Page 11 - AHATA

Friday 23 May 2025 locAl
A10

Visit the island’s hidden natural pools

chase a day pass, and receive a
wristband as proof of payment.
Once you’ve completed that, you
are set!

If you decide to hike from the en-
trance of the Arikok National Park,
this is also possible: do bring plenty
of protective clothing and enough
water and food—it could take you
(Oranjestad)—Amongst the count- up to three hours to hike there!
less beaches surrounding the island
that are well-known and frequently However, when you eventually do
visited, there are an additional two get there, you will be greeted with
“hidden” natural pools that are sit- crystal blue water surrounded by
uated in the northern coast of the a natural rock formation that pro-
island, two ideal stops in your tour tects you from the wild waves on Because it’s still so new, there is no goon where wild northern waves
itinerary. the other side. Though the pool official name for it, but most peo- crash into each other. Sounds
is located on the northern side of ple just call it the cave pool. scary, but if you look down on
Conchi (Natural Pool) the island (where the sea is largely your right, you’ll see a calm, crys-
For many years, Conchi was the rough and largely no suitable for Just like the Conchi, the new natu- tal blue little pool in the corner. To
only natural pool that we had on swimming), the pool itself is very ral pool is situated on the northern get there, you have to climb down
the island. Located in the Arikok calm. It’s also relatively deep, and coast of Aruba. However, this pool some stairs. Be careful when climb-
National Park, near Boca Keto you can climb up the rocks and is much easier to reach with any ing down and follow the instruc-
and the Daimari Ranch, Conchi— jump in! type of vehicle, and there is no hik- tions of your tour guide if you have
also known “Cura di Turtuga (Tur- ing needed. This spot has also be- one.q
tle’s Cove) or just Natural Pool—is Cave Pool come a regular stop for touring visi-
reachable with any 4x4 vehicle or This relatively new pool appeared tors. And just like Conchi, this pool also
by foot if you’re up for a long hike. just a few years ago, when a part has a jumping spot, and a rope to
However, since it is part of the Na- of the dried up coral floor broke off When you get there, maybe you climb back up the boulder.
tional Park, you must first get per- and created a partition between won’t be able to spot the pool im-
mission from park management the ocean and what is now the mediately, because you will prob- Picture of cave pool is credited to
to enter. You would have to pur- natural pool that is hidden there. ably notice the moon-shaped la- RockaBeach Tours

The Aruban way of life

Creating community with Cas di Torto

(Oranjestad)—The Aruban The origin of the Cas di of white plaster to seal ev-
people understand that a Torto is said to date back erything in.
happy life is spent in great to the early 19th century in
ambience with your loved the Paraguana Peninsula in For roofing, corn stalks, palm
ones. Passed down from Venezuela. Refugees who fonds and straws were used,
one generation to the oth- sought sanctuary on Aruba allowing air to flow freely
er, building community has introduced this building through the house. This meth-
been a key aspect in forging method to the island. od of roofing was known
our traditions and customs. throughout the ABC islands
The Cas di Torto (mud house) The uprights of the walls were (Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire),
played a big role in cultivat- made with sturdy and straight but the use of cornstalks in role: The men oversaw the structing a Cas di Torto was
ing community, bridging wayaca or kwihi wood, or Aruba eventually got re- building of the house, and 4 months.
families together and form- from thin mangrove struts. placed with use of mud and the women were tasked with
ing close bonds with your Then, the wattle walls were white plaster for the roofs. collecting wood and straws, At the end of a long day of
neighbors—something we weaved in using branches The white plaster all around cooking and taking care of work, everyone would gath-
highly value today. and twigs from the warero made the houses looks like the little ones. er around and enjoy a feast
and sisal plant, daubed with cake, hence the name “Tor- of hearty food. This type of
Cas di Torto: History and con- a mixture of grass and mud. to” (Spanish for “cake”). The couple’s family were pri- help from friends and family
struction Finally, the walls got a coat marily responsible for feeding became a tradition and was
Building community everyone who helped build called “paga lomba”: You
Building Torto houses was the house. Before construc- help me today; I’ll help you
often a community effort. tion, someone usually had tomorrow.
Young couples who were the task to prepare the
about to get married had to meal; going fishing or slaugh- Nowadays, traditional Cas
have their house built before ter farm animals like goats, di Torto are rare, especially
they could tie the knot and chicken or sheep. Even the those that are still inhabited.
start their own family. This is older kids had their tasks; the Houses that do exist probably
where the help of the com- older children of the family date back more than a cen-
munity comes into play. usually helped with collect- tury. q
ing water and mixing the
Neighbors, extended family mud. Picture credits: Aruba Na-
and friends would all help in tional Library (BNA) and the
the construction of a Torto The average duration of con- Monumentbureau archive on
House. And everyone had a Coleccion.aw