Aruba’s International Catamaran Regatta Welcomes Sailors, Spectators from Around the World to Drop Anchor in Tropical Paradise

Oranjestad, Aruba – October 22, 2007 – Hoist the mainsail and set a course for paradise! The 17th Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta, November 9-17, 2007, invites sailors from across the globe to experience the thrill of sailing through some of the most beautiful waters in the world. Aruba’s turquoise seas and hearty trade winds make ideal sailing conditions for both experienced yachtsmen and recreational captains. Ten separate races will embark from beautiful Palm Beach, treating those on shore to a spectacular visual of colorful sails dotting the Caribbean horizon and darting across the Aruban landscape. Approximately 50 teams from the Netherlands, England, Switzerland, Belgium, France and Aruba will take the helm at this exhilarating and competitive event.

The regatta isn’t only for salty dogs; landlubbers too can enjoy the races from Aruba’s pristine, white beaches or explore the island’s many natural attractions, like the natural pool and Arikok National Park. Non-sailors are also invited to get a little closer to the action and share the excitement on one of the regatta’s special spectator boats. For those looking to find their sea legs while on Aruba, there are many recreational sailboats and sailboat cruises available to help visitors learn the ropes and express their seafaring side.

Regatta participants will drop anchor at the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Aruba during their stay and will enjoy team lunches, nightly events, and an awards ceremony following the last race. Spectators can choose from the many dining and entertainment options on the island, as well as accommodations at some of the best hotels and resorts in the Caribbean. This year’s Regatta promises to be more exciting than ever, as sailors man the rigging and prepare to tackle the open ocean in a fight to the finish.

For more information on the 17th Annual Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta, please visit www.arubaregatta.com

Ambianz a new restaurant just opened on Sunday on Surfside beach, at the old Marandi site. The crew of Marandi Restaurant was asked to move because the site was to be converted into a luxury condominium complex, but since the project is wisely on hold, we're lucky to have Ambianz establish itself on the charming beach.

Ambianz is a fun restaurant with a continental menu of favorites. Owners Rene van Norel and Nico Vink have many years of bar and restaurant management under their belts. They met in Crete, on the Greek islands. Rene owned a bar. Nico a restaurant. They vowed to one day own similar businesses in the Caribbean. Then Rene came to Aruba about one year ago looking for a dream location, then Nico joined and Ambianz was born.

The two friends and business partners imported chef Pascal van Houten, the original Que Pasa chef, who recruited Roel van Dijk as his sou chef, taking the kitchn over. They also found the beautiful Anne Nabben to run the dining room and the bar. Try it, they are open for dinner every evening, under the stars, toes in the sand.

Story by Rona Coster

Having fallen in love with the old, quaint Brisas Del Mar restaurant in Savaneta, Dutch business partners Hans Veenhuysen & Robert Nieland decided to make the purchase. They bought the seaside building and decided to shut the restaurant down, renovate completely and reopen in the fall.

So far so good. Their plan has been put in motion by the dynamic Willeke Volgers, of Delifrance, who is at the helm of the project, and she reports that the new Brisas del Mar will reopen for business in early November.

Seafood lover from all over the world have enjoyed a more than thirty years relationship with the famed restaurant. The excitement of the drive, the entrance way with thousands of business cards, the fragrant indoor restaurant and the breezy outdoor terrace were all part of the Brisas del Mar experience, enhanced by delicious Fish Aruban Style, Keri Keri, baby shark, lobster tail, the Brisas Special, and the Commandeurs Dish, which were perennial favorites. Visitors and locals found King Neptune hard to resist—fish filet stuffed with crabmeat in a mouthwatering sauce which originated in Lucy and her daughters, Evelyn and Marchita’s kitchen.

The new edition of the old favorite says Willeke will maintain many of the original platters prepared by Jamaican-born chef Lakie P. Richards, a Caribbean cuisine specialist with over eight years in Aruba. Lakie, explains Willeke is a Fish & Pasta expert, who also has a special way with pastries and cakes, as well as a number of years as catering chef under his belt. Warm and energetic Lakie brings his natural enthusiasm to the kitchen and the menu.

Maren Knooren, the restaurant’s Dutch-born assistant manager with years of restaurant management experience is a very motivated lady, who also knows her way around the bar. She promises an exciting bar & drink menu.

Visitors and local who travel to the new Brisas del Mar will be rewarded with tranquility and stylishness at a seaside lounge, where they can sip good wines and nibble on delicious tapas, fresh fish and interesting dishes all day long without ever moving from their comfortable chaises!

Brisas del Mar is planning on going beyond food and offer a total experience, with music and ambiance.

The major renovations were aided by the professional eye of Jani Croes, a local architect/designer/artist, they were inspired by the latest Spanish and European trends aiming at bringing together locals and visitors in a typical Aruban atmosphere with a contemporary twist.

This year, Foundation Save Our Donkey Aruba is celebrating its 10th anniversary. They started out the year with a (annual) walkathon and followed it up with a photo contest as well as a tremendous Animal Day open house event. They would like to end our anniversary year just as spectacularly with a gala event planned for November 10, 2007 at Park Arawa in Moko.

The gala promises to be a festive occasion with live music provided by the local dance bands of Son Latino and Deja Vue. George McCrae will also perform a few of his songs on a "benefit" basis. He is the Disco Pioneer from the seventies, and has not only a warm heart for people, but also for animals.

