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local Tuesday 22 augusT 2023
Visit the island’s hidden natural pools

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

Aruban legends:

Frenchman’s Pass

(Oranjestad)—If you ever tlers began to retreat, and hitchhike, the man saw a
plan on taking a group hid away in nearby caves. car approaching, appear-
tour of the island, you may The French colonizers tried ing almost ghost-like in the
pass through the French- to smoke them out of the rain. However, since he
man’s Pass in Balashi. The caves, but the indigenous needed a ride real bad,
Frenchman’s pass (known settlers ended up inhal- he didn’t think twice and
to locals as “Franse Pas”) ing too much smoke and jumped in. But to his horror,
remains a mysterious—and most died in those caves. he noticed that the there man decided to jump out there’s the idiot who sat
spooky—road of which its From then on, this passage was no driver in the front. and he ran to Santa Cruz. in our car when we were
legend is told from genera- was known as Frenchman’s Paralyzed with fear, he pushing it!”
tion to generation. Pass, and there have been didn’t dare to get out, and Arriving at a nearby bar,
many accounts of spirits the car started to move. he ordered a drink and be- French man’s pass is one
The history of the French- roaming the area of Span- gan to tell everyone about of the few sites on the is-
man’s pass—and how it got ish Lagoon. When approaching a his experience. Everyone land that keeps the locals
its name—dates back to sharp turn, the hitch hiker grew quiet, because they on their toes. While most
the colonization era, when There are many ghost sto- braced for impact, but just realized he wasn’t some ghost stories may not have
the French tried to colo- ries surrounding this area, when he though the car drunk messing around; he real grounds—or some may
nize the island, but were but one of the most famous might drive straight off the was telling the truth. even be a set up story for a
met with an angry mob of one involves a lonely hitch- road and crash, he saw a joke, this pass contributes a
indigenous settlers, refusing hiker, trying to find a ride hand appear out the win- Sometime later, two men lot to our culture of folkloric
to give up their land. How- back home in the dark dow and turn the wheel. walked into the bar and story-telling.
ever, as the French were rainy night. For the next few turns, the one of them noticed the
heavily equipped with fire hand appeared again. Af- hitchhiker. He called out to Source: visitaruba.com
arms, the indigenous set- Sometime after trying to ter having had enough, the his buddy and said: “Look,