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EDITORIAL 4
This is the first edition of House Complete. We are very proud to present this new magazine on living for Aruba. It’s the first complete magazine on realty and living on Aruba and it has a complete oversight of all the aspects of living. Not only real estate is presented, but editorial contributions on financing, insurance, security, furniture, bathrooms, kitchens, gardens, swimming pools and much, much more, complete this monthly magazine. Trends in housing, selling and buying of realty, time share and condominiums, green energy, living on Aruba, trends in home furnishings for livings, kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms are presented. House Complete is a production of Cross Media N.V., who already markets the website Casnan.com and the monthly magazine Aruba Ta Hot. House Complete is a magazine on Living in general, but it’s more than that, as you can see while reading our magazine. We hope you’ll like it as much as we do. Cross Media N.V. René van Norel (publisher) and Alma de Vries (editorial director)
OUR TEAM PUBLISHER: Cross Media NV
DIRECTORS:
René van Norel and Marcel van Schie
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Alma de Vries
GRAPHIC DESIGN: Twenty Eleven
PHOTOGRAPHER: Rosalie Klein
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Rosalie Klein Kitty Groothuijse and Alma de Vries
HOUSE COMPLETE Email: info@crossmedianv.com www.arubahousecomplete.com For advertising information and rates: contact Cross Media NV via email or call 588-6988/563-6468
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Calabas
Great investment opportunity a four bedroom house with 5 apartments along road side at Sabana liber. Along side the main road from calabas to noord. easily accessible to and from the hotels. a 4 bedroom 2 bath house. adjacent a 5 apartment 1-2 bedroom units each with separate bath. good income
USD 245.000
National Real Estate N.V. 151-C office no.1 / tel: 583-5524
Palm Beach
Salina Cerca 37A
Beautiful ocean and salina view from this 3/bed 2/bath home on 750m2 of landscaped property. Enjoy the spectacular roof-top terrace in the Ruby section of Palm Beach/Malmok area.
For rent at Salina Cerca: charming residence with round tower at perfect location close to the beach. Provided with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and swimmingpool.
USD 555.000
USD 393.000 Alto Vista Real Estate Schotlandstraat 45 Phone 297-582-4494
Michael D. Gilliar, Broker/Owner RE/MAX- Advantage Realty, Aruba Mike@Remax-ArubaRealEstate.com
www.altovistarealestate.com
Prima Donna
THE BIGGEST
Better Homes Company is dedicated to making your building experience enjoyable and gratifying from the start of planning until the day you move in.
AFL. 234.000
1350 Listings Online
Westpunt
LG Smith Blvd 145A
Nice family- or vacation home for sale at Westpunt/excellent location/179 m2 on 600 m2 land/ 3 bedrooms/2 bathroom/ 1 bedroom separate apartment (25m2) /laundry/large covered porch, beautiful garden back and front, carport.
USD 295.000 Sunshine Real Estate N.V. Westpunt 7c Noord/Aruba phone: +297-5866040
www.arubasunshine.com
Aruba’s most prestigious community and beaches, Extra Large 5 bedroom, 5 bath, over 4000 square Ft. Villa with private pool, jacuzzi area, granite countertops, vaulted ceilings, full A/C, Lease purchase option newly renovated.
USD 865.000 Aruba Villa Rentals.com Tel. 586-4290
www.ArubaVillaRentals.com
Villa Park Paradera - Kavel 1 Aruba Dutch Caribbean Phone: 582-8080 Fax: 582-6226
Tanki Flip
To ensure quality and trust amongst the residents of Totolica Family Residences, the developer MVM has chosen to work with the best materials and professionals for this community. Moreover, each residence is delivered with a complete kitchen, bathroom and landscaped garden. Please come by and have a look at our finished model home! You will be amazed!
KMB Realty Group N.V. Caya G.F. Betico Croes 153, Suite 6, Oranjestad, Aruba Phone: 583-3553
www.casn 6
Oceania Residences
Palm Beach
Tierra del Sol
Beautiful 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom beach front Condominium, at the 4th floor, Eagle Building, Oceania Residences, Eagle Beach. Call 734-4550
Palm Beach Gated Community near hotels. Modern 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo first level, feature clubhouse, 2 extra large pools, playground, 24 hour Security, walk to restaurants, beaches.
A nice home in peaceful and prime Esmeralda area, close to Tierra del Sol and Arashi beach!
USD 550.000
USD 393.000
USD 289.000
Paradera 199-D, Aruba Ph.: (297) 583-8818
Tel. 583-8700
www.1optionrealestate.com
www.AbsoluteAruba.com
Alto Vista Real Estate Schotlandstraat 45 Phone 297-582-4494
www.altovistarealestate.com
Opal 120
Primavera 3-F
Boroncana 219
Truly a two storey dream house with a landscaped garden and quality finishing situated in the most prestigious upscale residential area of Aruba and on property land.
The property features tasteful European style kitchen, tiling, practical pivot windows,rain showers, and a large privately fenced yard with a lot of room for landscaping and pool. There is also a covered porch.
Spacious 3-bedroom home in North.This original ‘Cunucu’ style home with 2 bathrooms and large covered porch,is built on 1203 m2 of property land. Constructed area 198 m2.
