I received a presentation. It was an update from Aruba Wastewater Sustainable Solutions N.V. (AWSS) on the improvements being made to Aruba’s wastewater treatment system. The presentation was quite technical, but here is the main message.

Wastewater is something ordinarily we do not think about. But in Aruba it is everyone’s business.

We use water every day, flush our toilets, take showers, wash dishes, and run businesses — and then the wastewater disappears down the drain. In most countries residents do not really know where their dish water goes, but in Aruba we do. We drive by the Bubali bird sanctuary and the AWSS plant every day.

There is currently an important program underway to improve the island’s wastewater treatment system and make it more dependable, environmentally responsible, and ready for the future. Aruba Wastewater Sustainable Solutions N.V. (AWSS) has been working on the island’s three wastewater treatment plants: Bubali, Parkietenbos and Zeewijk.

The program involves repairing old infrastructure, increasing treatment capacity, improving environmental monitoring, and preparing for the possibility of reusing more treated water.

In the past year, Aruba went from problems to progress, and according to AWSS, a lot of intensive work has been done.

One of the clearest improvements has been at the Parkietenbos plant, which went from being out of operation to operating at roughly 90% of its capacity. The island’s incinerator has also undergone a major expansion, increasing installed capacity from about 500 kilograms per hour to 3,300 kilograms per hour.

At Bubali, extensive repairs have been conducted on tanks, structural supports, piping, and filtration equipment. A clarifier that had been out of service is being completely rebuilt rather than simply patched up. These repairs may not be visible to the average resident or visitor, but they are essential to keeping the system functioning properly.

Because we are all watching the environment more closely, another important change is environmental monitoring. Ten continuous air-quality monitors and an on-site weather station have been installed at Bubali.

The information is logged around the clock on a live dashboard. This means that odor complaints can now be investigated using actual data — including when an odor occurred, where it originated, how strong it was and how long it lasted. That is a significant move away from opinions and assumptions toward measurable information.

Additionally more wastewater is being turned into a resource. Perhaps one of the most interesting parts of the program is the focus on reclaimed water. Treated wastewater does not necessarily have to be considered waste. It can potentially become a useful resource for golf courses, landscaping, agriculture, and wetland restoration.

Bubali already supplies treated water to the Bubali Plas wetland, the bird sanctuary, and the Tierra del Sol golf-course irrigation. New infrastructure at Zeewijk is intended to make treated water more consistently available. For an island like Aruba, where water production requires energy, every cubic meter of properly treated water that can be reused represents an opportunity to reduce the need for producing additional desalinated water.

At AWSS everyone has a role in improving wastewater treatment. It is not only the responsibility of the treatment plants. Businesses can help by effectively managing fats, oils, and grease, and connecting new construction to the sewer system where it is available. Properties may also prepare for periods of high occupancy, by collecting rainwater for irrigation, for example, and use certified wastewater collection operators. This is a particularly important last comment. A certified wastewater collection operator will not dump the load in the wilderness but see to it that it is safely delivered for treatment at one of the plants.

The AWSS message is straightforward: a modern wastewater system needs cooperation from everyone.

As we speak, the work is still ongoing, and there are significant investments ahead. But the direction is clear: repair what is broken, modernize the system, improve environmental monitoring and, wherever possible, turn treated wastewater from something that must be disposed of into a resource that Aruba can use. For an island dependent on its environment, tourism and limited natural resources, which is not simply an infrastructure project. It is an investment in Aruba’s future.

Three successful island resorts are celebrating milestone anniversaries this month. Cas del Mar Beach Resort, 40 years, Costa Linda Beach Resort, 35 years and La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino, 35 years.

Casa del Mar Celebrates 40 Years of Aruba Memories

Forty years is a long time in the life of a hotel, but at Casa del Mar Beach Resort, it represents so much more than a birthday. It is the story of a resort that grew alongside Aruba’s tourism industry and became a home away from home for generations of loyal vacation owners.

Casa del Mar celebrated its 40th anniversary in October 2026, marking four decades since opening its doors on October 4, 1986, as the island’s second timeshare resort. The anniversary brought together members, guests, employees and people who helped shape the resort’s history. Former general managers also reunited to share memories of their years at the property.

