Page 13 - AHATA

A9
LOCAL Wednesday 10 september 2025

Blackstone Beach

(Oranjestad)—Named after the stones that cover the This beach forms part of the
its most recognizable fea- beaches and the shape of Arikok National Park and is
ture, the Blackstone Beach it has been crafted for thou- therefore a site that is pre-
almost represents the op- sand years via volcanic erup- served. This is why it is also
posite of the typical Aru- tions, coral reef movements relatively untouched by
ban beaches. For one, it has and wave activity of the rural commercial influences. De-
black sand and is covered northern part of the island. spite being called a beach,
in black smooth stones. Sec- Located further east to the do note that it is not advised
ondly, it lies on the northern Natural Bridge and Andicuri to swim in the water, as the
side of the island, away from Beach, the Blackstone Beach current is very strong and
the white sandy beaches of is relatively easy to access. can easily stray you further
in the southern region. So, if Once you get passed the in the wild ocean. However,
you feel up for something dif- Ayo Rock Formation, take you can still enjoy a spec-
ferent—or if it’s opposite day, the Andicuri road leading up tacular view of the stones
visit the Blackstone Beach. to Andicuri Beach. There, you and the northern ocean that
can park your car and take a stretches out in front of the
Blackstone Beach shows the 1km hike towards Blackstone beach and take a picture
more natural side of Aruba: Beach. with your friends or family!q

Aruba’s kite flying tradition

air. Decorating the kite was the biggest, the prettiest,
especially important, and and whose could fly flaw-
children would use paint to lessly and longer in the air.
create their own designs— For this year’s celebration,
the more colorful, the bet- Centro di Bario Playa Pa-
ter! bao located in Madiki is
organizing another edition
People usually fly their kites of their kite flying event
in big open fields, like emp- with different categories of
ty soccer and baseball height starting at 8AM.
fields found all around the
island around noon, when Gather your family and be
the sun is at its brightest. a part of this colorful Aru-
ban tradition in celebration
In the past few years, kite of our King Willem-Alexan-
flying has become a sport der’s birthday!
in which groups of people
would battle against each *Mondi: Aruban woods.q
(Oranjestad)—Every year These kites were tradition- members. Tails are made other to see whose kite is
for King’s Day, Arubans ally made with things found from old bed sheets, ripped
gather with friends and fam- in the nearby mondi* and in and tied together to create
ily to fly kites. Big or small, the kitchen at home. Using a long string of fabric trail-
paper or plastic, blue skies dried up cactus sticks for ing behind the back end
fill up with these colorful fly- the frame, old news papers, of the kite. To finish off the
ing contraptions, brighten- and glue made from flour, process, people used fish
ing our yearly celebration water and salt to dry faster lines or thin rope to tie three
of the Dutch Monarch. (some people even use corners of the kite together.
cornstarch slurry as glue), Another long string of rope
The tradition of flying kites kids usually make their own is tied in the knotted center
starts at home in the weeks kites with their friends, par- and bundled up, used to
leading up to King’s Day. ents or other close family steer the kite as it flies in the