Page 9 - AHATA

a8 local
Friday 4 OctOber 2024

Aruba Tourism Authority honored loyal visitors at Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort!

The honorary certification is pre- staff members of Bucuti & Tara
sented on behalf of the Minister Beach Resort bestowed the certifi-
of Tourism as a token of apprecia- cate upon the honorees, present-
tion and to say “Masha Danki” to ed them with gifts, and thanked
guests who have visited Aruba 10, them for choosing Aruba as their
20, or 35 years or more consecu- favorite vacation destination, as
tively. their home away from home.

The three levels of honor are as fol- The top reasons for returning to
lows: Aruba provided by the honorees
Distinguished Visitor (10>years con- were:
secutively visiting Aruba) • Aruba’s people.
Goodwill Ambassador (20>years • Aruba’s beaches especial-
consecutively visiting Aruba) ly eagle beach.
Emerald Ambassador (35>years • Aruba’s restaurants.
consecutively visiting Aruba) • “Warm Caribbean Sea”
• “Bucuti & Tara Beach resort
The honorees were: staff”
Emerald Ambassadors
Mr. Philip & Christine Stuart from On behalf of the Aruba Tourism Au-
Concord New Hampshire, United thority, we would like to express our
The Aruba Tourism Authority re- spectively honored with a certifi- States. sincere gratitude and appreciation
cently had the great pleasure of cate for their years of visits, loyalty, to the honorees for their continued
recognizing Emerald Ambassadors and love for the island of Aruba. Mr. Jorgino Willems representing visits to the “One Happy Island”.q
of Aruba. The honorees were re- the Aruba Tourism Authority, and

Aruba’s Nature is to be Cherished

ST. CRUZ — The national park Arikok compris- the same female hatches. A very rare occur-
es almost 18 % of the island. Its rugged terrain, rence of daytime nesting and hatching. Sea
desert-like hills filled with tall cacti, breathtaking turtles prefer nesting in the cool and dark hours
coastline and protected local flora and fauna of the night. And hatchlings usually wait for the
welcome you to be explored. There is numer- cue of cooling surface sand before emerging.
ous wildlife to discover like for example the sea
turtle who lays his eggs on the park’s beaches. Bubali Magic
There are more places on the island that are a This beautiful close-up image of the pink bird is
preserved area like the Bubali Plas which is a courtesy of Michiel Oversteegen of the Aruba
bird sanctuary. Birdlife Conservation. This important foundation Aruba’s nature has to offer. We cannot stress
showcases and builds awareness of Aruba’s enough to go, see for yourself. The island has
The national park Arikok takes you on a memo- birds and other native flora and fauna. You the most beautiful beaches but it is also worth-
rable journey of the islands past offering unique may have seen a ‘pink cloud’ lately at the Bub- while to go beyond this and get an idea of our
geological, cultural and historical sites. These ali or Spanish Lagoon Wetlands areas? It’s most entire island. Lately there is a discussion going
can all be enjoyed and explored either on your likely to be Roseate Spoonbills (Ajaia ajaja) or on about the effect certain activities have on
own or during guided tours. A wide variety of ‘Chucharon Cora’ as they are known in Papia- our nature, for example the ATV vehicles cause
educational and informative programs and fun mento. This unusual looking bird forages in shal- a lot of dust, noise and leave tire tracks. Animals
activities is available. low muddy water while sweeping its flattened live in these areas where the vehicles run, often
Did you know that four of the in total seven bill from side to side to catch small fish, crus- with high speed and with detrimental conse-
species of sea turtle lay their eggs on Aruba's taeceans and other aquatic invertebrates. The quences to flora and fauna. Motorized vehicles
beaches? In the national park, a Least Tern Roseate Spoonbill remains an uncommon sight are forbidden to drive on the sand dunes in the
(Sternula antillarum) keeps a strict eye on a as they are vulnerable to degradation of feed- Northern part of the island and all beaches in
very special event taking place below on the ing and nesting habitats (Wetlands). (Source: Aruba are forbidden for any motorized vehicle.
beach: a majestic Leatherback (Dermochelys arikok national park) Treasure our island to enjoy it like you do: as a
coriacea) heads back to sea after laying her tropical and natural paradise. We truly appreci-
eggs, while another nest laid 2 months ago by The aforementioned is just a part of what ate it!q