Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
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
I hope this new issue of our digital ‘On Island Time’ newsletter finds you and your families well. As many of us look back on days and weeks gone by, I find myself reminiscing about all of the good times and special memories made at Divi Resorts.
Over the last 50 years, we’ve hosted several members of royalty, superstars, celebrities and more, but in this issue, I want to share a very meaningful memory about a group of special guests that lifted the spirits of our staff at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort on St. Maarten.
In July 2018, having just reopened after Hurricane Irma devastated St. Maarten, both the resort and island were chosen by the New England Patriots Cheerleaders to shoot their official 2019 Swimsuit
Calendar and video promotions. At that critical time, it was a wonderful gesture that gave a much-needed boost to thousands of islanders struggling to recover. As you can imagine, the cheerleaders and crew received a remarkable warm welcome from everyone on the island.
At Divi Resorts, our goal is to provide spectacular Caribbean vacations and unforgettable experiences that keep you coming back year after year. We often offer special contests throughout to year to help fulfill the dreams of those wishing for a Caribbean holiday, and in this issue, we’re sharing one couple’s experience winning a free 7-night vacation with airfare at Divi Little Bay and meeting the New England Patriots Cheerleaders.
Don’t forget to stay connected with us while you’re away! My team has come up with tons of fun activities to keep you entertained and help you share your love for Divi. Send your favorite Divi vacation memories to us at [email protected] and fill out a customized Divi postcard to share with your favorite staff member or friends and family. Visit bit.ly/35FOt0a to create yours today and send a version to [email protected] so we can spread the love!
Plus, Gizmo’s back again with another sneaky hiding spot. Can you find her this time? Search for our Divi Diva and tell us where you found her at [email protected]. Bonus points if you send us a photo of you and your family finding Gizmo!
We hope you enjoy this week’s issue. Stay healthy and safe!
Marco GalavernaPresident & COO
Hailing from Hope, Rhode Island, Divi fans Tammy and Bill Kenyon were the lucky winners of our 2018 “Join the Party” 7-night vacation contest with airfare from
JetBlue to stay at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort on St. Maarten the week the New England Patriots Cheerleaders were visiting. The two are die-hard Patriots fans
and their love for St. Maarten goes back more than 30 years. With their combined love for the island, the resort and the football team, winning this contest meant
the world to the Kenyons, and they were thrilled to share their experience with us.
MEET TAMMY & BILL KENYON“JOIN THE PARTY” CONTEST WINNERS
STAY IN TOUCH!While our owners, members and guests are away, we’re doing our best to highlight your favorite Divi vacation memories and provide entertainment
for you and your family through social media and online at www.diviresorts.com/divibreak.
Plus, don’t forget to check in daily for a calming “Divi Break” and share your Divi memories, photos and videos with us at [email protected].
CHECK OUT OUR GIVEAWAYS!@DIVIRESORTS | #DISCOVERDIVI | #DIVIRESORTS
GET SOCIAL WITH US!
PATRIOTS CHEERLEADERSVISIT DIVI LITTLE BAY, ST. MAARTEN
Every year, the New England Patriots Cheerleaders organization chooses a new location to shoot their ever-popular swimsuit calendar and promotional videos, and support charitable organizations in the community.
In the summer of 2018, Divi Little Bay Beach Resort was selected as the cheerleaders’ next destination, and together with the island of St. Maarten and St. Martin, we hosted an exhilarating visit packed full with cultural adventures, local treats, island parties and so much more for all 34 cheerleaders, plus their staff, crew and security.
These extraordinary young ladies were charming, classy and charismatic throughout their stay, interacting with everyone, greeting fans with big smiles, supporting the island’s comeback, and learning about the unique cultures and lifestyles on both the Dutch and French sides.
Highlights of their trip included:
• Lunch in the grotto at Loterie Farm
• Guided Tour of Philipsburg
• Fun Karaoke Night
• Interactive Chef Experience
• Beach BBQ Party with locals
• Making perfume at Tijon Perfumerie
• Lunch in the grotto at Loterie Farm
• Topper’s Rhum Distillery tour
• Guided tour of Philipsburg
• Welcome cocktail party with dignitaries
• Fun karaoke night
• Aqua Mania Adventures sunset cruise
• Interactive chef experience
• Zip line thrills at Rainforest Adventures
• Beach BBQ party with locals
Special thanks to the cheerleaders’ talentedphotographer, Laszlo Tarko, who followed thegroup throughout their trip, capturing everymagical moment, so we can share all the fun these lovely ladies had on the island.
Thirty years ago, the Kenyons honeymooned in St. Maarten at Divi Little Bay and raved about the wonderful experience they had to friends and family. The couple had hoped to visit the island again in the future, but it never worked out, that is until they won a free vacation to Divi Little Bay two years ago!
“We were just so lucky, it was unbelievable,” said Tammy looking back. “I had been following Divi on social media for some time and I saw the contest and entered.”
When she entered, Tammy said she never expected she would actually win the trip.
“I had been talking to my daughter about how if you do good, then good comes back to you,” Tammy explained. “Seconds later, I checked my email and said, ‘oh my god, I think I just won a trip,’ and I was crying tears of joy.”
Tammy credits the win to her good karma doing river cleanups and spending weekends picking trash out of the river. She also believes her son, who passed away, had a hand in her winning.
