Page 6 - AHATA

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LOCAL Monday 19 June 2023

Visit the natural bridges of Aruba!

this bridge has been a tourist at- sured 30 meters in length and 7
traction for many years. meters in height, making it the big-
gest natural bridge in the Caribbe-
The bridge was formed during thou- an at the time. For many years, this
sands of years, cut and crafted by site was also a frequently visited
the wild waves that crash into the beach, as the bridge had a small
coral stone walls of the coast. Be- opening through which the water
fore its collapse, this bridge mea- would flow into the tiny beach.
Natural Bridge before collapsing Baby Nautal Bridge
Unfortunately in 2005, the bridge
(Oranjestad)—After you’ve visited collapsed, and the little beach nir shop on the left of the bridge
the Alto Vista Church, the Bushiri- dried up. Despite this, this site re- entrance.
bana Gold Mill Ruins and the mini mained a tourist attraction, with
natural pool that is located right many visitors walking along the While the natural bridge no longer
next to it, you’re next up around coral cliffs of the bridge to see the is functional, there is now a small-
the northern coast line must be the spectacular view of the northern er natural bridge very close. This
Natural Bridge. Once the largest coastline and the Caribbean Sea. bridge is often called the “Baby
natural bridge in the Caribbean, Current state of the Natural Bridge Visitors can also still visit the souve- Bridge” or “Daughter Bridge”.

Ayo & Casibari: Aruba’s famous rock formations

(Oranjestad)—The Ayo and Casi- closer—and more accessible—to off-road adventure!
bari Rock Formations are known the general public. Just like Ayo, Both sites are open free to the
locally as one of the crucial sites Casibari is a fenced area contain- public, 24 hours a day. However,
to have in your “off-road” trip itin- ing several boulders that lay on top unless you are taking a trip with a
erary. These naturally formed rock or lean on each other. The best professional tour guide, there are
formations as just one of the few aspect of the Casibari Rock For- no guides at the sites to help you
places on the island that hold a mation is the accompanying view climb the rock. So, do be careful
rich history of our culture and of our when you climb up the top of the when trudging on the boulders,
ancestors. round, flat bolder. For this position, and make sure to befriend any
The Ayo Rock Formation you can see the majority of the is- roaming goats you see along the
Ayo land and the ocean in the south. way!
The Ayo Rock Formation is located tecture to the surrounding “mon- Right in front of the entrance, there
in the northern part of the island, di”*. This is also one of the few sites is the Casibari Café and Grill, a *Mondi: what we call our Aruban
right on the road that leads you to to contain prehistoric markings of great place to get refreshments wilderness. We don’t have forests,
the Black Stone Beach, and close our indigenous ancestors. The Ayo and snack before continuing your or deserts, but we do have mondi!
to the Natural Bridge. The Ayo is a Rock formation contains stairs that
fenced terrain that consists of sev- lead you to the top of the highest
eral giant boulders, resting neatly boulder, offering a breath-taking
on top of or side by side each oth- view of the Aruban backyard. The
er, adding gorgeous natural archi- Ayo is usually quiet, as it is situated
farther away from the busier parts
of the island. However, this is just
another charm of the site: the quiet
area and the refreshing breeze of-
fer a sense of comfort and peace.

Casibari
Probably the busier rock formation
site, the Casibari is situated more
in the center of the island, much
The Ayo Rock Formation The Casibari Rock Formation