Developed by Sun Development under the vision of Raymond Maduro, Casa del Mar was among the pioneers of vacation ownership in Aruba, when timeshare was still a relatively new concept. The idea was simple but powerful: give families the opportunity to return to their favorite island, to the same accommodation, year after year.

Today, Casa del Mar has 147 suites, and its history is reflected in the loyalty of owners who have been returning for almost the entire four decades. Some have passed their ownership on to their children, creating family traditions that continue into a new generation.

The anniversary also recognized the employees whose dedication has helped keep the resort in excellent condition and maintain its welcoming atmosphere over the years.

As Aruba’s tourism industry continues to evolve, Casa del Mar’s 40-year milestone is a reminder that successful hospitality is about more than buildings and beautiful beachfront locations. It is about relationships, memories and the people who make guests want to return.

Congratulations to Casa del Mar and everyone who has been part of its remarkable journey. Here’s to the next chapter of making Aruba memories!

La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino Celebrates 35 Years in Aruba

For 35 years, La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino has been an important part of Aruba’s hospitality story, welcoming generations of vacationers to the island’s beautiful Eagle Beach. What began as a visionary development has grown into a much-loved vacation destination, built on the promise of memorable holidays, warm hospitality, and the feeling of being part of a family.

La Cabana opened its doors in 1991, bringing a new dimension to Aruba’s growing vacation ownership industry. With its spacious accommodations, resort amenities, swimming pools, restaurants, and easy access to one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches, it created a place where families could return year after year and build lasting memories.

Yet the true success of La Cabana is not measured in rooms or facilities alone. It is reflected in the loyalty of its owners, the dedication of its long-serving employees, and the many personal relationships developed over decades. For countless guests, returning to La Cabana has become an annual tradition, a home away from home in Aruba.

As the resort celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2026, it also looks ahead. Continued investment and improvements reflect a commitment to keeping the property welcoming, comfortable, and relevant for future generations.

Thirty-five years is a significant milestone, but La Cabana’s greatest achievement may be the community it has built around the simple pleasure of returning to a place where people feel they belong.

Costa Linda Beach Resort: 35 Years of Aruba Memories

This November, Costa Linda Beach Resort is approaching a special milestone: 35 years since welcoming its first guest on November 1, 1991. Located at Punta Brabo, at the beginning of Eagle Beach, Costa Linda has become a familiar and much-loved part of Aruba’s vacation ownership story.

The resort was developed by Raymond Maduro, one of the pioneers who helped introduce and establish timeshare in Aruba. At the time, luxury vacation ownership was still a relatively new concept on the island. The idea of owning a place in the Caribbean to return to year after year would eventually become an important part of Aruba’s tourism industry.

Today, Costa Linda’s five-story resort features 155 units, including spacious two- and three-bedroom suites and luxury Frangipani suites. Its beachfront location, with beautiful ocean views and more than 700 feet of beach, remains one of its greatest attractions.

But a resort’s legacy is about more than its location and facilities. It is about the people who make it special. Costa Linda has long recognized the dedication of employees who have spent decades caring for owners and guests, some since the resort’s earliest days.

Its ownership structure is also distinctive: the resort is owned and governed by a cooperative association made up of its timeshare owners.

As Costa Linda approaches its 35th anniversary, it celebrates not simply the passing of time, but the enduring appeal of returning to a familiar place, reconnecting with friends and family, and making new memories on One Happy Island.

Here’s to 35 years of hospitality, loyalty, and generations of vacation owners who keep coming back.

Last-minute request for support to help Active Mirror represent Aruba at the 8MM Festival in Berlin, November 9-16, marking the band’s first performances in Europe.

Active Mirror is a local Aruban band that has worked tirelessly over the past four years to reach international audiences. In March 2026, they became the first Aruban band to perform at New York City’s New Colossus Festival, which featured over 200 bands from 23 countries. Only 12 bands were selected to perform at Berlin’s 8MM Festival, including Active Mirror, who will once again make history as the first Aruban band to perform at the festival.