“I’m a firm believer in what goes around comes around,” Tammy said.
“It was phenomenal!” – Tammy Kenyon
The Kenyons trip to St. Maarten was a bumpy one, but even that became a remarkable story.
“On the day we were meant to fly to St. Maarten, our fight was suddenly canceled. It was 4 a.m. and we were devastated. I sent an email off thinking no one at Divi would respond that early in the morning. But boy, was I wrong,” said Tammy. “The Director of Marketing called me right away, and with the help of JetBlue, they rerouted us to New York and booked us on the last two seats that just happened to be the same flight as the cheerleaders! We spent the whole flight chatting with them, and when we arrived, our luggage was collected and we were transported to the resort with the team. It was phenomenal!”
DIVI CARES PATRIOTS CHEERLEADERS GIVE BACK
BLUE FLAG AT DIVI LITTLE BAYA few cheerleaders had the opportunity to learn about the Environmental
Protection in the Caribbean’s local Blue Flag program. The program, which selects testing partners to gather daily water samples from around the Caribbean to monitor and test the purity of the water, was especially
important after the 2017 hurricanes. Divi Little Bay was proud to be chosen as a testing partner to ensure the safety of the water surrounding St. Maarten,
and the resort’s beach is the only Blue Flag certified beach on the island.
THE NEW START FOR CHILDREN FOUNDATIONOne of the highlights of the cheerleaders’ visit was spending quality time with children and staff from the New Start for Children Foundation, a local orphanage. During their first meeting, the cheerleaders were all smiles as
they served a delicious BBQ lunch to the children and their caregivers, and taught the group a few cheers and dance moves.
The cheerleaders also shared an incredible afternoon with the children on the beach at Divi Little Bay, where they played water games, made sandcastles, snacked on special treats, and enjoyed hours of fun in the sun. When the day was over, there wasn’t a dry eye on the beach! The
cheerleaders, the crew and staff members were all truly touched by the effervescent joy and bright smiles of the children as they played on the
beach with their new friends.
Even though we can’t host your stay right now, we want you to know that our islands and resorts remain beautiful and we can’t wait to
welcome you back soon! Enjoy this magnificent photo of the Infinity Pool and Bar at Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort on Aruba.
DIVI DOSE OF VITAMIN SEA
Instructions: In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, sesame seeds and red pepper flakes. Add scallions and cubed tuna or smoked fish and gently stir together to dress the tuna. Marinate for five minutes.
While the fish marinates, pit and cube the avocado and cut into medium-sized cubes, more or less the size of the fish.
To serve, scoop rice into small serving bowls and top with tuna poke, avocado, seaweed salad and a few pieces of pickled ginger, to taste. Garnish with leftover scallions and remaining sesame seeds and enjoy.
To enjoy as a snack, serve this dish on tortilla chips instead of rice to create a tasty, bite-sized appetizer as shown in the photo.
Ingredients:2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. rice wine vinegar
1 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1 tsp. sesame seeds, plus extra for garnish
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 lb. sushi-grade ahi tuna or smoked fish, cubed
2-3 scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 avocado
3 oz. seaweed salad
5 oz. cooked white rice
1/2 tbsp. pickled ginger
At the end of the cheerleaders’ visit, we asked what food they enjoyed the most at Divi Little Bay. These ladies love healthy, fresh food, so it’s not surprising that one of their favorite dishes was our
delicious Ahi Tuna Poke!
Traditional poke is made with fresh marinated fish or shellfish served raw with special seasonings. It’s an easy and nutritious dish to make for a refreshing lunch or dinner paired with a nice glass of
chardonnay. Try it for yourself and enjoy!
FROM OUR TABLE TO YOURS
While the cheerleaders were on the island to shoot their annual swimsuit calendar, they took time away from their busy schedules to learn about an environmental protection program and spend
quality time with a special group of local children.
KIDS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN!
Calling all parents and grandparents – we want to hear from the kids and teens in your life about their favorite Divi vacation memory. Simply have your child or grandchild (18 and under) submit an essay (500 words or less) telling us about their favorite Divi vacation memory with photos and videos to [email protected] and make sure to label it with “Divi Vacation Memory Contest” so we know it’s for this contest. We will pick TWO winners from all entries received by May 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Each winner will enjoy a 7-night/8-day, all-inclusive family vacation to Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort on Aruba or Divi Little Bay Beach Resort on St. Maarten for up to two adults and two kids in a luxurious one-bedroom suite. Winners will have up to 12 months to enjoy their vacation.
ENTER OUR “DIVI VACATION MEMORY KID’S EDITION” CONTEST TODAY!
While on the island, the couple had the opportunity to mingle and dine with the cheerleaders, take plenty of pictures, and celebrate Bill’s 60th birthday.
“It was a wild experience, one we still talk about today,” reflects Bill. “And I can assure you, it will not be another 30 years before we visit Divi Little Bay and St. Maarten again.”
“We were thrilled to be some of the first people to return to the resort when they reopened,” added Tammy. “Divi Little Bay’s staff, the resort and the island are truly amazing.”
“My advice? Visit the island and Divi Little Bay as soon as possible,” Bill exclaimed. “Treasure it and soak up every second. As we like to say, live the life you love and love the life you live.”
