Page 9 - aruba-today-20220115

A9
LOCAL Saturday 15 January 2022

Amazing things to know about Aruba

1. Everyone native Aruban speaks four is still part of the Kingdom of the Neth- val again due to Covid.
languages; English, Spanish, Dutch erlands. 9. We produce our own drinking water thanks to their
and Papiamento. Dutch and Papia- 5. Aruba is not in Hurricane Alley, which desalination plant. You can drink the water straight
mento are the official languages of means there’s no BAD time to visit Aru- from the taps. The electricity on the island is also a by-
Aruba. ba. product of the desalinization plant.
2. The origin of Papiamento is still a bit of 6. Aruba’s currency is the Aruban florin 10. Aruba is home to a rare species of the burrowing owl.
a mystery. However, Arubans say that which is worth about 0.56 US Dollars. It lives in burrows in the ground hidden by cacti. It
it was developed from Portugeuse- Dollars are accepted everywhere is one of Aruba’s national symbols and appears on
African pidgin which was used as the though. postage stamps.
language for communication be- 7. The crime rate in Aruba is pretty low. It 11. Before Covid Aruba had over a million tourists visit its
tween slaves and slave traders. There is one of the safest islands in the Carib- shores. That’s around 10 times the local population.
are also some Dutch and Spanish influ- bean. 12. There are over 90 different nationalities living on the
ences. 8. Carnival in Aruba is a BIG DEAL. It’s not island in pretty much perfect harmony
3. In most schools in Aruba children have just Brazil! There’s parades, Carnival 13. 13. The Aruban flag was adopted in 1976.
all their lessons in Dutch. They can only Queen elections, dance competitions 14. 14. Aruba’s national day is March 18th. Just after St.
speak Papiamento during the Papia- and more. So if you’re in Aruba in Feb- Patrick’s day.
mento class. ruary, make sure to attend one of the
4. Aruba is a former Dutch colony. It is many Carnival events. Unfortunately,
now its own country. However, Aruba his year we won’t be having our carni-

Loyal visitors honored at Divi Village

EAGLE BEACH — John and Barbara Hub- Tourism Authority conducted the ceremo-
bard from New Hampshire were recently ny which was held at the Divi Village.
honored as Goodwill Ambassadors due to The Hubbard’s loves coming to the island
their 24th consecutive visit to Aruba. for the weather, food and the people and
especially their home away from home
Marouska Heyliger representing the Aruba Divi Village.q