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local Wednesday 29 May 2024

Enjoy one of the best views on Aruba at the top of the Hooiberg Hill

(Oranjestad)—If you are located at the center dis- ment decided to renovate
a regular hiker, or may- trict of the island, Santa these stairs in 1991. This
be want to spice up your Cruz, the Hooiberg Hill is new project delivered the
morning work out session, the second highest point newer staircase with only
then you might enjoy one on the island at 165 meters 587 steps. However, don’t
of the most popular climb- above sea level (or about be fooled—it may still be
ing sites on the island: The 540 feet above sea level). a work out to get on top.
Hooiberg Hill. Accompa- The highest point is Ja- In addition, there is now a
nied with a 600-step stair- manota Hill at 189 meters gazebo placed halfway up
case, this hill overlooks a (620 feet), located in the the stair for a little rest. The
great part of the island, the Arikok National Park. view at this resting stop is
Caribbean sea, and some- The staircase that run on also a sight to see.
times even the Santa Anna the side of the hill was first The best time to climb the
mountain located in the built in 1951, when Mr. Edu- hill would be early in the
coastal state of Falcon in ardo Tromp constructed it. morning or right before
Venezuela, providing one At that time, the staircase sunset, as it may not be as
of the best views you can consisted of 900 steps. hot. However, the hill is of
get on Aruba. Over time, as the steps course open all day, every
faced erosion, the govern- day.q
Why You Should Not Miss Aruba’s Free City Center Street Car Tour

ORANJESTAD - Aruba’s City Center Caya Betico Croes, mostly referred to tional cuisine restaurants. The “I love
Street Car - or as we call it in Dutch; as our “main street” has been devel- Aruba” trademark also belongs to that
“Tram van Oranjestad’ - is a single oped into a pollution-free pedestrian list. The third stop on the route is close
track tram line in Oranjestad, the capi- mall. The double-decker offers you a to a 5-minute walk to the famous Re-
tal city of Aruba. It was inaugurated on 360 degree view of the down town naissance Marina showcasing luxuri-
22 December 2012, being the first and area with a picture perfect scenery ous yachts and Aruba’s blue waters.
so far the only passenger rail service of the island’s clear blue skies. Who
on Aruba and the rest of the Dutch would not enjoy a ride on this beauti- The “Tram van Oranjestad” starts
Caribbean. There are two trolleys, a ful and naturally air-conditioned ve- from a balloon loop near the Port of
single-deck one with 42 seats and a hicle? The tour consists of a total of 9 Call and serves the downtown area
double-decker with 64 seats. The line stops approximately 200 meters apart and ends at Plaza Nicky. The first ride
was inspired by the popular battery- from each other; all stops are clearly starts at 10:00 am sharp with intervals
powered streetcar operation at the marked. The tram will bring you close of 25minutes. The last trolley departs
Grove in Los Angeles, USA. Aruba’s to different museums, historical plazas, from the cruise port at 5:00pm. Don’t
streetcars are powered by hydrogen monuments, the Protestant church, miss this tour of the beautiful Aruba’s
fuel cells, which are charged by the Aruba’s high- end mall, retail shops, City Center– it is free for all!q
island’s year-round trade winds. and a variety of local and interna-

Visit the historic museum at Fort Zoutman!

(Oranjestad)—Located in the middle of down- called “Willem III Toren”. Constructed in 1867,
town Oranjestad, situated right next to the this tower was named after the then-reigning
government building “Cocolishi”, is one of the king of The Netherlands, Willem III. Willem III To-
oldest buildings of Aruba: Fort Zoutman. First ren was originally a light tower, but after a re-
constructed in 1796, this site has been used quest from Lieutenant Governor Jan Helenus
(or left unused) in many ways and have sur- in 1866, it also became a bell tower.
vived eras of war and attempted dismantling.
The fort itself was originally constructed to
When anyone refers to Fort Zoutman, they protect the commerce bay of Paardenbaai
are actually referring to two separate build- from pirates and other disreputable charac-
ings that, over the years, have been merged: ters roaming the Caribbean Sea. Unlike the
the fort and the tower. That’s right, the iconic Willem III Toren, Fort Zoutman had a more
5-story, squared tower was not part of the tumultuous past, including the on-and-off re-
original structure of the fort, and is actually ception of unwanted members of the English Despite its small size, The Historic Museum
military several times (The Netherlands was at
constant war with England back in the colo- guards a rich depository of the commercial,
military and social history of Oranjestad, of-
nial era).
Over the years, both the fort and the tower fering a glance into how the social culture of
the town came to be. If you are interested in
had functioned as different government cen-
ter points, including a tax and stamps office. history and want to learn more about Aruba,
then Fort Zoutman should definitely be includ-
For some time these two buildings also housed
a police precinct and jail, and even experi- ed into your itinerary.
enced abandonment until the Cultural Cen-
ter Aruba Foundation (CCA) petitioned for its The museum is open Monday to Friday from
renovation in 1964, turning the site into the His- 9am-6pm, and Saturday from 10am-2pm.q
toric Museum it currently is.
Source: The Old Fort of Aruba by Jan Hartog.