Archive for June, 2009

Welcome to Aruba! To date there have been no cases of Influenza A H1/N1 in Aruba. The Department of Public Health of Aruba has taken all the necessary steps to ensure the island’s preparedness and to prevent an occurrence of Influenza A H1/N1 in Aruba.

It has been determined that crew members and at least one passenger on the Ocean Dream, operated by Pullmantur are infected with the A H1N1 virus. Aruba is the turnaround port of the Ocean Dream and passengers embark and disembark the ship in Aruba. Aruba has taken measures to protect the visitors and population on our island, while at the same time taking care of the crew and passenger of the ship that have Influenza A H1/N1 and those who have developed influenza-like symptoms. Passengers with influenza-like symptoms will be tested. All those without symptoms or that test negative will leave the island. Pullmantur has been requested to arrange for their flights to their destination.

Upon arrival of the ship in Aruba, all precautions as per health regulations issued by WHO & PAHO will be applied. A thorough plan of action is planned and will be implemented immediately. All passengers and crew members on the ship will be screened and those infected or show symptoms will receive treatment and remain on board until further notice.

The non-infected (healthy) passengers, that have a confirmed flight for departure today, will remain in the terminal until their flight departure time and will then be transported to the airport for departure. The ship will remain in the port of Aruba until further notice, in order to apply the Sanitation Protocol according to the WHO. As to the passengers that are arriving with flights today to embark on the Ocean Dream, Pullmantur has taken care of the accommodations here in Aruba.

Aruba has done its utmost to extend its care to all the passengers, for the safety of all its visitors and population. Thank you for your cooperation and whatever your destination may be, we wish you a safe flight. To those staying in Aruba, we wish you a pleasant stay.

As a final note, all travelers should follow the hygiene guidelines to help prevent the spread of the virus as directed on the websites of the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.who.int and www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
If you think you have symptoms of the Influenza A H1/N1 (fever of 100F/38C, dry cough, sore throat), you should call the Influenza Diagnostic Center at: (297) 5887130 or (297) 5887280

Where You Can Travel Without Worry, and Feel Super-Secure

Given some Caribbean islands’ reputation for violent crime and the high-profile Natalee Holloway case in Aruba, it may seem counterintuitive to include the Dutch ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) on a list of the world’s safest places to travel. But the stats don’t lie: Crime rates on the three islands are low, political unrest is virtually unknown, they’re too far south for hurricanes, and in 2008 the trio ranked lowest in the Caribbean in felonious incidents against visiting yachts. In fact, Aruba was the only place in the region to achieve a perfect score on the yacht crime survey.

To find the world’s ultra-safe places to travel we analyzed piles of data, from U.S. State Department warnings on crime against U.S. citizens abroad and the latest United Nations survey on global crime trends to the Mercer rankings of the world’s safest cities. We also looked at other fear factors: natural disasters, social or political unrest, warfare and terrorism. However, the criteria are too varied to make a definitive ranking credible and to rank the 10 safest countries. Some of our choices were obvious: bucolic New Zealand, neutral Switzerland and squeaky-clean Singapore. As for omissions, the Scandinavian countries and some very small island nations would make a longer list of 20 or 25.

Some of our findings are surprising. Maybe it’s movies like “Gangs of New York” and guilt by association with the ongoing troubles across the border in Ulster, but the Irish have always had a rather gruff reputation. But you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. A recent World Health Organization study named the Emerald Isle the least violent country in Europe. And according to the latest Mercer rankings of the world’s safest urban areas, Dublin is less dangerous than major cities in Japan, Australia or Canada.

The image of the rough, tough Irishman “is a media myth—the Hollywood version,” says retired Irish entrepreneur and diplomat Michael Mullally, who for many years has addressed his country’s persona abroad. “It’s about a realistic an image of the Irishman as the Marlboro Man is of Americans.” Cyprus is another place that bucked its traditional image. The 1950s struggle for independence against the British and the Turkish invasion of 1974 and its contentious aftermath color perceptions of the eastern Mediterranean isle. But with the Orthodox church and the traditional Greek family as the twin pillars of society—and a booming economy since entering the European Union in 2004—the island has evolved into a haven of serenity. Recent moves toward rapprochement between independent Cyprus and Turkish-controlled North Cyprus have also contributed to the overall sense of calm.

Tasoula Manaridis of the Cyprus Tourism Organization feels that several factors contribute to the island being such a safe destination. “Cyprus is a country with very high per capita income, one of the highest in Europe. The poverty is at a very, very low level.” But she also points out that, “We never had a terrorist attack either. When they have troubles in the Middle East, they evacuate people out to Cyprus because it’s the safest destination nearby.”

Our search for the safest places revealed several common denominators. Almost all of them are relatively small in terms of both size and population (New Zealand was the largest in both categories). They are all fairly affluent, if not on a global basis then certainly when compared to other countries in their region. And for the most part they are free and open societies, with democratically elected governments and freedom of the press. Religious and family values also figure into the mix. Many of them have homogenous populations, although the melting pots of Singapore, Switzerland and the Dutch southern Caribbean islands show that isn’t always the case. According to Jacob Gelt Dekker, mastermind behind the award-winning Kura Hulanda restoration project and museum in Curacao, the keys to their own tranquility are employment and education. “Unemployment on Curacao is about 3 percent of the adult work force … These numbers compare very favorably to the rest of the Caribbean, where unemployment of the adult work force is on average 15-25 percent.”

