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LOCAL Wednesday 2 august 2023

Ayo & Casibari: Aruba’s famous rock formations

bari is situated more in the
center of the island, much
closer—and more acces-
sible—to the general pub-
lic. Just like Ayo, Casibari
is a fenced area contain-
ing several boulders that
lay on top or lean on each
other. The best aspect of
the Casibari Rock Forma-
tion is the accompanying ing your off-road adven- trudging on the boulders,
view when you climb up ture! and make sure to befriend
the top of the round, flat any roaming goats you see
bolder. For this position, you Both sites are open free to along the way!
can see the majority of the the public, 24 hours a day.
(Oranjestad)—The Ayo and gorgeous natural archi- island and the ocean in the However, unless you are *Mondi: what we call our
Casibari Rock Formations tecture to the surrounding south. Right in front of the taking a trip with a profes- Aruban wilderness. We
are known locally as one “mondi”*. This is also one entrance, there is the Casi- sional tour guide, there are don’t have forests, or des-
of the crucial sites to have of the few sites to contain bari Café and Grill, a great no guides at the sites to erts, but we do have mon-
in your “off-road” trip itiner- prehistoric markings of our place to get refreshments help you climb the rock. di! q
ary. These naturally formed indigenous ancestors. The and snack before continu- So, do be careful when
rock formations as just one Ayo Rock formation con-
of the few places on the is- tains stairs that lead you
land that hold a rich history to the top of the highest TULSI AND ARUBA, ONE HAPPY ISLAND
of our culture and of our boulder, offering a breath-
ancestors. taking view of the Aruban After 35 years of the Pal-
backyard. The Ayo is usual- ma family coming to Aru-
Ayo ly quiet, as it is situated far- ba, the granddaughter
The Ayo Rock Formation ther away from the busier Tulsi Griffiths Palma and
is located in the northern parts of the island. Howev- her husband Luis Mayor-
part of the island, right on er, this is just another charm ga Sequeira, flew across
the road that leads you of the site: the quiet area the world to the Happy
to the Black Stone Beach, and the refreshing breeze Island of Aruba, from their
and close to the Natural offer a sense of comfort present home in Taiwan
Bridge. The Ayo is a fenced and peace. for a special surprise.
terrain that consists of sev- They announced the ar-
eral giant boulders, resting Casibari rival of their first baby
neatly on top of or side by Probably the busier rock due in January 2024 to
side each other, adding formation site, the Casi- her parents Carolina and
Kenneth Griffiths and
grandparents Ricardo

and Carolyn Palma.

Tulsi (33) is a senior international teacher
at the Taipei American School (TAS) and
Luis (34) is developing his own trading
business with Latin American countries.
The Palmas usually stay at their timeshare
in Casa del Mar. Around seven years ago,
over 40 members of the Palma clan got
together in Aruba, their favorite place for
a family vacation. q