Archive for July, 2010

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Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts Introduces Eco-Chic Weddings

Category Hotels, Lifestyle     Date Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts, Aruba’s premier resort for romance, has launched a new Eco-Chic Aruba Wedding Experience for couples looking to go green on their big day. Bucuti has been committed to sustainable tourism for more than 25 years and has incorporated both environmentally friendly and locally influenced elements into its Eco-Chic Aruba Wedding Experience including:

  • A location on one of the “Dream Beaches of the World” that provides spectacular scenery, reducing the need for air conditioning and lighting
  • A ceremony and reception at the same location, or within close proximity to limit travel impact and expenses. If the distance between venues is too great to walk, earth-friendly options can be arranged. A horse drawn carriage is efficient, romantic and it doesn’t burn gas. Group transportation can also be arranged.
  • Locally inspired décor including centerpieces made from recycled wine bottles and indigenous flowers or cacti in terra cotta pots
  • Do it yourself (DIY) indigenous favors such as handmade boxes tied with palm leaves
  • Reception menus including locally produced, grown and organically prepared food; authentic local dishes can also be incorporated
  • Authentic Aruban entertainment such as a renowned steel pan player, Aruban waltz dancers and a crank operated piano known as Kah’I Orgel or a Tingilingi Box
  • Traditional Aruban wedding favors like the “Bolo Preto” or “Black Cake” which is similar to a groom’s fruit cake
  • Programs and place cards printed using recycled paper and non-toxic ink
  • Palm leaf confetti instead of rice, which can be harmful to wildlife

Brides and grooms can rest assured that they have minimized the carbon footprint of their nuptials by choosing one of the greenest resorts in the Caribbean for themselves and their guests. Bucuti has an exhaustive amount of water and energy saving practices in place, sponsors several local environmental groups and has been certified Green Globe 21 since 2000 and ISO 14001 since 2003. Click here for a full list of environmental initiatives.

“At Bucuti, we are passionate about preserving the environment so we can share our spectacular island with brides and grooms well into the future,” said owner and CEO Ewald Biemans. “We look forward to many new couples immersing themselves in the natural beauty of Aruba through the Eco-Chic Aruba Wedding Experience.”
For more information on the Eco-Chic Aruba Wedding Experience, couples can contact Bucuti’s in-house wedding coordinator Nashette Wouters at weddings@bucuti.com. Nashette is trained by the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants and holds one of the highest distinctions in the industry as a Beverly Clark Certified Wedding Professional. Weddings start at $920.

Aruba Birdlife Conservation Visits Governor

Category General News     Date Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Recently, Aruba Birdlife Conservation visited the Governor of Aruba, Mr. Fredis Refunjol. The Governor was informed of the role the foundation intends to play for preservation and conservation of Aruba’s nature in general and more specifically for the wild birds in and around Aruba. The foundation has consistently been receiving signals from the Aruban community that the numbers of birds on the island are rapidly decreasing.

The foundation intends to make efforts to assure enforcement of legislation to prevent further structural damage to Aruba’s nature.
During the visit, Greg Peterson, chairman of Aruba Birdlife Conservation, presented the Governor with three bird photos on canvas, intended to decorate the meeting room of the Governor. The chairman has been sharing his bird pictures with the Governor for a number of years and knows that the Shoco (Burrowing Owl), the Patrishi (Crested Bobwhite) and the Kinikini (American Kestrel) are among the Governor’s favorites.

The chairman requested the Governor’s special attention for the Shoco. This year alone four traditional breeding grounds of Aruba’s burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia arubensis, a local subspecies, were completely destroyed. One of the photos presented to the Governor of the Shoco is a picture of an owl whose breeding ground has recently been destroyed. The Governor is known for his love for Aruba’s nature and informed Aruba Birdlife Conservation that they could count on his support.

Courtesy of Greg Peterson, Aruba Birdlife Conservation

On the picture: The chairman of Aruba Birdlife Conservation, Mr. Greg Peterson, presents the Governor of Aruba, Mr. Fredis Refunjol, with one of the three bird photographs on canvas. On this one, Aruba’s burrowing owl in all its glory.

