Published on:

Coconut Telefax 12/03/18

Aboard the Monforte to Spanish Lagoon

We recently hopped on board the luxury Pelican Adventures boat, the Monforte III, a large teak vessel, and enjoyed a glorious day on the water.

This beautifully outfitted, deluxe option on Aruba’s sailing menu was bought and rebuilt in Brazil, modified to sail our azure coastline. It was sailed here on her maiden voyage by a handful of crew members and now charters regularly as one of the biggest, prettiest ships around.

The Monforte III—with lots of deck space and shade, and a huge mortar and pestle for freshly made caipirinhas—offers luxury sit-down dinner cruises for about ten couples, as well as exclusive day trips to the Spanish Lagoon with snorkeling, lunch, and libations. The emphasis is on exclusive—few people, VIP service, premium bar, freshly grilled everything, la dolce vita all the way.

We took the day trip to the Spanish Lagoon, enjoyed an excellent lunch on board, then went snorkeling and kayaking. The rope swing provided top-notch entertainment as the belly floppers launched into the air, forever optimistic that they’d eventually nail the aerial flip.

It was a bright, sunny day, and the super-friendly and accommodating crew on board Monforte hand-crafted fresh mojitos for us and poured bottomless flutes of prosecco.

Nothing like a day on Monforte to wash away all your cares and preoccupations.

 

Raspao, Snow Cone, Shaved Ice—The Taste of Summer All Year Long

Whichever way you call it, raspao is a big island favorite, an ice-based dessert made of fine shavings of ice and sweet syrups. Usually, the syrup is added after the ice has been shaved—typically just before being served. The world’s best raspao is now served at the Aruba Ostrich Farm, featuring over 20 flavors, like passion fruit, bubble gum, and strawberry colada, among others. Each serving is squirted with three flavors and topped with options like condensed milk, caramel sauce, and whipped cream, just to name a few.

The ice-shaving machine is Japanese, an authentic snow-cone maker, and the syrups are made in Hawaii. I tried the melon, orange, and passion fruit—it was delicious.

The Ostrich Farm’s restaurant is now open all day, and you can stop there for lunch or dessert any time, perhaps on your way to the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins.

 

Andean Wisdom In Aruba

Carlos Jorge Illapuma, a descendant of the Q’ero nation in Peru, a Quechua-speaking community, was invited by Centro Quivit to come to Aruba between November 27 and December 11 to share his ancestral Andean wisdom and healing techniques.

He will conduct sessions and trainings at the center, adjacent to St. Michael Pavilion, and also agreed to share his energy with the seniors of Centro Quivit and YMCA in San Nicolas.

Last Wednesday, he conducted an evening talk at the library on the topic of energy healing. This past weekend, he gave a series of workshops at Centro Quivit, where he shared the self-healing rituals of the Andes.

A number of years ago, Andrew Fingal from Aruba met Carlos in Peru in the Cusco region. Andrew was incredibly affected by Carlos’ physical, emotional, and spiritual energy, and therefore invited him to Aruba. Carlos showed up with his healing stones, his ceremonial poncho, and his ear-flapped Chullo hat, prepared to share his knowledge, teachings, and healing techniques with Andrew and his friends. It was a success.

Then they repeated it once more.

The current visit is his third, and each time he amasses more fans and followers who are fascinated by his charisma. He aims to help restore people’s innate knowledge and awaken their higher awareness to prepare them for self-realization of a healing nature.

On December 8 and 9, there will be “Yachay,” initiations in a sacred location of Arikok National Park. Carlos will be available for private consultations, private healings, Andean oracles, and individual offerings for health, fortune, and cleansing purposes. For appointments and information on the workshops, contact 593-9133 on WhatsApp or email [email protected].

 

Op=Op To Open a New Store in Paradera

The neighborhood of Paradera welcomed a new Op=Op location at the official grand opening on November 30.

Op=Op offers an excellent selection of healthcare, beauty, and household products by the best international brands, and this new location also features the company’s wide variety of products, as expected, at rock-bottom prices.

The new Op=Op is situated in the Fresh Market complex in Paradera.

Op=Op management is extremely grateful for all the support and positive response it received from the Aruban community in the last year, which motivated the company to open another location where residents of Paradera can take advantage of the amazingly low prices that Op=Op has to offer.

The local community at large, and especially the residents of Paradera, are cordially invited to celebrate this grand opening!

You will find a combination of great prices and a pleasant shopping experience at the store, with over 2,800 products for men, women, and kids on the shelves; ample parking; and easy access.

Op=Op Voordeelshop was founded in Klazienaveen, the Netherlands, in 1997, focusing on major international brands. Op=Op also acquired 30 former Blokker shops, bringing the total number of outlets operated to over 160, employing more than 1,000 employees.

Aruba’s first Op=Op location opened in April 2017 in Savaneta, and the second at Italiestraat 38, servicing the Eagle/Sasaki area, followed by the newest location in Paradera.

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