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local Tuesday 4 June 2024

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

(Oranjestad)—Once lo-
cated in what is now the
Renaissance Marina, the
Bali Restaurant was once
both a touristic and local
hot spot, and nowadays
it’s considered a forgotten
gem on the island.

Known as “the floating res-
taurant”, Bali first opened
in 1955 by Willem “Bill”
Strijland, who had experi-
ence in Javanese cuisine.
At the time, the restaurant
was pretty exclusive—
with space to host only 25
guests. Yet, 4 years later, it
was named the best res-
taurant in the Caribbean
by the Caribbean Tourist
Association.

The restaurant was proba-
bly most iconic for its Java- taken over by Karel “Carl” “The New Bali”, who had its to other owners, and since tion: if you or any family
nese-inspired exterior with Schmand. Over the years, official (re)opening in 1972. then suffered from unstable member of yours have a
its pointy, slanted roofs. the restaurant needed pillars underneath the foun- memory of the Bali restau-
However, the first version of constant renovation and After 1972, when Ronny dation, resulting in various rant, whether it be a pic-
Bali did not look like that at repair, mainly due to its vul- Schmand took over, the leaks and overflowing of ture or just a story, share it
all but was still considered nerability to leaks and the restaurant saw yet another water into the restaurant. with us! We would love to
as one of the most popu- unstable pillars underneath expansion; this time com- And as most great things see this legendary hot spot
lar restaurants on the island the foundation. However, plete with a long bar and come to an end, so did the through the lens of our visi-
at the time. The restaurant the biggest change made dance floor, where guests survival and maintenance tors! q
saw three different owners to the restaurant happened enjoyed live music from of the Bali Restaurant.
during its existence, during in the year 1970—still under legendary Aruban musi- However, folks today still Source and pictures credit
which it underwent various the ownership of Schmand, cian and composer, Toti reminisce its legacy, and to: “De Kolibrie op de Rots
renovations and rebrand- when it got its iconic pointy Arends. it’s now considered a lost (en meer over de geschie-
ing. roofs. The restaurant was monument. denis van Aruba)” by Evert
also expanded to host a After 1989, the restaurant Bongers.
In 1964, the restaurant was total of 85 guests. This was was again handed over Be apart of the conversa-

Planning on snorkeling? Get to know our Picuda!

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