Page 16 - AHATA

Saturday 5 July 2025 locAl
A10

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

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

Monuments in Oranjestad: Town House and Cas Veneranda

(Oranjestad)—If you’ve ever the 1920s. In 1922, he mar- The land was sold to Land
taken a stroll through main ried Maria Monica Lacle, the Aruba in 1986, but it did not
street Oranjestad, you may daughter of well-known busi- see a renovation until 1997.
have stumbled upon a big ness man at the time, Adri- Nowadays, it serves to host
green house with beautiful aan Lacle. The two lived a weddings, and is attached
colonial design. This leg- posh life in the city center, to a modern building situ-
endary house, now used and their mansion—once the ated behind—the Aruban
as a town hall for civil mar- center for neighborhood par- census office.
riages, was once owned by ties—now serves as a public
a wealthy doctor and formed town hall for civil marriages Jacobo and Maria’s mansion
part of the elite neighbor- and is a cultural monument was situated in front of anoth-
hood in Oranjestad. on the island. er famous mansion, owned
by Jacobo’s brother Fred-
Jacobo Eloy Arends was an The house was designed erico Maximiliaan (Machi)
Aruban physician, and in by architect Chibi Wever, Arends. Frederico was mar-
lived in Oranjestad during and constructed under the ried to Veneranda (whom
the mansion was named
after). Their house was also
constructed by Dada Picus,
utilizing Veneranda’s design
vision that was inspired by a
leadership of famous master nished entirely by her sisters- house she saw in Cartagena,
carpenter, Dada Picus, who in-law. Colombia.
was famous at the time for
his construction of beautiful The mansion also contained Nowadays, this mansion lies
buildings. the doctor’s office, as well as in ruins. However, the Aruban
a pharmacy. After the death government announced its
The construction of the house of Jacobo, the house was official restoration last year,
started once Jacobo and inherited by his son, an Aru- with ongoing steps to con-
Maria got engaged. It is ban dentist, who converted vert this monument into a
said that during the time of Jacobo’s office into his own governmental office and
construction, Maria was not dental practice. Over the public space for visitors of
allowed to see the building years, the house was rented Oranjestad. q
nor be anywhere near the and used by third parties, but
Source and pictures credited
construction site. It wasn’t eventually fell into disrepair, to: “De Kolibrie op de Rots (en
until after her honeymoon as the maintenance cost be- meer over the geschiedenis
that she saw the completed came too high to cover. van Aruba)” by Evert Bongers.
mansion for the first time, fur-