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winter 2017loyalty should be rewarded. introducing club loyalty benefits from the divi vacation club! pages 4-5

it's carnival time!page 12

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from the desk of the president

Wishing a very Happy New Year to all of our wonderful owners and guests! I hope that you enjoyed a safe and pleasant holiday season and

that the New Year has found you well.

2016 was a very busy year for Divi Resorts, and 2017 is shaping up to be the same. Last year, we completed many renovations across properties on all of our islands, and in 2017, we are on track to finish one of our biggest projects—the complete modernization of Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort on Aruba. We’ve already completed a new lobby, a new pool and total renovations to five buildings (48 units in all). We’re excited to introduce Divi Dutch Village’s new look—stop by for a tour when you can!

In this issue of “On Island Time,” we’re reminiscing about the past and looking forward to the future, perfect for the start of a new year. On page 9, you’ll find some fun vintage photos of the various resorts—try to guess where (and when!) they were taken. Some of you may even remember your favorite room at your favorite resort looking this way.

We know it can be difficult to keep your New Year’s resolutions, especially on vacation. On page 15, we’re giving you some ideas as to how to stay active and healthy, even when you’re on the islands. With these daily activities that the resorts provide, you can keep up your momentum.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been two years since Divi Resorts partnered with Divi Vacation Club to introduce a new way of traveling to their owners and guests. Since that time, the Club has enrolled many happy new Members, including several timeshare owners who sought more flexibility, more value and more fun destinations. In 2016, the Club introduced Club Loyalty Benefits. This exciting program offers Divi Vacation Club Members enhanced Club services, recognition and discounts on amenities every time they travel to a Divi Club Destination. You can read more about this program on pages 4-5, or you can stop by a sales center to learn about this year’s benefits.

Lastly, I’d like to thank the thousands of loyal Divi Resorts owners and guests, Divi Vacation Club Members and all Divi Resorts’ hardworking and committed staff for making 2016 an exciting and memorable year. Without your loyalty, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Here’s to another year of progress, innovation and great Caribbean vacations with Divi!

Sincerely,

Marco GalavernaPresident and COO of Divi Resorts

At the Divi Hotels Marketing office in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, we're looking forward to a great 2017

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a day in the life of a divi GM

Clockwise from top right: Marin Bijl, GM of Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All-Inclusive Resorts, Alex Nieuwmeyer, Managing Director of Divi Resorts, Marco Galaverna, President and COO of Divi Resorts, and Patrick Franssen, GM of Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort on Aruba, congratulate Gerrit Griffith, GM of Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort, on 40 years of service. Celine Van Meer, GM of Divi Little Bay Beach Resort on St. Maarten, receives an award for the Resort of the Year from SXM University and SCELL, a staff training and island education program. Melissa Hilgers, GM of Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino on Bonaire, accompanies local seniors on a Vacation Day program at Divi Flamingo.

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what are pure points?Pure Points are your currency in the Divi Vacation Club. They are used to book your travel and are the starting point for years of vacation fun. Pure Points are issued annually during the term of your Club Membership and are used to make reservations at Divi Club Destinations and worldwide locations. Members enjoy the ability to stay in any size accommodation for any length of stay. Members can purchase more Points, bank Points for the coming year, or borrow or rent Points for this year’s travel.

convenient mid-week and weekend arrivalsWith the Divi Vacation Club, your vacation is not limited to a set length of time. You can use your Pure Points to travel any day of the week and stay for as long or as short as you please, giving you PURE flexibility to plan your trips around your schedule. Mid-week arrival and departure dates also give you the chance to save on your travel costs, with better rates available mid-week on everything from flights to car rentals.

experience the pure fun, pure value & pure flexibility of the NEW divi vacation club!A membership in the Divi Vacation Club lets you enjoy the destination you truly love, our Caribbean islands, while also offering the Pure Fun of new and exciting worldwide travel destinations.

