Last weekend, Ban Lanta Y Planta conducted a planting event at the Bucuti and Tara GMC Nature Preserve in Noord. Fifty indigenous trees were put in the ground — all local varieties.

This is not a small accomplishment, because there is no seed bank for local trees. The foundation had to collect clippings from DOW crews along the roads, extract and save healthy seeds from mature trees, plant them in a backyard nursery and watch over them, water them while they grow into saplings, before transplanting them.

It is a slow process

Then the real work begins with digging the adequate holes in the ground, filling them with good soil, watering, protecting from goats, too much sun, too much wind, and the long-term care of pruning, mostly watching out for pests and people.

The following are the varieties which were planted last weekend: Taki, Wayaca, Brasil, Dabaruida, Prosopis, Kurahout, Palisia Blanco, Watapana, Una-Una, Watekeli, Mahok, Seida.

How many do you know?

Ban Lanta Y Planta, Trees for Aruba, BlyP, was established in 2019. It is determined to re-green Aruba, one sapling, one micro-forest at a time, and to do that it relies 100% on fundraising in the community. Blyp proves that when different people stand behind one idea, changes can be made.

The original name of the foundation was long, but self-explanatory to multi-lingual audiences: “Ban Lanta y Planta – Trees for Aruba.” Then an ambitious 10.000 tree goal, was set.

Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, dedicated to environmental practices, realized Noord will only become more densely populated and needed Green Lungs, a local park, an open space, protected from development. The area identified, destined to become Noord’s Central Park, across the Santa Anna church, is BIG, it recently became 13 hectares, approximately the size of 18.5 international soccer fields. The walking paths will be expanded to 3km and covered with wood chips. You will be invited to walk the route when all infrastructure is in place. In the future, with Noord more built up and congested, the park will serve as a lovely green heart in the center.

Ban Lanta & Planta regularly collaborates with ‘Stimaruba,’ ‘Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba,’ the ‘University of Aruba’ and the ‘Savaneta Marine Barracks, MSK SAV,’ planting local trees to improve Aruba’s natural environment.

Aruba Conservation Foundation, and Ban Lanta & Planta are hoping to strengthen their ties to plant rare and almost extinct species at Arikok.

The foundation, under the direction of Anita Aerts, is highly active. It is busy with mangrove restoration and is paying attention to planting Seida Cora trees, favored by local Prikichis.

Unfortunately, there is limited protection of exceptional or old trees, on the island. There are legal protections for plant and animal species native to Aruba with the “Natuurbeschermingsverordening”. There is a short list of 48 protected plants in the “Landsbesluit bescherming inheemse flora en fauna”, including bushes and trees, whilst many unique monumental trees of cultural significance remain unrecognized and unprotected.

BLyP would like to see an official tree-register for monumental, old, big, or historically important trees. Every large tree deserves protection from uncontrolled cutting or even from unprofessional

pruning.

From the website: BlyP is determined to re-green Aruba, one sapling, one micro-forest at a time. With every tree, we are enhancing biodiversity, fortifying nature’s resilience, creating a greener, healthier future, and combating climate change by storing carbon. At Ban Lanta y Planta, our roots lie in environmental stewardship and community engagement. Our incredible volunteers have tirelessly showed passion and dedication, embodying the belief that collective action can create immense change, even with small efforts.

Website www.banlantayplanta.com or www.treesforaruba.com @BanLantayPlanta

Donations are very welcome! Stichting Ban Lanta y Planta, Arubabank 602037 0190, Paraguana 7c, KvK S 1846.0 email: banlantayplanta@gmail.com

The St Regis Aruba and Chef Carlos Alejander Reina, invited food and wine lovers to step into an evening inspired by the flavors, and traditions of Italy. Each course presented during the evening at Eskama restaurant brought together refined Italian dishes, in an elegant, sophisticated ambiance.

The cuisine and carefully selected wines, by Romar Trading, contributed to an unforgettable experience, paired with the music of violinist Angela Flore.

Wines were introduced by Clive Faustin, a famed local wine artist. He picked the perfect wine for every moment throughout the evening, and was happy to share the Santa Margherita story, which he personally introduced to the island more than 50 years ago.

Eskama started our journey with a warm welcome: a delicate Parmigiano Reggiano gougère dusted with radicchio powder, followed by creamy Robiola, Ossetra caviar and Amalfi lemon. The evening opened with a glass of Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore DOCG from Valdobbiadene in Veneto.

The first course sang the praise of the Mediterranean with Tonno Rosso al Mediterraneo, rare red tuna paired with crisp Alto Adige apple, fragrant bergamot, refreshing cucumber water, basil oil and Italian caviar. A Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige accompanies the dish, bringing freshness and balance.

The Mazara del Vallo red prawn, served with a silky saffron beurre blanc, sea asparagus, burnt lemon and fennel pollen, hailed from Sicily. Crispy pane carasau and Pecorino added texture and a distinctly Italian touch to the dish. The pairing with Cantina Mesa “Giunco” Vermentino from Sardinia, enhanced our enjoyment from the delicate seafood, and the rich sauce.

