Fun fair, live music and rubber duck race taking place October 6th

Do you want to be part of something spectacular, fun and exciting, that has never taken place in Aruba? Then join a fundraising initiative, organized by Marriott’s Stellaris Casino team, by means of a rubber duck race in the Lazy River at Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club on October 6, 2007. A total of 5,000 rubber ducks will be ‘freed’ in the 490 feet long Lazy River, propelled by the pool water that is in constant motion. The first 25 ducks to reach the finish line will win great prizes, such as weekend stays at Marriott Resorts & Hotels in San Juan, Panama, Mexico and Miami. The rubber ducks are available in 48 different shapes and styles, from Ninja’s and rock star ducks to marine officers and cheerleader ducks. The ducks are for sale at $5 each and can be purchased at the Stellaris Casino, DA Drugstore and at Animal Rights Aruba. All proceeds go to the Animal Rights Aruba (ARA) who will use the money for special programs to help solve the stray dog problem in Aruba.

During the event on Saturday October 6th at the Surf Club Pool side there will also be a fun fair, open to the public from 6-9 PM with all kinds of family games and fun activities, live music and off course food and drinks. Entrance to the Fun Fair is free; tickets at $1 each can be purchased to participate in the several games and activities. All proceeds of the Fun Fair go to ARA and Marriott thanks Valero Aruba for participating as a main sponsor of the ARA Fun Fair.

Lastly, a dog wash will be held on the parking lot of the Grand Ballroom at the Marriott Hotel, on Saturday October 6th from 12 noon – 4 PM. The dog wash is open to the public and everybody is allowed to bring their dogs for a good clean up. Proceeds of the dog wash will also be donated to ARA.

Aruba Marriott and the Stellaris Casino have been donating to Animal Rights Aruba for the past years, supporting their spaying and neutering program for cats and dogs. A total of $ 55,000.00 has been raised for the stray dog program so far. Currently a donation box is filling up at Stellaris Casino, raising additional funds for the ARA cause to benefit the total amount of this year’s donation.

More information on the rubber duck race and the Fun Fair at Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club is available at Stellaris Casino, tel 520 6618 or Animal Rights Aruba, tel 588 7709.

On Friday August 31, there is another famous Full Moon Party at Havana Beach Club. The dress code of the night is “Black & White”. In the house area (inside) DJ Mike and DJ Paul will be spinning the wheels and in the outside area DJ J-Star and DJ Dwatje will be playing Latin music, hip hop, urban, rock and many more.

The doors open at 10pm. Be there and don’t miss the best party on the island!

Wesley Development Corporation N.V., through Coldwell Banker, has begun booking reservations for their new Las Islas Condominium project in Palm Beach, Aruba, one of the Caribbean’s premier locations for resort living.

Surrounded by the views and vistas of Palm Beach, Las Islas Condominiums is located in the heart of Aruba’s most exclusive retreat area, set within the security of your own private, gated community.

The community has a sought-after location, minutes away from the charming Palm Beach. The area attracts many residents seeking its relaxed lifestyle, quaint charm and fashionable address. Here, the arts and music flourish; shopping is a great adventure; and the dining experience, with its endless choices, is among the finest in the world.

Las Islas Condominiums is an exceptional 20 unit combination of luxury and convenience. It offers residents an easy stay with all of the amenities that make Caribbean condos so appealing. Palm Beach creates the perfect backdrop for our pool, gym, sauna and meeting facility. Enjoy relaxing in your private unit, and treasure the breathtaking views from your own balcony. This and much more await you in our condominiums.

Please contact Wesley Development Corporation N.V. at Tel: 297-593-3339 or via E-mail: lasislasaruba@gmail.com for additional information.

“One monkey don’t stop no show, unless you got a one monkey show.”

The Oranjestad Kunsthuis Foundation through its art Gallery is pleased to present a selection of art works from a distinguished artist from New York: Sir Shadow.

Sir Shadow is a unique Twenty-First Century artist whose style is both exciting and fascinating in its content. His ability to express love, music, poetry and to create art through the manipulation of one line, creating shapes and forms that dance, sing and swing with the Jazz music that it depicts is sheer genius. He says he’s from the Universe and indeed his art is indicative of his spatial experience.