Who doesn’t love a great deal? With the Divi Vacation Club, you’ll have access to endless savings. Enjoy substantial discounts on accommodations, airfare, rental cars and cruises. For even greater savings and more PURE value, you can take advantage of exclusive bonus getaways, which offer last-minute travel deals and special packages that let you use fewer Points for travel, helping your budget stretch further.

endless travel deals and bonus getaways

You can exchange your Pure Points through Interval International to book vacations to hundreds of resorts worldwide, choosing any season, accommodations and length of stay. You’ll get discounts on shopping, hotels, entertainment, dining and travel. You’ll be able to share the fun of the Divi Vacation Club with family and friends by purchasing Guest Certificates. You can purchase Getaways® for bonus vacations throughout the year – plus, you’ll save $25 to $50 on each Getaway®, depending on your level of Membership. If you need to change your travel plans, you can switch destinations, resorts and dates through E-Plus®, a program that allows you to retrade your reservations up to three times for one low fee. You’ll gain access to Interval’s online exchange community, which lets you connect with other Members for vacation tips, resort recommendations and more. You’ll also get a printed Resort Directory for easy vacation planning.

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Club Loyalty Benefits

When you join the Divi Vacation Club, you’ll also receive Club Loyalty Benefits, our way of rewarding you just for being a Club Member! This elite benefits program offers you additional savings on many of the vacation services and amenities you’ll enjoy each time you travel to a Divi Club Destination. We provide Club Loyalty Benefits for all levels of Membership, so no matter how many Pure Points you purchase, you can take advantage of a number of fantastic benefits.*

Our Club Loyalty Benefits deliver valuable savings on:1. CLUB SERVICES2. CLUB RECOGNITION3. CLUB AMENITIES

The level of Club Loyalty Benefits you will receive depends on the amount of annual Pure Points you purchased:

S I LV E R

through 64,999 pure points

G O L D

65,000−99,999 pure points

P L AT I N U M

100,000−299,999 pure points

P R E S I D E N T ’ S E L I T E

300,000+ pure points

learn more about the divi vacation club today!if you are staying at a divi resort on aruba…

Guests at Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort – Call ext. 6162 or 7002. Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Guests at Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort – Call ext. 4652, 4653 or 5131. Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Guests at Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort – Call ext. 697. Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

if you are staying at divi little bay in st. maarten…

Please visit or call the Membership office. Call ext. 2401. Hours: Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

*Availability and savings on Club Services, Club Recognition and Club Amenities differ by Club Loyalty Benefit level.

If you are not staying on Aruba or St. Maarten, please call 1-888-863-6822/1-919-419-3484 or visitwww.divivacationclub.com.

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island adventurer st. maarten

With so many great things to do and try on your Caribbean vacation, we thought we’d offer some ideas and insight into learning something new—or perhaps just more information on a sport you love—as well as the best places to enjoy the experience on our islands.

St. Maarten is famous for its sailing. It’s easy to see why—the steady breezes, clear turquoise waters and charming scenery are the perfect ingredients for an unforgettable boating experience. World-class regattas like the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, the Alliance Race and Captain Oliver’s Regatta take place here every year, and across St. Maarten, dozens of boating excursions launch daily for every experience level—many of them heading to beautiful nearby islands like St. Barths, Saba and Anguilla, which can be seen from the St. Maarten shoreline. From amateur enthusiasts to yachting professionals, the Dutch side as well as the French side of St. Maarten offers plenty of satisfying sailing for everyone.

So, what better place to learn how to sail than St. Maarten? We sent Kara Phelps, the communications specialist for Divi Resorts, to Divi Little Bay Beach Resort to learn the ropes on the stunning waters of Little Bay. Here’s her take:

Hi there! Some of the best sailing in the

Caribbean can be had on St. Maarten. When I visited the island this summer, I was excited to experience it firsthand.

My first stop was the Aqua Mania Adventures kiosk on the beach at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort. The helpful staff recommended that I rent a single-sized catamaran, or “hobie cat” ($40 per hour). With its simple setup, this type of boat is easy for beginners to wrangle.

