Page 10 - AHATA

A11
LOCAL Friday 23 February 2024

Today is going to be a good day

(Oranjestad)—Here’s why: to peacocks, kangaroos miss out on. The beauti- bana, Kate Spade, Louis Paseo Herencia Mall con-
Aruba Today collected to turtles, monkeys, goats, ful beach with the natu- Vuitton and more. tain a variety of shopping
some things to do BEYOND and many, many more dif- ral mangroves is simply a stores, restaurants, small
the beach. Yes, we know. ferent species. The place beauty, but if you are into Around the high-rise hotel food stands and even a
Aruba, located 15 miles was founded in 2009 and a more active way to enjoy area near Palm Beach, the movie theater!
north of Venezuela in the it is the only organization the nature: take a kayak.
warm waters of the south- rescuing and rehabilitat- While you are doing some
ern Caribbean, is home ing exotic animals in Aru- workout -as it might get a
to beautiful white-sand ba, which has resulted in little windy and rough-, you
beaches, 82-degree days, an amazing collection of will see the island from a
and thus ideal for the per- these animals. They pro- different perspective. You
fect beach day. But we vide a suitable living envi- can even make a stop to
are also blessed with some ronment for all the rescued do some snorkeling at the
of the warmest people in animals. Up until now the reef. Its fun, it’s healthy and
the world and our island is owner, Philip, has built this for sure something else.
19.6 miles long and 6 miles shelter with his own efforts; There are several compa-
across, with a total area of building all the cages from nies that offer kayak tours,
70 square miles. Bit more scratch, designing all struc- we had good experience
to discover than the white tures and welding them with The Shack Kayak Tours
stretch on the coastline we with his own bare hands. His Aruba, find them on Face-
say. Let’s mention some of goal is to upgrade the facil- book.
these hidden gems. ities to a world-class animal
shelter with veterinary care Take an “off-road” sight-
Nature Calls and round-the-clock staffs. seeing tour
The Arikok National park is With the input from the Aru- A must-do activity on the
worth the ride. We love the ban community and visitors island is for sure taking an
hikes that are guided by they provide the best care off-road sightseeing tour.
the park’s rangers whose for these animals. Please If you have a rented car,
job is to maintain trails and check out their website for you can drive through the
protect natural resources. more information: www. north-eastern side of Aruba
The flora and fauna are philipsanimalgarden.com. and explore the natural
beautiful and the histori- pools, caves, rock forma-
cal sites tell you about the The Lighthouse tions and gorgeous view
island’s indigenous roots. No, you would not think of the Atlantic Ocean. To
The guided tours are even of this as a hidden gem. access most of these sights,
free of charge. If you are The California Lighthouse like the natural pool (Con-
not up to walking, you can is actually one of the most chi) and the Guadirikiri and
drive through the park, one known highlights in Aruba Fontein caves, you must en-
way or another this park is and many repeated guests ter through the Arikok Na-
a great place to spend an most probably took the ride tional Park and buy a day
entire day. Cruising through uphill already. But, there is pass. Then you drive up the
the landscape you end up a significant change to this rugged road that leads you
at some of the most stun- tower. Since September through the white dunes,
ning beaches like Dos Pla- 2016 you can climb the caves and along the wind
ya or Daimara Beach. In To- top. In 2015 Stichting Monu- turbines. Other locations,
tal the park consists of 7907 mentenfonds started the like the Ayo and Casibari
acres protected nature restoration of the Califor- Rock formation are situ-
with a richness of animals nia Lighthouse. The project ated more in the center of
living in it. The Aruban whip- finished in September 2016 the island, and are free for
tail lizard (cododo), Aruban and the Lighthouse is now guests, 24 hours a day.
cat eye snake (santanero) open for visitors to enjoy
and endangered rattle the beautiful view from the Go for a shopping spree in
snake (cascabel) are just top. The construction of the the city center
some of them, you can also California Lighthouse start- Need a new bathing suit?
admire these close in the ed in 1915. The name ‘Cali- Head to the city center of
park’s Visitors’ Center. For fornia’ came from a vessel Oranjestad, where there
more information, visit the of the West India Company is countless of different
website www.arubanation- and Pacific Steamship Co. stores—both high end and
alpark.org called ‘California’ that more affordable—that can
shipwrecked in the area in offer you the service you
Philip's Animal Garden 1891. Therefore they came deserve! Local shopping
To stay with the animals, up with the idea of build- stores often offer a more
let’s hop to an amazing ing a lighthouse that could affordable price, and have
place. Something different indicate the island’s east- a variety of clothes, shoes,
to do, an experience that ern tip to ships with its light. bathing suites, purses and
is to be enjoyed by peo- www.arubalighthouse.com more. Along the Royal
ple of all ages. Welcome will give you more informa- Plaza strip, there are nu-
to Philip’s Animal Garden. tion. merous jewelry stores with
We are not talking about great quality jewelry. In
a zoo here, this is actually Kayak in the Mangroves the Renaissance mall, you
a sanctuary for all types Mangel Halto at Savaneta can shop high-end luxury
of creatures, from horses is definitely a place not to brands, like Dolce & Gab-