• With the co-operation of Multi Media International NV Judelca will take several promotional material of Aruba with her and of herself as representative of our island.

• Updates received from employees of Sun Development, inform us that the company was bought by a group of investors. The same group is said to have purchased several other popular establishments on the island.

• Manchebo Aruba recently introduced the CRUISE MEAL PLAN. The plan was modeled after the 24-hour food  services on board cruise ships. The package was formulated as an added incentive to make their product more attractive.

• The Aruba Tourism Authority in cooperation with Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort will be hosting a cocktail party for a group of italian press members. Outstanding members of the press and the comunity in general will join the group in order to offer them a more ample view of what our island has to offer.

• The official opening of Johnny Walker Black Label Pro Am 1998 Golf Tournament took place on November 15th. A total of 135 profesional golfer will attend.

Back to top

On October 31 Americans and many people around the globe celebrated Halloween. Halloween has been an issue of controversy between Christians, Wiccans (modern day witches), Satanists, and scholars.

It may be a pagan celebration, with symbolism derived from the Celtic Druids, but the celebration of Easter also involves eggs and the Easter bunny, ancient pagan fertility symbols, and Christmas has people kissing underneath the mistletoe, which is the most quintessential herb formerly used by the Druids.

In Mexico on October 3 1, Dia de los Muertos is celebrated, a ritual from Aztec times, Christianized by the Spanish conquerors. Originally celebrated at the end of July, El Dia de los Muertos was forced to coincide with the Christian holiday of All Hallows Eve-what we now call Halloween.

El Dia de los Muertos is perhaps the most popular holiday in Mexico. Families come together to honor their ancestors. The inevitability of death is accepted rather than feared. Around Latin America Dia de los Muertos is celebrated, with customs and rituals varying from country to country, in essence similar to the Mexican version.

Influenced by American tourists and the Latin Americans working in Aruba, Halloween is now observed and to a lesser extent the celebration of Dia de Los Muertos among the Latin Americans. The first beliefs and superstitions in Aruba date from Pre-Columbian times, when Indians roamed on Aruba. After 1820, with the disappearance of the Indians their imagery and cultural heritage was lost. With the influx of slaves during the seventeenth and eighteenth century, African beliefs and superstitions were assimilated, of which some are evident in the traditions of Dera Gai, Dande, and harvest feasts.

Fortune tellers abound in Aruba. A popular practice involves female practitioners sipping and spitting spirits (often cheap rum), amidst candles and incense, swinging a duster, puffing a cigar, which reveals the future by looking, at the curling smoke and lit cigar end, or blowing the smoke on, unsuspecting rooster.

Cards, including tarot decks are also popular, and a ceremony is complete without the customer being dispense a potion or bath salt, the use of which will yield the desired result. Consultation fees are steep, but good fortune does not come cheap.

Many Arubans however will refer to these activities "believing roosters lay eggs" (Webo di Gai).

To ensure a home blessed with happiness and good fortune, ceremonial cleansing are in order starting at the rear of the house, removing dirt through the front door. This should only be done on Saturdays. The traditional tile floors a mopped with brightly colored cleansers with names like "Vini vini" (English: Come, Come), "Suerte Dinero" (Money Luck), "Abre Camino" (Path to'Fortune').

Toward off evil spirits all rooms must be incensed and four lemons with crosses carved in them placed in the four farthest comers of the house. Outlandish amounts of fireworks go up in smoke on New Years Eve every year, to ward off evil spirits, and bring good luck.

Arubans like gambling, and everywhere little shacks are found, where lottery tickets can be bought, or one can play "numbers". In the past these number lotteries where not tolerated, and the winning numbers were announced on the radio, by announcing the arrivals of sailing ships from the country of origin of the lottery, with the ships' registration numbers corresponding to the winning numbers. Whenever a traffic accident occurs, lines of cars pass the crash site, and people crowd around the crashed vehicles to write down the license plate numbers. Playing these numbers in lotteries brings fortune, Gamblers who are, on a loosing streak should wash their hands thoroughly, remove the underwear and put it on backwards to turn the tide.

Wallets and handbags should never be placed on the floor to avoid bad luck. Carrying magnets is recommended to ensure that you keep your money. Botanicals, shops where religious paraphernalia, fortune telling wares, potions, lotions, oils, perfumes, bath salts, incense and other essentials are sold, are often found next to shops peddling lottery tickets.