Albert, an experienced and easygoing water sports attendant born and raised on St. Maarten, accompanied me onto the water. He explained that most of what I’d be doing would be adjusting the “sheet” (the rope that pulls the sail into the boat or lets it out) to “trim” (reposition) the sail. On a larger sailboat, you need to pay attention to multiple aspects of the sails’ interactions with the wind, rope tensions, and so on, but the stripped-down nature of the hobie cat and its single sail allowed me to focus on the basics: angling the sail to catch the wind and move the boat in the direction I wanted to go.

We set out on a diagonal across Little Bay, directly into a light chop. (It’s best to wear your swimsuit for the rental—you’ll definitely get soaked!) Albert said that on a typical day, the winds swirl around in the bay, blocked as they are by land on three sides. Today was no different, so we needed to move diagonally to catch as much wind as possible.

Every so often, I pulled on the sheet, hooked to the “boom” (the horizontal pole that helps the sheet guide the sail), to respond to the changes in the wind and to keep the sail full. It takes some strength, especially if it’s a windy day. You’ll also need to keep a hand on the rudder to keep the boat heading in a straight line. Sailing is a full-body workout.

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As we neared the far shore, Albert taught me how to “tack.” Tacking involves turning the boat so that the wind shifts from one side of the boat to the other. It’s how you turn around to head back from where you came. As you tack, watch your head! The boom swings from one side of the boat to the other, and you’ll need to duck. On a small craft like a hobie cat, Albert told me, it’s also best to shift your weight to the other side of the boat. That movement keeps the boat balanced and prevents it from capsizing. In the protected waters of Little Bay, wearing the lifejacket that Aqua Mania provides, you won’t be in much danger if you do manage to flip the boat, but you’ll probably want to avoid that scenario anyway!

Luckily, Albert and I stayed upright the entire

time. We tacked successfully and headed back toward the beach. We went back and forth across the bay several times, and each time, tacking became a little easier. Sailing requires physical as well as mental effort, and it’s a rewarding experience when everything is working together and you’re heading smoothly across the water with the wind at your back.

Stay at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort for easy access to this experience! Aqua Mania Adventures rents hobie cats at the water sports kiosk at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, or via online booking at www.stmaarten-activities.com.

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on aruba...Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort • Bird netting has been installed at pureocean, so no more birds enjoying your breakfast! • New beach showers have been installed. • New pool furniture has been added to both pools. • New outdoor furniture has been added to Phase II balconies and patios.

Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort• Phase I of our total renovation of Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort has been completed. Buildings 1 through 5 (48 suites in total) have been completely transformed and renovated.• A new lobby has been built for Divi Dutch Village guests.• Phase I pool has been totally redesigned for guests to enjoy.

Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort • The Infinity Pool area and Infinity Grill were refreshed, with renovations to the swim-up pool bar, pool surface and more. • The tennis courts were renovated. • New guest washer & dryers have been installed in buildings A, B, C and D.

on bonaire...

Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino • pureocean beachside bar received a new deck, a new bar, new equipment and more. • All docks have been replaced with new tropical hardwood decking.• pureocean restrooms have been renovated.

on st. maarten…

Divi Little Bay Beach Resort • A fresh new dock was built next to the Aqua Mania Adventures water sports kiosk. The dock will be used as the launching point for a variety of round-the-island trips, champagne brunch sails, sunset sails and adventure tours organized by Aqua Mania, one of St. Maarten’s largest water adventure companies and Divi Little Bay’s water sports provider. • The Casitas and Buildings A and B have been renovated. • Indulgence by the Sea Spa has been expanded and completely renovated.

new and improved

for animals

SAILING TOURS WITH AQUA MANIA

RENOVATED TENNIS COURTS AT DIVI VILLAGE

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vintage diviHow well do you know Divi Resorts? We dug through our photo archives and found some incredible throwbacks to the 1990s, and even earlier. Think of these photos as our high school yearbook portraits—let's just say the fashion was a little different back then! Can you guess the resort where each photo was taken?

