Page 16 - AHATA

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local Tuesday 18 July 2023
Aruba’s most family-friendly beaches

(Oranjestad)—One of the of the best beaches for
biggest concerns that par- your children to play and
ents have when travelling build sand castles.
with their children is a guar-
antee of their safety and Boca Catalina in Malmok
healthy enjoyment. There- Boca Catalina is a small bay
fore, we thought it would beach near the Malmok
be a great help to travel- beach area further down
ling parents to list off some the hotel areas. Though it
the most family-friendly may not be a very sandy
beaches around the island. beach, it is relatively quiet
and tranquil. This is a great
Baby Beach in San Nicolas place for family to lay down
Baby Beach is one Aruba’s a big blanket and have a
most popular and visited little picnic. This is also one
beaches, and for good rea- of the best places to snor-
son: This sandy and quiet kel, as this area is filled with
lagoon is a great place for little fish and corals, even
parents to sit back and re- close to the shore.
lax while their children play
in the shallow shores of the Palm Island
beach. Beside the relaxing in the back streets of the set up their belongings. In most of our visitors go to Ok, this one is technically
atmosphere, there are also Pos Chiquito city. Though this area, the shore is also tan, swim or play in the not a beach, but a must-
several services that may there are several stairs on shallow, falling right around white sand. Because they visit attraction for family fun.
accommodate your stay, the sides of the beach cliff your knee before slowly are near the low-rise and This small water park oasis is
like a parking lot, sun tent leading you down, the best getting deeper: perfect for high-rise hotel areas, these located further down the
rentals, chairs, bathrooms spot for families to hang kids to safely play. beaches are the most ac- Mangel Halto Beach and
and a snack bar right at out is across the bridge, cessible for visitors on foot. is reachable by boat. This
the far left of the beach. passed the mangrove trees Eagle Beach/Palm Beach These beaches also offer water park offers 6 hours of
near the entrance sign. in the hotel area many palapas free to use, fun activities, food, drinks,
Mangel Halto in Here, there are small and Yet another highly popular but you can also rent chairs and a chance to see pink
Pos Chiquito big palapas, perfect for beach site, Eagle Beach and tents. Much like Baby flamingoes up close!q
Mangel Halto is situated big and small families to and Palm Beach is where Beach, these sites are one

The Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins and its history

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