Helping Hands and Friendly Faces by Sue Campbell

Activities

Helping Hands and Friendly Faces Aruba’s Top Activity Guides & Instructors

by Susan Campbell Meet the folks who go that extra mile to ensure that your island tour or activity is top-notch terrific!

Wherever you go on holiday, there are always locals that really stand out for their work ethic, positive attitude, and great sense of fun. They are the ones that make you feel most at home when you’re away from home, and their inter­ actions with visitors make it obvious that they absolutely love what they do. Aruba has many such great guides and activity instructors dedicated to making sure your adventure is enjoyable. Let’s meet a few!

Rocky A. Franken Jeep Tour Guide De Palm Tours

Better known as Rocky Jr. because his father Rocky Sr. is also a guide for De Palm, this young man was so loved by visitors that he was the 2012 recipient of the Shoco Award for Tour Guide of the Year! His flair for the dramatic and uni­ que sense of humor always entertains. He says, “I truly have a dream job, I get to drive over wild, rough terrain and straight up mountains of rock every day and then introduce visitors to superb wonders like the Natural Pool!”

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Angelique Lacle Seaworld Explorer Narrator De Palm Tours

Also a recent Shoco award-winner, Angelique is the voice of the Seaworld Explorer semi submarine, and she also co-pilots the Atlantis submarine! Her warm, friendly manner extends to all her guests on both adventures; in fact, Angelique has made it her business to learn how to say “thank you” in 35 lan­ guages! She says, “I adore working with people, and have met so many new friends in this job. I still get excited about the look on newcomers’ faces when they first see our incredible underwater world.” E

Photos by Luis Mejia

Activities

Activities

Joal Maduro Tour Guide ABC Tours

Fritz Hibbert Dive Master Red Sail Sports

As a relative newcomer to the scene, Joal has already earned numerous acco­ lades from ABC Tours management and their guests due to his spontaneous and conta­gious enthusiasm. And he has also earned the offbeat nickname of “Goat Chaser” as he likes to herd any wild goats he comes across on the outback tour! Joal really loves his new job and it shows. He says, “I am being paid to have fun and share my truly amazing island home with others, I cannot think of better work!”

“Safety first” is always the motto when diving with Red Sail, with Fritz... it’s also “serious fun”! He says, “I really enjoy interacting with our guests, no matter how experienced they are, I try to make the entire adventure – not just the dive – as memorable as possible.

Laughing a lot is key!”

Jaime Farro Party Bus Host Kukoo Kunuku

Osmar R. Vrolijk JETLEV Instructor Red Sail Sports

Owners of Kukoo Kunuku tours say they always know when Jaime’s bus is passing by because it’s always the loud­ est of the fleet! He loves to get guests dancing and has earned the nickname “Mr. Smooth” because he’s often spotted with a lady on his arm while showing her how to do the merengue. So, beyond get­ ting his dance on, what else is Jaime’s favorite part of this job? He says, “Every part of it! I love my island so it gives me great pleasure to show it off to visitors on my day tours. And on my night tours, I get to teach them the local motion!

What could be better?”

There is something about affable Osmar that inspires confidence when trying new things, which is why he was chosen to be Chief Flight Instructor for the exciting new activity called “JETLEV”.

It’s like having your own personal jetpack (think The Jetsons) but it’s powered by water! Osmar says, “It looks a lot more ‘extreme’ than it really is and it’s not hard to master, but my job is to ensure our guests really understand the instructions, feel safe, and most importantly: have a blast doing it!”

Agapito Gomes Park Ranger Arikok National Park

Madi Louisa Local Guide Madi Magical Tours

Beyond monitoring the environment and participating in research projects, the rangers at Aruba’s nature preserve Arikok National Park also act as tour guides.

Agapito is one of the island’s foremost authorities on native Aruban species like the rare cascabel rattlesnake and other indigenous reptiles, and he’s always eager to share in-depth information about them with those seeking specialty tours. He says, “I’ve been passionate about nature all of my life, and I feel it’s my duty to pass on this passion to visitors and the next gen­ eration. Our island is so unique!”

Her name is Juvencia Margriet Ma­ ria Louisa but everyone calls her “Madi”.

