ORANJESTAD (September 30, 2018) – Once a week, on Sundays I write about the most relevant and interesting happenings on the island in my weekly newsletter.
This weeks edition features the top news headlines in Aruba.
Subscribing to my newsletter is an ideal way to stay up to date with what’s going on in Aruba – whether you’re living on the island, miles away or your first visit!
If this is your first time reading my newsletter – welcome!
Aruba Art Fair 2018
Art fair is will take place on the island again this year, for the third consecutive year.
What’s art fair you ask?
It’s an art event held on multiple days in the streets of San Nicolas.
Aruba art fair gives the public the chance to engage with art professionals and collectors to admire modern and contemporary artworks (and buy it at a fair price)
In the last two years of Aruba art fair, the event attracted over 20.000 visitors.
Within this time frame a total of 8 projects and 33 murals were completed by local and international artists.
Muralists transformed buildings in the main street of San Nicolas into amazing artworks which is turning this city as the hub for art on the island.
Artistic murals in San Nicolas worth checking out!
This year the walls of the national library in San Nicolas will also be converted. This will be done by 3 international artist (Chemis, Mr.Dheo and Pariz One) who already set the tone in previous art fairs.
Not only will there be murals, but also other art forms during this event. Art fair promises to be huge this year with over 150 artists displaying their art.
The main street of San Nicolas will also host local artisans:
- Jewelry makers
- Painters
- Woodcarvers
- Textile artist
- Musicians
- and other artist with special talents
There’s also going to be a local artisan who makes organic bath & body products, herbal medicine, essential oils and soaps.
And for the first time 30 artists between the age of 9 – 17 will exhibit their collections in the youth section of the art fair.
Members of the new local awareness campaign named “Ban serio” (let’s get serious in English) will also be present at the art fair.
Ban serio sheds light on how our accumulate behaviors impact our environment. They focus on topics like the environment, hospitality, safety and culture.
During the art fair they will have a live plastic recycling exposition for visitors to see how they transform plastic waste into reusable products and art.
Art fair will also be installing new benches in the streets of San Nicolas covered in mosaic tiles.
Did I mention that there’s going to be a fashion show right in the middle of the street? Over 15 local designers will showcase their new creations.
And food? All the top restaurants in San Nicolas will be offering their best local dishes! And there’s going to be pop up restaurants on site.
Aruba is going to be the best place in the Caribbean to come exhibit and buy art!
Art fair will place during October 5 – 7, 2018 in San Nicolas.
Eat Local Restaurant Month in Aruba
October is one of my favorites months on the island, and if you’re a foodie traveling to Aruba this period you are going to be happy!
This is the month for local eats in Aruba – dozens of the best restaurants in Aruba will have a 3 course locally inspired menu on a special price!
Starting October 1st through October 31st 2018.
Participating restaurants offer lunches for just $15 and dinners for $30 or $40.
Here’s a list of the restaurants participating for lunch
- Surf side beach bar
- The kitchen Table By White
- Taste of Belgium
- La vista
- Tulip Restaurant
- Salt and pepper
- Asi es mi Peru
- Moomba
- Cafe the plaza
- Pega Pega Beach Bar & Grill
- Nos clubhuis
- Hadicurari
- White modern cuisine
- Que pasa
- Red fish
Here’s a list of the restaurants participating for dinner
- The Chophouse at Manchebo
- Dragonfly
- Taste of Belgium
- Cuba’s cookin
- Driftwood
- Tulip Restaurant
- Aqua grill
- Fresco
- Moomba
- BLT Steak
- Que Pasa
- Passions
- Surf side Beach Bar
- Omakase Japanese Sushi Bar
- LG Smith’s Steak & Chophouse
- Casa Nonna
- Asi es Mi Peru
- Papiamento
- Salt & Pepper
- La Vista
- Screaming Eagle
- Hadicurari
- Amuse
- White Modern Cuisine
- Tango Argentine Grill
- Las Ramblas
- Ike Bistro
- Elements
- Fishes & More
- The Lazy Turtle
- Cafe The Plaza
Inauguration of Community Museum in San Nicolas
After much anticipation the new community museums in San Nicolas was inaugurated.
The ceremony took place on September 27, 2018!
Community museum is now officially located inside of the Nicolaas store.
Nicolaas Store
Nicolaas store is close to the central bus station in the district of San Nicolas.
What can you experience at the new community museum?
You will find all the cultural artifacts which has a lot of historical value to the island.
Not only will you find items with history, but also modern art created by local artists.