Associated Realtors Tel.(+297)586-1700
www.associatedrealtorsaruba.com
Big Dot Real Estate Seroe Blanco 54-A Oranjestad Tel: +297 7300037
www.BigDotAruba.com
CENTURY 21 Best & Solid Real Estate Palm Beach 4-G, Aruba Tel. (+297) 586 42 42
www.arubahouses.com
THE BIGGEST
nan.com
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Villas Kadushi Largo
Pavia
WESTPUNT Tierra del Sol
Lots for Sale in “Villas Kadushi Largo” in a very quite and relaxed area of Siribana, Sta Cruz. Here you can built your own Dream Home or choose one of our beautiful existing Home Plans.
2-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom, 2,153 sq. ft. built up house, with living room, dining area and fully equipped kitchen, Jacuzzi in bathrooms, guest quarter with bathroom, pool and gazebo, fully fenced, located in an up scaled residential area, close to Oranjestad.
Mediterranean villa on 370 m² property land with adjacent lot of 470 m²: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and spacious kitchen. Community pool.
USD 535.000
USD 550.000
ERA Solito Real Estate P.O.Box 183 Concessielaan 8 Tel.: (297) 583.7400
Santa Cruz 2 - Z, Aruba D.W.I phone/fax: 5858063
www.villakadushilargo.com
USD 369.000 P.O. BOX 691, ORANJESTAD J.E. IRAUSQUIN BLVD. 12 OFFICE (297) 588-7781
www.coldwellbanker.aw
Bubali Villa
Balashi
Santa Cruz #358
Bubali Villa is located close to Eagle Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.This 2 story villa is close to many island activities like beach and night life. Offering you three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large pool, garden and a BBQ pool bar area this villa is the best way to enjoy your holiday with friends and family.
Plot:486 m2 Property land Lovely house located in the middle of the island and surrounded by nature,which consist of 2 bedrooms,2 bathrooms,kitchen,dining and living room.
Beautiful Home with a Pool & 4 Sudio Apartments all rented out! 4 bed rooms,4 bath rooms property land 1939 m2 build up: 544 m2 Living, dinning area, Jacuzzi, build in BBQ, fully fenced. A must see!
Vacation Rental USD Aruba Happy Rentals P.O. Box 5403 Oranjestad Aruba T +297-592 0287 / 594 4632
www.arubahappyrentals.com
1.350
AFL.170.000 USD 97.000
AFL. 600.000
Maurer Real Estate Lg. Smith Blvd 116 Tel. 582-9989
Call Muna at 5934647
www.housesaruba.com
muna@mpgaruba.com
www.mpgaruba.com
REAL ESTATE PORTAL
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY The mystery behind the solution 8
Windpark Vader Piet Aruba will become a world leader in alternative energy
x xxxx x
In 2005, the Minister of Social Affairs, Infrastructure and Education signed the papers that allotted a parcel of land on Aruba’s northeast coast for the Windpark Vader Piet. This field, consisting of ten 80-meter tall windmills, each with a capacity to generate 3 megawatts of energy and a possible total of 30 megawatts, at optimum efficiency, will provide 18% of the total electrical output of W.E.B. when completed at the end of 2009. W.E.B. N.V. is Aruba’s national water purification and power plant located in Balashi. W.E.B. executive Robby Croes explained that establishing a windmill park or other forms of alternative energy has long been a desired direction of Aruba’s power provider, and a number of international experts were invited to study local conditions, making their recommendations for the most viable forms of alternative energy for the island’s environment.
“The public often does not realize the complexity of such a project, particularly when considering alternate energy sources to provide power for an entire community,” he explained.
“W.E.B. has had experts explore every aspect of alternative energy for Aruba,”
“Aside from several environmental impact studies, the perfect location, with steady wind, no obstructions, and away from developed areas where the wind park would be a nuisance, as they are unbelievably noisy and also visually disturbing, needed to be found with these considerations foremost.” The other consideration that kept W.E.B. from establishing the park for so many years was, of course, economic feasibility. Several bids from European and U.S. concerns for a “turn-key” project were at a cost W.E.B. felt would have raised the price of power to the consumer beyond a manageable level.
9 “W.E.B. has had experts explore every aspect of alternative energy for Aruba,” explained Public Relations Officer Kelvin Augustin, “and at present, this is the most financially feasible plan. Other sources of technology have a long way to go before they can provide a price consumers can afford, or be considered safe, in some cases. Most nations turning to alternative energy have only maximum of 5% of their output provided by wind parks, but Aruba obtaining 18% of its energy requirements places the island as the world leader in the utilization of wind power as an alternate and environmentally friendly energy source.”
Finally, the concept of allowing a company to be formed which would construct, operate and maintain the project, selling the power produced to W.E.B. at a guaranteed price, made the Wind Park Vader Piet project a reality. The cost of power from the wind field is set for its minimal life-expectancy of fifteen years, and will not fluctuate drastically or be subject to severe escalation, as was proved the case for fossil fuel in 2008.
Wind mills in Oranjestad and similar urban areas would have many obstructions, as would those where there is a great deal of greenery, and not work efficiently.
It took a complete analysis of all of Aruba before Vader Piet was chosen as a location; it alone met the requirements of isolation and the steady supply of wind with few fluctuations. Even so, Aruba still has times of little wind, particularly in the late summer and fall, so higher windmills than are common were finally selected, which would also be above the flight zone of bats that inhabit the area.
W.E.B. executives also warned that those considering placing windmills on their own property or as a neighborhood project first have an independent expert (who is not trying to sell them a windmill) come in and assess the conditions.