An inspired man, Sir Shadow enjoys beautiful people who stands up against all odds for what they have chosen and accepted to do, for art and love. “I call my writing and art work FLOWETRY, which is the art of positive thinking in action. This is my contribution towards live and my immorality. This gives me the right to live my moments in peace and harmony.” Sir Shadow says his purpose is to help others grow and glow. As he learns to become more positive and peaceful he passes on his wisdom. His honest, sincere approach gives him purpose and honor. A lover of children, real people, dogs, cats, history, nature, simple walks, deep talks, laughter and all the taken for granted amenities that life offers his future, Sir Shadow’s plan is to bring joy to the world and the young through his own personal greatness as he sets an example for others to give and touch the hearts and souls of others. “I believe we are all trees and art is the fruit of our positive deeds that bring about inner peace which is the foundation of a positive human being.” Sir Shadow.

“Life is full of broken moments of joy it’s up to you to put the pieces together again.”

The exhibition will be on view at the Oranjestad Kunsthuis Gallery, Zoutmanstraat 7, between the City Hall and the Governor’s office. August 10 – September 10 and at the Cas di Cultura on August 18 -20 during the Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival with life performance of Sir Shadow. For more information about this exhibition, please contact Gilbert Senchi at 563-4574 or gilbertsenchi@yahoo.com or visit our web site at www.oranjestadkunsthuis.org

Tiara Air’s on-time performance report was delivered to Quality Assurance Officer Hubert Zievinger by Maarten Slinger who analyzed the carrier’s performance during the busy summer month of July.

The company says Zievinger set as a short-term goal an on-time performance between 80% and 100% and as its ultimate goal an on-time performance of 90% to 100%.

The one-year-old local airliner, states Zievinger, is proud to reveal that during the month of July with increased vacation traffic the company registered an on-time performance of 87.16%, up from an already impressive 83.47% in June.

Slinger who put the report together based on daily data entered into the company’s system reports that in accordance with his figures a 90% on-time performance should be expected at the end of August.

The airline’s on-time performance is dependant on many outside factors, Zievinger informs. How late, or how early the aircrafts arrive from previous destinations, the air-traffic controllers’ ability to handle the flow, runway congestion, cleaning crews, refueling trucks, luggage handlers, passengers’ on-time desk check-in, airport and apron conditions.

According to IATA, the International Air Transport Organization, only a delay of 16 minutes and more is counted as an actual delay, and as is the case with Tiara Air, those are getting rare and far between as well as the number of cancellations is decreasing rapidly.

Tiara Air, states Zievinger handled 1,953 passengers out of Aruba in April, and 3,885 in July which represents phenomenal growth.

This growth, he shares, clearly indicates that public confidence in Tiara Air is increasing and that the quality of service besides the general flying experience is winning the airline more than its share of passengers in the regional travel market.

Tiara Air provides business and leisure travel and cargo services between the ABC islands, Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao as well as Las Piedras in Venezuela.

Its strategic alliance with Venezolana, a young and dynamic regional airline company operating a number of Jet Streams 41, 29-seat planes, also allows easy connections between Caracas, Maracaibo and Aruba.

Tiara Air, a privately owned company flies Shorts 3-60, 33-seat planes, offering a flexible schedule as well as a great variety of vacation packages, with three different day trips to Curacao which include shopping, a visit to that island’s famous seaquarium and the dolphin encounter, besides an option to even a swim with the dolphins. Book your flight on-line by visiting www.Tiara-air.com, or the airport office. Tiara Air on time, accommodating and simpatico.

Adventure, excitement and romance are found sailing the ocean blue aboard the teak schooners which fly the Jolly Pirates Skull and Cross Bones flags. Celebrating ten fun-filled years with their own exceptional style of service, sail, snorkel, and swing, these modern day pirates operate Aruba's most requested sunset and snorkel cruises.

Forgoing the traditional champagne, countless self-proclaimed pirate-lovers celebrate each day aboard the Jolly Pirates' Old World Twin Schooners with the ship's signature brew, ice-cold Pirate's Poison.

Those who sail the Jolly Pirates Ships, Captains Harald, Julio and Ron are clearly excited by the prospect of offering their special brand of adventure to many more guests for years to come.

With ten years under their belts, they are continuously encouraged by repeat guests who flame the desire of first-time guests, seeking a truly extraordinary trip. Personal attention, genuine hospitality and the small business charm of the Jolly Pirates delighted countless guests throughout the years.

The set of authentic wooden sailing ships and positive word of mouth both drive the thirst for adventure and Jolly Pirates and its guests can look forward to many more years of smooth sailing.