1 2

3 4

5 6

1. Divi Southwinds 2. Divi Little Bay 1967 3. Divi Little Bay 1955 4. Divi Aruba Phoenix 5. Divi Little Bay 6. Divi Dutch Village

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taste of the islands with chef butcher

souse2 lb. pork shoulder cut into pieces for easy cooking, or the traditional ear, snout and tongue cut into bite-sized pieces

1 large onion, diced

2 cucumbers, grated

1 scotch bonnet pepper, finely diced, to taste

Juice of 3 limes (or lemons)

Chopped fresh parsley

Boil the pork in water flavored with fresh thyme, onion, salt and scotch bonnet pepper until tender.

Combine the cooked pork with the pickle, onion, pepper, lime juice, parsley and cold water. Add salt to taste. Refrigerate and serve cold with the pudding.

Sliced sweet potato or pickled breadfruit is usually served on the side. Chef Henderson also likes to use

pickled green bananas as a side dish.

pudding 2 lb. grated sweet potato

½ tsp. thyme

1 tsp. marjoram

1 tsp. chives, chopped

1 scotch bonnet pepper, finely diced, to taste

Pinch of sugar

Pinch of salt

2 tsp. oil

2 oz. butter (or margarine)

Coloring (optional)

Combine the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Gravy browning gives the pudding a dark brown color, but can be left out—your choice.

The pudding can be steamed over a pot of boiling water, or in a baking dish in the oven with a steam bath.

pudding & sousePudding and souse (pork served with sweet potatoes) is a staple of traditional Barbados cooking. Chicken or fish can be substituted for those who don’t eat pork.

Executive Chef Henderson Butcher of pureocean at Divi Southwinds Beach Resort on Barbados is an award-winning culinary master. We asked him to share one of his favorite traditional recipes from Barbados, his lifelong home. His choice, pudding and souse, is a delicious pork-and-sweet-potato dish most commonly served for Saturday lunch. “It’s a perfect blend of flavor and heat that reminds me of growing up here on Barbados,” Chef Henderson says.

tip from chef henderson:Pickled green bananas as a side dish? Really? Chef Henderson says, “Pickled green bananas are actually a common dish in the Caribbean! You can make them by boiling green bananas and then marinating them overnight in a vinegar-based sauce. They’re full of sharp, tangy flavor.”

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When you stay at Divi Southwinds Beach Resort on Barbados, a small garden plays a big role in the meals you eat. Executive Chef Henderson Butcher grows most of the herbs that flavor the pureocean menu—as well as a few fruits and vegetables—right on the resort property.

Chef Henderson believes that fresh, locally grown herbs and produce are far more flavorful than anything that’s been shipped in from elsewhere. The proof is in the pudding, as they say, and he’s tasted it countless times as he prepares his meals.

He’s also a strong believer in the farm-to-table concept. “Every morning, our employees go out to the garden and gather only what they need for the day,” Chef Henderson says. “It’s best to keep it simple, and to use what we have right here.”

Chef ’s garden changes according to the season, but a diverse array of herbs can usually be found there, including thyme, marjoram, rosemary, basil, lemongrass and chives. He also grows spinach, a common ingredient in pureocean’s vegetarian offerings, as well as several varieties of lettuce. “We’re growing a few different kinds of hot peppers now, too,” Chef Henderson adds. “Scotch bonnet peppers are a common ingredient in Caribbean cuisine—we keep a patch of those. We also grow ghost peppers, some of the spiciest peppers on record.” He laughs. “We use them more than you might think. We make a jerk sauce that’s pretty mean.”

In his recipes, Chef Henderson also makes use of other plants that can be found around the property, such as mangos, breadfruit, almonds and even the leaves of the sea grape tree. Whenever possible, he makes an effort to source his ingredients locally. “It’s good for our budget, but most importantly, everything tastes better when it’s fresh and straight out of the ground,” Chef says.

fresh from the garden

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arubaCarnival is celebrated throughout January and February with “jump ups”—fabulous street parties—and fun events like parades, Carnival Queen elections and other friendly competitions.

The Lighting Parade in downtown Oranjestad is not to be missed. Held in the evening, this parade incorporates thousands of tiny lights into the costumes and floats of participating Carnival groups for a truly impressive display.