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Prices starting at
$ 129.000
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National Park is a 32 square kilometers (7907 acres) of natural area located at the north-eastern part of Aruba. That is almost 18 percent of the island’s surface. It has been assigned a national park, to protect and preserve the flora, fauna, geology and historical remains present at the site.
The Landscape
There is a great geological variety within the park. The main aspects are the rough hills of the volcanic Aruba lava formation, the mysterious rocks of the batholithic quartz-diorite/tonalite, and the limestone rocks from fossilized coral. Jamanota, Aruba’s tallest hill 188 meters (617 ft) is part of the park, as well as the second largest, Arikok 176 meters (577 ft), from which the name of the park is derived. The eastern side of the park is marked by grottos and caves, such as Fontein and Quadirikiri. The line of the permanently wind-and-wave beaten North Coast is broken by several bays (boca’s). Most of them are small yet impressive inlets at the mouth of dry river beds. Some of these bays (boca’s) are spectacular sights, adorned with white, sandy beaches and sand dunes, as is the case at Boca Prins and Dos Playa.
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Nature
Most of the flora and fauna present on the island is found in the park boundaries. Generally these are plants and animals that are adapted to the harsh and extreme conditions caused by the drought and the strong Eastern trade wind laden with salt spray. The natural landscape in Aruba is not one of a lush tropical forest. However, there are areas in the park, well hidden that allowed for some large tree species to survive. Moreover, the park is home to a large variety of cacti. Animals in the park entail mostly birds and reptiles. The birds are most active during the early morning hours and at sunsets. The birds are concentrated in wind-shielded, vegetated areas, for instance at Cunucu Arikok, located on the west side of Arikok Hill. Arikok National Park is the habitat for several animal species only found in Aruba. There are two bird species: the Aruban burrowing owl ‘Choco’ (Athene cunicularia arubensis), and the Aruban parakeet ‘Prikichi’ (Aratinga pertinax arubensis). There are two snake species: the Aruban rattlesnake ‘Cascabel’ (Crotalus durissus unicolor) is one of the rarest rattlesnake in the world, and the (Aruban) Baker’s cat-eyed snake ‘Santanero’ (Leptodeira bakeri). There is also the Aruban whiptail lizard ‘Kododo Blauw’ (Cnemidophorus arubensis).
Cultural and Historical components
There are a number of sites within the park that attest to the history of Aruba. The Caquetío Indians left rock paintings in Cunucu Arikok and Fontein Cave. The bird drawing in the park logo is a
Recreational activities
The activities that people can do on there own in the park are: hiking (34 kilometer long hiking network), surfing (waves), mountain biking, picnicking and camping.
Choco copy of one of these historical artistic expressions. Former sorghum and bean fields tell the story of an active yet challenging agricultural past. These so-called cunucus were also residential areas for the few families that worked the land. These families found ways to survive in the difficult conditions, and were able to erect their homes with materials found in the area. Two of these adobe houses have been restored and park rangers are learning many of the building techniques in order to preserve this unique Aruban mud-house. At Cunucu Arikok and near Rooi Dwars you can find these adobe houses. Gold was found in Aruba in the early 1800’s and traces of goldmining are spread throughout the park region. The shafts and ruins of the largest gold mines at Miralamar are accessible and open for visits.
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PIECE OF THE ROCK Observing how popular it is to have numerous flavors at an ice cream parlor to attract customers, developers have come to realize the necessity of choice in property ownership, as well. On Aruba, residential projects and real estate agents now offer a wealth of options to those that wish to purchase their own piece of paradise. Only a decade ago there was little choice besides owning several weeks of timesharing or buying a house if one wished to spend an extended time on the island in their own property. An alternative was renting an apartment, but those are usually difficult to find on a short-term basis of only a month or two, or often not adequate to a family’s needs. Now, potential homeowners can contemplate a cornucopia of possible options including gated communities with comfortable duplex townhouses both large and small; usually close to the beach. For those looking for a bargain there are a number being constructed in more remote parts of the country side with adorable individual abodes that are replicas of the classic Aruban “cunucu house.” The Eagle Beach area is now dotted with large, multi-storied condominium complexes, with more projects breaking ground.
Exercise you option for property ownership in Aruba Beach front resorts are disallowed by zoning laws to be sold as condominiums; but one can purchase fifty-two weeks of a single unit. Aside from purchasing a home on the water, this is the only way to obtain a “condominium” with immediate beach access.
By building across the road from Aruba’s beaches, which are all public, a number of projects have circumvented this regulation, allowing for condominiums with breathtaking ocean vistas only a short stroll from the beach. Most boast complete resort amenities such as fitness rooms, gorgeous pool decks, tennis courts, individual Jacuzzis and concierge services. Potential owners have the choice of decorating themselves or purchasing units that are fully furnished and supplied with all major appliances and requirements down to glassware and linens.
A surprising number of people from the U.S. winter in Aruba, and there are couples that have retired here. Aruba’s immigration laws have requirements regarding such status, and those considering a long term property purchase should investigate them. The first place to start for information regarding what is available and what is required to own and occupy your own “piece of the rock� is a reputable real estate agent. Any worthwhile agent will be candid and informative regarding the legal requirements for purchase and residency; this is a good way to judge their reliability. More information regarding residency can be obtained from the Directorate of Alien Integration, Policy and Admission (DIMAS) office in Oranjestad or on their website, www.dimasaruba.com.
