Page 12 - AHATA

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LOCAL Tuesday 4 March 2025

Ayo & Casibari: Aruba’s famous rock formations

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