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LOCaL Saturday 19 July 2025
Planning on snorkeling? Get to know our Picuda!

(Oranjestad)—If you’re ever planning "ambush predator" that stays still or
on snorkeling during your vacation floats in the water waiting for its prey
on Aruba, you may spot fish that you to approach so it can attack it with
can’t recognize. One of these may lightning speed. It is well known for
be the “Picuda”, a very common fish fishermen, especially for its white
that swims all year long in the waters flesh in fish soup. In fishing culture,
of Aruba. Here’s some information there are many other names, such
about the beloved Picuda. as Pecho blanco, Blekito, Banana,
or Bleki. The names vary according
Let's talk about the names of fish. to size.
Do you know your fish? This is an
informative article that illustrate some Description
fish and their names in Papiamento, The Picuda is a long fish, with a round
which the Department of Agriculture, body like a torpedo and silver in color
Livestock and Fisheries, known as with shiny black stripes. Below, that
“Santa Rosa”, wants to share and is, the belly, is whiter, while the top
also obtain information from the part is darker. Its snout is very pointed,
public. and the lower jaw is longer than the
upper one. Its peduncle, where the
Picuda, Sphyraena barracuda, body meets the tail, is thick, while In Aruba: hooked. It can be caught via trolling
Greater Barracuda the tail also forms a crescent but in Picuda can be found in our waters from a boat, casting from shore with
Well known is the Picuda on the this case one more "full" than that of around our island throughout the a line or rod, or by jigging, casting
island—Barracuda in English. mullet or conefish. This reflects the year. Picuda, in our waters, is edible the lure (artificial bait) and moving
Its scientific name is Sphyraena hunting style of the Picuda. It needs without any problem. Picuda is also it with certain rod motions.q
barracuda. It is a widely caught to be able to accelerate quickly a highly sought-after fish by sports
fish. It is found throughout the year when the prey gets close. fishermen or recreational fishermen Picture courtesy of the Department of
in our waters, where it is a so-called because it puts up a good fight once Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.

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

dation, resulting in various
leaks and overflowing of
water into the restaurant.
And as most great things
come to an end, so did the
survival and maintenance
of the Bali Restaurant.
However, folks today still
reminisce its legacy, and
it’s now considered a lost
monument.

Be apart of the conversa-
tion: if you or any family
member of yours have a
memory of the Bali restau-
rant, whether it be a pic-
ture or just a story, share it
with us! We would love to

(Oranjestad)—Once lo- The restaurant was prob- nerability to leaks and the poser, Toti Arends. see this legendary hot spot
cated in what is now the ably most iconic for its unstable pillars underneath through the lens of our visi-
Renaissance Marina, the Javanese-inspired exterior the foundation. However, After 1989, the restaurant tors! q
Bali Restaurant was once with its pointy, slanted roofs. the biggest change made was again handed over Source and pictures credit to:
both a touristic and local However, the first version of to the restaurant happened to other owners, and since “De Kolibrie op de Rots (en
hot spot, and nowadays it’s Bali did not look like that at in the year 1970—still under then suffered from unstable meer over de geschiedenis
considered a forgotten gem all but was still considered the ownership of Schmand, pillars underneath the foun- van Aruba)” by Evert Bongers.
on the island. as one of the most popu- when it got its iconic pointy
lar restaurants on the island roofs. The restaurant was
Known as “the floating res- at the time. The restaurant also expanded to host a
taurant”, Bali first opened in saw three different owners total of 85 guests. This was
1955 by Willem “Bill” Strijland, during its existence, during “The New Bali”, who had its
who had experience in Ja- which it underwent various official (re)opening in 1972.
vanese cuisine. At the time, renovations and rebrand-
the restaurant was pretty ing. After 1972, when Ronny
exclusive—with space to Schmand took over, the res-
host only 25 guests. Yet, 4 In 1964, the restaurant was taurant saw yet another ex-
years later, it was named taken over by Karel “Carl” pansion; this time complete
the best restaurant in the Schmand. Over the years, with a long bar and dance
Caribbean by the Carib- the restaurant needed floor, where guests enjoyed
bean Tourist Association. constant renovation and live music from legendary
repair, mainly due to its vul- Aruban musician and com-