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Whether you prefer chocolate or vanilla, or want your ice cream and real estate exotic with all the trimmings, you will find an option to suit your taste and budget in Aruba. Waterfront homes in prime areas such as Malmok carrying premium price tags, the south shore of Aruba and neighborhoods such as Bucutiweg or Savaneta offer ocean front living at more reasonable prices. For people accustomed to a one-hour commute to work and then again back home each day, nothing is very far in Aruba. A number of gated communities in the completion stage also have plans for on-site mini markets and cafes, and all timeshare resorts have shops and at least two eateries within their environs for diversity in dining.
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DECORATING IDEAS… be a part of the art
The task of decorating a new island “dream home” on Aruba is one most face with a mixture of dread and delight. The required furniture for cooking, dining, relaxing and sleeping are first priorities, but the little knickknacks and other decorating choices that make a house a home and a personal statement of one’s taste and style is always a challenge. For many, the daunting sight of vast stretches of blank walls results in haunting art galleries and seriously examining their budget; slanted cathedral ceilings and oddshaped spaces provide an even greater dilemma. Joe and Donna Miklojcik, retired to Aruba from the U.S. nearly four years ago, and their lovely, singular home in Esmeralda is a perfect example of how fine art can complement the unique living space. Having an artist in the family certainly helps to make this a reality. Joe retired to Aruba after 35 years at Rutgers University New Brunswick, Professor Emeritus of Theatrical Arts and noted for his award winning backdrops. Life in Aruba has provided him with an endless supply of inspiration for his “oversized” pieces.
17 “We inherited this brick red wall from the former owners” Joe points out, “and we never thought it would be a good backdrop for artwork, but it really works out quite well.” Bold paintings merit innovative, bold statements in their presentation and placement, and a tour of the Miklocjik house certainly sparks the imagination, as Joe is inspired by every aspect of the Aruba landscape, and is a prodigious artist. Large, dramatic works are economical besides being a bold decorative statement. Compare the cost of purchasing several small paintings and framing them, plus the additional task of arranging many paintings together in a pleasing harmony, makes the purchase of one large piece a smart choice, while providing harmony in color and subject. When decorating, art for the walls is usually on everyone’s mind, and need not be an after statement, but considered part of the integral design. Aruba has many fine artists that can be commissioned to produce a work of a particularly size, subject, and color scheme that will complete the décor, insuring a homeowner gets exactly what they want. To view more of Joe’s work, visit his website, www.miklojcik.net.
“Joe is accustomed to making theater backdrops, so now he has scaled down his canvases,” explains Donna, “what seems to be huge paintings to others is actually small stuff to us.” Large canvases are bold statements, and Joe has created works that perfectly fit particular spaces or color schemes. Their recreation room, dubbed “The Blue Room” sports blue accents enriched by three of his works in vibrant azure hues.
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Decorate with a plan and get started on the right track Basically, it’s not a good idea to just buy wall-paint or a major piece of furniture on a whim. If you’re starting to decorate a room, there are some basic questions you should ask yourself, not only before you decorate, but even before you go out shopping. And this applies regardless of whether you’re a beginner or an experienced home renovator.
If you ask yourself the following questions, you’ll be a long way toward deciding what to buy, what to get rid of, what to include, and what to do in your new room.
Will I use this room every day or just occasionally?
How will I use this room?
The answer to this question will help you decide how much to spend on your decorating project, what colors to use, and what It’s a ‘no brainer’ that a bedroom needs a bed, a chair, and a lamp. pieces of furniture you’ll need. If you’re working on a guest room But will you choose a beautiful armoire to be a second focal point that will be slept in once a month, you’ll spend much less than on for the room or do you need to reserve a major space for your a master bedroom that you’ll use every day. And a guest room can be a space to experiment with bold color, new design, and luxury exercising machine? If you’re working on a family room, will you have a large entertain- items. But a master bedroom should be done in a soothing, familiar color and include practical and useful furniture. ment area or will the room be filled with a pool table? And will the dining room be used for formal dining or will it become the home office?
Decorating What is my favorite color and how can I use some of it in this room? It’s obvious that if your favorite color is fuchsia, you can’t paint your family room or teen boy’s room fuchsia. But you can find ways to bring your favorite color into almost any room in your home. Use towels, flowers, paintings with fuchsia, or cording trims to bring that color into the room. Start with an accent piece that’s multi-colored, including your favorite color. You’ll be surprised how that stand-out color becomes the focal point, even if the room is plain beige!
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What furniture do I need and where should I put it? Not all rules apply to every room you’ll decorate but there are some tips about arranging furniture that work pretty well for any room. Here’s a mini-course on furniture arranging:
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Decide first where the largest pieces of furniture will go. This includes a sofa, a bed, or a large table. Next, decide where you’ll place large chairs, chests of drawers, or an armoire. Last, find a place for small side tables, mirrors, occasional tables, and stools. Balance is important to a room. To balance a room, pair a large sofa with a similarly sized pair of chairs on the other side of the space.
Determine the focal point of your room. This will be the focus of all the furniture in the room.
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For easy and friendly conversation, make sure that the major seating is within 8 to 14 feet of other seating. Be sure that all seating areas have good tables and lighting near them. If you plan ahead, ask yourself these questions before you decorate, and work according to your plan, you’ll feel happy and at home every time you walk into your new space.