The dedicated, fun-loving crew joins the ship's owner, Captain Harald. Last year, first mate Julio was recognized for his outstanding customer service with an award, handed out by Aruba's Hotel & Tourism Association. Captain Ron literally turns flips to please guests and professional Gymnast Juan Carlos has raised the trapeze bar with his bar-none-talent on the ship's rope swing. To round out the team, other crew members responsible for keeping spirits buoyed aboard are Javier, Alexander and Nick known for their expert snorkel instruction and attentive, friendly manner on board where Jolly Pirates' experience only gets better each year.

Jolly Pirates Sunset and Sailing Cruises depart from the MooMba Beach Bar just between the Marriott Surf Club and Holiday Inn Sunspree.  For more information give  the Jolly Pirates a shout at their ticket office located on MooMba  beach where the Jolly Pirates departs daily or visit the website; www.jollypirates.com

Announces Scuba Diving Packages

According to PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), the popularity of scuba diving continues to grow with 924,270 divers certified worldwide in 2006. A resort of choice for divers and home to the recently namedConde Nast Traveler Hot List honoree Larimar Spa, Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino announces Scuba in Aruba Packagesshowcasing the island’s underwater world for discovery.

Beginners can immerse themselves with a seven-night Learn to Dive Program starting at $2,899* and earn PADI open water certification. The Learn to Dive Program encompasses all equipment and includes accommodations, diving and instruction, tanks, weight belts and a welcome martini at the open-air Mira Solo. For the ultimate experience, Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino is offering experienced divers a seven-night Unlimited Diving package with rates beginning at $2,889* including accommodations, unlimited dives and a cocktail at the resort’s popular martini bar. Both package rates are based on double occupancy. Shorter packages of three and five-nights are also available.

Known for numerous wrecks and a diversity of reef sites, the warm waters off Aruba excite both the new diver and seasoned professional. Active travelers “in the know” prefer the warm waters of Aruba to explore the California Wreck, a 100 year-old ship surrounded by large coral formations and an abundance of fish, or the brain coral and sea fans of Arashi. All dive instruction and activities are through Unique Sports, a Five Star Gold Palm/National Geographic facility located at the resort.

For more information and reservations, call Radisson Hotels & Resorts at (800) 333-3333 or visit www.radisson.com/aruba. Guests booking Scuba in Aruba Packages should contact Unique Sports prior to arrival to schedule dives at 011-297-586-6555 x 6597 or unique@radissonaruba.com

The Sunset Grille at the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino needs no introduction. The award winning American steakhouse with its chic, cosmopolitan atmosphere headlines Prime Beef, the highest grade U.S.D.A. Only 2% of all beef is graded prime, aged a minimum of 4 weeks. Also on the menu Certified Angus Beef, specialty selected highly marbled U.S.D.A.

While steak and chops make up the heart of the menu, Executive Chef Matt Boland and Executive Sous Chef Hector Espinoza innovated unparalleled appetizers and extraordinary desserts, which helped the restaurant achieve the Triple AAA's elite four-diamond status - a rare feat for steakhouses.

Recently, Chef Boland helped usher in a new era in modern cuisine. He spearheaded the evolution from traditional old world steakhouse cooking into new low cal, low fat spa cuisine.

The new dishes are balanced by enhancing flavors with citrus, spice and herbs and taste is elevated by marinating, smoking and grilling, he states.

"We now use many more herbs, vegetables, grains and fibers," says Boland, "all designed to sustain a healthier life style; and we stay away from saturated fats and refined sugars, as well as use salt sparingly," he informs.

"The Sunset Grille kitchen," he adds, "uses no trans fats, and our guests," he banters, "stay healthy, wealthy and wise with our new and exciting spa cuisine."

Among new dishes just introduced are Maine Lobster Cocktail, with Mango, Black Bean, Cilantro Corn, Salsa, Purple Potatoes and Citrus Chili Vinaigrette; Fresh Local Fish "Catch of the Day," Mahi Mahi, Snapper or Grouper fresh from the dock; Chilean Sea Bass, Seared Fillet of Sea Bass with Fennel and Blood Orange Salad, Red Pepper Polenta and Almond Aioli; and an instant hit, ordered many times each night Asian Scallop Stir-fry, Jumbo Scallops with Cucumber Sesame and Wakame served over Soba Noodles.

The Sunset Grille always endeavors to exceed guests expectations by purchasing the very best products available and preparing them in accordance with a combination of "tried and true" as well as cutting edge contemporary methods, Boland explains.

Simply put, the Sunset Grille culinary team buys the best products, and cooks them the best way they know, refusing to cut corners, especially when it comes to buying, aging and cutting meat. No wonder the readers of Caribbean Travel & Life named it the top restaurant in the Caribbean.