Courtesy of: the Morning News
HRMs King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima arrived on Aruba this Tuesday, November 19, the last leg on their first tour of the Dutch Caribbean since ascending to the at the end of April of this year.
The island is in a frenzy of preparation, with many exciting events planned for their two-day stay, of which the highlight will be “A Royal Night at Bushiribana, on Wednesday, November 20.” Many are wondering if the logistics of using Aruba’s famed Gold ruins as the backdrop for a variety show, but a briefing at the area demonstrated it is almost ready to welcome the monarchs and an audience of 7000, and the site will produce an impressive, memorable experience.
Adjutant Roel Samson, heading the committee organizing the events during the Royal Visit, and Jonathan Vieira, who is in charge of the Bushiribana show, provided information on the logistics of the evening. The overriding issue of access to the remote site, traffic and parking was the focal point of the briefing Monday morning. A special elevated platform has been erected for the royal party. The audience will be standing between them and the stage. A parking area will be cleared, which is an easy, three-minute walk from the staging area at its closest point. Mini-buses will be traverse between the two, picking up and dropping off the public. A second lot is being set up just south of the Ostrich Farm, which would require at least have an hour to walk to the staging area. Mini-buses will also transport the audience to and from the stage. Parking will be open to the public at 5:00 PM, access to the staging areas at 6:00 p.m. The show is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m.
The nearby parking will accommodate and estimated 1800 cars, but four areas have also been set aside within a 5km distance of Bushiribana, with large tour buses transporting the public to the site. These areas are located at Club Caiquetio in Paradera, the area cleared adjacent to the party headquarters of Otmar Oduber, also in Paradera, Britania Ballpark in Piedra Plat, next to Centro di Bario Ayo and Sportboys ball field next to the road to Angochi, in Santa Cruz.
Giant live streaming video screens will allow the audience to enjoy every aspect of the musical and dance performances. Carnival, Latin, Pop, and Caribbean music will be included in this diverse 75-minute program, showcasing top Aruban talent. A testing of the sound system during the press briefing assures the public they will enjoy and excellent show, accompanied by a fantastic laser-light display and fireworks.