Red Sail Sports Introduces New and Exciting Sailing Experience “Caribbean Sail”

Category Cuisine, Entertainment, Happenings     Date Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Caribbean sail offers a two hour sunset experience with open bar and Caribbean buffet menu every Tuesday.

The menu  consists of:  Caribbean rice, Grouper in Creole sauce, Keshi Yena, rosemary potatoes, curry chicken, corn on the cob, fried plantains and for desert pineapple coconut cake.

Click the images below for a larger view

Aruba Says “No” To Hurricanes And Offers Special Programs During Atlantic Hurricane Season

Category General News     Date Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Need perfect weather reassurance? Aruba has it!

While the Caribbean is bracing for the Atlantic hurricane season, which usually occurs from the summer through the end of November, Aruba guarantees a no-hurricane season year after year. Travelers from all over the world are welcomed to enjoy the white sandy beaches and almost perfect weather year-round.

During this year’s hurricane season, several of Aruba’s hotels and tour operators are offering special programs or hurricane guarantees that can certainly assure travelers of their safety while on island:

  • The Holiday Inn Aruba has recently announced that it has reinstated its “Risk-Free SunSpree” hurricane guarantee for the 2010 season. The program is being offered for the fifth consecutive year and it safeguards consumer purchases of resort stays during the entire Atlantic hurricane season. With the program, travelers can take advantage of the offer either pre-vacation or during their trip. In the pre-vacation stage, guests holding confirmed reservations with nonrefundable deposits who are unable to travel due to the closure of the Aruba International Airport caused by a Category One or higher hurricane can rebook their reservations without penalty. During the trip, guests who are already on property will be able to receive a certificate valid for a free future stay should a Category One or higher hurricane interrupt resort operations for more than 24 hours. The “Risk-Free SunSpree” hurricane guarantee program is valid for U.S. traveler bookings only, excluding groups, and is subject to change at any time. For reservations, visit www.caribbeanhi.com/aruba, or call 1-800-HOLIDAY.
  • The Westin Resort Aruba is offering a “Hurricane Free” escape, starting at $199 per room, per night. Guests are given a $74 credit per room (74 being the minimum wind speed of a Category 1 hurricane) if it rains for more than three hours on any day of the trip. The package also includes overnight accommodations in an ocean view guest room, daily breakfast for two at Bon Bini, and two welcome drinks per day at the Lobby Bar of Tambu pool bar. The “Hurricane Free” package is valid for stays of four nights or more, now through Nov. 30, 2010, the official end of hurricane season. For reservations or further information, call 877-782-0149. When booking, ask for rate plan WIND74. For more information on the resort, visit www.westinaruba.com.
  • In case of hurricane-related trip cancellations, Divi Resorts in Aruba, including Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort, Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort, Divi Dutch Village Resort, and Divi and Tamarjin Aruba All- Inclusives, allow guests to rebook trips up to one year from the original date of travel. For information or reservations call 1-800-554-2008 or visit www.diviaruba.com.

Enliven Your Aruba Vacation with an Extraordinary Dinner Show at Zissles!

Category Entertainment, Happenings     Date Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Congratulations to Zissles, introducing a new and exciting entertainment/dining concept to Aruba! Enjoy a three-course gourmet dinner prepared by a masterful chef, served in style in a trendy nightclub. D’Licious treats guests to a two-hour journey through different musical eras; it is a spectacular stage production enhanced by professional direction, amazing costumes and choreography, talented international performers, and an extraordinary range of lighting and audio-visual effects. D’Licious combines the grandeur of the former Moulin Rouge with the allure of international superstars.

On Sundays through Fridays, Zissles brings to the stage this enthralling live show and later morphs into a sizzling nightclub. On Saturdays, the air is electric with live performances, DJs and stellar acts changing every week.

Delta Airlines Expands Service to Aruba – La Guardia to Receive Additional Weekly Service in the Winter Season

Category Airlines     Date Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Aruba Airport Authority N.V. (AAA) has received word from Delta Airlines that as of December 18, 2010 through April 30, 2011, air service to Aruba will be expanded with weekly service from La Guardia airport. Service will be on Saturdays only and Delta plans to utilize B737-800 aircraft comfortably seating 16 passengers in business and 144 in economy. The flights will conveniently leave New York’s La Guardia airport at 10:36 in the morning and arrive in Aruba at 17:30 in the late afternoon.