She lives in Santa Cruz near the natural pool, a spot that is hard to reach by regu­ lar car. So many visitors have stopped at her house to ask for directions and help over the years, that she finally start­ ed taking them herself in her jeep! Now Madi specializes in giving visitors an in­ sider’s glimpse into island life, including authentic local cuisine. She says, “I do what I do because I love this island so much I want everyone to see its beauty and experience its flavor.” E

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Background photo by Kjersti Joergensen. Middle photos courtesy of Kukoo Kunuku. Other photos by Luis Mejia

Bottom photos courtesy of SWD Aruba©. Other photos by Luis Mejia

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Activities

Activities Antonio Arrindell Tour Guide VIP Tours

BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD A visit to Aruba’s Butterfly Farm is an unforgettable encounter with nature in all its beauty and diversity. Step into a tropical garden teeming with butterflies from around the globe and prepare to meet some of the world’s most colourful creatures. Observe the life cycle of these fascinating animals from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly.

The Butterfly Farm is also home to Aruba’s most unique gift shop.

Open 7 days a week 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Last tour starts at 4 pm Call us at 586-3656

J.E. Irausquin Blvd Z/N Conveniently located across from the Phoenix Hotel www.thebutterflyfarm.com

Adrith Lacle-Dijkhoff Tour Guide The Butterfly Farm

It takes a special kind of talent to en­ lighten visitors about the intricacies of the butterfly world when hundreds of them are flitting all around you! But Adrith is a master at it. Working with the farm since 2002, she speaks four languages, and her deep passion for biology often convinces guests to go home and plant a butterfly garden of their own. She says, “I have been fascinated with this place since I was a teenager, and now that I get to work here, every day is a joy. I especial­ ly love the look on children’s faces when butterflies alight on them.”

The inspiration behind VIP Tours on Aruba was born when Antonio and his wife went to Thailand for their honey­ moon. He says, “We did a lot of private tours and really enjoyed the ability to go where we wanted to and stay as long as we liked at each spot.” So upon return, Antonio decided to begin a business that caters to those seeking personalized tours here. He says, “I love what I do! I am pas­ sionate about my island and I love sharing it and its nature with our guests, but most importantly, I allow them to explore Aruba their way.”

Robertson Thomas Catamaran First Mate Pelican Adventures

Robertson has gained many fans in his 18 years of employment with Pelican Adventures; his ability to create magical memories for guests has resulted in count­ less letters of appreciation. Recipient of the prestigious 2012 Shoco Award as the official “One Happy Island Ambassador,” Robertson truly exemplifies the warm and welcoming spirit of this island. He says, “I have the best job! Sailing the seas every day and meeting new people from all over the world... and better yet, getting to introduce visitors to the treasures of my island home.

I can’t imagine doing anything else!”

Book your special tour today:

Eddy Croes Tour Guide Aruba Nature Sensitive Tours

Aruba’s desert-like interior can be seemingly devoid of wildlife, but that’s only because most visitors have no idea where to look for it. Thankfully, this is Eddy’s specialty; he knows every inch of this island and all the secrets spots in which to unearth its interesting array of critters and creatures, even in the dark!

He says, “Though we do great jeep tours and day hikes, I really love it when we are able to do our full moon walks be­ cause that’s when visitors can really ap­ preciate the natural heartbeat of this special island.”

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Top photos by Luis Mejia. Bottom photos courtesy of Aruba Nature Sensitive Tours and Sharlane Croes

ABC Tours........................................................ Tel: 582-5600........................................ www.abc-aruba.com Arikok National Park...................................... Tel: 585-1234........................................ www.arubanationalpark.org Aruba Nature Sensitive Tours........................ Tel: 594-5017........................................ www.naturesensitivetours.com The Butterfly Farm.......................................... Tel: 586-3656........................................ www.thebutterflyfarm.com De Palm Tours................................................. Tel: 522-4400........................................ www.depalmtours.com Kukoo Kunuku................................................. Tel: 586-2010........................................ www.kukookunuku.com Madi Magical Tours........................................ Tel: 746-1397........................................ www.madimagicaltours.com Pelican Adventures.......................................... Tel: 587-2302........................................ www.pelican-aruba.com Red Sail Sports................................................. Tel: 586-1603........................................ www.aruba-redsail.com Seaworld Explorer........................................... Tel: 522-4400........................................ www.depalmtours.com VIP Tours......................................................... Tel: 560-1286........................................ www.arubaviptours.com Vote for your favorite...

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The Shoco Awards

Named Aruba’s rare and indigenous burrowing owl and national symbol, the Shoco Award is given by the Ministry of Tourism, Transportation and Labor in collaboration with the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA) and the Aruba Trade and Industry Association (ATIA). It rewards people working directly in the tourism industry for their excellence in service and their unique qualities and contributions to the success of Aruba as a tourism destination. For more information, visit shoco.aruba.com.

Top photos courtesy of VIP Tours. Other photos by Luis Mejia

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