Spice Up Your Kitchen 20
Does your kitchen need a make-over, and are you not ready for a big renovation project? Try to flavor your kitchen up with herbs. Your kitchen needs a facelift, but you don’t want it to turn into an expensive and time consuming project. Why not ‘go green’ by adding fresh herbs? They do not only put a little zest to your cooking, but to your kitchen as well. Turn the kitchen window into a little herbary and use the decorative touch of parsley, dill, basil, oregano and other herbs. You’ll love the aromatic smell they’ll bring to your kitchen. Most herbs are easy to keep, so you don’t have to be an herbalist to have healthy plants in your window-ledge. Dried herbs and spices can also be used as a source of decoration. Red and green peppers hung by their stems make a colorful and tasty addition. With some garlic strings, you’ll not only have this
essential food flavoring at hand, it will also look nice, when hung in your kitchen. And, according to some old belief, it will keep vampires away! There is a big variety in spice racks and they can be the nice touch you’re looking for or even a focal point in your kitchen. Spices can be displayed in a do-it-yourself rack, made from baby food jars or medicine bottles, or in a bought spice rack. Most racks are made from wood, but these days you can find just about any kind you want in a store or online. Add flavor to your kitchen and use a spice of spices and herbs to give your kitchen – and cooking – that little extra.
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Caribbean Real All the worlds financial markets have shown their vulneraability over recent months. This started because of serious weaknesses in the sub prime lending sector. In the United States, where the crisis started and has had its most significant effect upon till now, the crisis hascaused a sharp decline in real estate values. In Europe, the effects have been milder on the real estate market, but the crisis is felt there also. The question is what will be the effect on the Caribbean housing market. The financial crisis was primarily caused by financial institutions lending heavily to people with poor credit ratings over recent years. Money was in good supply and interest rates were low. When interest rates finally went up a lot of borrowers could not repay their mortgages and the loans became nearly worthless. This caused an overload of real estate for sale and the value of real estate declined dramatically.
bean real estate market is for the most part an international market driven by relatively wealthy foreign investors looking for second homes, investment and vacation properties. The amount of people who would like to buy a second home continues to grow. Last year more people chose to buy a house in the sun, than ever before. This makes the market less vulnerable than the American housing market.
Upon till now, we haven’t seen this kind of serious effect in Europe, partly because of more conservative lending policies and traditionally higher interest rates. In the last quarter of 2008 European house prices were still slightly climbing and there were even some areas where a significant rise in prices appeared.
Another reason is that the mortgage market in the Caribbean is much more conservative than in de USA and even in Europe. Traditionally it’s been quite difficult to obtain a mortgage in the Caribbean and therefore Caribbean lending institutions are much less exposed to serious risks. The third reason is that an asset in the Caribbean has stable value due to the limited physical land mass of the Caribbean islands. Land in the Caribbean is very much a finite commodity. For these reasons Caribbean real estate prices will continuing to climb and properties can usually be sold quickly.
For the Caribbean the situation is even better than for Europe. There are several reasons. The most important is that the Carib-
The answer to the question if the financial instability in the worlds mortgage markets will lead to a decline in Caribbean real estate values is therefore a simple no.
Estate
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There are no reasons to assume that real estate on the majority of Caribbean islands will not continue to show a year on year rise in property values for the foreseeable future. Anyone hoping that they can buy property in the Caribbean cheaper next year than they can now, is likely to be deceived.
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treatment up to date Unlike other Caribbean islands, Aruba has a modern way of treating waste water from hoauseholds and businesses. At the end of this year our island will have three different plants where waste water will be treated with bacteria and chemicals to provide reusable irrigation water. Tourism is the main source of income for Aruba. Therefore it’s of utmost importance to keep the sea that’s surrounding our island as clean as possible. But there’s another reason why Aruba needs clean seawater: we’re producing our drinking water out of it. So a clean, pristine sea is an important condition for Aruba. The government acknowledged this in an early stage and already in the early seventies of the last decade the first waste water treatment plant was built. This plant is located in Bubali, opposite La Cabana and The Aruban Resort. For nearly 35 years it was the only treatment plant on Aruba. Not only the waste water that is removed through the sewage pipes is treated, but also the sludge that was removed by trucks from septic tanks was treated there. Aruba has a sewage pipe system for a part of Oranjestad, as well as the hotel zones (high and low rise). The airport is also connected on this system. However, most waste water is collected in septic tanks and removed by trucks. Due to the growth of the population the Bubali plant grew too small. Since the Bubali plant was built, the population of Aruba more than doubled and tourism grew exponentional. Aruba needed more plants and in 2008 the first of two new plants
was realized. It’s located on Parkietenbos, near to the dump, and it’s a state of the art treatment plant.
