Page 12 - AHATA

A9
LOCAL Tuesday 10 december 2024

Ayo & Casibari: Aruba’s famous rock formations

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

Adriaan Laclé

One of Aruba’s richest men in the twentieth century

(Oranjestad)—The name helped people get loans, it has been said that he and Maximilian Arends,
Adriaan Laclé may ring a was a well-established was married twice during respectively. Their houses
bell to locals as one of the trader, and owned sev- his lifetime. He had his first are still standing; Eloy and
bigger roads on the island, eral plots of land. In fact, daughter during his first Maria Monica’s mansion
but about a century ago, he commissioned the con- marriage but lost his wife functions as a townhall,
Adriaan Laclé was a rich struction of the famous La soon after her birth. During used to host civil marriages,
businessman, well-known Quinta Carmen manor— his second marriage, he while Maximilian and Maria
for his generosity, wealth, now a restaurant. Though fathered 16 children. How- Veneranda’s house stands
and taste. he himself never lived in ever, it has been said that on the opposite side of the
the beautiful manor, his only 11 of those 17 made road to them—though cur-
Adriaan was born in 1866 own house also reflected it past 18 years of age. rently under renovation af-
and was the eldest of his success and good taste. Perhaps two of his most ter years left in ruin.q
six children. Not much is Today his house still stands well-known daughters are
known about his childhood in good condition and can Maria Monica Laclé and Source: De Kolibrie op de Rots
upbringing or any of his be found in the back streets Maria Veneranda Laclé, (en meer over de geschie-
earlier business ordeals, but of main street Oranjestad. who went on to marry suc- denis van Aruba) by Evert
during his hay day he often Regarding his personal life, cessful brothers Eloy Arends Bongers.