A silent auction of art works will comprise a part of the evening's activities. Art works have been donated by local artists including Jenny Kock, Jacqueline Doorenbos, Joe Miklojcik,Yvette de Cuba- Tulloch, Ria Arrindell, Gina Jie-Sam-Foek, Noraima Sierra Vitola, Vera Croes, and many more. Brisas del Mar Restaurant is also donating a painting by Elisa Lejeuz.

Included in the ticket price is an Aruban Buffet provided by Taste of Belgium as well as non-alcoholic drinks.

Door prizes for Mambo Jambo, Sopranos, Tango, Salt & Pepper, The Plaza, Hadicurari, MooMba and Matilde will be donated by Aruba Wine & Dine.

Another door prize is a dinner for two donated by Carlos and Charlies.

Tickets are 100 florins each. All proceeds go to help support efforts in safeguarding Aruba's beloved donkeys.

For more information, please call one of the volunteers, Sharon at Cel: 7339197 or Desiree at Cel: 5684091

Henk and Mary Marsman are the proud new owners of the new Rejuvenate Medi-Spa in Bubali. The new spa has a list combining not only cosmetic and relaxing services but also a wide variety of medical practices, such as Botox and other state of the art filler procedures with the help of Dr. Steve Cabenda. The treatment rooms will include infrared beds (disposing the body of toxins without the sweating of a Sauna) and a special shower. The spa is located at Bubali 11-M adjacent to Henk’s dental office. For more information please call (297) 587-4800 or visit their website www.rejuvenate-medispa.com

International Drive is Aruba’s new private chauffeured diamond executive transportation and personal protection services offering a variety of services at various prices, including concierge services. For more information please contact R. Allan W. Goede at (297) 731-1221 or (297) 588-0139 or visit www.interexdrive.com

Red Sail Sports offers special night dive packages to highlight the coral spawning season. Every year, Aruba’s underwater world changes shape. Taking place at very specific evenings in September, great numbers of coral colonies synchronize the broadcast of packets of eggs and sperm, which mingle in the open ocean to produce their young. Described by scuba divers as something like an underwater snowstorm, these millions upon millions of packets of reproductive cells can form great pink and white clouds underwater, and are seen as pink slicks on the water the next day. It is thought that this synchronized spawning increases the chances of eggs being fertilized, and overwhelms the many organisms that prey on coral eggs and larvae. There are so many in the water that there is no way that all can be eaten. Even though it is difficult to predict exactly when the spawning takes place, chances of seeing this wonder of nature are best during Red Sail Sports’ night dives on 10, 13 and 17 September. Mention ‘coral spawning’ and you can use an underwater flash light for free! Red Sail Sports is Aruba’s largest full-service Dive and Watersports operator. More information about Red Sail go to www.redsailaruba.com or call (297) 583 1603.

Mr. Jorge Pesquera is heading to Florida. The former President and CEO of AHATA, effective November 1st, accepted the position of President and CEO of the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Pesquera will be in charge of overseeing all tourism marketing for Florida’s largest county with 16000 hotel rooms, a new convention center and some of the most upscale resorts in the US. Pesquera will leave his post November 1st and will be replaced by Mr. Rob Smith, current GM of the Westin Aruba Resort, effective October 1st.

A Cabana Spa is the newly opened day spa at De Palm Island and is guided by professional therapist Jacqueline Jimeno with over 14 years of experience. The spa offers a great variety of treatments depending on the wants and needs of the guests. The spa services are available as extra features and are not included in the all-inclusive De Palm Island day pass. For more information please call De Palm Tours at (297) 582-4400.

“Jazz at Divi Links Aruba” is the title of the new cd by Ivan Jansen Quartet, which was launched during the introduction of the lunch menu at Windows on Aruba located at The Links at Divi Village Resort & Golf Club.
The cd is a collection of old time guests’ favorites. Besides serving patrons during the evening hours, Windows on Aruba will also be open for lunch from noon to 3.00 pm and will soon introduce Sunday Brunch as well.

The Structure is the name of the new art exhibition presented by the Foundation Insight for the Arts Aruba. It is a collective exhibition of local artists primarily devoted to abstract and avant garde work presented to the public on October 4th at 7.30pm to 11.00pm at Paradera Park # 215 and will be on display until the 10 of November. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 09.00 am to 6.00 pm and private tours for groups can be arranged on weekends by calling 568 9168.

September is Cultural Month at the National Library of Aruba. This year the National Library together with the Pedagogical Institute of Aruba (IPA) honors Colombian author and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Gabo), with the opening exposition “Homage to Gabriel Garcia Marquez”, starting on Monday September 3 at 7:30pm at the library. This will mark a month long celebration of the author’s life, work and greatest achievements. For more information please contact the National Library at (297) 582-1580 or visit www.bibliotecanacional.aw

The Access Art Gallery is celebrating its fifth anniversary with the opening of a new collection titled: “The Naked Truth”. A total of 17 artists and the work of curator Renwick Heronimo were unveiled during the opening at the upper level gallery on August 30th and will be on display until October 11th. “The Naked Truth” is an extremely diverse collection encompassing anything from a contemporary depiction of the human form to the artist revealing the inside them, or what they feel are truths about society. Access Art Gallery is open Monday trough Saturday from 10:00am until 8:00pm located in Oranjestad’s main street Caya Betico Croes. For more information please contact Access Art at (297) 588-7837 or (297) 588-7379.