Page 10 - AHATA

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local Monday 28 october 2024
Visit the island’s popular cave sites!

shaped. This cave had nar-
row stairs that led to long
pathways deep into the
cave, with a staircase lead-
ing to the exit on the other
side. In one of the cham-
bers, there used to be the
carving of the Virgin Mary,
put there for the protection
of the cave.

However, the Huliba Cave
has been permanently
closed for a few years now,
as a way to preserve the
bat population that lives
in the cave. These Long
(Oranjestad)—Among the Huliba Cave). Tongue Fruit Bats and In-
endless sea of dark brown sect Eater Bats are very im-
sand and cacti, there are Through the pathways un- portant to the ecosystem of
two caves hidden in the derneath the Tunnel of the island. Though this cave
outskirts of San Nicolas, in Love running up to the is no longer accessible to
the north-eastern area of Quadiriki cave, the two the public, it surely is inter-
the island. These caves, love bird found each oth- esting to learn more about
The Quadiriki cave and The er, and refused to let each the history of these caves
Fontein Cave are open to other go. Because of their and the Awarak tribes that
visitors of the Arikok Na- stubbornness, they both resided or utilized them.
tional Park, so if you ever died in the Quadiriki Cave,
decide to take an “off- their ascending spirits burn- Do note that these caves
road” tour in the park, be ing two holes in the ceil- are very dark, humid, hot,
sure to visit these prehis- ing of the cave. This is why and are inhabited by bats.
toric caves…and be sure the cave has two holes Do wear comfortable
to bring a flashlight! through which sunlight clothing and shoes, as the
passes through to illumi- pathways in these caves
Quadirikiri Cave nate the chamber. may be rough and bumpy,
Known for its two cham- and don’t forget to bring a
bers accompanied by a Though there have been flashlight!q
skylight, the Quadikiri Cave discoveries of Amerindian
is the most popular cave drawing on the wall, these
among locals and tourists, have mostly been ruined
as it is easy to walk through by vandalism. However,
and provides great lighting the Fontein Cave further
for pictures. up north, provides a better
glimpse in prehistoric Amer-
As with all prehistoric or an- indian paintings.
cient sites, there is always
a folk legend that adds to Fontein Cave
the lore and mystery of the Longer than the Quadirikiri
site. The Quadirikiri cave Cave, the Fontein Cave
is no different. The most contains pathways that
well-known legend behind stretch to the limestone
the cave could be consid- walls further down. Here
ered as Aruba’s first love is also where prehistoric
story, as it tells the tale of drawings can be seen.
the undying love between Though this cave does not
the chief’s daughter and have its own legend, this
her beloved. As legend was speculated to have
would have it, the chief been occupied—or at
disapproved of his daugh- least used by prehistoric Ar-
ter’s choice of lover, as awak settlers on the island
he thought him unworthy. for rituals and other spiritual
Stubborn and filled with an- ceremonies.
ger, the daughter refused
to turn away her beloved. The Huliba Cave/ Tunnel of
Love
So, the chief decided to The Huliba Cave, formerly
lock her up in the Quadirikiri known as the Tunnel of
Cave, in hopes that she Love, was once open to
would soon calm down the public, and was the
and turn away her lover. biggest and most acces-
Her beloved, in turn, was sible of all three caves. This
locked away in the Tunnel cave had five chambers,
of Love (Now known as the including one that is heart-