Page 13 - AHATA

a8 local
Saturday 28 June 2025

Ayo & Casibari: Aruba’s famous rock formations

(Oranjestad)—The Ayo and lic. Just like Ayo, Casibari
Casibari Rock Formations is a fenced area contain- Both sites are open free to
are known locally as one ing several boulders that the public, 24 hours a day.
of the crucial sites to have lay on top or lean on each However, unless you are
in your “off-road” trip itiner- other. The best aspect of taking a trip with a profes-
ary. These naturally formed the Casibari Rock Forma- sional tour guide, there are
rock formations as just one tion is the accompanying no guides at the sites to
of the few places on the is- view when you climb up help you climb the rock.
land that hold a rich history the top of the round, flat So, do be careful when
of our culture and of our bolder. For this position, you trudging on the boulders,
ancestors. can see the majority of the and make sure to befriend
island and the ocean in the any roaming goats you see
Ayo south. Right in front of the along the way!
The Ayo Rock Formation is entrance, there is the Casi-
located in the northern part bari Café and Grill, a great *Mondi: what we call our
of the island, right on the lead you to the top of the bari is situated more in the place to get refreshments Aruban wilderness. We
road that leads you to the highest boulder, offering a center of the island, much and snack before continu- don’t have forests, or des-
Black Stone Beach, and breath-taking view of the closer—and more acces- ing your off-road adven- erts, but we do have mon-
close to the Natural Bridge. Aruban backyard. The Ayo sible—to the general pub- ture! di! q
The Ayo is a fenced terrain is usually quiet, as it is situ-
that consists of several giant ated farther away from the
boulders, resting neatly on busier parts of the island.
top of or side by side each However, this is just anoth-
other, adding gorgeous er charm of the site: the
natural architecture to the quiet area and the refresh-
surrounding “mondi”*. This ing breeze offer a sense of
is also one of the few sites comfort and peace.
to contain prehistoric mark-
ings of our indigenous an- Casibari
cestors. The Ayo Rock for- Probably the busier rock
mation contains stairs that formation site, the Casi-

Aruba to me

ORANJESTAD — You are back and we Last but not least: check out our website,
would like to portrait you! By inviting you Instagram and Facebook page! Thank
to send us your favorite vacation picture you for supporting our free newspaper, we
while enjoying our Happy Island. strive to make you a happy reader every
day again.
Complete the sentence: Aruba to me is
……. Send your picture with that text (in- For today we received a lovely message
cluding your name and where you are from Britt Eikholt from the Netherlands.
from) to: news@arubatoday.com and we
will publish your vacation memory. Isn’t She wrote to us saying: “Aruba to me is....
that a special way to keep your best mo- naturalesa bunita (beautiful nature).
ments alive? Please do note: By submitting I will be staying 6 months in Aruba, from
photos, text or any other materials, you now till the 28th of April and working in the
give permission to The Aruba Today News- hospital as a recoveryroom nurse! I love
paper, Caribbean Speed Printers and any the island!”
of its affiliated companies to use said ma-
terials, as well as names, likeness, etc. for Thank you for sending us this wonderful
promotional purposes without compensa- message sharing what Aruba means to
tion. you with us and our readers!q