There’s plenty of museums on the island and each of them has their own history and traditions. Here’s a list of the best museums:
- Community Museum
- Fort Zoutman
- Numismatic Museum
- National Archaeological Museum
- Museum of Industry
- Collectors Train Museum
According to the Aruban Museum Foundation there will be more museums popping up in Aruba in the upcoming years. For example a museum dedicated to the Carnival tradition which is celebrating its 65 edition this year (will probably be located in San Nicolas also).
Museums in Aruba are open everyday (except on Sundays) and entrance is free in October.
Visit one of these museums so you can be educated, informed and inspired by the Aruban history.
New Aquatic Post Stamp Series
The post office in Aruba released a new stamp series on September 28, 2018 named “aquatic sports of Aruba”.
Take a look at the new stamps.
The aquatic sports of Aruba
Windsurf
Windsurfing is a sport practiced in Aruba and the weather conditions are ideal for this sport, since Aruba has the perfect constant trade winds. Our island is proud of our multiple world champions at windsurfing Sarah-Quita Offringa.
Surf
Surfing is a well known sport all around the world. The bigger the wave the better the surf. There’s several beach on the island where surfing is possible, like Arashi.
Kitesurf
Kite surfing is a popular sport on the island because of the constant trade winds.
The most popular spots to kitesurf in Aruba is at fisherman’s hut or grape field beach.
Kayak
There’s plenty of beaches to kayak in Aruba. One of the most popular spots to kayak is at mangel halto and the lagoon on the southern coast of the island.
Bodyboard
This sport is widely practiced among the youths on the island. If you go near dos playa beach where there’s lots of waves you will notice locals trying to catch the next wave and see a spectacular body boarding show!
Parasailing
This is one of the many water and air activities available in Aruba. You get an unique perspective from the island.
The aquatic post stamps cost $7.00 and is available at the post office in Oranjestad, San Nicolas & Santa Cruz.
Protest Against New Hotel St.Regis On Palm Beach
Last week the Government announced St.Regis Hotel will begin construction in the first quarter of 2019. But several of the non governmental organizations like Aruba birdlife conservation and political party RAIZ are trying to stop this from becoming a reality.
The leader of RAIZ is organizing a passive protest on September 30, 2018 at Palm Beach (on the beach between Divi Phoenix and RIU – 5.30 PM)
They want a moratorium on hotels, condominiums and timeshare on the island.
If they collect 10.000 signatures from visitors and locals, the parliament is obligated to take RAIZ seriously and maybe consider a moratorium. They will also make the petition online soon.
Is it already late to stop St.Regis?
According to the leader of RAIZ, no. Even if the island get’s a fine for stopping the project, it will be paid off and worth it to save one of the only public beaches left on the Palm beach strip.
The location of the new St. Regis luxury beach front resort.
The Best Place To Retire With One Million Dollar
Who doesn’t want to live in Aruba?
Beach all day. Relax everyday. Restaurant all night. Sleep and repeat!
This sounds like the perfect way to live on this island.
According to a digital personal finance publication (moneywise.com) Aruba is one of the best places to retire if you have a million dollar.
How did they figure this out?
Moneywise considered the ease of entry; political stability; health care accessibility and quality; climate; cost of living; tax laws; and any language barriers.
Aruba is ranked number 10 in the list.
Why should you retire in Aruba if you have a million dollars in the bank?
Because Aruba offers safety, organized services, and a great variety of restaurants. Healthcare is cheaper than in the united states. Rent is also less expensive here, and you can buy a house on the island easily if you have a million bucks.
You can apply for permanent residence as a retiree if you’re at least 55 years old and can prove you have the high income.
There’s obviously more requirements you should look into before making the move to Aruba than you might expect. If you’re really considering to relocate research all the requirements at the Directorate of Alien Integration, Policy and Admission (DIMAS).
Maybe you will become my new neighbor?
Here’s the rest of best places to retire if you’re a millionaire according to moneywise:
- Panamana
- France
- Cyprus
- Portugal
- Chile
- Belize
- Uruguay
- US Virgin Island
- Hawaii
- Aruba
Lighthouse Still Closed For Renovation
Aruba Monument foundation announced that the California Lighthouse is still closed to the public.
The lighthouse remains closed temporarily for maintenance work and they are looking for a new operator for the building.
El Faro Blanco restaurant, which is one of the finest Italian restaurants on the island (located right in front of the lighthouse) was the operator the last two years of the tower.
In 2016 the lighthouse was open to the public after 100 years and it’s one of the most visited site by tourists and locals.
There’s no official date yet when the lighthouse will be reopened.
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