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LOCAL Thursday 12 January 2023

Today Is Going To Be A Good Da

Here’s why: Aruba Today job is to maintain trails and park’s Visitors’ Center. For
collected some things to protect natural resources. more information, visit the
do BEYOND the beach. Yes, The flora and fauna are website www.arubanation-
we know. Aruba, located beautiful and the histori- alpark.org
15 miles north of Venezu- cal sites tell you about the
ela in the warm waters of island’s indigenous roots. Philip's Animal Garden
the southern Caribbean, is The guided tours are even To stay with the animals,
home to beautiful white- free of charge. If you are let’s hop to an amazing
sand beaches, 82-degree not up to walking, you can place. Something different
days, and thus ideal for the drive through the park, one to do, an experience that they provide the best care 1891. Therefore they came
perfect beach day. But we way or another this park is is to be enjoyed by peo- for these animals. Please up with the idea of build-
are also blessed with some a great place to spend an ple of all ages. Welcome check out their website for ing a lighthouse that could
of the warmest people in entire day. Cruising through to Philip’s Animal Garden. more information: www. indicate the island’s east-
the world and our island is the landscape you end up We are not talking about philipsanimalgarden.com. ern tip to ships with its light.
19.6 miles long and 6 miles at some of the most stun- a zoo here, this is actually www.arubalighthouse.com
across, with a total area of ning beaches like Dos Pla- a sanctuary for all types The Lighthouse will give you more informa-
70 square miles. Bit more ya or Daimara Beach. In To- of creatures, from horses No, you would not think tion.
to discover than the white tal the park consists of 7907 to peacocks, kangaroos of this as a hidden gem.
stretch on the coastline we acres protected nature to turtles, monkeys, goats, The California Lighthouse Kayak in the Mangroves
say. Let’s mention some of with a richness of animals and many, many more dif- is actually one of the most Mangel Halto at Savaneta
these hidden gems. living in it. The Aruban whip- ferent species. The place known highlights in Aruba is definitely a place not to
tail lizard (cododo), Aruban was founded in 2009 and and many repeated guests miss out on. The beauti-
Nature Calls cat eye snake (santanero) it is the only organization most probably took the ride ful beach with the natu-
The Arikok National park is and endangered rattle rescuing and rehabilitat- uphill already. But, there ral mangroves is simply a
worth the ride. We love the snake (cascabel) are just ing exotic animals in Aru- is a significant change to beauty, but if you are into
hikes that are guided by some of them, you can also ba, which has resulted in this tower. Since Septem- a more active way to enjoy
the park’s rangers whose admire these close in the an amazing collection of ber 2016 you can climb the the nature: take a kayak.
these animals. They pro- top. In 2015 Stichting Monu- While you are doing some
vide a suitable living envi- mentenfonds started the workout -as it might get a
ronment for all the rescued restoration of the Califor- little windy and rough-, you
animals. Up until now the nia Lighthouse. The project will see the island from a
owner, Philip, has built this finished in September 2016 different perspective. You
shelter with his own efforts; and the Lighthouse is now can even make a stop to
building all the cages from open for visitors to enjoy do some snorkeling at the
scratch, designing all struc- the beautiful view from the reef. Its fun, it’s healthy and
tures and welding them top. The construction of the for sure something else.
with his own bare hands. His California Lighthouse start- There are several compa-
goal is to upgrade the facil- ed in 1915. The name ‘Cali- nies that offer kayak tours,
ities to a world-class animal fornia’ came from a vessel we had good experience
shelter with veterinary care of the West India Company with The Shack Kayak Tours
and round-the-clock staffs. and Pacific Steamship Co. Aruba, find them on Face-
With the input from the Aru- called ‘California’ that book. q
ban community and visitors shipwrecked in the area in