Special offers include a free cleaning of Mom’s jewelry at Shiva’s Gems & Gold with purchase and Salvatore Ferragamo and Benetton offer 20 % discount on the women’s collection on May 12. The Queen’s Bar & Restaurant gives 10% discount and a free glass of house wine, while the Sciue Sciue Mother’s Day Special is just AWG. 20,–. Taste of Belgium’s irresistible brunch costs $ 19.95 on May 13. Aruba Fun City offers a 10% discount on all purchases and free entrance for Moms at Desperado, the interactive cinema.

Opening hours are 10 am until 10 pm – on Sundays you are welcome from 5 pm – 10 pm. Three floors of fun are waiting for you!

The affair was hosted by resort General Manager Joe Najjar and Assistant General Manager Jessica Franken. In attendance were Aruba’s Prime Minister Mike Eman, the President of the Aruban Parliament, Paul Croes, members of parliament, members of the resort board of directors, past and present presidents of the board, board members for the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association, executives of the Aruba Tourism Authority, directors of the Aruba Time Share Association and the directors of the Aruba Hospitality & Security Foundation, as well as members of the press.

Pictured here, the reception, in the tastefully transformed lobby graced by a beautiful blue, tiled-in elevator and a multi-functional 2nd floor lounge, glassed-in marble stairs and a fire and water sculpture, custom made for the resort which shot up white smoke in between relaxing sounds of waterfalls.

The original, tropical, glass-in-lead mural above the lobby doors was preserved and showed magnificently, despite its age, as it was first inaugurated 21 years ago, when the lobby first opened.

The quartet plays music which could easily be described as feet in Aruba, head in the sky! While resort patrons sip on their long, cool umbrella drinks, the music springing from the small stage is clearly anchored in the Caribbean region, popular and easily recognizable classic compositions imported from traditional American Jazz into Brazilian, Caribbean, Latin and local groove. The tunes sound deliciously laid back and ear-pleasingly melodic, in perfect sync with the resort’s famous beach, which serves as a breathtaking musical backdrop.

Band leader Ivan Jansen is one of Aruba’s premier musicians, having graduates the Berklee College of Music, in Boston, he is a world-class guitarist and a talented performer. Jansen put together his quartet in 2003, making Divi Resorts the band’s permanent home. They play at the resort during Happy Hour, and at the clubhouse restaurants at Divi Links – catch Ivan Jansen’s solo guitar performance on Thursdays at Windows on Aruba. Then the band plays at Mulligan’s Golf Café Bar & Restaurant on Fridays & Saturdays, also at Windows on Aruba during Sunday Brunch.

Jansen is the acoustic and electric Jazz guitar player, Richard Holmond the drummer, Roy Croes the bass player and Franklin Granadillo blows the trumpet. All members of the band are well-respected Aruban musicians — Granadillo who is also a Berklee College of Music graduate, is a much in demand local arranger.

Jansen’s personal contributions to local culture and music are numerous, besides setting a high standard of performance in a continuous pursuit of perfection. As a music educator he nurtures greatness in progress, teaching and encouraging young musicians from the island to spread their wings and become prodigies. He is also tirelessly recording and is currently working on his 5th CD, an ambitious co-production with members of his quartet and a number of top contemporary names, artists he met while playing international Jazz Festivals. The CD titled NEW HORIZONS will featured 10 original tracks, having been recorded in the US and in Aruba.

Jansen’s previous work included Con Alma I & II, two magnificent classical solo guitar CDs, Versatility, a Caribbean jazz complilation of original composition and Jazz at Divi, an acoustic production consisting of timeless jazz standards, boleros, Brazilian music, even pop jazz, all tastefully arranged by Jansen and performed in the original and refreshing style of the Ivan Jansen Jazz Quartet.

The proud Jansen is also the father of brilliant Serghio Jansen, a Berklee College of Music graduate, currently working as a full time Jazz guitarist in NY.

Visit Divi Mega Resort any given Sunday, and experience one of Aruba’s truly simple pleasures!

Pictured here the Divi Jazz Quartet with Serghio, in for a guest appearance, also with exciting NY saxophonist Alex Han, on the island for vacation.