Grand Parades in Oranjestad and San Nicolas are the biggest parties of the season. They completely take over their respective cities as participants decked out in glitter, feathers, sequins and elaborate headdresses dance down the parade routes, joined by colorful floats playing music. Hundreds of spectators enjoy the show-stopping pageantry in this vibrant tradition now in its 63rd year.

For details on any of these events, visit www.aruba.com/things-to-do/aruba-carnival.

bonaireCarnival—or Karnaval, as it’s often called on Bonaire—is also a major event on this island. The celebrations begin early in the year with tumba music festivals, most of them taking place in either Kralendijk or Rincon. Tumba is an African-influenced type of music that originated on the ABC islands. It also carries hints of merengue and Latin jazz. Local tumba musicians compete for the opportunity to play in parades throughout the season.

“Jump ins,” similar to Aruba’s “jump ups,” also happen frequently. Jump ins often move spontaneously from place to place through the streets of Bonaire’s major towns, accompanied by an explosion of music, dancing, eating and drinking. Tourists and locals alike take part in jump ins, but remember to bring ear plugs if you’re sensitive to sound!

Grand Karnaval Parades are held in Kralendijk and Rincon shortly before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Participants in vibrant sequined costumes march and dance through the streets to the rhythm of joyful tumba music. It’s a true spectacle and a dazzling centerpiece of Bonaire culture.

For more information on Bonaire’s Karnaval events, visit www.infobonaire.com/bonaires-karnaval-carnival-celebration.

Carnival is hands-down one of the most fun times of year in the Caribbean. The vibrant colors and lively spirit of the event

continue for several weeks, with plenty of parades, music, costume contests and celebratory food and drink. On Aruba and Bonaire, Carnival

typically takes place just before Lent—one last hurrah before a traditional time of sacrifice, similar to the well-known Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Here’s a brief tour through

the festivities you can expect to see this January and February on Aruba and Bonaire.

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featured members

Meet our featured Divi Vacation Club Members for this issue, Tanya and Barry Battle from Richmond, Virginia. They saw the benefits of a Divi Vacation Club Membership and decided to purchase after taking a presentation during a vacation on Aruba almost two years ago.

We caught up with the Battles during their recent vacation and first-time visit to Divi Little Bay Beach Resort on St. Maarten to find out more about their reasons for becoming DVC Members. “We signed up for the Divi Vacation Club because we love to travel as a family,” Barry says. “The Divi Vacation Club gives us the travel flexibility we need.”

The Battles have three children, all of whom are involved in sports and other activities. The flexibility of the Divi Vacation Club allows them to choose the unit size, time of year and length of stay they need, depending on when their children can travel with them.

The Battles, who have traveled to Aruba many times, were introduced while on the island to the Divi Vacation Club by Amir Flanagan, who works for Divi Resorts. He encouraged them to take a presentation and learn more about the flexibility and value of the Club.

“We really loved it,” Tanya says. “They showed us around, and there wasn’t a pushy ‘sales’ environment. Amir talked to us about how Pure Points work—we actually own another timeshare in Virginia Beach, Virginia, so we were somewhat familiar with vacation clubs.”

“The Points system really works for us,” Barry says. “We can extend or we can decrease the time we want to go on vacation. And Aruba is one of the places I love the most. We’ll come back again and again.”

The Battles also decided to take advantage of other Divi Club Destinations, in addition to Aruba. Tanya’s family has roots in Barbados, and they intend to visit Divi Southwinds Beach Resort there. “With the Points system, we can split our time between islands, spending the first few days in Aruba and the next few days on another island,” Barry says. “It basically sold itself.”

They declare their first trip to St. Maarten a huge success. “We love St. Maarten, and we love Divi Little Bay Beach Resort,” Tanya says. “Everyone we meet here is so friendly. We’re so glad we purchased into the Divi Vacation Club family!”