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Aruba Marriott Earns Fodor’s Choice 2010 Distinction

Category Hotels     Date Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino has been recognized by Fodor’s Travel, the foremost name in travel publishing, as a 2010 Fodor’s Choice selection. This distinction represents a remarkable achievement and recognizes The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino as a leader in its field for service, quality, and value in the 2010 year.

Since 1988, Fodor’s Travel has been awarding the Fodor’s Choice distinction to only the very best hotels, restaurants and attractions around the world. Every year, Fodor’s writers experience, examine and evaluate thousands of hotels, restaurants and attractions in their travels across the globe. While every business included in a Fodor’s guide is deemed worth a traveler’s time, only fifteen percent of those selections are awarded the very highest, Fodor’s Choice designation by Fodor’s editors.

“We are delighted to have been selected among one of Fodor’s Choice hotels, particularly because of their reputation as a reliable source for travelers over the years,” comments Aruba Marriott’s Director of Sales & Marketing Antoinette van den Berg.

As a 2010 Fodor’s Choice recipient the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino receives special recognition in the current Fodor’s guidebook to this region and on Fodors.com.

Story courtesy of Aruba Today

Celebrating Love with Marriage at Tierra del Sol

Category Lifestyle     Date Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Mike Mohamadi & Cathy Campesi celebrated their love for one another with the exchange of wedding rings symbolizing a circle with no ending and vows of love for one another forever and ever. The celebration was officiated by Rev. Robert Gibson and coordinated by Indira Maduro of Aruba Fairy Tales in the Garden of Tierra del Sol Resort, Spa and Country Club for an intimate ceremony with family and friends.

After the exchange of rings, vows and lots of first kisses, Cathy and Mike continued with a fabulous cocktail party, a romantic photo shoot, then an exquisite dinner and champagne toast followed by dancing at Ventanas del Mar in the Tiera del Sol Country Club. Martin Haselhoef, General Manager of Ventanas del Mar and his excellent staff orchestrated the evening of love for the couple, their family and friends. The evening ended with the cutting of the cake ceremony then back to the Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino for more dancing and fun.

Mike vacationed on Aruba many times as a child with his family and convinced Cathy that Aruba was the perfect destination for their fairy tale Wedding. Cathy said loves Aruba and the wind was a little more than she expected, but that it gave her hair the perfect style for the island wedding she dreamed of.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Mike and Cathy Mohamadi from Aruba Fairy Tales and Aruba Today.

Story courtesy of Aruba Today

If Profitable, Aruba Refinery to Restart in September

Category Business     Date Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Valero Energy Corp plans to restart its shut 235,000 barrel per day (bpd) Aruba refinery in September after completing an overhaul currently underway and if the plant can operate at a profit, Chief Executive Bill Klesse said in a statement this week. “When complete in September, this work will provide us the option to resume operations at the Aruba refinery if conditions are profitable and will enhance strategic alternatives for the refinery,” Klesse said. Valero had idled its Aruba refinery and sold off another plant in Delaware as it dealt with a string of quarterly losses.

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Folkert and Mark Win Café the Plaza Poule

Category Cuisine, Entertainment     Date Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

During the World Cup, Café the Plaza organized the popular “Plaza Poule.” As the big Johan Cruyff once said, “Football is a mind game.” It is hard to predict which team would be the next World Champion. Would it be the big teams like Argentina, Brazil, Italy or England? Or the last World Cup winner Italy? Those questions where spinning around in the minds of all the 35 participants of this year.

The competition between the participants was close until the last day – the big final between Netherlands and Spain. Most of the participants were watching the final together with around 2000 other guests on the giant screen in front of the Plaza Café.

The conclusion at the end with Spain as winner was that Folkert van Foeken and Mark Reiman were the winners of the Plaza World Cup Poule 2010. They earned Afl 800,- with their victory.

All of the employees of The Plaza and management offer their congratulations. Pabien Folkert and Mark!

Story courtesy of Aruba Today

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