Many frequent these fortune retailers, and supermarkets also carry the glass and plastic bottles with the most peculiar labels offering good fortune and wealth. Many of these products go by such brand names as "Assured Wealth", "Money Bringer" and "Good Luck". A closer inspection of the labels will yield no specification of used ingredients. These products are sold on the strength of faith alone. Some botanicals even provide one-stop shopping for those in search of fortune by selling both fortune paraphernalia and lottery tickets.

For a young woman the surest way to attract a man is to devote herself to San Antonio. She must purchase an icon of this saint and scented candles. If this fails to work, the saint is punished, by making the icon face the wall, and putting the heat on by placing the lit candle at the back of the icon.

Practitioners of santeria recommend taking baths with sweet scented salts, oils and potions to attract a husband. Rose petals, honey, scented "Awa Florida", cinnamon, sandalwood, sweet wood and musk will lure the cherished or admired male prospects.

Scented candles, also popular in the United States seem to capitalize on these practices. Once a man is bound by marriage, he must be "home broken" and undergo treatment to assure his fidelity and his leave of nocturnal escapades, a process referred to as domestication (Papiarnento: manza).

The wife steals a sock of the right foot of her newly wed husband, and buries this on the third Monday of the month, before midnight in front of the main entrance of the house on the right side. Then during the week before the month ends, he is administered five drops of "Amanza Guapo" in his cup of morning coffee.

Catholics coexist with Jews, Moslems, Protestants and Hindus on the island. Good and evil play important roles in all of these religions, and on the border line of religious practice and cultural belief systems, in the twilight zone of superstition, good and evil thrive.

White magic and black magic exist in many forms, locally called "bruheria"(witchcraft), and include voodoo doctors, santeria priests, white magic and black magic practitioners. Because the practice of witchcraft is not tolerated in Aruba (due to the strong influence of the Catholic Church), good and evil spells, exorcisms, and other services of sorcery are hard to come by.

Death plays a central role in Latin American and Roman Catholic culture and is a social event with its own set of beliefs and superstitions, The nose of the deceased, when he is laid out in his coffin in church prior to the funeral, is touched or pulled. Any bad luck resulting from this practice is promptly washed off by downing one or several alcoholic drinks, a custom referred to as "laba man" (washing the hands).

When people are terminally ill, their spirits are said to start roaming, visiting friends and relatives, before their actual death. Many omens of death exist such as black butterflies entering the house unexpectedly.

Back to top

Anna Witholt's "Seeking silent voices"

Friday evening November 6^th at 8:00 p.m. the Aruban Institute of Culture opened the exhibition "Seeking the Silent Voices" by Anna Witholt.

Contrary to Anna Witholt’s last exhibit with Maria Latorre - which mainly centered around the woman, this exhibit will focus on the intimate relationship between nature and soul, following the thought that our attitude towards the wildness within us and the wildness around us is crucial to our continued existence.

By placing her ink drawings and nature-inspired paintings together with natural objects and elements such as sand, driftwood, coral, Anna tries to create a dialogue between art, nature and soul. The exhibit will remain open until Sunday the 15^th.

Saturdays and Sundays between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m.
Weekdays during office hours.

Anna Witholt will be available to personally welcome the visitors, also teachers and their students are encourage to drop by.

The Institute of Culture is situated on the J. E. Irausquinplein 2a, in the courtyard behind the small parking space between the University and thee St.Franciscus Church of Oranjestad.

For the time being, this will be Anna Witholt’s final exhibit on Aruba, because she plans to leave for the Netherlands and/or the United States in December.

Back to top

Project Beatrix 2000

The project of expanding our airport has been given the name "Beatrix 2000". The entire time span of this expansion is approximately 3 years. Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix will have then been changed into a modern and passenger friendly airport.

An overview of the different new buildings the expansion of our Airport will consist of tow new buildings. The first building will be the international building. This building will contain 23 ticket counters, airline offices, and outbound baggage area and a make up area behind the airline offices. Thus, this building will be used by international bound passengers or in other words, non US bound passengers. The second building is meant for US bound passengers. This building will include 42 ticket counters, airline offices and US immigration/US custom facilities. Because of the facilities of the US Immigration and Customs passengers flying to the US will be taking a domestic flight into the US. This will make Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix a hub into the US.

