Page 8 - AHATA

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LOCAL Saturday 8 February 2025
The Bali Restaurant: a touristic hot spot and lost gem on the island

(Oranjestad)—Once located restaurant in the Caribbean
in what is now the Renais- by the Caribbean Tourist As-
sance Marina, the Bali Res- sociation.
taurant was once both a
touristic and local hot spot, The restaurant was prob-
and nowadays it’s consid- ably most iconic for its
ered a forgotten gem on the Javanese-inspired exterior
island. with its pointy, slanted roofs. In 1964, the restaurant was After 1972, when Ronny tenance of the Bali Restau-
However, the first version of taken over by Karel “Carl” Schmand took over, the res- rant. However, folks today still
Known as “the floating res- Bali did not look like that at Schmand. Over the years, taurant saw yet another ex- reminisce its legacy, and it’s
taurant”, Bali first opened in all but was still considered the restaurant needed pansion; this time complete now considered a lost monu-
1955 by Willem “Bill” Strijland, as one of the most popular constant renovation and with a long bar and dance ment.
who had experience in Ja- restaurants on the island at repair, mainly due to its vul- floor, where guests enjoyed
vanese cuisine. At the time, the time. The restaurant saw nerability to leaks and the live music from legendary Be apart of the conversation:
the restaurant was pretty ex- three different owners during unstable pillars underneath Aruban musician and com- if you or any family member
clusive—with space to host its existence, during which it the foundation. However, poser, Toti Arends. of yours have a memory of
only 25 guests. Yet, 4 years underwent various renova- the biggest change made the Bali restaurant, whether
later, it was named the best tions and rebranding. to the restaurant happened After 1989, the restaurant it be a picture or just a story,
in the year 1970—still under was again handed over to share it with us! We would
Planning on snorkeling? the ownership of Schmand, other owners, and since then love to see this legendary
when it got its iconic pointy suffered from unstable pillars hot spot through the lens of
Get to know our Picuda! roofs. The restaurant was also underneath the foundation, our visitors!
expanded to host a total of resulting in various leaks and
85 guests. This was “The New overflowing of water into Source and pictures credit to:
In fishing culture, there are Bali”, who had its official (re) the restaurant. And as most “De Kolibrie op de Rots (en
many other names, such as opening in 1972. great things come to an end, meer over de geschiedenis
Pecho blanco, Blekito, Ba- so did the survival and main- van Aruba)” by Evert Bongers.
nana, or Bleki. The names
vary according to size.

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