IRT Aruba 2008
From CDGWiki
Registration for the CDG International Roaming Team meeting is now open. To reserve your place at CDMA’s largest and longest running roaming meeting, please register below.
The agenda will include the following topics/sessions:
- Industry Handset Initiatives, Handset Testing and Handset Configuration
- Packet Data Roaming Training
- Voice, SMS, Packet Data and Marketing Working Groups
- Opportunities to discuss contracts and operations with your existing roaming partners and time to find new partners
- Case studies of roaming potential in the Caribbean
- Discussions on Rev A QoS
Join 100+ people from carriers and vendors from across the world that will be there to learn, share and develop the future in CDMA roaming.
December 2- 4, 2008
Aruba
Hosted by: MIO Group
THEME: Roaming and Devices/ 2009 Goal Setting
[edit] IRT Aruba Agenda
| Click CURRENT AGENDA |
To view details on the Packet Data Roaming Training click HERE
[edit] IRT Registration
To register for the IRT Aruba Meeting click
Current Registration List Click HERE
[edit] Hotel Registration and Information - Group Code "miomioa"
Be sure to book before November 21 to be guaranteed a room, this is Aruba’s busy time of year and rooms fill up fast.
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You may book your room on-line through the Renaissance website and inserting the group code miomioa. This code will allow participants to access the group rate.
You may also make a room reservations by: Group Code miomioa a) filling out this form Reservation Form and faxing it directly to the Resort. Fax number 297-582-5317. b) calling the reservations department. Telephone number 297-523-6166 c) emailing directly to the following address:reservations@arubarenaissance.com
Reservations Manager is Juanita Chirino If you need any help booking your room please email Karen Delanty or call (858)658-4444 |
- Marina Hotel (Resort Room)Single/ Double Occupancy: $129.00 + 21% Tax
Rate includes one (1) daily America Breakfast Buffet per room, per person. There is a US$1.00 Housekeeping charge daily per person per room and a $4.00 one time charge porterage fee.
Above rate is per room, per night
Marina Hotel Resort Rooms are equipped with a king size bed or two double beds, based on single or double occupancy. Only 2 adults 18 years of age and above are allowed per room.
Ocean Suite Rooms are one-bedroom suites equipped with a king size bed and living room with queen sofa bed. Maximum occupancy is 4 persons per room
Hotel Details
To visit hotel website click HERE
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Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino |
Highlights
- Adult-Exclusive Accommodations in the Marina Hotel with special amenities throughout the Resort.
- Family-Friendly amenities at the Ocean Suites, including the Patamingo Kids Club.
- Coffee maker with complimentary coffee & tea.
- High Speed Internet Access in all Guest Rooms
- Iron station and safe in room.
Guest Room Information (may vary by room type)General Room Amenities
- Air conditioning
- Alarm clock
- Bottled water, for a fee
- Crib
- Individual climate control
- Luxurious bedding - down comforters, custom duvets, cotton-rich linens
- Pillows: down/feather
- Pillows: foam
- Pull-out sofa bed
- Rollaway bed
Bathroom Amenities
- Bathrobe
- Hair dryer
Room Entertainment
- Cable channel: CNN
- Cable channel: ESPN
- Cable channel: HBO
- Cable/satellite TV
- Color TV
- Movies/videos, pay-per-view
- Wet bar
Kitchen Amenities
- Microwave oven
Business Amenities (may vary by room type)
- Electrical outlet: desk level
- Phone feature: voice mail
- High-speed Internet access
- Guest Rooms
- Wired
- Public Areas
- Wireless
- Meeting Rooms
- Wired, Wireless
Hotel Transportation
Parking
- Complimentary on-site parking
- Valet parking for a fee
- Off-site parking; contact hotel for details
Area AirportsAruba - AUA
- Phone: 297 582 5846
- Hotel direction: 2 miles W
- Driving Directions: On the waterfront, just a 10 minute drive from Queen Beatrix International Airport, within walking distance of the vibrant center of Oranjestad.
This hotel does not provide shuttle service.