SBR
Bubali plant is a so called caroussel plant. This is a Dutch design, originating in the sixties. Three processing tanks clean the sewage water through sedimentation, with bacteria and with chemicals that advance coalgulation of the dirt parts. After treatment the cleaned water is infiltrated in the Bubali Plas. Thanks to this infiltration Bubali Plas has grown to an important area for migratory birds and birds that live on Aruba. The Plas is now a feeding area where birds can rest and build nests and thus, it plays an important role. The new Parkietenbos plant has a different layout. It’s a so called sequenced batch reactor (SBR), where only one processing tank cleans the waste water in batches. First the dirt precipitates, then bacteria do their work and after that chemicals are mixed with the water. This plant is used for the treatment of water from septic tanks only and therefore Aruba chose for a SBR because this plant
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can treat really heavily polluted waste water. Also because only one tank does the whole cleaning this plant takes less space and is cheaper to realize than a caroussel plant. The cleaned waste water is used to irrigate Aruba’s golf courses of Divi and Tierra del Sol. In October last year the construction of the third waste water treatment plant was completed. This third plant is located in Zeewijk, south of San Nicolas. This plant is also a SBR and the waste water from the sewage system of San Nicolas and surroundings will be treated there. The cleaned waste water will be partly used for irrigation and partly will be discharged into the sea. Since Zeewijk is running, the capacity for cleaning waste water on Aruba will be sufficient for the coming years and the sea around Aruba will not be polluted by waste water.
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Because a lot of activities take place in the living room, this space can easily get crowded with stuff. Books, papers, files from work, cd’s, dvd’s, toys. A lot of these objects have a function: they make the room cozy and they are a sign that the room is used to live in. A complete empty room feels like a showroom of a furniture store and not like a place where people want to live.
Keeping a room tidy will do the trick, as is finding the balance between putting stuff away and exposing other items.
But on the other hand, too much stuff makes a room messy and instead of adding a ‘personal touch’ it distracts from the interior and the effort that was put into arranging the furniture in the room. When a room is messy, it’s not easy to feel at ease and harmonious. Moreover, it makes a room look smaller.
Some tips: Decide what you want to stow away and what you want people to see. The choice is up to you and depends on your personality and your style of living. Are you proud of your books, are you fond of the crystal vase your grandmother gave you, do you like art? Make that the eye-catcher of the room and store other items in closets. Invest in cabinets (built-in ones) with doors and drawers where you can store everything you don’t want to exhibit.
Boxes and baskets can add nice store room to your living room. Especially for magazines, toys and other little items. If you love to have a lot of photo’s in the living room, place them on one wall and not scattered around the room. Decorations have more impact if you place them together. Choose a theme or a color. Put items away that don’t fit the theme. Make your own ‘exposition’ and change them regularly.
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This is the former ‘Gezaghebbersbuilding’. A gezaghebber is the governor for the Dutch Kingdom. Every of the six islands of the Netherlands Antilles had one. When Aruba got ‘status aparte’ in 1986 the gezaghebber was replaced by a governor. This building was located between Antonio and Casa Matias in the Kazernestreet in Oranjestad. The Kazernestreet stretches between the bus terminal and the Zuidstreet, which is the continuation of the Wilhelminastreet. The building served as home and office of the gezaghebber. It was built around 1830 and was demolished in 1949. In 1929 the gezaghebber I. Wagenmaker moved to a new location: the governmental building on the Klip and he choose office in a landhouse. The building served until demolishing as military quarters.
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The Nassaustreet (Mainstreet) in 1932. In the building on the foreground on the left La Moda later was situated. On the first floor was a hotel by the name of Capri. The second building on the left was the Scala Eatery. This building was characterized by a striking porch. In later years an extra floor was added to this building. The roof edging became then the new porch area. On the background to the left is the Rio Bar. On the foreground to the right is Aruba Bank in construction.
Wanted: Old photographs of Aaruba. Please send your pictures to: info@crossmedianv.com
Special thanks to Anita for sending us pictures.
A view on Oranjestad from the tower of the St. Franciscus church, located on what now is called the Irausquin Square, near the main Post Office. The open area to the right of the photo was a soccer field, opened in 1923. On the soccer field later the Court of Justice, located on the J.G. Emanstreet, was built.
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This photo was taken on the corner of Nassaustreet, now known as Mainstreet or Caya Betico Croes. The building with the balcony housed the once famous Rio Bar. Judged by the means of transportation on this photo, it was taken in the early thirties.
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This is one of two post cards of Aruba, which was printed in Haarlem (The Netherlands) in 1907. It shows a part of Oranjestad where now Rifstreet is, near the main entrance of the cruise ship terminal. This was then an open area, used for the drainage of rain water from the part of Oranjestad that is called The Klip (area around Renaissance Mall and Mainstreet). In the absence of a sewage system this space was needed for the stowage of the sometimes abundant rainfall on Aruba.
House Complete is requesting everyone who has old pictures of Aruba, to email them to the editor. We are searching for pictures from the past of Aruba, pictures that capture the time they were taken. Only with your cooperation ‘Old Pictures of Aruba’ can be complete! We thank you in advance.
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How soothing is your bedroom? 30
It is the first thing you see in the morning, so it will influence your mood right after you’ve opened your eyes. But it is also the last thing we see before we get to sleep and therefore it also influences how you ‘feel’ while you sleep. If the bedroom looks dull and messy, it doesn’t contribute to feeling clean and peaceful. Dust, clothes on the floor, the wrong carpet or curtains and even the bed linens contribute to our sense of well being while being in the bedroom.
Diminish the furniture in the bedroom. Lesser is better if it comes to a soothing atmosphere.
As we think of decorating a house, the living room normally gets the most attention. That is where we put a lot of effort in, because it is the room where we spend most of the time. The bedroom usually gets less attention, but it is also an important room that deserves to be decorated nicely and kept cozy and clean. The reason the bedroom gets less attention is because we don’t use it to entertain our friends and family. Expect ourselves no one usually sees the room. And some people think it’s not important to have a nice bedroom, because most of the time we have our eyes closed while in it. But to get a real good rest, we need a soothing bedroom.
