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                                                                                                           local Thursday 18 July 2024
            Ayo & Casibari: Aruba’s famous rock formations


            (Oranjestad)—The Ayo and Casibari  of or side by side each other, add-               Casibari               refreshments and snack before con-
            Rock Formations are known locally  ing gorgeous natural architecture to  Probably the busier rock formation  tinuing your off-road adventure!
            as one of the crucial sites to have in  the surrounding “mondi”*. This is also  site,  the  Casibari  is  situated  more
            your “off-road” trip itinerary. These  one of the few sites to contain pre-  in  the  center  of  the  island,  much  Both sites are open free to the public,
            naturally formed rock formations as  historic markings of our indigenous  closer—and  more  accessible—to  24 hours a day. However, unless you
            just  one  of  the  few  places  on  the  ancestors. The Ayo Rock formation  the  general  public.  Just  like  Ayo,  are taking a trip with a professional
            island that hold a rich history of our  contains stairs that lead you to the  Casibari is a fenced area contain-  tour guide, there are no guides at
            culture and of our ancestors.       top of the highest boulder, offering  ing several boulders that lay on top  the sites to help you climb the rock.
                                                a breath-taking view of the Aruban  or lean on each other. The best as-  So, do be careful when trudging on
                           Ayo                  backyard. The Ayo is usually quiet,  pect of the Casibari Rock Formation  the boulders, and make sure to be-
            The Ayo Rock Formation is located  as it is situated farther away from the  is the accompanying view when you  friend any roaming goats you see
            in  the  northern  part  of  the  island,  busier parts of the island. However,  climb up the top of the round, flat  along the way!
            right on the road that leads you to  this is just another charm of the site:  bolder. For this position, you can see
            the Black Stone Beach, and close  the  quiet  area  and  the  refreshing  the majority of the island and the  *Mondi:  what  we  call  our  Aruban
            to the Natural Bridge. The Ayo is a  breeze offer a sense of comfort and  ocean in the south. Right in front of  wilderness. We don’t have forests, or
            fenced terrain that consists of several  peace.                         the entrance, there is the Casibari  deserts, but we do have mondi! q
            giant boulders, resting neatly on top                                   Café and Grill, a great place to get

                          Celebrating 65 Years of Island Hospitality: 1959 – 2024

                  Aruba’s first luxury hotel is celebrating 65 years on Thursday July 18th, 2024


                                                                      the resort has hosted many distinguished
                                                                      guests,  including  members  of  the  Dutch
                                                                      Royal family and renowned entertainers.

                                                                      Among the royal visitors were Queen Beatrix
                                                                      of the Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander,
                                                                      and  Princess  Margriet  van  Vollenhoven.
                                                                      Additionally,  prominent  singers  like  Harry
                                                                      Belafonte and George Benson have also
                                                                      stayed here.                               all graced the resort with their presence.

                                                                      Other  celebrity  entertainers,  including  Drop in for a drink on July 18th and enjoy a
              Long before becoming the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort   Elizabeth Taylor, Eddy Fisher, Jack Benny,  second Antilles Cooler, a Gin and Crème
              & Casino, the iconic bastion of hospitality was originally   Arthur Godfrey, Xavier Cugat, Abbe Lane,  de Menthe cocktail, or a second Papia-
              named the Aruba Caribbean Hotel, and it was the first   Jan Peerce, Liberace, Natalie Wood, Bob  mento O La La, a Cointreau, Vodka and
              luxury resort on the Caribbean Dutch Island of Aruba. It   Hope, Roger Moore, and Tony Martin, have  Rum concoction for only $1.20.q
              officially opened its doors in 1959 and paved the way for
              tourism here.


              To commemorate these 65 years, and to celebrate the
              hotel’s debut as the pioneer of Aruba’s luxury hospitality,
              the Hilton Aruba invites guests and locals to visit the newly
              renovated Sunset Bar, with an offer for the second drink,
              served at 1959 prices, only on July 18th, 2024, throughout
              the day.
              Enjoy a Caribbean Punch for $1.25 or a Banana Daiquiri
              for just $1.- and imagine yourself sixty-five years ago, at
              the opening ceremony of the new Palm Beach landmark,
              in the presence of the Governor of the Netherlands Antil-
              les, representing the Government of the Kingdom of the
              Netherlands. He gave a short speech, just before cutting
              the ribbon.
              The first General Manager of the Aruba Caribbean Hotel,
              had a limitless budget to bring the best entertainers of
              that time to perform in the “Klompen Klub,” among them
              Xavier Cugat, Harry Belafonte, Jack Benny, and Liberace.


              Just before opening, during the hotel soft opening period,
              the 120-member Washington Symphony Orchestra came
              to perform in Aruba for two days.

              Nicknamed the “Grand Dame,” the resort was designed
              by one of America’s most famous hotel architects, Mor-
              ris Lapidus, who also designed landmark hotels such as
              the Fontainebleau, the Eden Roc, and the Americana,
              in Miami Beach, Florida. Of the 276 hotels designed by
              Morris Lapidus in his lifetime, his design of the first large
              hotel in Aruba is considered one of his best.
              When it opened in 1959, the resort quickly became a fa-
              vorite getaway for world-famous jetsetters. Over the years,
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