Expanding on the restaurant’s selection of seafood dishes, the chefs added a melt-in-your-mouth Chilean Sea Bass, to the list of main courses. At El Gaucho Argentine Grill the Sea Bass is served as a thick cut, with a perfect light sear on the outside and a juicy medium-rare inside, which is incredible delicious with drawn butter and a sprinkle of Japanese seaweed salad, besides the restaurant’s famed traditional sides.

Another new combination which made its debut at the restaurant this summer featured a jumbo Grilled Caribbean Lobster Tail paired with lemon caper and a tropical fruit salsa. Playing on the grilled lobster theme even further, Lola’s Combo was created, representing Lomo & Langosta, the best of both worlds, a beautiful combination of Argentine Tenderloin & Caribbean Lobster Tail both cooked to order and escorted to the table with clear drawn butter.

El Gaucho Argentine Grill, located in a colonial townhouse on Wilhelminastreet #80, was the first Argentine restaurant to open its doors in Aruba on February 17th, 1977.

It has been serving a variety of tempting dishes since then, starring quality Argentine steaks, which is tender and juicy, charcoal-grilled to perfection. The restaurant menu also boasts some seafood including fresh local catch and shrimp.

This summer the restaurant expanded on its seafood selection, and extended its opening hours. El Gaucho Argentine Grill is now open every day, including lunch on Sundays, offering lunch specials and free sangria. Dinner is served every day with live music, and the restaurant offers Aruba’s only Kids Play Room, where parents may leave their kids to draw, play games and watch movies, while they are quietly enjoying their food.

Garufa Cigar & Cocktail Lounge, just across the restaurant is now being fully renovated and will be reopened with a big splash in the Fall.

Chef Scott has put together a special three-course indulgence for only afl 50 (plus 15% serv chg.) that includes a choice of fried calamari with a spicy twist of sauce made of crushed tomato, olive oil and hot pepper, or a classic Caesar salad, followed by a choice from three main courses including fresh mahi mahi, West Indian curried shrimp, or chicken chasseur over fresh asparagus and angel hair pasta. Chef Scott’s made-from-scratch amaretto cheesecake with plum compote provides the sweetest of endings to a Mother’s Day to remember!

Aqua Grill’s regular menu, that includes live Maine lobster, fresh wood-grilled fish, steaks and pasta, as well as the children’s menu will also be availabl from 5:00pm to 11:00pm. For reservations call 586-5900.

The resort’s flagship restaurant and AAA four-diamond recipient, Pago Pago, now has a three-course menu offered nightly (closed Wednesdays) from 6pm to 7pm, for just $40 per person (plus serv chg and tax). Those craving Italian cuisine will love Baci Risorante, where from 5:30pm to 6:30pm (except Thursdays) a three-course menu is offered for $30 per person (plus serv chg and tax.)

For more information and to make reservations, call 586-4466.

The Westin’s food and beverage operations encompass several restaurants, including Pago Pago—a fine dining experience combining Pacific Rim and Caribbean flavors, and prime U.S. steaks; Baci Risorante—featuring classic and contemporary Italian cuisine; and Azul—a unique toes-in-the sand dining experience, along with several other restaurants. Westin is also one of the island’s premier destination wedding, event, and convention resorts, creating spectacular events of all sizes and themes.

Gino looks forward to continuing the property’s long-standing reputation as a food and beverage leader and innovator on the island.

The egg hunt is one of many activities planned by the Kids Club crew. Engaging and informative, the resort’s signature Kids Club delights and energizes young guests with invigorating activities—from scavenger hunts and water balloon tossing to pool time, arts & crafts, and photography—and engaging native explorations, including seashell hunting, sandcastle building, iguana feeding, and local food tastings.

E luna aki di Maart tin dos docente di Academia diGerrit Rietveld na Amsterdam, Hulanda, bishitando Ateliers ‘89. Ta trata aki di José Vonk y Hans Muller cu a duna dos workshop. Uno di Animacion y e otro di Obhetonan tres dimensional cu ta haci Sonido.

Den e workshop di animacion y figuranan di sombra cu a wordo duna door di José Vonk, e grupo di studiantenan a experimenta cu sombra y difrente manera di animna y projecta esakinan. E proceso facinante aki a logra siña e diferente posibilidad cu e genero aki ta brinda. Asina nan a traha cu waya y carton diferente figuranan cu nan a usa como sombra y a projecta esakinan den nan animacion.

