de Oever. The museum received a grant from the Mondriaan Foundation
for this project.
Altough the former Dutch colonies are
reasonably documented, Aruban photographs were completely absent in the collection. The
museum commissioned Nadine Salas to work with the theme of Aruban Identity. Her colorful
and exuberant images of houses, Christmas decorations, carnival, political campaigns and
parties sketch an image of an island trying to manifest itself as unique and different.
But the strong longing for uniqueness seems to manifest itself more in the exuberance
itself than
rooted in strong cultural or historical traditions.
As of March 8 Nadine Salas' photographs can be
viewed at the exhibit's internet site: www.aruba-apart.nl. All pictures can be mailed as ecards and
a guestbook is available.
A selection of Nadine Salas' photographs has
been published in the exhibition's catalog "Anceaux's glasses",
illustrating the article "Aruba, status aparte" by anthropologist Gosewijn van
Beek. The catalog is on sale at the museum shop for 24,50 euro.
The exhibitions "A separate Aruba"
and "Anceaux's glasses" can be seen at the National Museum of
Ethnography in Leiden through September 8, 2002. The museum is open from tuesday until
sunday, from 10:00 a.m. till 5 pm and closed on mondays, january 1, october 3 and december
25. The address is Steenstraat 1 in the centre of Leiden, Holland.
[courtesy of Nadine Salas]
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NORTH STAR LAUNCHES
NEW MUSIC CD
Locals and tourists enjoyed a free concert on
the beach Sunday, at Hadicurari, when the North Star Steel Band launched its new  music CD, Aruba's
Pan Lovers. The CD contains 8 songs, among them a Tumba, 2 Calypso, 2 local Wals, 1 Bolero
and 1 Danza mixing tropical sounds with traditional folklore. The CD was recorded by Ivan
Quant at IQ studios. His wife Yvonne is one of the band members. All arrangements were
written in collaboration with Milo Krosendijk & Boochi Boekhoudt. It was a labor of
love as each track had to be recorded SEPARATELY, then carefully mixed in the IQ studio.
For the short beach-side ceremony, Vanessa Tromp served as madrina, godmother and Ramon Kervel, sales
director Polar Beer, as Padrino, godfather. The CD was washed over with some of Aruba's
best suds, Polar Beer, with assistance from Freddy Tromp and Mirtho Krozendijk, North
Stars Steel Band members. The band with about 15 pan players performs for Carnival each
year. The youngest player in the band is John Francis, 9. The seniors are Boei Hernandez
and James Arrindell. Look for the CD in all major music stores.
[courtesy of Rona Coster]
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TOURISM EXEC ADWINA
ARENDS, LA CABANA, TO BE HONORED AT CTO EVENT IN NY TO CELEBRATE INFLUENTIAL LEADERS
Arends to be Applauded at Special
On-Island Function
for Dedication, Loyal Service to Aruba
ORANJESTAD, Aruba (March 1, 2002) – The
Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has announced that it will honor Adwina
Arends, director of sales and marketing for La Cabana All Suite Beach Resort in
Aruba, for her significant contributions to sustainable tourism growth in the Caribbean
during her 30-plus-year career in the hospitality industry.
Arends is the only person from Aruba to be saluted at a special ceremony paying tribute to
50 accomplished individuals in the field of tourism as part of CTO’s 50th anniversary
celebration. The ceremony will be held during CTO’s 29th Annual Governments
of the Caribbean State Ball on May 31, 2002 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New
York City.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of CTO,
the organization will be honoring 50 individuals for their superior accomplishments and
commitment to hospitality and tourism – one from each of the 33 member countries of
CTO and 17 individuals who have made special contributions to the cause of regional
tourism. The government of Aruba selected Arends to be the official honoree from Aruba
because of her distinguished career and the groundwork she laid for tourism’s success
on the island. To kick-off the congratulations early, La Cabana is arranging a festive
on-island celebration for today, Friday, March 1, where Arends will be surrounded by many
friends, colleagues and memories. Minister of Tourism Edison Briesen will be attending the
reception to present Arends with information on attending the CTO Ball to receive the
award.
Adwina Arends: A True
Friend Of Aruba:
Adwina Arends has been actively involved in the Aruba tourist product for almost 30 years,
in various hotel and association capacities. Currently, Arends is La Cabana’s
director of sales and marketing, a position she has held since July 1990, making her one
of the resort’s first – and most loyal – employees. Today, La Cabana stands
as an extremely successful Caribbean property. Arends is always insistent on sharing the
resort’s success with her sales team and fellow employees because she recognizes that
a “team effort” is crucial to any tourism accomplishments.
Arends began her career in 1973 at the front desk of Aruba’s first major hotel –
the Aruba Caribbean. Hard work and dedication propelled her through the ranks to the
position of acting general manager, where she was responsible for the daily operations of
this 200-room property.
In 1983, Arends moved to the American Aruba
Hotel & Casino. During her tenure at this 206-room resort, she was the resident
manager and acting general manager, charged with overseeing numerous departments -- front
office, reservations, sales, marketing, housekeeping, guest relations, groups, pool and
beach services, and accounting.
In 1987, Arends joined Pelican Tours &
Watersports, a destination management company, as vice president of sales and marketing.
She coordinated ground and tour operations, group destination services, watersports
activities, and cruise lines.
A year later, she became the managing director of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association
(AHATA) and handled marketing for the private sector including hotels, tour operators,
restaurants, car rental firms and retails shops. She also created a co-op marketing and
advertising program between the private sector and the government.
Two years later, she left AHATA and became a
member of the La Cabana family. This new challenge allowed her to bring together her
extensive marketing and sales background.
A dynamic member of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International
(HSMAI), Arends established an HSMAI chapter in Aruba in 1993. She has been president of
the chapter from 1993 to the present time.
For her long career and allegiance to Aruba,
Arends has been honored with the International Tourism Award “Golden Helm” in
1987 (in Berlin) and the Iguana Award of Excellence in 1994 (in Aruba). Over the span of
her career, Arends has contributed countless energy and enthusiasm to the development and
betterment of tourism to and on the island of Aruba. She is an exceptional sales and
marketing resource, and Aruba has been extremely lucky to have her work on the
island’s behalf.
For more information on Adwina Arends and La
Cabana, please contact La Cabana All Suite Beach Resort & Casino, J.E. Irausquin
Boulevard 250, Oranjestad, Aruba, Dutch Caribbean; telephone (011) 297-8-79000, fax (011)
297-8-70834. Visit La Cabana on the Internet at www.lacabana.com/resort or send e-mail to
lacabana@setarnet.aw.
[courtesy of Rona Coster]
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