In total our new airport will consist of three floors. The first floor will have all the check-in facilities for US bound and non US bound passengers and a walkway to the concessions area situated also on the first floor. The arrival hall/baggage claim area will be located in the center of the whole building on the first floor.

The second floor will consist of the holding rooms for US bound and non-US bound passengers and the Aruban immigration which arriving passengers will have to pass before entering the arrival hall. This floor will also be provided with corridors with glass walls for the arriving passengers. They will then go on to the third floor and down again to the second floor by escalator or elevator to go through the Aruban Immigration on the second floor. Thus, the arriving and departing passengers will not intermingle during their flow through the airport This will ensure the safety of our passengers and will ensure a continuous passenger flow.

The Phasing of this Project.
The complete project will consist of 3 phases.

Phase 1: (period: 19 months, June 1997-December 1998)
-all new buildings, the US departure building, the International departure building and the long three level building at the air side.
-the international departure hall with ticket counters, airline offices, outbound baggage area (with 2 carousels conveyor belts/make up area) behind airline offices
-the US departure hall with 42 ticket counters, airline offices, US immigration/custom facilities
-2 international holding rooms, including concessions spaces, a business lounge, toilets and 4 loading bridges
-2 US holding rooms, including concession spaces, a business lounge, toilets and 4 loading bridges.
-covered walkway in front of both departure buildings.

Phase 2:(period: 8,5 months, December 1998-August 1999)
-remodeling of the concession area with all the necessary utilities.
-partially new baggage claim area with two new tilted carousel conveyor belts
-feeder belt to baggage to the make up area and feeder belt to the claim area
-partial construction of the Aruba Customs

Phase 3: (period: 8,5 months, August 1999-November 1999)
-the last part of the baggage claim area will be constructed/ remodeled
the third and the last new tilted carousel conveyor belt will be installed
-install feeder belt to the claim area for the last new tilted carousel conveyor belt
-finish the last part of Aruba Customs
-construction of the rover room (intelligence department)
-International and US covered walkways to the concession area and in front of the existing Terminal

By November 5 1999 Project "Beatrix 2000" will have been completed. But by the end of 1998 the new departure areas will have been completed and will then already be in use. Thus by 1998 Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix can be called a hub for the Caribbean and South America with full US customs and Immigration facilities.

Back to top

The idea of planting trees on the school grounds at EPB Sta. Cruz is a positive initiative of interest to elevate knowledge of our ornamental plants among Aruban scholars, according to Minister of Labor and Education Mary Wever-Laclé.

This idea came about when teachers of EPB Sta. Cruz found out that the youth of today have no knowledge of our tropical plants. Further the physical aspect of the school itself was not to the liking of some of the teachers. In order to provide the young students with the opportunity to get to know more about our tropical ornamental plants, cultivated in Aruba, it was decided to have a day on which trees would be planted such as- "Carawara Spaño", "Kibrahacha", "Ratonero", "Nim", "Wilde Roos", "Wayaca" and "Watapana". This would beautify the school and at the same time teach the youngsters to treat and take care of the plants with pleasure.

Back to top

Recently, Microsoft hosted the first in a series of Direct Access events directed at the Information Technology Community and small company resellers in Aruba. Hosted by Mr. Danny A. Murdock, Business Development Manager for Microsoft Caribbean, the session addressed the urgency that exists in the marketplace to begin analyzing and correcting the potentially catastrophic issues surrounding the Year 2000 bug immediately.

Murdock stressed that companies who wait until next year to start the process of analyzing their code may not have time to properly correct the many situations that could arise. In addition to Y2K concerns, he also focussed on the need to reduce the high incidence of software piracy that is prevalent in the IT industry.

Companies looking to expand in the Caribbean consider software piracy rates a barometer of business stability. This hurts Aruba's ability to attract major computer manufacturer's, subsequently hurting the community in general. Continued hard work is necessary resolve these issues.

Software licensing compliance & intellectual property protection. In an additional session, Murdock discussed the financial crisis that is created when local resellers and companies abuse the trust that software companies place in the usage of Software Licensing. Software should only be installed on one computer. When users wish to install the software on more than one computer, then a license to do so must be purchased from a reputable reseller.

The Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino is proud to welcome travel agents from 15 different Caribbean and South American countries.

The attendees were invited to stay at the Aruba Marriott as a reward for joining the "500 Club." Not any agency can join, in order to qualify, the agency must have booked a minimum of 500 nights at a Marriott Resort.

Approximately 100 agents, accompanied by 30 Marriott executives are enjoying a fabulous stay on Aruba. General Manager Scott Ringer welcomed each of the agents at a spectacular welcome party last evening on the lush lawn by the beach.

Live music filled the air with a buffet that never seemed to end. The agents enjoyed themselves to the fullest while the Aruba Marriott continues to wine and dine them. Approximately 30 percent of the 500 Club members have been to Aruba before. For the others, this is a new experience.

The Aruba Marriott wants to share this wonderful island with them and has a full schedule lined up for the agents. The tours and events will help the agents to become fully familiarized with the entire destination of Aruba. This will help them to sell Aruba with even more professionalism and knowledge.

Back to top

Interpaso '98

The international Paso Fino competition will take place the weekend of November 27-29, at Rancho El Paso. The event will host competitors from Curacao, Bonaire, Venezuela and Colombia.
The schedule is as follows:

November 26, Friday at 7:00 p.m.
Opening ceremony Paseo Horses, Paso Fino Geldings and Trote & Galope

November 27, Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
Youngsters’ competition (12-17 yrs.), Trocha & Galope and Trocha

November 28, Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Children’s competition (4-11 yrs) and Classic Paso Fino.

For additional information please contact Mrs. Boye at 873310

Back to top

Chilean products trade show 1998

The trade show was held at the Holiday Inn Aruba Beach Resort & Casino on November 6 & 7, 1998, focusing on business established in the Lesser Antilles who wish to expand their product lines.

In the food stuff line stand out:Milk, juices, pasta, canned fruits and vegetables, cheese, frozen products, marmalades, fruit and vegetables concentrated, canned seafood, candies, chocolates, cookies, spices, dehydrated products, powder juices and desserts, snacks, tea and natural herbs, cooking oil and dry pet food.

Various excellent lines of wine, including table, variety and reserve wines, available in different sizes, according to market requirements.

Exhibit more than 2000 products during the Show. Guarantee exclusivity of each product line in segregated markets. Provide marketing support to the representing companies. Consolidation of 2, 3 or more exporters in one container, to facilitate the introduction of the products in the market. Goal

Place multiple lines of products in various islands of the Caribbean, in order to increase our presence in the international market.

For some three years PROSALCO ARUBA has been engaged in distributing and promoting products from Chile in the Caribbean, specially in the Lesser Antilles. Consequently we have introduced with much success over 700 products of all kind in our base market, the Netherlands Antilles.

We have lines leaders in our market, of excellent quality and with highly competitive prices. Our products have proven to be not only the best in Latin America but are also much acclaimed in more demanding markets such as U.S.A. and Japan.

Chile is well known internationally for its wines, its quality and excellent value' the reason for this success; fertile ground, adequate climate, and know-how. More than five generations of Spanish, French and Italian descent have produced the best wines of the continent in Chile, known and liked world-wide for the last 15 years.

But Chile not only produces wine, the variety of products is enormous, a food line of more than 5000 products, a general hygiene and household line of more than 1000 products.

In these three product lines we have concentrated our efforts and with the support of 25 Chilean companies, we will try to place them in all the islands of the Lesser Antilles.

Back to top

The 8th Heineken Aruba Catamaran Regatta 1998

Colorful sails and enthusiastic sportsmen are definite characteristics of the 8^th Aruba Catamaran Regatta. The event beginning on Saturday, November 7^th, offering lots of sailing, music and Happy hours during the 9 day program. Taking place in front of the Divi / Tamarijn Beach Resort. This event has lured more than one hundred international sailing fanatics. Participating countries include: The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, England, Austria and Aruba.

The second day team Keuken/Cok took two victories, while team John Moret/Nico Harrewijn came in third in the fourth race and had to abandon with a tom sail in the fifth. The sudden gusts and strong winds had all sailors on their toes and several participants abandoned the fifth race with damage or they were just being careful. Most of the participants came in with a big smile on their faces, because of the excitement jumping at high speed over the waves. At night, participants enjoyed a dinner at the Pelican Pier sponsored by Gant Sportswear. With Hans Keuken and Eric Cok going straight towards the title of 1998 Heineken Aruba Catamaran Regatta champions, things are going to heat up for sure.

