Page 14 - AHATA

a8 local
Friday 9 June 2023
Visit the island’s popular cave sites!

(Oranjestad)—Among the
endless sea of dark brown
sand and cacti, there are
two caves hidden in the
outskirts of San Nicolas, in
the north-eastern area of
the island. These caves,
The Quadiriki cave and The
Fontein Cave are open to
visitors of the Arikok Na-
tional Park, so if you ever
decide to take an “off-
road” tour in the park, be HuLibA / TuNNeL OF LOVe
sure to visit these prehis-
toric caves…and be sure to
bring a flashlight!

FONTeiN
Quadirikiri Cave
Known for its two cham-
bers accompanied by a
skylight, the Quadikiri Cave
is the most popular cave
among locals and tourists,
as it is easy to walk through
and provides great lighting
for pictures.

As with all prehistoric or an-
cient sites, there is always
a folk legend that adds to
the lore and mystery of the for rituals and other spiritual has been permanently
site. The Quadirikiri cave ceremonies. closed for a few years now,
is no different. The most as a way to preserve the
well-known legend behind of Love (Now known as the drawing on the wall, these The Huliba Cave/ Tunnel of bat population that lives
the cave could be consid- Huliba Cave). have mostly been ruined Love in the cave. These Long
ered as Aruba’s first love by vandalism. However, The Huliba Cave, formerly Tongue Fruit Bats and In-
story, as it tells the tale of Through the pathways un- the Fontein Cave further known as the Tunnel of sect Eater Bats are very im-
the undying love between derneath the Tunnel of up north, provides a better Love, was once open to portant to the ecosystem of
the chief’s daughter and Love running up to the glimpse of prehistoric Am- the public, and was the the island. Though this cave
her beloved. As legend Quadiriki cave, the two erindian paintings. biggest and most acces- is no longer accessible to
would have it, the chief love birds found each oth- sible of all three caves. This the public, it surely is inter-
disapproved of his daugh- er, and refused to let each Fontein Cave cave had five chambers, esting to learn more about
ter’s choice of lover, as other go. Because of their Longer than the Quadirikiri including one that is heart- the history of these caves
he thought him unworthy. stubbornness, they both Cave, the Fontein Cave shaped. This cave had nar- and the Awarak tribes that
Stubborn and filled with an- died in the Quadiriki Cave, contains pathways that row stairs that led to long resided or utilized them.
ger, the daughter refused their ascending spirits burn- stretch to the limestone pathways deep into the
to turn away her beloved. ing two holes in the ceiling walls further down. Here cave, with a staircase lead- Do note that these caves
of the cave. This is why the is also where prehistoric ing to the exit on the other are very dark, humid, hot,
So, the chief decided to cave has two holes through drawings can be seen. side. In one of the cham- and are inhabited by bats.
lock her up in the Quadirikiri which sunlight passes Though this cave does not bers, there used to be the Do wear comfortable
Cave, in hopes that she through to illuminate the have its own legend, this carving of the Virgin Mary, clothing and shoes, as the
would soon calm down chamber. was speculated to have put there for the protection pathways in these caves
and turn away her lover. been occupied—or at of the cave. may be rough and bumpy,
Her beloved, in turn, was Though there have been least used by prehistoric Ar- and don’t forget to bring a
locked away in the Tunnel discoveries of Amerindian awak settlers on the island However, the Huliba Cave flashlight!q

guAdirikiri