Page 10 - aruba-today-20240919

A10 LOCAL
Thursday 19 sepTember 2024
Visit the island’s hidden natural pools

(Oranjestad)—Amongst di Turtuga (Turtle’s Cove) or of protective clothing and
the countless beaches sur- just Natural Pool—is reach- enough water and food—it
rounding the island that are able with any 4x4 vehicle could take you up to three
well-known and frequently or by foot if you’re up for a hours to hike there!
visited, there are an addi- long hike. However, since it
tional two “hidden” natural is part of the National Park, However, when you even-
pools that are situated in you must first get permission tually do get there, you
the northern coast of the is- from park management to will be greeted with crystal
land, two ideal stops in your enter. You would have to blue water surrounded by
tour itinerary. purchase a day pass, and a natural rock formation
receive a wristband as that protects you from the
Conchi (Natural Pool) proof of payment. Once wild waves on the other
For many years, Conchi you’ve completed that, side. Though the pool is lo-
was the only natural pool you are set! cated on the northern side
that we had on the island. of the island (where the sea it the cave pool. er. Sounds scary, but if you
Located in the Arikok Na- If you decide to hike from is largely rough and largely look down on your right,
tional Park, near Boca Keto the entrance of the Arikok no suitable for swimming), Just like the Conchi, the you’ll see a calm, crystal
and the Daimari Ranch, National Park, this is also the pool itself is very calm. new natural pool is situated blue little pool in the cor-
Conchi—also known “Cura possible: do bring plenty It’s also relatively deep, on the northern coast of ner. To get there, you have
and you can climb up the Aruba. However, this pool is to climb down some stairs.
rocks and jump in! much easier to reach with Be careful when climbing
any type of vehicle, and down and follow the in-
Cave Pool there is no hiking needed. structions of your tour guide
This relatively new pool ap- This spot has also become if you have one.
peared just a few years a regular stop for touring
ago, when a part of the visitors. And just like Conchi, this
dried up coral floor broke pool also has a jumping
off and created a partition When you get there, may- spot, and a rope to climb
between the ocean and be you won’t be able to back up the boulder.q
what is now the natural spot the pool immediately,
pool that is hidden there. because you will probably Picture of cave pool is
Because it’s still so new, notice the moon-shaped credited to RockaBeach Tours
there is no official name for lagoon where wild northern
it, but most people just call waves crash into each oth-

Another Treasure of Aruba’s Beaches: Sea Glass!

Bridge” and the huge red anchor Then, the sapphire rocks are the
close to “Grapefield” beach you remnants of broken apothecary
will be able to find your own pieces bottles. The most common and the
of sea glass. The sea glass that was easiest to find are the brown (Ams-
created is the product of a very tel & Polar beer), green (Heineken
long and interesting process. It can & Balashi beer) and clear glass
take anywhere from 10 to 30 years which are the soft much loved
to make sea glass. The name for “soft drink” bottles.
any piece of glass that finds its way
to the ocean and tumbles around ter, creating millions of beautiful If you like to see the sea glass for
in the water long enough is “Sea smooth rocks. yourself, and be in awe of the pow-
glass. er of nature, rent a car or jeep and
NOORD - It is hard to imagine this It’s hard to believe the short-sight- go explore our deserted beaches
happening today, but years ago The colorful pieces of glass are ed mistakes we were making that on the north side of the island.
people dumped all kinds of refuse being used for decoration, hand- could have potentially ruined these Make it a fun family day!
straight into the ocean, including crafts and jewelry! beautiful beaches. But thanks to Even if we didn’t mean to pollute
old cars, and their household gar- Once glass makes its way into the natural processes, the ocean trans- the Beaches how we did, it is inspir-
bage, which of course included ocean, the glass is broken up into formed the trash into the sea glass. ing to see just how the earth can
lots of glass. Over the next 30 years shards and is tumbled around in Each colored gem on the beach correct our mistakes.
the pounding waves cleaned the the water, where sand and other has its own story.
beach, by breaking down every- rocks act like sandpaper to smooth Funny, how trash can change into
thing but glass and pottery. The out its rough edges. Sometimes as The ruby red glass stones are typi- treasures!
pounding waves washed the trash the sea glass is passed through fire, cally from old car tail-lights.
up and down, back and forth. Tons it becomes fire glass, the rarest of Everybody knows that you are not
of polished, broken glass pieces sea glass with certain inclusions, allowed to take local shells home,
were created by the pounding surf. just like precious gems. but the people working at the air-
These smoothened, colored glass port have no problem you taking
particles then settled along the sea For years, the water beat against sea glass home. A few of those
shore in millions, and that is why the different kinds of trash being pieces make great souvenirs. You
you can find these beautiful and dumped. Glass, household ap- can place them in a wine glass or
colorful pieces on the north shore pliances and even motor parts large bottle for decoration and ev-
beaches of Aruba. were discarded on the beach. ery time you look at it a smile will
The waves and weather condi- light up your face thinking back of
Especially on the strip on white tions wore down the overwhelm- your unforgettable Aruba vaca-
sand between the famous Natural ing amount of garbage in the wa- tion! q