Results of the 2^nd day races are: 1. Hans Keuken/Eric Cok 2. Mischa Heemskerk/Esther Zeggelen 3. John Moret/Nico Harrewijn and the afternoon's results: 1 - Hans Keuken/Eric Cok 2. Gerard Loos/Mark Blais 3. Dawn and Richard Allen.

The third day of the Catamaran Regatta had delayed starts because of the downpours: in the morning the first start was at 10.30 am, while the afternoon starting flag was raised at 3 o'clock. The sight of the long ribbon of sails coming around the buoys is awesome. The windspeed have reached 18 knots wich has made it easier for the sailors to handle their boat. Captain John Moret/Ton Brandts went two times around the buoy missing a chance to get a better place on the tables, Captain Boomstra/ Hans Schaling at certain point they were reaching the first place. Now they have a good position on the tablees. With the heat of the sun the participants enjoyed the Heineken Happy Happy Hour for a cool refreshing heineken after the race.

Results of the 3^rd day races are: 1. World Champion Gerard Loos with Mark Nooren 2. Taco Dirksz/Richard/Dawn Allen 3. Captain Boomstra/Hans Schaling.

The 5^th day went very well, though one of the boat lost its rudder and other received minor damages. Big waves at the north coast and hard wind made it difficult for some participants. Hein Duwel of 63 said that he was mostly afraid that his boat could overturn which he was happy they didn’t. That wasn’t the luck of Rob Klootwijk, his boat capsized and lost the race. At night, the group enjoyed dinner at the Flying Fishbone courtesy of ABN/AMRO bank.

Results of the 20km Long Distance Race are: 1. Mischa Heemskerk/Esther van Zeggeren 2. John Moret/Nico Harewijn 3. Hans Keuken/Eric Cok.

The last day of the regatta , Captain Boomstra and Hans Schaling were very happy and surprised they made the third place. The VIP race is a tradition which representative of sponsors along with Top-sailors go out to sea competing and having a good time. Later a fabulous night of awards delivery for the winner's of this year's event. The commission expect to count on the participating competitors of this year for the 9^th Heineken Aruba Catamaran Regatta 1999

Results of the race are: 1. Taco Dirksz/Richard and Dawn Allen 2. World Champion Gerard Loos and Mark Nooren 3. Captain Boomstra/ Hans Schaling.

Back to top

Ronzzio's Showroom '98

Ronzzio will present on the 12th December an international fashionparade "Showroom '98" under the personal guidance of Ronchi de Cuba.
Fifteen international designers will present their latest collection in Aruba.They are coming from Santo Domingo, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Aruba, together with their models, it promises to be an exclusive event.

Some of the designers are: David Antonio and Harris Robles from Puerto Rico; Miguel Aleman, Luis Braca, Hugo Espina and Raenra from Venezuela; Gianina Azar, Leonel Lirio and Robert Flores from Santo Domingo; Ronchi de Cuba from Aruba. Also present will be Mr. World '98.

The guests will stay at the Wyndham Resort.Other modeshow events organized by Ronchi de Cuba not only atracted national, but also international attentions. One of his latest big and succesfull event the International Male Model Competition '98"

Back to top

Air Aruba's new MD-90

On the night of November 27th Aruba welcomed its first MD-90 at the International Queen Beatrix Airport.
At the welcome ceremony the representatives of CEO, Simeon Garcia and Nelson Croes, presented a beautiful painting dedicated to the name "Teishi" (Name of the MD-90). This painting of Stan Kuiperi worked on a combination of the world of Air Aruba and the endangered local bird "Teishi".
Teishi is the largest and very beautiful bird of Aruba, when it flies it's like an airplane in the skies. This bird needs protection, because of many hobby hunting. Air Aruba hopes to contribute with this dedication to make more people concious to protect this bird from extintion as many other species endangered or not as a part of our nature heritage.
Staff and personal cordially invites all to come and admire its beauty, to fly and experiance the silence of the motors of "Teishi " of Air Aruba at the airport.

Back to top

Back to Latest News

Back to top