Berlin marks their introduction to the European market, with an invite to perform in front of international major festival programmers, established booking agents, and seasoned industry professionals who could open significant doors for Active Mirror.

Our trip was fully funded until a sponsor unexpectedly withdrew due to a change in circumstances, leaving us with a USD $2,000 shortfall.

With our November 9 departure approaching, we’re now too close to secure replacement funding through traditional arts grants.

We’re hoping you might consider helping us bridge this gap, whether through a contribution or by connecting us/sharing our story with someone who may be able to assist.

We’ve worked incredibly hard to reach this milestone, and we’d hate to see this opportunity jeopardized by an unexpected funding setback.

Thank you so much for considering helping us on this new leg of our journey!

Take good care,

Amal

—

Amal Farhat

263 766 5405

Manager, Active Mirror | badtime | Johnny Turbo | Telekill

Secret Agent Man Music

Aruba | Canada

For two evenings, Saturday & Sunday, downtown Oranjestad became a lively meeting place for food lovers, music enthusiasts and people eager to experience Aruba’s culinary creativity. Now in its third year, the Autentico Food Festival, especially the Pavilion, is becoming an important opportunity for local restaurants, bars, chefs, and culinary students to showcase their talents.

Visitors could stroll from booth to booth, 35 food vendors, 16 bars, sampling specially selected dishes at reasonable prices, while bars presented signature cocktails. Behind the festive atmosphere, however, there was also a more serious story: a festival learning from experience and improving its organization.

Full disclosure: I went to a popular supermarket on September 2nd at 8am and bought six tickets. Then spent a month listening to my friends who did not get tickets — how much they regret not waking up early. Organizer still advertised ticket sale on the radio, while tickets were sold out.

The event I hear, sold out within two hours, about 4,000 tickets. I did not attend any bucket list events or any culinary experiences or any mixology events. If you did, you can share your feedback in the comments.

But I did ask around for commentary and the feedback from participants was largely positive. Autentico is a unique event for Aruba, they said, with a beautiful setup, very stylish guests, and an organization that several participants described as excellent. Some felt the flow of visitors was better than last year. Food queues were shorter, and topping up festival wristbands was considerably easier. Several vendors were also better prepared, using sales information from the earlier edition to make more informed decisions about quantities and menu choices.

One participant reported that Saturday generated approximately 20% more revenue than Sunday, a pattern also observed the previous year. Although some felt the festival appeared less crowded, their sales remained comparable or even improved. Perhaps visitors arrived at various times, creating a more even flow rather than overwhelming the event all at once.

There were plenty of culinary highlights. Terra by Jeremy Ford’s beef short rib with lentils won one visitor’s vote for favorite bite. EPB students, under chef Orlin Geerman’s guidance, impressed with their tamarind pork belly with Caribbean coleslaw stuffed in a Johnny cake, alongside an elaborate aloe sorbet dessert. The crew was tired but proud of what students accomplished. Casa Nonna’s Lobster Ravioli, La Florentina’s Italian Meat Balls, Petite Plaisir’s drunken cake, Azar’s open face taco, ice cold Balashi beer, Burico by Pepe Margo– there is only so much one person can eat and drink

Even the smallest discoveries made an impression. One visitor was so tempted by the aroma of butterscotch-infused coffee beans from Aruba Coffee Roasting Company that a single sniff resulted in two bags going home.

The festival also offered cooking and mixology classes, adding an educational dimension to the culinary celebration. Meanwhile, organizers appeared to pay greater attention to logistics, including the placement and management of musical performances. Food safety inspections were reportedly more thorough this year, a development one participant welcomed as a sign of more consistent oversight.

One critical point raised by participants concerned the balance between Aruba’s smaller restaurants and the major hotel groups. The larger establishments often have more staff, equipment, and financial resources to invest in their booths. Autentico should continue to provide opportunities for smaller independent restaurants to shine, ensuring that the festival celebrates the full diversity of Aruba’s culinary scene rather than allowing the biggest players to dominate.