Un ilucion di luz y sombra na unda e figuranan ta haña bida door di movementonan subtiel di e actornan. Tambe nan a traha paisahenan di sombra y potretnan di sombra, manera cu ta para den e Mytho di Butades, e prome gran escultor Griego cu kier a duna su esculturanan bida.

Na e workshop di obhetonan y sonido, guia pa e profesor Hans Muller, e studiantenan a haci investigacion na espacio y e tercer dimencion y e formanan inespera cu esaki por crea usando materialnan di deshecho.

Di papel nan a modela cara di otro. Door di dobla, kibra, o vouw e papel, e potretnan a haña un caracter bibo, un exprecion cu bo no lo spera asina liher di papel.

E esculturanan cu e alumnonan a traha di SCHUMA PURO, y GIPS ta mustra un moviemiento gevries. Den e proceso di labor aki, serenidad a hunga un rol grandi. Esei ta pa sinti y mira e espontanidad y laga esaki bira parti di e obra. Tambe nos a haci uso di un forza cu e isla ta custuma cu ne y confie pa su constancia: esta e NOORD – OOST passaat. Manera e harpanan di biento cu e participantenan na un manera inventivo a diseña y traha, ora cu esakinan wordo toka ba e beinto, lo trece y crea sonidonan milagroso.

The workshop ‘Shadow Imagery and Animation’ was presented by Jose Vonk. A group of young and very keen students were able to study the art of ‘Projecting Shadows in various forms’ and they were able to experience the exciting and stimulating possibilities this Art form has to offer.

The students started their process by cutting out shapes from paper and carton and strengthening them with steel wire. With the illustrious use of Shadow, Light and subtle movement they were able to bring their inane objects to life.

The students also learned how to create a ‘Shadow Landscape’ and a ‘Shadow Portrait’ as did, according to Greek Mythology, Butades, the ancient Greek Sculptor and Painter.

The workshop ‘3-D Sound Objects’ was presented by Hans Muller. The students conducted in-depth research into the possibilities of using a ‘less obvious’ material of choice for their creation. The students used paper to make models, of each, others’ faces. Not an obvious choice of material maybe, but as the students began to fold, tear, cut and scrunch the paper, their models started to take on a weathered character with expression, proving paper to be a very successful, if a less likely choice of material for such a project.

The students created sculptures from polyurethane foam and plaster. Throughout this creative process a key issue for the students was to adapt a serendipitous approach, allowing them to experience the creative pleasure the element of surprise will allow. The students made use of that one constant, that one reliable source that we have in abundance on the Island, and that is the wind. When the Wind Harps the students built and created in such a truly inventive and imaginative way are touched by the wind, the sounds are really wonderful.

Now, every Saturday evening, guests of Pago Pago can enjoy the musical stylings of saxophonist Jairo R. Valles. Jairo comes to Pago Pago from Venezuela, where he has a rich musical background performing in clubs and venues throughout the region.

This Saturday night, make your reservation for a night of fine dining and sultry live music at Pago Pago! For more information and to make reservations, call 586-4466.

Guests with the group enjoyed the freshest seafood on the island, and the warm hospitality of the internationally praised restaurant.

Aqua Grill is a popular choice for groups and festive events, with a staff dedicated to orchestrating dinners large and small. Pictured here is the Sovereign team enjoying dinner at Aqua Grill.

“ Honestamente mi y mi ta kere full e team no a expect esaki. Nos tur a prepara pa duna un bon papel. Nos tur tabata exited di por a cuminsa drag back.”

