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LOCAL Friday 20 September 2024

The Bali Restaurant: a touristic hot spot and lost gem on the island

(Oranjestad)—Once locat-
ed in what is now the Re-
naissance Marina, the Bali
Restaurant was once both a
touristic and local hot spot,
and nowadays it’s consid-
ered a forgotten gem on
the island.

Known as “the floating res-
taurant”, Bali first opened in
1955 by Willem “Bill” Strijland,
who had experience in Ja-
vanese cuisine. At the time,
the restaurant was pretty at the time. The restaurant to the restaurant happened Aruban musician and com- it’s now considered a lost
exclusive—with space to saw three different owners in the year 1970—still under poser, Toti Arends. monument.
host only 25 guests. Yet, 4 during its existence, during the ownership of Schmand,
years later, it was named which it underwent various when it got its iconic pointy After 1989, the restaurant Be apart of the conversa-
the best restaurant in the renovations and rebrand- roofs. The restaurant was was again handed over tion: if you or any family
Caribbean by the Carib- ing. also expanded to host a to other owners, and since member of yours have a
bean Tourist Association. total of 85 guests. This was then suffered from unstable memory of the Bali restau-
In 1964, the restaurant was “The New Bali”, who had its pillars underneath the foun- rant, whether it be a picture
The restaurant was prob- taken over by Karel “Carl” official (re)opening in 1972. dation, resulting in various or just a story, share it with
ably most iconic for its Schmand. Over the years, leaks and overflowing of us! We would love to see this
Javanese-inspired exterior the restaurant needed After 1972, when Ronny water into the restaurant. legendary hot spot through
with its pointy, slanted roofs. constant renovation and Schmand took over, the res- And as most great things the lens of our visitors!
However, the first version of repair, mainly due to its vul- taurant saw yet another ex- come to an end, so did the
Bali did not look like that at nerability to leaks and the pansion; this time complete survival and maintenance Source and pictures credit to:
all but was still considered unstable pillars underneath with a long bar and dance of the Bali Restaurant. “De Kolibrie op de Rots (en
meer over de geschiedenis
as one of the most popu- the foundation. However, floor, where guests enjoyed However, folks today still van Aruba)” by Evert Bongers.
lar restaurants on the island the biggest change made live music from legendary reminisce its legacy, and

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