The journey then moves inland with handmade agnolotti, filled with braised oxtail, and served with 36-month Parmigiano Reggiano, black truffle, and a rich bone-marrow emulsion, finished with veal jus. This luxurious course was paired with Lamole di Lamole “Maggiolo” Chianti Classico from Tuscany, bringing the warmth and depth of the Tuscan countryside to the table.

For the main course, a rare treat, dry-aged rack of lamb, with a pistachio crust accompanied by smoked eggplant, baby carrots and black garlic. A Marsala reduction, buttermilk foam and Olio Toscano complete the dish. The wine pairing took diner to Maremma Toscana with Sassoregale “Poderalta,” adding another layer of Italian flavor to the evening.

Finally, what turned out to be our favorite, a taste of the Amalfi Coast. Amalfi Lemon combined with mascarpone mousse, an extra-virgin-olive-oil sponge, lemon curd and basil sorbet, with totally surprising and fantastic candied olive and Italian meringue. This was bright, creamy, and surprising. A befitting finale to a dinner that traveled across Italy.

The kitchen brigade came out at the end of the evening and was gratified to receive a standing ovation. Bravo, Bravissimo, the evening was a total success, and the service was discreet, gracious, and personal! Our waitress was genuinely warm and attentive, we are looking forward for the next event.

 ‘TUI Sea The Change Aruba’ Project Launches The Coral Academy to Advance Coral Restoration and Marine Education. 

A new and exciting initiative is set to take place in Aruba with the opening of The Coral Academy, a product of the TUI Sea The Change Aruba project, a collaborative effort led by the TUI Care Foundation, ScubbleBubbles Foundation, and De Palm Tours Aruba. This ambitious project focuses on preserving Aruba’s fragile marine ecosystems, particularly the coral reefs, through restoration, education, and community involvement.

With Aruba’s economy deeply connected to tourism, the health of its marine environment is

critical not just for the natural ecosystem, but for the island’s thriving hospitality sector. The TUI Sea The Change project brings together local and international partners to ensure a sustainable future for the island’s coral reefs, while empowering and educating the Aruban community, as well as tourists, about the importance of ocean conservation.

A Joint Effort to Safeguard Aruba’s Coral Reefs

Building on the potential of tourism as a force for good, the TUI Care Foundation supports and initiates projects which create new opportunities and contribute to thriving communities in tourism destinations all over the world. Connecting holidaymakers to good causes, it supports education and training opportunities for young people; drives the protection of natural habitats and the marine environment; and helps local communities to thrive sustainably and benefit from tourism. The TUI Care Foundation builds on strong partnerships with local and international organizations to create meaningful and long-lasting impacts. This independent charitable

organization, founded by TUI, one of the world’s leading tourism businesses, is based in the

Netherlands and has now partnered with ScubbleBubbles Foundation in Aruba to start this

impactful reef restoration project.

ScubbleBubbles, officially known as Stichting ScubbleBubbles: Aruba Youth for the Ocean, was founded in 2016 and is dedicated to getting the local Aruban youth involved in ocean

conservation. The project will focus on regenerating coral reefs around the island through coral propagation and the creation of The Coral Academy, an educational reef restoration facility. Located at De Palm Island, The Coral Academy will be the first of its kind on Aruba, making reef restoration more accessible to school groups, the local community, hospitality workers, and tourists visiting the island.

De Palm Tours Aruba, a leading tour operator offering a wide range of immersive island

experiences, has joined this important initiative by providing the ideal location for The Coral Academy: De Palm Island. Known for its extensive marine activities and visitor reach, De Palm Island serves as a perfect hub to engage both locals and tourists in marine conservation efforts. By hosting The Coral Academy, De Palm Tours is not only contributing to the physical infrastructure but also ensuring that the project has a central and highly accessible platform to raise awareness about ocean conservation. This commitment builds on De Palm Tours’ long-standing dedication to sustainable tourism practices. De Palm Tours holds EarthCheck Gold Certification, a tier reached only after a minimum of five years of sustained, independently verified sustainability performance,  and is certified to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) standards. These credentials reflect measurable, ongoing progress in environmental management, resource conservation, and community engagement, making De Palm Tours a natural and credible partner for a project centered on protecting Aruba’s coral reefs

Education, Engagement, and Lasting Change

The TUI Sea The Change Aruba project seeks to engage not only local communities but also the tourism industry. The initiative will raise awareness among government agencies, tour operators, and their tour guides, as well as the broader Aruban community, from children to adults, about the importance of coral reef preservation. Through hands-on activities, workshops, and educational programs, the project aims to foster a deeper understanding of marine conservation and empower locals to play a direct role in protecting their ocean environment.

The project’s vision reaches beyond the island’s shores, aiming to engage a significant portion of the approximately 1.1 million tourists who visit Aruba each year. Visitors will be encouraged to participate in coral restoration activities, leaving the island with a deeper appreciation for the marine ecosystem that enriches their stay.