A messy room can mess up your head.
You’ll notice the difference right away when you clean up the room. Pick up cloths and stuff from the floor, put away messy decorations, dust and clean the room. Make the room a soothing place where you feel at home.
Atmosphere & charm
To really put your mind at ease, while getting your rest, a nice atmosphere with some charm is absolutely necessary.
The bed linen has great influence on the atmosphere of the room. A new set can
make a real difference. Choose colors that fit the colors of the room or contrast nicely. Cushions make a room look more cozy.
New curtains also add a lot to the atmosphere. Working with drapes on walls can put that little
extra touch your room needs.
Combine lights. Use practical and atmospheric lighting to create a pleasant atmosphere. Diminish the furniture in the bedroom. Lesser is better if it comes to a soothing atmosphere. Buy accessories that fit the style of your bedroom. No style available yet? Choose one and stick to it.
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A computer shouldn’t be in the bedroom. It should be a room to get your rest and you don’t
want this to be disturbed by a computer.
GADGETS FOR YOUR HOME 32
Ecolight
Why risk a burn of your hand while trying to figure out the temperature of the water of your shower? Nothing wakes you up in the morning like a too cold shower, but a too hot shower is even worse. Now there’s a device that let’s you see what the temperature of the water is. It’s the Sylvania ECOlight. This device can be installed on most existing showerheads, and it comes with a bright LED illuminated ring. This ‘ring of light’ will alter its color, depending on the temperature of the water that comes out. Blue indicates that the jet of water is no more than 78 degrees Fahrenheit, while red indicates a temperature of above 105.8. This device is called eco, because it is powered by the flow of water through the use of a built-in generator and doesn’t need an external power source like a battery.
Maxlounge Liquid
Are you a gamer and looking for a relaxed way to play your games? Or are you looking for a futuristic chair that can play your music? Then the Maxlounge is something for you. It's an inflatable lounge chair with built in speakers from Maxlounge. The chair has two speakers which you can connect to your iPOD, MP3 or cd player via a cable. The 2 air chambers at the sides service as comfortable arm-rests. They are made of a strong and durable pvc material. The middle part, on which the body rests, is made of soft fluff. The Maxlounge Liquid has four air chambers in total to provide optimum stability and comfort. The speakers do not need an external power source. The chair can be quickly inflated and emptied.
Athena sofa
As attached as you might be to your old sofa, you might be seduced to trade it in for an Athena sofa. The Athena sofa is not only able to dock an iPod, but also incorporates an integrated computer and has MP3 player connectivity via a wireless connection over the 2.4GHz radio signal. An 8" subwoofer and a quartet of loudspeakers guarantees a perfect sound, while a 100-watt digital amplifier helps you feel every bone-crushing blow in a movie scene. The whole wireless sound system is weatherproof, allowing you to place the Athena sofa indoors or outdoors.
Waterpowered alarm clock
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Looking for an alarm clock that doesn’t need batteries or a power cord? Try the brand new Water Powered Alarm Clock. The only thing you have to do is pour water into the alarm clock and it works like clockwork. This eco-friendly gadget works by electrolyse. The evaporation of water creates a constant supply of energy, using an electrochemical reaction between the electrodes, placed in the clock, and the water. It uses water economically; the Water Powered Alarm Clock needs only to be filled once every three months.
The Key Thing
Keys tend to disappear on the most inconvenient moments. Looking for an unusual gadget to take care of your keys? Instead of the dull hooks to toss your keys on, there’s the Key Thing. It’s a wall-mountable ball filled with fake jelly keyholes for the insertion of your keys. They come in different colors and don’t take up too much wall space. Designed by Thomas Brinch-Moller en Jacob Lund the Key Thing is very decorative and it will add to the beauty of your hall way.
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Saving electricity tips
1. Turn off entertainment devices, like your television, video, hi-fi, Playstation and
other devices when you are not using them. Turn off lights when you leave a room and turn off the air conditioning. It will be cool in minutes when you turn it on again after returning.
2. Do not leave your devices in standby mode. Some devices like televisions can
use up to 90% as much power in standby mode as when they are on. This is a serious waste of energy. It’s also saver to turn a device off for devices in standby mode sometimes can start a fire.
3. Replace inefficient incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient CFL bulbs. You
can buy them in all sort of ‘colors’, from bright to warm, so you can use them in every room and for every purpose. Replace halogen spotlights, that use a lot of electricity (sometime up to 100 kWh), with much more efficient and longer lasting LED spotlights. Replacing your light bulbs with more efficient lights used to be very expensive, but prices have gone down a lot lately. So your ‘return on investment’ will be faster
4. Put lamps in the corner of a room so that the light is reflected off two walls. Put
lamps where you need them. If you use a particular chair for reading, put a lamp next to it, so you don’t have to illuminate the whole room while reading.
5. Purchase energy efficient washing machines, tumble dryers, refrigerators and
freezers. Although the purchase prize is usually higher, the cost savings in electricity will cover that many times over. As an added benefit, efficient items are usually better made and last longer than inefficient models. If you use ‘overaged’ white goods consider replacing them with new ones. Because of the energy costs this might be wise.