- Alternate Transportation : Rental Car
- Bus service, fee: 1.25 USD (one way)
- Estimated taxi fare: 15.00 USD (one way)
[edit] About Aruba
Island (pop., 2005 est.: 97,400), Lesser Antilles, off northwestern Venezuela. Aruba is an internally self-governing part of The Netherlands. It has an area of 75 sq mi (193 sq km). Its capital is Oranjestad. The majority of the present-day population is a combination of mostly American Indian, Spanish, and Dutch ancestry. Dutch is the official language; Papiamento, a Creole language, is used for daily affairs. The principal religion is Roman Catholicism. The currency is the Aruban florin. Aruba's lack of water severely limits agriculture. The large petroleum-refining complex there, once the island's main employer, reopened after closing in the mid-1980s, but tourism has become the island's economic mainstay. The earliest inhabitants were Arawak Indians, whose cave drawings can still be seen. Though the Dutch took possession of Aruba in 1636, they did not begin to develop it aggressively until 1816. The Netherlands controls Aruba's defense and foreign affairs, but internal affairs are handled by an island government directing its own judiciary and currency. In 1986 Aruba seceded from the Federation of the Netherlands Antilles in an initial step toward independence.
For more information on Aruba CLICK HERE
[edit] Passports and Visas
The following website can give you information on Aruba's entry requirements: CLICK HERE
[edit] Aruba Local Time
Click HERE
[edit] Aruba Currency
US dollars are excepted everywhere in Aruba
Currency Exchange as of:
Monday, September 22, 2008
1 US Dollar = 1.80000 Aruban Florin
1 Aruban Florin (AWG) = 0.55556 US Dollar (USD)
- Median price = 1.77000 / 1.80000 (bid/ask)
- Minimum price = 1.77000 / 1.77000
- Maximum price = 1.80000 / 1.80000
To calculate today's currency conversion CLICK HERE
[edit] Airport
Aruba's modern Queen Beatrix International Airport can accommodate commercial jet aircrafts as large as the Boeing 747. The island is served by a number of airlines, and connections can be made to any part of the world. For current schedules and reservations, see your travel agent.
For information on airlines that travel to Aruba CLICK HERE
Aruba is also served by seasonal charter flights from Cleveland, Newark, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Orlando, Atlanta, Charlotte, Louisville, Cincinnnati, Nashville and Stewart Newburgh. Year round charters from Boston, Chicago, Detroit, and Hartford. In Canada, charter service is available through Skyservice.
The departure tax for Aruba is US $36.75 to the USA (It is usually included in the purchased airline ticket). For all other destinations, the departure tax is US $33.50.
- For more Airport information CLICK HERE
- GAT (General Aviation Terminal)CLICKHERE
[edit] Airport Transportation
The airport is 5-10 minutes away from the hotel and $10 - $15 depending on your bartering skills. Gas is very expensive on the island.
For transportation to/from the airport CLICK HERE
[edit] Weather
Aruba has a very pleasant and constant climate. This means warm and humid weather year round but with almost constant sea breezes cooling things of a bit. Temperatures average around 30 degrees Celsius during the day, cooling of somewhat to 23 degrees at night. Most rain falls between October and February but compared to the islands more north in the Caribbean it doesn't rain that much. July and August are high season and therefore the drier months of March to June are the best time for a visit.
CLICK HERE for more information on Aruba's weather
- Many visitors find that December is the perfect time to visit Aruba. Regardless of whether you're celebrating the holidays Caribbean-style or simply looking for a tropical getaway to avoid the end-of-the-year hustle, the warm and breezy weather conditions on the island are a great alternative to the cold, snowy winters found elsewhere.
- December temperatures in Aruba range from an average low of 77.0 degrees to an average high of 85.0 degrees.
- On a typical December day, during the early morning hours you will probably find the temperature will be around 78.9 degrees. The temperature will rise over the course of the typical December day, reaching somewhere around 84.6 degrees by early afternoon. By the early evening hours in December the temperature will generally fall to somewhere in the vicinity of 79.2 degrees. Overall, temperatures in Aruba during December average around 80.8 degrees.
- Rain is least likely to occur in Aruba during December around 8:00 PM, and it is most likely to occur around 8:00 AM. As shown below, if a thunderstorm occurs in December, it is most likely to occur around 2:00 PM.
[edit] Water & Electricity
Water
There is no need to buy bottled water in Aruba, the island's tap water is pure and refreshing, distilled in one of the world's largest saltwater desalination plants. The plant responsible for both the desalination of water as well as the production of electricity is called WEB (Water and Electricity Bureau). Tours of the Balashi-based plant can be arranged by calling WEB at Tel. (297) 582-4700.
