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local Tuesday 7 OcTOber 2025
Aruba’s Bocas: home to the rarest fossil reefs on the planet!

(Oranjestad)—If you’ve The ground on which we
been to the northern coast of have walked many times
Aruba already, you’ve prob- on the northern part of the
ably noticed how the ground island hold such rich history,
differs entirely from the san- history that dates back to
dy beaches on the southern a time that most of us can-
part of the island. These hard not even imagine. As the
surfaces, with sharp bumps scientists themselves have
and holes are actually fos- pointed out, these fossilized
silized coral reefs, of which reefs on the windward side
its growth and changes can are truly an incredible and
be traced back to the last rare remnant of geologi-
glacial period. cal history, as they provide
a clear view of how these
On May 30 2023, geosci- reefs have formed.
entists, Dr. Patrick Boyden
from the Marum research This research is also impor-
faculty at the University of tant for the future of coral
Bremen, Prof. dr. Alessio Ro- reefs on the island. By study-
vere from the Ca’ Foscari ing rising sea levels and cli-
University of Venice and Prof. mate impact on these coral
dr. Gianfranco Scicchitano, reefs, we are able to take
from the University of Bari concrete action in protect-
Aldo Moro, presented their ing and preserve our coral
research on these fossilized reefs. So, if you are ever visit-
coral reefs at the University and can respond to fluctu- models of the reefs, they thousands of years, and the ing one of the bocas or driv-
of Aruba. Their focus for their ating sea levels or extreme were able to narrow down effects that this fluctuation ing along the northern part
research included study- weather, like hurricanes and when these formations start- has had on the coral reefs of of the island, please be con-
ing the health and forma- tsunamis. ed to take place. They were the windward side of Aruba. scious to help protect our
tion patterns of these coral also able to track the fluc- natural historical remnant.
reefs, and to investigate how Through underwater and tuation of sea levels during These findings can certainly Oh, and wear (coral-friendly)
these reefs have responded land surveillance, and 3D the past hundred or even put things into perspective. sunscreen!q
Papiamento words and phrases you may want to know!

(Oranjestad)—Aruba is of the day.
a melting pot of different Bon nochi. You guessed it,
nationalities, cultures and “bon nochi” means “good
languages. Primarily for this night”. Just like “tardi”, “no-
reason, the average Aruban chi” is actually the shortened
can understand and speak version of the word “anochi”.
Dutch, English and Spanish
relatively well. However, as Yes…no…maybe?
much as we pride ourselves The affirmative and negative
in being able to communi- expression is very simple in
cate with almost everyone, Papiamento. Just like Span-
we cherish our native tongue ish, our yeses are “si” and
Papiamento above all else. our no’s are “no”. Pretty
Want to learn some common easy right? If you want to
words in our language? Here gain some extra points from
are a few basic words and younger locals, you can also
phrases that can get you a say “se”, which is a more ca-
hat tip from an Aruban. sual affirmative used mostly
by the younger generation.
When you arrive at the air- However, do note: some old-
port in Aruba, one of the er generations may find this
first words in Papiamento or “con ta?” Con bay is a “dia” does not directly mean improper and not respectful,
you may encounter is “Bon shortened version of “con Greetings during the day “morning” in English, it is used so keep that in mind.
bini.” Bon bini in Papiamen- ta bay?”, which essentially Most, if not all, languages often to refer to the morning
to means welcome, and is means “how are you?” have different ways to greet time. Thanks man…
probably the most famous The word “con” in Papia- according to the time of Lastly, a word that we can
Papiamento word for tour- mento means “how?” and is day, and Papiamento is no Bon tardi. In the afternoon also say more often is “dan-
ists. pronounced with a rounder different. Since Papiamento to early evening hours, we ki”, which means literally
“o” sounds, like in the English is heavily influences from Por- use “bon tardi” to greet “thank you”. “Danki” is de-
Hi! Bye! word “cone”. “Ta bay” refers tuguese and Spanish, some people, which means “good rived from the Dutch word
To be fair, there is no unique to how you are doing. of these phrases may look afternoon”. “Tardi” actually “bedankt”. Though we don’t
way to say “hello” in Papia- very familiar. comes from the word “atar- really have a translation for
mento. At least, not officially. When we say goodbye, we di”, which directly translates “I appreciate it” in English,
We often just use the English use the word “ayo” (not like Bon dia is used in the morn- to “afternoon”. However, we do use “masha danki” to
“hello” or “hey”, or Dutch the Ayo Rock Formation, but ing, up to about noon. Bon the shortened “tardi” is used convey the message. “Ma-
“hallo” to greet someone. also…kinda?). We may also dia essentially means good to keep the rhythm on the sha” means “a lot” or “very”,
We do however, always use “te oro”, which means morning. The word “bon” phrase. And the same could so “masha danki” means
follow it up with “con bay?” “see you later”. means “good”, and while be said for our last greeting “thank you very much”. q