“Aña pasa tampoco nos no a qualifica akinan, mastanto paso e auto tabata nobo y nos no tabata sa kiko pa expect di e auto. Nos a kere nos a pasa e fase ey caba door di e bon caredanan na fin di temporada pasa unda nos a qualifica pa tur show unda cu nos a bai.” “Nos a hinca hopi effort pa prepara pa e prome careda di temporada 2012 door di a bai test algun dia, nos a echt verwacht di a core mihor. Lamanetabelmente cos no a cana mane nos pensa. Esaki no ta con nos a spera di cuminsa temporada 2012

“Pero aunque nos ta desapunta, nos team ta fuerte,” Trevor Eman a sigi, “Nos sa cu nos por mucho mas mihor y por spanta hopi hende e aña aki. Mi tin cu bisa cu nos tirenan tabata nos problema e prome 2 rond nan di qualifica y tabata mester di e di 3 rond di qualifica cu lo tabata parti mas atardi di dia. Pero ADRL a dicidi na ultimo momento pa elimina e rond aki. Esaki a afecta nos chens di qualifica. Obviamente nos no tabata di acuerdo cu e decision aki. Nan a para e careda hopi trempan. Mi ta compronde nan precupacion pa humedo y ami ta boga pa seguridad den drag race, pero mi ta kere nos por a caba e di 3 rond sin a buta ninguin hende na peliger. Mi ta sigur e fanaticonan lo kier a mira un di 3 rond. Mi ta spera cu esakinan no ta mucho desapunta.”

Awor cu cada run ta curial y e tirenan tabata causa nos problema, Team Aruba a cai afor di e “flied” pa 0.01 seconde kedando pega na posicion 17 cu e run na 4.163. Awor Team Aruba ta laga Houtston cu “unfinished business” pa ataca den 2013

“E pista di Royal Purple Raceway ta fenomenal,” Trevor Eman a bisa, “Suerte no ta echt cu nos eynan tampoco pero otro aña nos tey atrobe

“E banda positive di full esaki si ta cu nos tabata tin e oportunidad di a traha y yuda Pluchino Racing door di a transporta nan auto pa Texas unda cu nan a logra bai cu e titulo maximo. John Plucino a haci un tremendo trabow. Nos tur tabata den e tencion pa nan por a gana e careda y sigur nos ta hopi content pa nan.”

“Esaki no ta e manera pa start un temporada pero sigur ta cu esaki no ta descurasa nos. E temporada a cabi cuminsa y ta jong ainda. E unico caminda pa bai awor ta pa top!”

On March 20th, 2012 the annual Resort Operations Awards of 2011 for the Marriott Vacation Club properties were presented at Marriott Vacation Club Head Quarters in Orlando. The Marriott Aruba Ocean Club was awarded resort of 2011 World Class A out of all Vacation Club resorts in the Eastern region.

The Resort Operations award recognizes exceptional Owner service, exceedingly high vacation experience scores and a Management Team that consistently operates the resort efficiently and effectively while providing world-class guest experience. The Marriott Aruba Ocean Club excelled in 2011, exceeding their year-end goals for guest satisfactory, associate performances and financial results.

The award was accepted by the resort’s General Manager Corey Guest in Orlando on March 20. Upon his return in Aruba, Guest was surprised by his teams. Excited and proudly they welcomed him at the main entrance with balloons and music and banner: AOC Resort of the Year 2011. The Marriott Aruba Ocean Club looks forward to another year of great achievements and thanks its associates for their great job. Pabien Aruba Ocean Club!

Madi has been delighting tourists with her very personal tours for a number of years now, and it was her smiling face and that of her mother Dora which greeted so many when they approached the most popular entrance to one of Aruba’s favorite sights, the Natural Pool. Several times a day, island visotors would try to approach the pool in vehicles that could not possibly navigate the rough, winding roads leading to it, and Madi would be there to take them down there in her safari-type truck, all the while imparting fascinating stories of island folklore and fun facts.

Ever optimistic, Madi sees the closing of the road as the “opening of another window of opportunity.” and has moved her operation to a place much more accessible to visitors traversing Aruba’s back roads. On Tuesday, she proudly opened Madi’s Magical Way shop at Rooi Bosal, right next to the turn off for Frenchman’s Pass, on the main Santa Cruz Road.

Aside from being able to arrange a tour with her, she stocks a number of items sometimes left behind, including her signature floppy hats to protect faces from Aruba’s intense sun. Madi is a font of information about Aruba, which can be enjoyed for free while taking some refreshment or a lunch stop to enjoy some of Mama Dora’s down-home cooking.

Madi’s shop is open from dawn to dusk seven days a week, for browsing and visiting, with everyone welcome to come and enjoy some authentic Aruban hospitality.

Story courtesy of The Morning News