Extending visa services for the Netherlands

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has awarded VFS Global the global tender to provide visa services in eight out of nine regions worldwide. Under this new mandate, VFS Global will significantly extend its operations on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands across the world.

VFS Global will operate for the Netherlands government in Africa, North America, Central and South America, Asia and Pacific, Eastern Europe, in the Middle East, in Western Europe; and in India.

VFS Global has worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands since 2006 and under the new contract will provide Schengen visa services, Caribbean visa services, long stay national visas, Dutch Travel Documents and Civic Integration Exams.


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Visitors volunteer to help Aruba charities

AS MORE British travellers discover the Dutch Caribbean island of #Aruba, they are also being lured by a growing phenomenon on the island – voluntourism. 

The island has a high repeat visit factor, particularly among American travellers who make the island a regular winter haunt. Community service abounds on Aruba, with locals volunteering their time, energy, and skills to help many charities. Growing numbers of visitors are now also joining in, spending some of their holiday time helping worthwhile causes.

For those who want to take a break from the sun lounger, here are some of the opportunities to put something back into the life of Aruba.

The Aruba Reef Care Project is the best-known and largest volunteer environmental initiative on the island. Launched in 1994, it attracts more than 1,000 participants who every September scour the beaches and dive and snorkel various sites in a massive clean-up effort. Supported by public and private sector businesses, the Reef Care Project raises awareness of the importance of preserving the marine environment. For information, contact Castro Perez by e-mail: castroperez@gmail.com

Fundashon Turtugaruba was established in 2003 and is a member of the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network. Turtugaruba volunteers know where to patrol to spot, monitor, and protect turtle nests, primarily at Eagle Beach, Boca Grandi, and Arikok National Park. Volunteers comb the beach during the season looking for nesting turtles so the area can be cordoned off and protected.  E-mail enquiries to info@turtgaruba.org

Sponsor a Mile is a monthly initiative held during the third and fourth weeks of every month.  Spearheaded by the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association (AHATA), its members, including island hotels and activity companies, adopt a designated mile of beach, roadsides, and countryside to scour for debris. Staff volunteer their time to keep their island clean, and are often joined by eco-minded tourists.

Visitors can contact their hotel directly for information and dates, or contact Vanessa Rasmussen at AHATA by e-mail: at Vanessa@ahata.com

Donations and the work of volunteers are vital to the Aruba Animal Shelter, which aims to improve the lives of dogs and cats. Go to www.arubaanimalshelter.com for more information.

The Aruba Donkey Sanctuary is supported entirely by donations and volunteer workers. Donkeys were first brought to Aruba by the Spanish 500 years ago, and there are still some 200 on the island today. Volunteers are welcome to help with the daily chores of feeding and cleaning or assisting with general maintenance and repairs. http://main.arubadonkey.org/portal/index.php/volunteers

FAVI offers a variety of services with the purpose of contributing to the wellbeing of the visually impaired and blind. It welcomes volunteers to help with craft classes and the outings.  Contact Cetty Baarah on +297-582-5222 for more information.

www.aruba.com

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Take a dip on Aruba

#ARUBA is making a splash with its natural pool voted among the world's best. 

In a global TripAdvisor poll, the island’s conchi – the local word in the Dutch Caribbean island for its shell-shaped natural pool – was voted one of the 12 best locations in the world for #naturalswimming.

The pool is at the base of shore cliffs within the #ArikokNationalPark. Visitors reach it by crossing rocky ravines on foot or horseback.

www.aruba.com

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Island delights

THE Eat Local Aruba Restaurant Week is planned for September 28 to October 9.

Participating restaurants across the island will offer lunch for US$15 and dinner for $30 to $40. No vouchers or passes are required; diners can just turn up and order from the specified menus.

The week is an initiative by the #Aruba Tourism Authority to highlight the island's varied flavours and promote locally-inspired dishes. Aruba's cuisine is a melting pot of nationalities.

Today's typical Aruban cuisine is influenced by the food of the original Arawak and Carib Indians, as well as the imported products of merchants, pirates, and successive conquerors from The Netherlands, Spain, England, Portugal, and France. The traditional dishes of African slaves and Asian servants have spiced it up, too.

www.aruba.com

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