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Divi Resorts have been undergoing a lot of transformations recently, from a renovated Infinity Pool area at Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort on Aruba, to a new dock at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort on St. Maarten, to a new bar at Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino on Bonaire, to a total property upgrade at Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort on Aruba. Some of the most comprehensive updates have been taking place on Aruba. The man responsible for keeping renovations on track and overseeing projects there is Philippe Hese, Director of Projects on Aruba for Divi Resorts. Philippe supervises every aspect of construction on the island of Aruba, working directly for Divi Resorts’ President and COO, Marco Galaverna.

We sat down with Philippe to learn a little more about what he does—and what his favorite projects are!

Where are you from, originally?I was born and raised on Aruba until I was 16 years old. At the age of 16, I moved away to attend boarding school in Zug, Switzerland. I went to college there, too. I studied hotels and hospitality.

How long have you been working for Divi?It’s hard to believe, but I’ve been here for more than eight years! I started in November 2008 as a Project Coordinator, and worked my way up. I was promoted

team member spotlight

to Project Manager in 2010, and in 2013, I became Director of Projects—the position I hold now.

What is a typical day like for you?My job involves supervising all projects, so every day is a

bit different. I handle budget control and quality control.

I make sure our construction standards are the best they can be,

and I ensure that materials are received on time and are up to par. I take care of

local purchasing, and I make sure all our sites and projects are clean and organized. On any given day, you might find me walking the sites we’re currently working on, briefing the chief engineers on a project, or in line ups with the construction warehouse crew or the contractors.

What do you enjoy most about your work?I really enjoy the great variety of projects. Among the eight resort properties, we’re always working on something new. It’s also satisfying to see the finished result of our hard work. I’m especially proud of the lobby at Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort, and our most recent renovations to Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort, which included a new lobby, pool area, and complete renovations on 48 rooms. They look spectacular.

What do you like to do on your days off?My family is very important to me. My partner, Vanessa, owns her own daycare business, and we love spending time with our amazing sons, Emiliano, age 5, and Bartolomeo, age 2. They both love to swim! When I can, I also enjoy boating, golfing, traveling, and going to classic car events.

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keeping your new year’s resolution the divi wayYour New Year’s resolution for improved health and fitness doesn’t have to be put on hold just because you’re on vacation. We know the Divi Resorts destinations are your home away from home, so in addition to the healthy dining options at our resorts, we also offer a variety of fun ways to stay active during your vacation with us!

Beach Walk Mon., Wed., Fri. 7:00 a.m. Meet at villas BBQ areaWater Aerobics Sunday - Friday 10:00 a.m. purebeach poolPool Volleyball Monday - Friday 4:00 p.m. Villas pool

Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort

Health Club Daily 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Divi Tamarijn All-Inclusive ResortBike Rentals Daily 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Divi Tamarijn All-Inclusive ResortWater Aerobics Daily 10:00 a.m. Seabreeze or Infinity pool – check activities boardFree Tennis Clinic Mon., Wed., Fri. 9:00 a.m. Divi Village tennis courtsRock Wall Climbing Tues., Thurs., Sat. Tues. & Sat. 9-11:00 a.m. Divi Village rock wall Thurs. 2-4 p.m.Merengue Dance Classes Monday 4:00 p.m. Seabreeze Terrace at Divi VillageBike & Snorkel Tour Tuesday 8:00 a.m. Divi Tamarijn All-Inclusive ResortGolf Putting Contest Tuesday 9:00 a.m. Putting green at Divi VillageGolf Tournament Wednesday 2:00 p.m. The Links at Divi Aruba golf course

Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort / Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort

Aquasize Mon. & Fri. 9:30 a.m. PoolMiniature Golf Contest Thursday 3:00 p.m. Miniature Golf CourseBeach Volleyball Mon. & Fri. 11:00 a.m. Beach Volleyball CourtTennis Clinic By appointment By appointment Tennis Courts

