Page 11 - AHATA

A9
LOCAL Thursday 22 augusT 2024

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

(or about 540 feet above sea level).
The highest point is Jamanota Hill at
189 meters (620 feet), located in the
Arikok National Park.

The staircase that run on the side of
the hill was first built in 1951, when
Mr. Eduardo Tromp constructed it.
At that time, the staircase consist-
ed of 900 steps. Over time, as the
steps faced erosion, the government
decided to renovate these stairs in
1991. This new project delivered the
newer staircase with only 587 steps.
However, don’t be fooled—it may still
be a work out to get on top. In addi-
(Oranjestad)—If you are a regular Santa Anna mountain located in the tion, there is now a gazebo placed
hiker, or maybe want to spice up coastal state of Falcon in Venezuela, halfway up the stair for a little rest.
your morning work out session, then providing one of the best views you The view at this resting stop is also a
you might enjoy one of the most pop- can get on Aruba. sight to see.
ular climbing sites on the island: The The best time to climb the hill would
Hooiberg Hill. Accompanied with a located at the center district of the be early in the morning or right be-
600-step staircase, this hill overlooks island, Santa Cruz, the Hooiberg Hill fore sunset, as it may not be as hot.
a great part of the island, the Carib- is the second highest point on the However, the hill is of course open
bean sea, and sometimes even the island at 165 meters above sea level all day, every day.q

The Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins and its history

(Oranjestad)—The Bushiri- sioned by the Dutch West ing for more gold. About 25
bana Gold Mill Ruins is one India Company. Under the pounds worth was found.
of the most visited places leadership of Mr. Paulus
by tourists on the island, Printz, a three-year search At the same time, the Aru-
as it lies along the north- was conducted on Aruba, ban government took im-
ern coast line near the mini to no avail. Though they mediate actions, and in-
pool and on the way to the found some gold, it was formed Curacao that gold
Natural Bridge. Despite its enough to motivate a fur- was found. At first, every-
seemingly plain appear- ther search, and the assign- one could look for gold,
ance, this ruin represents ment was discontinued by as long as they sold it to
one of the most important Printz himself. the government. However,
histories of the island: The after some time, the gov-
Aruban Gold Rush. It wasn’t until 100 years lat- ernment decided to im-
er, in 1824, when a young plement stricter rules and was no different, but used the Bushiribana Gold Mill.
Built in 1872 by English com- boy found a lump of gold banned local search par- a unique method that in-
pany Aruba Island Gold while out herding his fa- ties. volved grinding the rocks The gold mill itself had a
Mining Company Ltd, the ther’s sheep. His father took and letting the dust be short life-span: only 10 years
gold mill at Bushiribana it to a local merchant who Over the years, concession- blown away by the strong in service, but its structure
was constructed in the then sold the lump for $70. holding had seen different northeast wind, leaving remained relatively solid till
area where most gold was Unbeknownst to the boy companies from around clumps of gold behind. The this day, and is now a his-
found by locals. The story and his father, they quite the world, all of which used next step was melting the torical remnant.
of gold on Aruba actually literally struck gold, and primitive methods to dig gold and letting it attach
dates back to 1725, when as word got out, a gold and carve out gold from to quicksilver in order to Sources: Etnia Nativa & gold-
a first exploration for gold fever spread among the the rocks. Aruba Island obtain pure gold. All these mineranch.com.
on the island was commis- locals who started search- Gold Mining Company Ltd. processes were done at