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local Friday 28 June 2024
Ministry of Nature reminds that the use of plastic balloons in the

open air is prohibited

tances and bring them into our
world and beaches.
• They release harmful chemi-
cals during their decomposi-
tion process. This can affect
the quality of our soil and water
through contamination.
• The Ministry of Nature urges the
entire population of Aruba to
stop using plastic balloons in
the open air so we can take
care of our environment. The
responsibility to safeguard our
nature falls on all of us who live
Through a publication, the Minis- been considered during the sec- on this island, not just a few.
try of Nature wants to remind all ondary school graduation season
citizens and visitors that since 2019, and a soccer championship cel- Similarly, it should be noted that
the use of plastic balloons in the ebration. the use of helium balloons also rep-
open air is not allowed. It is also resents a danger given the various
important to inform that they cause Plastic balloons can easily cause incidents that have occurred with
a negative impact on the environ- negative impacts on our environ- power lines due to the use of these
ment. ment because: balloons. For this reason, ELMAR
• They can cause serious harm to N.V. sent a message to the peo-
The Ministry of Nature reminds all our animals, both on land and ple of Aruba in late May to raise Nature and the state company EL-
citizens that since December 2019, in water, as they can mistake awareness that helium balloons MAR N.V are calling on the com-
the use of balloons in the open air, them for food. This can cause are made of aluminum material. munity to, when using balloons or
meaning outside, is not permitted. them significant harm and Aluminum is a conductive metal, plastic balloons, not let them fly
The Environmentally Harmful Prod- even death. and when these balloons come away considering the dangers
ucts Ordinance specifically names • They contribute to pollution on into contact with power lines, they they can cause to the environ-
plastic balloons and confetti. Note land and in the sea. The wind can cause a short circuit. ment, animals, and even the com-
has been taken that this has not can carry them over long dis- For this reason, both the Ministry of munity itself.q

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

(Oranjestad)—Once locat- expansion; this time com- reminisce its legacy, and
ed in what is now the Re- plete with a long bar and it’s now considered a lost
naissance Marina, the Bali dance floor, where guests monument.
Restaurant was once both a enjoyed live music from
touristic and local hot spot, legendary Aruban musician Be apart of the conversa-
and nowadays it’s consid- and composer, Toti Arends. tion: if you or any family
ered a forgotten gem on member of yours have a
the island. After 1989, the restaurant memory of the Bali restau-
was again handed over rant, whether it be a pic-
Known as “the floating res- to other owners, and since ture or just a story, share it
taurant”, Bali first opened then suffered from unstable with us! We would love to
in 1955 by Willem “Bill” pillars underneath the foun- see this legendary hot spot
Strijland, who had experi- dation, resulting in various through the lens of our visi-
ence in Javanese cuisine. leaks and overflowing of tors!
At the time, the restaurant water into the restaurant.
was pretty exclusive— renovations and rebrand- official (re)opening in 1972. And as most great things Source and pictures credit
with space to host only 25 ing. come to an end, so did the to: “De Kolibrie op de Rots
guests. Yet, 4 years later, it After 1972, when Ronny survival and maintenance (en meer over de geschie-
was named the best res- In 1964, the restaurant was Schmand took over, the of the Bali Restaurant. denis van Aruba)” by Evert
taurant in the Caribbean taken over by Karel “Carl” restaurant saw yet another However, folks today still Bongers.q
by the Caribbean Tourist Schmand. Over the years,
Association. the restaurant needed con-
stant renovation and repair,
The restaurant was prob- mainly due to its vulnerabil-
ably most iconic for its ity to leaks and the unsta-
Javanese-inspired exterior ble pillars underneath the
with its pointy, slanted roofs. foundation. However, the
However, the first version of biggest change made to
Bali did not look like that at the restaurant happened
all but was still considered in the year 1970—still under
as one of the most popu- the ownership of Schmand,
lar restaurants on the island when it got its iconic pointy
at the time. The restaurant roofs. The restaurant was
saw three different owners also expanded to host a
during its existence, during total of 85 guests. This was
which it underwent various “The New Bali”, who had its