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LocaL Wednesday 21 June 2023
The Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins and its history

(Oranjestad)—The Bushiri- then sold the lump for $70. around the world, all of
bana Gold Mill Ruins is one Unbeknownst to the boy which used primitive meth-
of the most visited places and his father, they quite ods to dig and carve out
by tourists on the island, literally struck gold, and gold from the rocks. Aruba
as it lies along the north- as word got out, a gold Island Gold Mining Compa-
ern coast line near the mini fever spread among the ny Ltd. was no different, but
pool and on the way to the locals who started search- used a unique method that
Natural Bridge. Despite its ing for more gold. About 25 involved grinding the rocks
seemingly plain appear- pounds worth was found. and letting the dust be
ance, this ruin represents blown away by the strong
one of the most important At the same time, the Aru- northeast wind, leaving
histories of the island: The ban government took clumps of gold behind. The
Aruban Gold Rush. immediate actions, and next step was melting the
informed Curacao that gold and letting it attach
Built in 1872 by English com- gold was found. At first, to quicksilver in order to
pany Aruba Island Gold everyone could look for obtain pure gold. All these
Mining Company Ltd, the gold, as long as they sold processes were done at
gold mill at Bushiribana it to the government. How- the Bushiribana Gold Mill.
was constructed in the ever, after some time, the
area where most gold was leadership of Mr. Paulus Printz himself. government decided to The gold mill itself had a
found by locals. The story Printz, a three-year search implement stricter rules and short life-span: only 10 years
of gold on Aruba actually was conducted on Aruba, It wasn’t until 100 years lat- banned local search par- in service, but its structure
dates back to 1725, when to no avail. Though they er, in 1824, when a young ties. remained relatively solid till
a first exploration for gold found some gold, it was boy found a lump of gold this day, and is now a his-
on the island was commis- enough to motivate a fur- while out herding his fa- Over the years, conces- torical remnant.q
sioned by the Dutch West ther search, and the assign- ther’s sheep. His father took sion-holding had seen dif-
India Company. Under the ment was discontinued by it to a local merchant who ferent companies from Sources: Etnia Nativa & gold-
mineranch.com.

Government has no say in reservation fee for palapas

(Oranjestad)–Recently, or installing more palapas. government nor ATA, but planting coconut trees. q
many of our visitors have rather, it is charged by the
expressed concern and According to local news hotels who manage the
confusion about the price sources, Aruba Tourism Au- palapas.
that hotels charge to re- thority made an investment
serve palapas on public to restore and fix the pala- The minister indicated that
beaches. Aruba Tourism pas. Minister of Tourism, Mr. he cannot say what the
Authority informed local Dangui Oduber took note hotels’ policies are for pala-
media this week that they of comments on social me- pas. He thinks there are two
are currently evaluating if dia. He said that the price options, one is to put pala-
there are better options, that is charged to tour- pas on the beaches fre-
like planting coconut trees ists is not charged by the quented by the locals, or

Helpful tips for your stay on Aruba

(Oranjesad)–When travel- Police Tipline: 11141 Drinking water Taxis
ing to another country, es- Ambulance: 911 The water that flows Prices for taxi fair are set
pecially for the first time, it Fire Dept: 115 through the sinks of every by the Department of Pub-
is always better to be over- Oranjestad: HOH hospital: house, hotels and other lic Traffic and are based
prepared than under-pre- +297-527-4000 establishments is distilled on destination rather than
pared. That is why we have San Nicolas: ImSan: +297- and perfectly safe to drink. mileage. Most taxis can
a list of basic—but impor- 527-8833 Aruba’s drinking water ex- take up to five passengers,
tant—information that we ceeds WHO’s international but this may vary depend-
think may come in handy Electrical power standards for water qual- ing on the vehicle. Taxis are
to Aruba’s visitors. Aruba generally operates ity, so there is no need to pretty much always avail-
on 110V to 127V supply buy bottled water from the able and you can ever hire Type A outlet
Emergency services voltage and 60Hz. There store. one for $45 an hour.
Even though most people are also three types of out-
don’t even want to think lets used on the island: type Supermarket hours Safety
about having to contact A with two flat prongs; type Supermarket hours may Aruba is one of the safest
emergency services—es- B with two flat and one vary depending on where islands in the Caribbean,
pecially not while on their grounding prong, and on you are staying on the is- and many tourist that visit
vacation, it is still important occasion, type F with two land. Generally though, have often told us how
to know what number to round prong and two earth most supermarkets are they feel safe to explore
dial in case of the unlikely clips on the side. Howev- open from 8am to 9 or the island or walk around
event of an accident or se- er, Type A and B are most 10pm, Monday through at night. However, rare in-
vere incident. commonly found in homes Saturday. On Sundays, su- cidents do occurs, so keep Type B outlet
and establishments around permarkets generally close yourself and your belong-
Police: 100 the island. earlier; mostly around 2pm. ings safe. q