Electricity
Aruba rarely experiences power failures. The island functions on the North American voltage standard of 110 A.C. (60 cycles), the same as in the United States and Canada. The TV standard is NTSC so your home video camera will also play back on the hotel's TV sets or large screen projectors.
[edit] Electric Plugs, Sockets, Voltages and Frequencies
Same as USA
Click HERE for description
[edit] Communication Services
For information concerning communication services CLICK HERE or HERE
[edit] Medical Facilities
Medical care is good in Aruba. There is one hospital, Dr. H.E. Oduber Hospital, whose medical standards can be compared with an average small hospital in the U.S. The hospital has three classes of services and patients are accommodated according to the level of their insurance (i.e. first class: one patient to a room, TV, better food; second class: two to three patients to a room, shared bathroom, etc; third class: 15 to 20 people in one hall). There is a small medical center in San Nicolas. The many drug stores, or “boticas” provide prescription and over the counter medicine. Emergency services are usually quick to respond. There are no country-specific health concerns.
CLICK HERE for futher information
[edit] Places of Interest
- Don't forget your sunscreen and bug spray for any outdoor adventures on the island:)
Island Activities
- snorkeling/ scuba
- kayaking
- horseback riding
- ATV or jeep rides (bring your bandana, it gets dusty)
- golf
- tennis
- boat/catamaran rides
- boat and bus tours
- dinner shows/casinos
Aruba's Must-See Destinations
Lingering off the coast of Venezuela like a floating oasis in the sea, Aruba sparkles with sunshine, salt-tinged breezes, and undoubtedly Dutch flavor. While one could easily toss down a blanket on the beach and happily roast for days, there are a few must-see spots worth waking up for.
Arikok National Park
Located near Mt. Arikok, close to the center of the island, nearly twenty percent of Aruba's land is dedicated to massive Arikok National Park. A natural preserve featuring Aruba's uncommon plants and wildlife such as kwihi trees and iguanas, the park is best explored by foot on one of the numerous hiking trails. Some companies offer guided tours, but as long as you stay on the main paths, you're safe to venture on your own. The highest points in Aruba, Arikok and Jamanota hilltops, are located in the park. The park was first designated as an area of noteworthy national importance in the early 1980's and encompasses the three primary geological formations that shape Aruba: the Aruba lava formation; a quartz diorite formation; and a limestone formation extending inward from the coastline. These unique formations have contributed to a habitat supporting several animal species that can only be found in Aruba, such as the Aruban whiptail lizard, the Aruban burrowing owl, and the Aruban parakeet, plus a few very innocent snakes -- so keep your eyes peeled!
If you're looking to do a little off-the-beaten-path exploring with your beloved, head to the outer reaches of the park to the Guadirikiri Cave, home to hundreds of harmless bats and rumored hiding spot of pirates -- bring a flashlight! Famed for its two chambers where sunlight shines through, the cave is a perfect backdrop for extraordinary photos.
Natural Bridge Ruins
The larger or the two bridges collapsed a few years ago but the smaller one still remains. This is a beautiful sight and great picture spot or picnic. It is located on a remote part of the island and a car with 4 wheel drive is best.
Palm Beach to Eagle Beach
Speaking of shores, Aruba's beaches boast some of the finest, whitest, and softest sands you will ever encounter, and the waters are so azure they seem unreal. But the stretch of beach from Palm Beach to Eagle Beach is completely dedicated to the majority of travelers like us. Palm Beach has wonderfully calm waters, making it great for snorkeling and swimming, and lies directly in front of the island's luxury high-rise hotels. Eagle Beach is popular with the locals and full of shaded picnic areas and easy parking. Many low-rise hotels are nearby, just off the street from the beach.
There are many other fabulous beaches to explore, including Baby Beach, which is perfect for inexperienced swimmers and snorkelers, and Hadikurari Beach, also great for snorkeling.
Even if you're a glued-to-the-beach-towel type, you'd be missing out not seeing some of these wonderful and unique attractions, so make a date with your newlywed and see everything Aruba has to offer!
Snorkeling
One of the best spots is Baby Beach. It is on the very south end of the island, all you need it he mask, snorkel, and towl (maybe a little bread for the fish, they love it).
For Libby and Other Divers
For a mini map and reef creatures identification guide CLICK HERE
[edit] Maps
Google Map CLICK HERE
For an interactive regional map CLICK HERE
For a virtual reality tour CLICK HERE
[edit] Need More?
For extra Aruba information CLICK HERE
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