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Friday 25 april 2025 locAl
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Visit the natural bridges of Aruba!

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

Ayo & Casibari: Aruba’s famous rock formations

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