Page 6 - AHATA

A9
LOCAL Wednesday 15 november 2023

Visit the island’s hidden natural pools

of protective clothing and
enough water and food—it
could take you up to three
hours to hike there!

However, when you even-
tually do get there, you
will be greeted with crystal
blue water surrounded by
a natural rock formation
that protects you from the Because it’s still so new, lagoon where wild northern
wild waves on the other there is no official name for waves crash into each oth-
(Oranjestad)—Amongst di Turtuga (Turtle’s Cove) or side. Though the pool is lo- it, but most people just call er. Sounds scary, but if you
the countless beaches sur- just Natural Pool—is reach- cated on the northern side it the cave pool. look down on your right,
rounding the island that are able with any 4x4 vehicle of the island (where the sea you’ll see a calm, crystal
well-known and frequently or by foot if you’re up for a is largely rough and largely Just like the Conchi, the blue little pool in the cor-
visited, there are an addi- long hike. However, since it no suitable for swimming), new natural pool is situated ner. To get there, you have
tional two “hidden” natural is part of the National Park, the pool itself is very calm. on the northern coast of to climb down some stairs.
pools that are situated in you must first get permission It’s also relatively deep, Aruba. However, this pool is Be careful when climbing
the northern coast of the is- from park management to and you can climb up the much easier to reach with down and follow the in-
land, two ideal stops in your enter. You would have to rocks and jump in! any type of vehicle, and structions of your tour guide
tour itinerary. purchase a day pass, and there is no hiking needed. if you have one.
receive a wristband as Cave Pool This spot has also become
Conchi (Natural Pool) proof of payment. Once This relatively new pool ap- a regular stop for touring And just like Conchi, this
For many years, Conchi you’ve completed that, peared just a few years visitors. pool also has a jumping
was the only natural pool you are set! ago, when a part of the spot, and a rope to climb
that we had on the island. dried up coral floor broke When you get there, may- back up the boulder.
Located in the Arikok Na- If you decide to hike from off and created a partition be you won’t be able to
tional Park, near Boca Keto the entrance of the Arikok between the ocean and spot the pool immediately, Picture of cave pool is cred-
and the Daimari Ranch, National Park, this is also what is now the natural because you will probably ited to RockaBeach Tours
Conchi—also known “Cura possible: do bring plenty pool that is hidden there. notice the moon-shaped

Prohibited by law: leaving the island with seashells, white sand or corals

(Oranjestad)—Often times, tourists leaving the island these to the tourists, which and stop buying or ac- the beauty of our beach-
the customs department at with seashells, white sand is unacceptable. cepting these from local es, shells and corals in a
the airport intercepts many and/or corals as souvenirs. Upon confiscation at the sellers or companies. sustainable way, without
airport, you can also face destroying or disrupting the
Conforming to the inter- a fine that they have to We want our future gener- Aruban ecosystem. Help us
national treaty of CITES pay before leaving. This is ations and visitors to enjoy protect what is ours!q
and our local law which surely not a pleasant ex-
protects our Flora & Fau- perience for the tourist. This
na, it is absolutely prohib- also leads to a negative re-
ited to take any seashell, action which can put our
sand and coral outside tourism in a negative light.
of Aruba. This is to protect Though we love to accom-
our environment. The high modate our visitors, let’s all
number of seashells, coral give nature the respect it
and amount of sand con- deserves by protecting our
fiscated is very strange and environment. Stop collect-
it is suspected that our own ing seashells, white sand
locals are the ones selling and corals from our shores