ON ISLAND TIMEn e w s & v i e w s f r o m u n d e r t h e d i v i t r e e

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

MEET ANNE-MARIE BROOKSGENERAL MANAGER

DIVI LITTLE BAY BEACH RESORT, SINT MAARTEN

We want to keep you in touch with our beloved Caribbean islands and resorts, so we will be sending you virtual “On Island Time” newsletters with news and views from under the Divi tree. We hope our newsletter gives you a taste of the islands you love so much and provides a few great ideas for your future vacations! Everyone at Divi wants you to know that we miss you and care very much about you and your families. We’re here for you, answering your calls and emails, and looking after the resorts you call home until you can come back and enjoy them once again. Enjoy this armchair vacation and stay safe and healthy!

Marco GalavernaPresident & COO

If you’ve meet Anne-Marie Brooks, you know that her patience, positive attitude and glass-half-full mindset, even in the toughest situations, shines through. Brooks joined Divi Little Bay as the General Manager in May 2018 and has been the driving force behind this top Divi destination. But did you know that Anne-Marie started as an intern at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort over 30 years ago? We caught up with Anne-Marie to discover why the resort and island are so special to her.

Why do you love Divi Little Bay so much?Divi Little Bay has always had a special place in my heart. This is where I first started my career 30 years ago as an intern for my Hotel Management studies. The resort was called Divi Little Bay & Racquet Club back then, and the motto was “where barefoot elegance is a way of life.” Coming from a cold and rainy town in the southernmost part of the Netherlands, I fell in love right away. Not to mention, I met my husband right here on this gorgeous beach, while I was reading a book in the afternoon sun and he was playing beach volleyball.

What do you enjoy most about the island?Sint Maarten is a unique place, and I will never get tired of clear blue water, white sand beaches, blue skies and green hilltops – it’s just so magnificent. It makes me happy! It’s two countries in one, where many cultures and nationalities live together in peace and harmony. What more can you ask for?

What improvements has Divi Little Bay made over the last two years?

Over the last two years, we’ve completely renovated rooms and redesigned and improved pools, including our magnificent pureocean pool and bar, which is now the central hub of our resort. We also added and upgraded our restaurants, opening two new outlets, and introducing beachside and poolside food and beverage service. We also added lush vegetation around the resort and renovated our lobby. I’d also like to think we elevated our customer service and added a more personal touch when welcoming guests.

What makes you passionate about your job?I love taking care of people, and I take great personal pride in making my guests happy and delivering the best vacation experience possible. That’s Divi’s mission and my business model.

Is there anything you would like to say to the hundreds of loyal Divi Little Bay owners, members and guests during this difficult time?

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our Divi Little Bay owners, members and guests for their continued support and unwavering love of our resort and the island Sint Maarten. Our entire team has been truly humbled by the heartfelt messages during this difficult time. We will be back better and stronger than ever, as a resort and as an island, and I look forward to welcoming you back soon. I’d also like to wish all of you good health. Stay safe wherever you are in the world!

Barbados is the land of lush landscapes, sandy beaches and flavorful rum, with a strong British influence from its many years of British occupation beginning in the 1600s. In 1966, Barbados gained its independence from the United Kingdom, and

even though more than 50 years have passed, the country’s impact on the island is still seen in Barbados’ culture, architecture and traditions.

So how do you enjoy “old blighty” in the Caribbean you ask?

Even though you can’t vacation with us right now, we want you to know that our islands and resorts remain pristine and we can’t wait to welcome you back soon.

DISCOVER BARBADOS BRITISH ISLAND HERITAGE

DIVI DOSE OF VITAMIN SEA

Whatever you choose to do, you’ll delight in the heritage and history of this beautiful island! For more information about Barbados’ historical sites, visit

www.visitbarbados.org/discover/barbados-heritages/historical-sites, and to watch a great video about Historic Bridgetown, visit https://youtu.be/edYqA0hVM-0.

Come explore the island for yourself and enjoy a relaxing stay at Divi Southwinds Beach Resort! There are nonstop flights available from New York, Miami, Boston,

Charlotte, Ft. Lauderdale, Toronto, Montreal, UK, Netherlands, Germany and throughout the Caribbean. For more information, visit www.divisouthwinds.com.

Catch a Sporting Event on BarbadosFirst, start with a spot of tea, then dress in your best whites to watch a game of cricket with refreshing gin of tonics included, of course. If cricket isn’t your thing, enjoy a chukka of polo plus stomping divots or a thrilling horse race at the Barbados Turf Club located within the Garrison Historic area just outside Bridgetown.

Watch the Changing of the Guard ShowA time-honored British tradition, every Thursday at noon, the Barbados Defense Force hosts a Changing of the Sentry ceremony at the main guard of the Barbados Garrison in Bridgetown. Donning the colorful Zouave uniform chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858, this unique display of British culture lasts about fifteen minutes. Be sure to get there early to snag a great viewing spot and snap a cheeky photo! While in Bridgetown, you’ll also want to stop by the Parliament Buildings to capture a few pictures. Built in 1870, these buildings have been the seat of government on Barbados since 1874 and were formerly the site of Colonial administration.

Step Back in Time at a Stately Plantation HomeBarbados is steeped in history and spotted with picturesque plantation homes that transport you into the past. When the British arrived on the island in 1625, they built statuesque plantation homes to grow tobacco, cotton and sugar. Several homes have since been restored and refurbished for public viewing, and one, the St. Nicholas Abbey, even distills its own rum.