Divi Southwinds Beach Resort

Sunrise Beach Yoga Wed. & Fri. 6:30 a.m. Meet at front deskMorning Walk Tues. & Thurs. Tues 7:00 a.m. Meet at front desk Thurs 8:00 a.m.Water Aerobics Tues., Thurs. & Fri. 10:00 a.m. Seabreeze poolVolleyball Tuesday 2:00 p.m. Gizmo’s BeachBeach Badminton Wednesday 2:00 p.m. Volleyball NetBeach Soccer Friday 1:00 p.m. Gizmo’s Beach

Divi Little Bay Beach Resort

Aqua Stretching Tuesday 7:30 a.m. South PoolAdult Salsa Lessons Tuesday 5:30 p.m. pureoceanKid's Zumba Thursday 10:00 a.m. Capture 2Adult Sunset Yoga Thursday 6:30 p.m . puresundeck

Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino

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calendar of events

aruba

January

New Year’s PlungeJoin hundreds of participants on Moomba Beach for a plunge into the ocean to usher in the New Year.

Betico Croes DayExperience cultural, sports and musical activities and events to celebrate the life of Betico Croes, considered to be the father of the Aruban nation.

The Lighting ParadeThis evening parade in Oranjestad starts off the Carnival season, incorporating thousands of tiny lights into the costumes and floats of participating Carnival groups for an impressive display.

February

Aruba Carnival SeasonHeld in the weeks leading up to Lent, Aruba’s Carnival is a vibrant, massive island-wide celebration with dozens of competitions, events and parties.

Aruba’s Grand Carnival ParadeThe island’s largest Carnival parade, the Grand Parade is held in Oranjestad and marks the end of Carnival. Come witness the vibrant spectacle of colorful, exuberant costumes, floats and music.

March

Aruba International Half MarathonLocals and internationals alike will compete in Aruba’s longest road race, which covers the length of the island from San Nicolas to Eagle Beach.

Flag and Anthem DayAruba celebrates its national anthem and national flag with sporting events and other activities for all ages.

barbados

January

Mount Gay Rum Round Barbados Race SeriesNow in its 81st year, the Mount Gay Rum Round Barbados Race is an island tradition. It involves three days of coastal racing and an ocean passage race to Antigua.

3rd Annual Barbados Chocolate FestivalThis chocolate lover’s dream event features sample chocolate and pastries from local and international chocolatiers and bakers, as well as workshops, culinary demonstrations and kids’ activities. For details, visit www.barbadoschocolatefestival.com.

February

Holetown FestivalThis festival celebrates the anniversary of the first British settlement in Barbados in 1627. Highlights include local arts and crafts exhibitions, street parades, music and plenty of local food. For details, visit holetownfestivalbarbados.org.

March

Sandy Lane Barbados Gold CupThe Sandy Lane Gold Cup is one of the most prestigious horse races in the Caribbean, and one of the most highly anticipated annual sporting events on the island. Cricket TournamentsCome to the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown to see the West Indies

Aruba's International Half Marathon

Barbados Chocolate FestivalAruba's New Year's Plunge

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team play an exciting match, and discover why cricket has been one of Barbados’ most popular sports for more than 120 years.

bonaire

January

New Year’s MaskaradaOn New Year’s Day, locals celebrate Maskarada by dressing in disguise, dancing and performing pantomimed skits outside the Lieutenant Governor’s home to wish the family a happy New Year.

Dive Friends Cleanup DiveDive Friends Bonaire hosts their quarterly Underwater Cleanup Dive. Any participants are welcome to join in picking up any new trash at the selected coral reefs and beaches.

February

Tumba ContestAs part of Bonaire’s Karnaval, this musical competition features local bands and singers vying for the title of Tumba King or Queen with their original music and lyrics.

Karnaval Grand ParadeHeld the Sunday before Ash Wednesday in Kralendijk, this is the largest Karnaval parade on Bonaire, featuring lively music, colorful costumes and spectacular floats.

March

Kitemanera BonaireLocal and international kitesurfers gather together for a weekend of camaraderie and friendly competition. For details, visit www.kitemanera.com.

Cultural MarketThis market brings together local arts and crafts, delicious food, education presentations and live music to celebrate the unique culture of Bonaire.

st. maarten

January

DP Dance Salsa FestivalFeaturing the best salsa dancers of the Caribbean, the U.S. and Europe, this festival is sure to impress dance fans.

