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LOCAL Saturday 15 July 2023

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

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

Another Treasure of Aruba’s Beaches: Sea Glass!

NOORD - It is hard to imagine this & Balashi beer) and clear glass
happening today, but years ago For years, the water beat against which are the soft much loved
people dumped all kinds of refuse the different kinds of trash being “soft drink” bottles.
straight into the ocean, including dumped. Glass, household ap-
old cars, and their household gar- pliances and even motor parts If you like to see the sea glass for
bage, which of course included were discarded on the beach. yourself, and be in awe of the
lots of glass. Over the next 30 years The waves and weather condi- power of nature, rent a car or
the pounding waves cleaned the tions wore down the overwhelm- jeep and go explore our deserted
beach, by breaking down every- ing amount of garbage in the wa- beaches on the north side of the
thing but glass and pottery. The ter, creating millions of beautiful island. Make it a fun family day!
pounding waves washed the trash smooth rocks. Even if we didn’t mean to pollute
up and down, back and forth. Tons to make sea glass. The name for the Beaches how we did, it is inspir-
of polished, broken glass pieces any piece of glass that finds its way It’s hard to believe the short- ing to see just how the earth can
were created by the pounding surf. to the ocean and tumbles around sighted mistakes we were making correct our mistakes.
These smoothened, colored glass in the water long enough is “Sea that could have potentially ru-
particles then settled along the sea glass. ined these beautiful beaches. But Funny, how trash can change into
shore in millions, and that is why thanks to natural processes, the treasures!
you can find these beautiful and The colorful pieces of glass are ocean transformed the trash into
colorful pieces on the north shore being used for decoration, hand- the sea glass. Everybody knows that you are not
beaches of Aruba. crafts and jewelry! Each colored gem on the beach allowed to take local shells home,
Once glass makes its way into the has its own story. but the people working at the air-
Especially on the strip on white ocean, the glass is broken up into port have no problem you taking
sand between the famous Natural shards and is tumbled around in The ruby red glass stones are typi- sea glass home. A few of those
Bridge” and the huge red anchor the water, where sand and other cally from old car tail-lights. pieces make great souvenirs. You
close to “Grapefield” beach you rocks act like sandpaper to smooth can place them in a wine glass or
will be able to find your own pieces out its rough edges. Sometimes as Then, the sapphire rocks are the large bottle for decoration and ev-
of sea glass. The sea glass that was the sea glass is passed through fire, remnants of broken apothecary ery time you look at it a smile will
created is the product of a very it becomes fire glass, the rarest of bottles. The most common and the light up your face thinking back of
long and interesting process. It can sea glass with certain inclusions, easiest to find are the brown (Ams- your unforgettable Aruba vaca-
take anywhere from 10 to 30 years just like precious gems. tel & Polar beer), green (Heineken tion! q