6. Electrical dryers use a lot of energy. If possible, hang your clothes out to dry rather than using a dryer. The wind and the sun makes clothes smell nice. If you still want to use a dryer, try to find one that is working on gas.
7. When you use a tumble dryer, fold clothes straight out of it. If you fold them right
after drying, they are still warm and you don’t need to iron them. This not only saves electricity but also a lot of your time and energy.
The environment is hot and still warming up due to emissions of carbon dioxide. There are simple ways to contribute and save the environment. Find out how you use less electricity in your home. You’ll not only help the environment, but also will save money.
WAYS TO SAVE
8. Don’t keep opening the oven door to check on what you are
baking. Every time you do so, your oven loses 20° C of heat. Nearly all ovens have lights. Use them to look through the window of the oven.
9. Use a microwave to reheat food and to cook small portions. Although a microwave uses a lot of power, it does so over a very short time and this saves energy overall. You can even use your microwave to warm up drinks. 10. Clean the condenser coils at the back or underneath your
fridge freezer. Accumulated dust reduces their efficiency by up to 25% adding that cost to your electricity bill.
11. Keep your fridge and freezer full, but not so full that air can-
not circulate properly. Defrost your freezer regularly. Built up ice on the inner surfaces costs lots of energy.
12. Cool cooked food in the open air before you put it into the
fridge. The heat from cooked food makes the fridge work harder.
13. Do not put uncovered liquids into the fridge. The evaporation, that vaporizes while cooling will also make the fridge has to work harder.
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for vacation Unusual Places
Netherlands: The Harlingen Harbor Crane stands on spidery legs next to the Wadden Sea in Harlingen, Nether-
lands, a testament to what technological creativity can accomplish. Once used to offload timber, the crane now serves as a sleek and modern lodging for two. A unique feature is the guest-controlled view: Stay in the Harbor Crane and you’ll be able to turn thousands of pounds of steel to rotate the crane in the direction of your choice.
Idaho: Pull into the Dog Bark
Park Inn outside Cottonwood, Idaho, and you’ll be greeted by the world’s largest beagles, Toby and Sweet Willy. While Toby is a 12-foot-tall wood carving, Sweet Willy is literally a dog house — a comfy, modern and kitschy place to crawl into and lay your head for the night. As Dog Bark Park artists and owners Dennis Sullivan and Frances Conklin write on their Web site, “At Dog Bark Park Inn, sleeping in the doghouse is a good thing!”
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Chile: Elqui Domos is a collection of geodesic domes in the Elqui Valley of Chile’s Coquimba Region. The valley is
renowned by astronomers for its arid, rarefied air, which is why a number of top-notch international observatories are located there. The night sky is what endows Elqui Domos with its magic; each of the seven domes with detachable roofs is equipped with a telescope as well as astronomical charts and books.
Florida: Jules’ Undersea Lodge in Emerald Lagoon, Key Largo, Fla., is described as being like a comfortable club-
house on the bottom of the sea. The lodge, originally a submerged research station in this mangrove lagoon, embodies a balance between adventure and relaxation. The main benefit of sleeping under the waves is the plethora of marine life that serenely swims or sways outside the porthole windows. Guests who wish to scuba dive can take advantage of an unending supply of air for their tanks, and even order a pizza that can be delivered from the surface.
Turkey: The Anatolian Cave Suites are located in the heart of the fantastic canyonlands of Cappadocia, home to some of the earliest Christian communities. Since prehistoric times, humans have burrowed into the soft, volcanic rock near Goreme-Nevsehir, Turkey, creating complex structures that honeycomb the earth. Today, travelers can stay in unique luxury, surrounded by art and history in well-appointed cave suites.
Kenya: Ngong House in Nairobi, Kenya, is a former hunting lodge built among the verdant, rolling hills that provide the setting for Karen
Blixen’s novel “Out of Africa,” written under the pen name Isak Dinesen. The lodge is airy and warmly welcoming, and despite being secluded in the bush, it’s only a short drive from the heart of the capital city. Note: Recent violence in Kenya has sharply reduced the number of tourists visiting the country; be sure to check the State Department’s Web site for the latest information.
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Sri Lanka: If seclusion and romance are what you crave, it doesn’t get much better than a fabulous Palladian-style mansion set on
2.5-acre Taprobane Island, the only privately owned island in Sri Lanka. Wade through the surf like the many statesmen, artists and adventurers before you to reach the airy, octagonal abode and the tranquil, lush gardens that surround it.
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New Mexico: 70 feet below the ground near Farmington, N.M., is a luxurious burrow called Kokopelli’s Cave Bed & Breakfast. The cave may be underground, but it is also 280 feet above the La Plata River, a setting that affords expansive vistas of the entire Four Corners region and the surrounding mountain ranges
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British Columbia: Tucked into a harbor on Princess Royal Island in northern British Columbia, the King Pacific Lodge floats amid the Canadian wilderness. Come aboard for a rustic yet refined adventure, which could include kayaking near orcas, fly-fishing or bear viewing, any of which can be followed by pampering in the lodge’s spa.
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Sweden: Fulfill your desire to have your own little house on your own (tiny) private island with a stay in the Utter Inn. Sleep sound-
ly while surrounded by fish almost 10 feet below the surface of Lake Mälaren, in Västerås, Sweden. Be like the inn’s namesake, the otter — dive in and frolic in the water and explore all that the lake has to offer.
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