February

St. Martin Carnival SeasonExperience Carnival on the French side of the island, with parades, festivals, jump ups, barbecues and pageants.

Arrowroot FestivalThe village of Columbier celebrates arrowroot, a traditional ingredient of the local cuisine.

March

Heineken RegattaThis world-renowned series of boat races brings participants from around the globe to St. Maarten for a weekend packed with competition and celebration. For details, visit heinekenregatta.com.

january 2017 - march 2017

St. Martin Carnival Season (French side)

St. Maarten's Heineken Regatta

New Year's Maskarada on Bonaire

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get social with richard

Hi! I’m Richard Thomas, the e-marketing specialist for Divi Resorts. Part of my job involves staying connected to Divi’s social media accounts and sharing fun content and valuable information with our amazing Divi Resorts owners, guests and Divi Vacation Club Members. Today, I’m sharing tips to help you “get social” with Divi Resorts—from staying up-to-date with our latest news to sharing your vacations with us.

How can I sign up for the latest issue of this newsletter?You can sign up to receive a digital issue of “On Island Time” by going online to www.divivacationclub.com. Simply scroll to the bottom of the home page and enter your email address in the box under “Subscribe to ‘On Island Time.’” Four times a year, we’ll send the latest news and views from under the divi tree directly to your inbox.

I have a great vacation photo and I’d love to share it with Divi Resorts! Fantastic! First of all, congratulations on making amazing memories with Divi. We always enjoy hearing great vacation stories. We now have the capability to accept testimonials on our website. Simply go to www.diviresorts.com, scroll down and click on “Submit a Testimonial.” You’ll be able to tell us all about your vacation, as well as submit photos.

You can also share your photos with us through social media! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @DiviResorts and share your favorite memories. Don’t forget to tag us—we love interacting with owners, guests and Club Members.

Can I give feedback about my Divi Resorts vacation and dining experiences on TripAdvisor?Absolutely. All of our Divi Resorts destinations and restaurants are on TripAdvisor.com. It’s an invaluable source of feedback for us. Simply search the name of the Divi Resort or restaurant you wish to review and click on “Write a Review.” Sharing your experience on TripAdvisor also helps future guests with their planning—you’re doing a great service when you write a TripAdvisor review, so thank you in advance.

What’s the latest news from my favorite Divi restaurant?Stay in touch with our culinary scene by visiting windowsonaruba.com, pureoceanrestaurant.com, purebeacharuba.com and mulligansaruba.com. You can get the latest special offers and savings by signing up to become a “Friend Of ” at the top of each website and submitting your information. In addition to our latest special offers, let us know your birthday and/or anniversary—and along with a personalized message, you might find a special gift!

How do I sign up to receive special offers from Divi?If you’re interested in learning about our latest specials, all you need to do is sign up! Go to www.diviresorts.com/email-specials.htm and fill out the short form with your basic information, including your current email address. Then you’re on your way to saving a bundle on your next vacation.

Happy tagging, searching and sharing! #discoverdivi

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get social with richard

divi caribbean crossword

13 This keeps a drink cold16 Where you'll have your toes in the sand

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keep in touchcontact

website: www.diviresorts.com blog: blog.diviresorts.com

reservations: 800-367-3484or 919-419-3484

reserve@diviresorts.comowner services: 888-863-6822 ownerrelations@diviresorts.com

groups: 800-801-5550groupsales@diviresorts.com

loan servicing/collections: 800-649-2853

socialfacebook: facebook.com/diviresorts

twitter: twitter.com/diviresortsinstagram: instagram.com/diviresorts

pinterest: pinterest.com/diviresorts

newswinter 2016: divivacationclub.com/downloads/

island-time-winter-2014spring 2016: divivacationclub.com/downloads/

island-time-spring-2016/summer 2016: divivacationclub.com/downloads/

island-time-summer-2016fall 2016: divivacationclub.com/downloads/

island-time-fall-2016