The distribution of premium locations also deserves attention. Rather than concentrating the most sought-after restaurants in one courtyard, organizers could spread these prime spots throughout the festival. This would give more participants an opportunity to benefit from high visitor traffic and encourage people to explore different areas.

The entrance at Wilhelminastraat was another area identified for improvement. Adding more vendors at the beginning of the route could create an immediate sense of excitement and draw visitors into the event.

Some sections of the street attracted fewer visitors than others. Uneven lighting may have contributed, suggesting that a more consistent lighting plan and more strategic placement of food booths and entertainment could encourage people to explore the entire festival area.

Opinions about the music were divided. Some visitors loved its diversity, while others found the selections and volume unpleasant. Greater attention to musical programming, including opportunities to showcase Aruba’s own DJs, could help create an atmosphere that appeals to more people.

Another suggestion worth considering is the festival calendar. Could Thursday replace Sunday as one of the festival evenings? Thursday is traditionally a popular night for going out in Aruba, and a change could attract a different audience.

There is also an opportunity to rethink the schedule to accommodate more visitors. If the festival were to introduce a ‘second seating’ or arrival period later in the evening, it might encourage people to come after the initial rush. A clearly communicated closing time, perhaps around 9 p.m. for one session, could help organizers manage the flow and explore whether a later group of visitors would be interested in joining afterward.

Perhaps one of the most valuable suggestions is to open Autentico more deliberately to the local public. Many residents cannot regularly afford to dine at Aruba’s iconic restaurants, yet they may be curious about the food and experiences these establishments offer. The street festival provides an accessible opportunity to discover their menus, meet the people behind the restaurants and develop a greater appreciation for Aruba’s culinary offerings.

This could make Autentico more than a food festival for visitors and established restaurant patrons. It could become a platform for culinary education, local pride, and discovery, encouraging residents to explore the island’s dining scene at their own pace and within their means.

Organizers could also examine how different menu choices perform, including the sales of vegan dishes alongside meat options. Such information would help vendors plan more effectively and provide useful insights for future editions.

Perhaps the most telling comment came from someone who wished Autentico could become a monthly event. For a few evenings, Oranjestad became a place where people wanted to linger, socialize, eat, and enjoy their capital rather than simply pass through.

That may be Autentico’s greatest promise. The festival is already creating memorable experiences and giving local talent a platform. With each edition, there is an opportunity to gain experience, refine and build on that success. The challenge now is to preserve what makes Autentico special while ensuring that its benefits reach more restaurants, more residents, and more corners of downtown Oranjestad.

Special mention: Egmar Irausquin, Elite Production, Gilbert Wernet, your traditional cunucu house was most charming, you are exceptionally talented people.

One last question, who is the target audience, locals? Then Sunday is not a good day. Visitors? Then the weekend is inconvenient, they just arrived, perhaps Wednesday & Thursday would be better.

SUSTAINABILITY CANNOT BE SELECTIVE

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/sustainability-cannot-be-selective/

Bucuti & Tara Joins Fundacion ABO to Make Aruba Pink and Share “The Gift of Rest”

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/bucuti-tara-joins-fundacion-abo-to-make-aruba-pink-and-share-the-gift-of-rest/

Complexity hides the key message

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/complexity-hides-the-key-message/

Across the Pond 2026 edition

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/across-the-pond-2026-edition/

Another hip, hip, hurray for Café the Plaza, celebrating its 35th anniversary

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/another-hip-hip-hurray-for-cafe-the-plaza-celebrating-its-35th-anniversary/

Following the sentence in the case of the Government of Aruba and Tierra del Sol, already in possession of a building permit and an excavation/construction permit for its grandfathered development, a hotel in the Hudishibana area.

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/following-the-sentence-in-the-case-of-the-government-of-aruba-and-tierra-del-sol-already-in-possession-of-a-building-permit-and-an-excavation-construction-permit-for-its-grandfathered-development-a/

Do not let a good fish get away

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/do-not-let-a-good-fish-get-away/

Minimum Wages increase as of January 1st, 2026

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/minimum-wages-increase-as-of-january-1st-2026/