Page 7 - aruba-today-20240905

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local Thursday 5 sepTember 2024
Aruba’s Nature is to be Cherished

ST. CRUZ — The national to degradation of feeding
park Arikok comprises al- and nesting habitats (Wet-
most 18 % of the island. Its lands). (Source: arikok na-
rugged terrain, desert-like tional park)
hills filled with tall cacti,
breathtaking coastline and The aforementioned is just
protected local flora and a part of what Aruba’s na-
fauna welcome you to be ture has to offer. We can-
explored. There is numer- not stress enough to go, see
ous wildlife to discover like for yourself. The island has
for example the sea turtle the most beautiful beach-
who lays his eggs on the es but it is also worthwhile
park’s beaches. There are to go beyond this and get
more places on the island an idea of our entire island.
that are a preserved area Lately there is a discussion
like the Bubali Plas which is going on about the effect
a bird sanctuary. certain activities have on
our nature, for example the
The national park Arikok ATV vehicles cause a lot of
takes you on a memorable dust, noise and leave tire
journey of the islands past tracks. Animals live in these
offering unique geological, areas where the vehicles
cultural and historical sites. keeps a strict eye on a very the cue of cooling surface or Spanish Lagoon Wet- run, often with high speed
These can all be enjoyed special event taking place sand before emerging. lands areas? It’s most likely and with detrimental con-
and explored either on below on the beach: a to be Roseate Spoonbills sequences to flora and fau-
your own or during guided majestic Leatherback (Der- Bubali Magic (Ajaia ajaja) or ‘Chucharon na. Motorized vehicles are
tours. A wide variety of ed- mochelys coriacea) heads This beautiful close-up im- Cora’ as they are known in forbidden to drive on the
ucational and informative back to sea after laying age of the pink bird is cour- Papiamento. This unusual sand dunes in the Northern
programs and fun activities her eggs, while another tesy of Michiel Overstee- looking bird forages in shal- part of the island and all
is available. nest laid 2 months ago by gen of the Aruba Birdlife low muddy water while beaches in Aruba are for-
the same female hatches. Conservation. This impor- sweeping its flattened bill bidden for any motorized
Did you know that four of A very rare occurrence tant foundation showcases from side to side to catch vehicle. Treasure our island
the in total seven species of daytime nesting and and builds awareness of small fish, crustaeceans to enjoy it like you do: as a
of sea turtle lay their eggs hatching. Sea turtles pre- Aruba’s birds and other na- and other aquatic inverte- tropical and natural para-
on Aruba's beaches? In fer nesting in the cool and tive flora and fauna. You brates. The Roseate Spoon- dise. We truly appreciate
the national park, a Least dark hours of the night. And may have seen a ‘pink bill remains an uncommon it!q
Tern (Sternula antillarum) hatchlings usually wait for cloud’ lately at the Bubali sight as they are vulnerable

Forgotten gems

Open air movie theaters

(Oranjestad)—During the span of sioned by Shon Eduard (Eddy) de called the “car crash”.
over 100 years, Aruba only saw Veer. This theater was located at
five open air movie theatres. Now the Hotel Colombia in Oranjestad, This theater closed around 2012,
practically obsolete on the island, which is now where the Aruban but was re-opened during the
these theaters were once frequent- census office is located. The the- pandemic in July 2020, where
ly visited by locals and migrants in ater was simple; it only consisted of movies were streamed on a gigan-
the 20th century. a screen, and visitors had to bring tic screen set up in front of stacked
their own chairs to enjoy the popu- containers. However, this nostalgic
The first open air theater was con- lar silent movies of the time. form of entertainment did not last
structed in 1920 and was commis- very long as it was closed again
American migrants who worked in only a year or two later. Nowadays
the refinery and lived in the Lago you can still see the stacked con-
Colony in Sero Colorado also had tainers when you drive near the
their piece of the pie with their Kazerne (Marine Barracks). This bridge in Balashi. q
Open air Theatre, which formed theater was mostly visited by the
part of the Esso Club, also known neighboring marines, who didn’t Source: “De kolibrie op de rots en
as the Pan-Am Club. It was at this have much entertainment other meer over de geschiedenis van Aru-
theater that “Talkies” were first than movies at that time. ba” by Evert Bongers.
streamed, movies with sound. This
theater mostly streamed Ameri- The last and most recent open air
can blockbusters for the American theater was constructed in the
expats, this way making sure that form of a drive-in theater. A popu-
these migrant were not missing out lar American concept, the Drive
on entertainment from their home Inn located in Balashi was a hot
land. spot for teenagers, who had the
habit of cramming all their friends
In the 1950’s and 60’s, Savaneta in one car to go see the movies.
saw their own open air theater, For this phenomenon there was a
located in front of the Marinier’s separate price that you had to pay