Visit Historical Museums & Buildings For even more history, visit the Arlington House Museum, a restored 18th century building in Speightstown with an interactive 3-story museum, or stop by the Barbados Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to learn more about the island’s unique culture.

Stop by the Bridgetown Jewish Synagogue Built in 1654, this historic synagogue was destroyed by a hurricane in 1831 but has since been resorted to its original beauty. Right next door is the Nidhe Israel Museum, a museum that traces Jewish history in Barbados and highlights their contribution to Barbadian society.

Explore the St. James & St. John Parish Churches These churches are amongst the four oldest surviving churches in Barbados. St. James is located near the site of the first settlement in Holetown and its church features a bell with the inscription, “God bless King William 1696,” which predates the American Liberty Bell by 56 years.

Enjoy High Tea with Bajan Fish & ChipsSip on hot tea while enjoying the fresh flavors of British cuisine with a Bajan twist. Similar to the UK’s famous fish and chips dish, Barbados offers fried flying fish and rich macaroni pie, both local delicacies. We hope you’ll stop by Divi Southwind’s pureocean Restaurant to sample these treats during your next trip to the island.

For the CodSeason cod with salt, pepper and lemon juice. Place in pan on high heat and sear cod on both sides for two minutes. Finish cod in the oven at 250 degrees for 7 minutes and be careful not to overcook. Reserve on a plate.

For the SauceIn a medium pot, sauté onions, carrots and celery with garlic on medium heat. Add white wine and reduce until only a third of the wine remains. Add fish broth and let simmer until the sauce reduces and gets texture. Strain the sauce and leave simmering. Clean the langoustines and cut them with the morels (morels must be hydrated in water to soften them). Add both ingredients to the sauce. Add butter for texture and finish with basil chiffonade (meaning cut into long, thin strips).

For the Rainbow PotatoesBoil the potatoes. Once cooled, dice and sauté in olive oil on medium heat. Flavor with garlic herb butter (butter mixed with minced garlic, onion powder, dry oregano, salt and pepper) and parsley.

Ingredients:7 oz. cod fillet

3 oz. dry morel mushrooms

3 langoustines (large prawns)

6 rainbow baby potatoes

4 rainbow baby carrots

1 cup fish broth

1 garlic clove

1 tbsp. butter

2 tbsp. fresh basil

1 orange, juiced

1 tbsp. fresh dill

1 stack of celery

½ cup carrots

1 cup white wine

1 tbsp. fresh parsley

1 tbsp. honey

2 tbsp. panko breadcrumbs

½ tbsp. fresh oregano

¼ tbsp. fresh thyme

1 tbsp. cilantro

1 pinch onion powder

1 pinch dry oregano

Recipe Substitutes:• Morel mushrooms -

substitute with any dried mushrooms

• Rainbow Carrots & Potatoes - substitute with any type of carrots and potatoes

• Fresh herbs can be substituted with dry herbs

For the Rainbow CarrotsBlanch for 2 minutes in boiling water then add to a pan on medium heat with orange juice, lemon juice and honey. Allow carrots to caramelize and finish with chopped dill.

For the CrumbleMix panko breadcrumbs with chopped oregano, thyme, cilantro, parsley and basil.

To ServeTop cod with the crumble and put it in the oven at low heat. Roast until the crumble is golden brown. Serve on a bed of sauce with rainbow potatoes and carrots.

Darwin Torres is his name, whipping up decadent dishes is his game. We asked Windows on Aruba’s Executive Chef to share one of his favorite recipes so you can

enjoy a taste of the islands from the comfort of your home.

TASTE OF ARUBA

A delicious dish of pan-seared cod topped with an herb crumble, served with morel and langoustine fumet, rainbow potatoes and

baby carrots glazed in orange and dill.

PAN-SEARED COD

DIVI EXTRAS

STAY IN TOUCH!

DIVI RESORTS WELCOMES BACK DUTCH ROYALTYDivi Little Bay management and staff were all smiles as they greeted

Dutch Princess Beatrix upon her arrival and presented her with a special commemorative picture from one of her previous visits to the islands.

DIVI LITTLE BAY SPONSORS CARE AND FINDS HOMES FOR DOGSWhen a group of stray puppies and dogs decided to start visiting Divi Little Bay on Sint Maarten, staff and management took matters into their own hands, sponsoring trips to the vet to get the dogs spayed or neutered, continuing to look after them at the resort and finding homes for all.

ARUBA’S DIVI IMPACT SPONSORS CHILDREN’S BOOK ON SUSTAINABILITY

Divi Impact recently sponsored a local children’s book about sustainability titled “Bin, bin sigui mi submarin” by Denise Rekwest. The book is available at the local library as well as in all schools on Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.

While our owners, members and guests are away, we’re doing our best to highlight your favorite Divi vacation memories and provide a bit of

fun and entertainment to you and your family through social media and on our website at www.diviresorts.com.

Check in daily for a relaxing “Divi Break” and share your Divi memories, photos and videos with us at smiles@diviresorts.com.

CHECK OUT OUR GIVEAWAYS!@DIVIRESORTS | #DISCOVERDIVI | #DIVIRESORTS

GET SOCIAL WITH US!

“I enjoy this recipe because it combines flavors of the sea (fish and langoustines) with flavors of the forest (potatoes and morels), resulting in an explosion of taste and aroma. Finished with sweet honey-glazed carrots, this dish is perfect for a romantic dinner at home.”

- Executive Chef Darwin Torres