Educating Aruba’s Next Generation About Ocean Conservation

The Coral Academy will welcome local school groups of different ages for engaging, age-appropriate educational workshops about coral reefs, sustainability, and Aruba’s marine environment. Students will learn about the essential role coral reefs play in supporting marine life, the challenges affecting the island’s ocean ecosystems, and the importance of protecting these natural resources. Through these educational programs, The Coral Academy aims to strengthen environmental awareness and inspire young people to become informed and responsible stewards of Aruba’s oceans.

A Sustainable Future for Aruba’s Oceans

As Aruba faces the challenges of climate change and the impacts of tourism on its fragile

ecosystems, the TUI Sea The Change Aruba project represents a bold step toward sustainable marine conservation. By working together with local communities, the tourism industry, and environmental experts, this project aims to create lasting change in the protection and regeneration of Aruba’s coral reefs.

Partnership

This project is the result of a close collaboration between ScubbleBubbles, Aruba Youth for the Ocean, De Palm Tours Aruba, and the TUI Care Foundation. Together, these organizations are committed to safeguarding Aruba’s natural beauty for future generations.

For more information, visit: www.tuicarefoundation.org, scubblebubbles.org or www.depalm.com

Wendrick Cecilia Head of the AVP party

Prime Minister Mike Eman in a press conference announced the surprising/not surprising appointment of Wendrick Cicilia, 29, to the head of the AVP Party.

The Arubaanse Volkspartij (AVP) was founded in 1942 by Henny Eman, growing out of his earlier political movement advocating greater autonomy for Aruba from Curaçao and the Netherlands Antilles. He was followed as head of the party by his son, Shon A. Eman. Then his son, Henny Eman succeeded him, also becoming Aruba’s first prime minister in 1986. Henny returned to office twice and was the leader of the party at the same time. Henny’s successor, his brother Mike Eman, our current prime minister, has been the head of the party since 2009. It is his third term as prime minister. He promised to step down by the end of the year to allow his yet- to-be announced successor to consolidate his power, ahead of the next elections, in two years.

Mike Eman just handed the job to the Crown Prince Wendrick Cicilia who has been shadowing him for the last five years.

The reactions were unanimous: This is an unwise move. The language my friends used was MUCH spicier, because Evelyn is waiting on the sidelines with open arms. Our prime minister just handed her the chair back; unless our minister of justice throws all his political weight into the arena to restore the semblance of sanity of our government.

My friends also reported that Mike Eman torpedoed the career of Tico Croes, destined to succeed Henny Eman, at the time, which did not serve Aruba well.

Forgive me, but this reminded me of an old commercial, advertising a new revolutionary bra, claiming you would be wearing a bra, feeling braless – it is that light and airy.

It will look as if Cicilia is in charge, but underneath, carrying the load, pulling the strings, providing support, guidance, direction, the man who does not want to let go.

He says he wants young blood, but he picked the perfect front man.

I am uncomfortable with the front man term because it is unfair to Cicilia, who is intelligent, but it will take him a long time to understand the complexities and synergies that keep this island afloat. It takes more than flawless automatic speeches to run a country.

Savaneta Seafood Festival

Fundacion Savaneta gave us a great block party yesterday, with a fund-raising component benefitting the foundation. With more than 40 vendors it was a fun day, filled with food, music, and community.

The festival enjoyed a great turnout. Hundreds of people sauntered in under a scorching, merciless sun, beating on the asphalt surface. While the festival idea is terrific it seriously underestimated our ability to handle the heat.

Next year, string some old sails over the street for more shade, add more seating, and most importantly, more bars.

The foundation understandably wanted to man the bars and capitalize on the revenue. But one bar? With two bartenders? I abandoned a long row of thirsty festival goers baking in the sun. I gave up on beer and had a delicious classic Mojito.

Most mama papa vendors ran out of food early. But then the catch from the successful fishing tournament went on the grills, later in the afternoon.

Hungry, I stopped at Cookout for some frozen Superfood calamari rings. It was enjoyable — they had no lines, and processed clients professionally.

At the lemonade stand they were squeezing lemons one by one. They have an excellent product, but they must find a way to cut waiting time in half.

The musicians were expiring in the heat. They were playing on a naked stage, no roof/cover/shade over their heads.

I would have walked out.

I applaud Savaneta, a community that once thrived on agriculture and fishing, without tourism or a refinery…their goal was to revive what they call the “Savaneta way” preserving their identity and values within their community with events like the Savaneta Seafood Festival. OK, but give us more shade. Or stay away from the hottest months, September, October, and host the event in the EVENING HOURS.

Aruba: Towards a More Responsible and Reciprocal Tourism

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/aruba-towards-a-more-responsible-and-reciprocal-tourism/

Amendment to the ROPV needed, to revitalize Oranjestad

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/amendment-to-the-ropv-needed-to-revitalize-oranjestad/

Otmar Oduber Sentenced

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/otmar-oduber-sentenced/

A Healthier Aruba Together

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/a-healthier-aruba-together/

What’s in a name, Boca Catalina

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/whats-in-a-name-boca-catalina/

An appreciative birthday Blog, in honor of Oscar Henriquez’ 100th birthday!

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/an-appreciative-birthday-blog-in-honor-of-oscar-henriquez-100th-birthday/