Local unemployment is low because the education is ingrained in the local culture and heavily backed by the government. “Education laws make schooling obligatory up to the age of 18 years, and soon to be extended to 21,” Dekker explains. “We expect crime to be even less in the near future, as the schooling laws come into play.” For a rough comparison, we’ll note the United Nations Office rankings on Drugs & Crime, listing a few of the countries ranked solely on the basis of crime and drugs.

Obviously a country currently involved on a war (Iraq, Afghanistan) is going to be the most dangerous. Many large countries do not fare as well. For instance, Colombia, South Africa and Jamaica almost always rank among the world’s most dangerous. Reading from most dangerous to least, the U.S. is the least safe of the big Western nations. The U.N. study ranks the U.S. at No. 24 in per capita murder, well head of France (No. 40), Britain (No. 46), Germany (No. 49) and Japan (No. 60).
From msnbc.msn.com

Daddy Yankee - Live in Concert - June 12, 2009
Don Elias Mansur Ballpark, Aruba

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Aruba Hi-Winds DJs + Live Music - July 1 - 6, 2009
Location: Fisherman’s Huts
Bands: Datapanik, Honeypot, Earplugs, Roots Rebels

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With something to appeal to Mom, Dad, the kids and even grandparents, the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusives are a winning combination for family vacation travel.  Particularly in today’s economy, the simplicity and value-added savings of all-inclusive pricing plus the full use of two resorts for the price of one has an even greater appeal.

Located just steps apart along a stretch of sandy beach, the Divi Aruba and the Tamarijn Aruba have all the necessary services, facilities and amenities and a variety of dining and activity choices so that each and every family member can enjoy themselves.  The little ones will love the variety of beach and water sports activities as well as the 30-foot outdoor rock climbing wall on the beach at the Divi WindsSports Center.  Meanwhile, Mom might enjoy tennis, dance lessons or a spa treatment* while Dad goes sunfish sailing, plays a round of golf* or works out in the air-conditioned, oceanfront fitness center. Grandparents who are traveling with the family will love the casino games master class, try their hands at arts and crafts or take advantage of the bikes and go on a bike tour.

While there’s plenty to entertain each member of the family separately, there are just as many things that the whole family can do as a group.  Since most families gather over dinner, the choice of 10 dining outlets* allows for them to pick a favorite or try them all.  There’s also nightly entertainment to be enjoyed by all with Latin Dance shows, Karaoke, live music and more.  Plus, if the adults want to share a quiet cocktail at one of the bars and lounges or just spend some time together without the kids, the properties offer optional babysitting services.*

Of course, the best way to get even more for the money is to book the Tamarijn Aruba All-Inclusive Family Package, which allows as many as 2 children up to age 18 to stay, play and eat FREE ALL-INCLUSIVE year-round when sharing a room with two paying adults.  The package also includes guaranteed oceanfront accommodations with a spacious patio or balcony and the use of the Children’s Camp for kids ages 5-12, which offers plenty of entertainment such as face painting, pool and beach games, Papiamento lessons, movies, scavenger hunts, snacks and more from Monday through Friday.
No matter how a family likes to spend their vacation time, there are plenty of options for tranquility or carefree fun available all-inclusive to guests of both resorts*.  Plus, with the proximity of the two properties and the convenience of all-inclusive, the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba is a parent’s natural choice for the perfect family getaway!

Located just ten minutes from the airport and five minutes from Aruba’s capital city, Oranjestad, the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All-Inclusives resorts are set on beautiful Druif Beach, with a shopping arcade and the Alhambra Casino nearby.  Guests staying at either the AAA 3-Diamond Divi Aruba or the adjacent, oceanfront Tamarijn Aruba have use of all facilities and services of both properties.  All stays at the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba include all meals and snacks at a choice of ten dining options, unlimited beverages at seven bars, the use of three freshwater pools, a wide range of activities including non-motorized water sports and nightly entertainment and offer a variety of packages.  In addition, all guests may use the well-equipped Divi Winds Sports Center, which features a 30-foot outdoor rock climbing wall on the beach.

For reservations and more information about Divi & Tamarijn Aruba, contact your travel professional or 1-800-554-2008, 207-594-7888 or visit the resorts’ websites at www.diviaruba.com or www.tamarijnaruba.com.

* The Links at Divi Aruba 9-hole golf course, WiFi, Windows on Aruba restaurant located at The Links at Divi Aruba, the Indulgence by the Sea spa and air-conditioned Internet Lounge are all optional services and amenities available to guests at an additional cost.

Club Arashi at Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort - First Party June 7, 2009

“Lounge & Restaurant” with DJ Kenny Fowler, DJ Jeroen & Much More…
Come Experience an Amazing Sunset with Some Deep Fresh House Sounds…
FREE ENTRANCE & Happy Hour 3:00 - 5:00pm!

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National Beach Tennis Event

Eagle Beach (across from Le Dome)

Events include: Beach Tennis, Beach Vollyball, Wind & Kite Surfing Race, Bar, Grill, DJ’s
To register visit: www.arubabeachtennis.com

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