Page 15 - AB

Friday 31 March 2023 locAl
A10

Today Is Going To Be A Good Day

Here’s why: Aruba Today the park’s rangers whose some of them, you can also
collected some things to job is to maintain trails and admire these close in the
do BEYOND the beach. Yes, protect natural resources. park’s Visitors’ Center. For
we know. Aruba, located The flora and fauna are more information, visit the
15 miles north of Venezu- beautiful and the histori- website www.arubanation-
ela in the warm waters of cal sites tell you about the alpark.org
the southern Caribbean, is island’s indigenous roots.
home to beautiful white- The guided tours are even The Lighthouse
sand beaches, 82-degree free of charge. If you are No, you would not think
days, and thus ideal for the not up to walking, you can of this as a hidden gem.
perfect beach day. But we drive through the park, one The California Lighthouse
are also blessed with some way or another this park is is actually one of the most
of the warmest people in a great place to spend an known highlights in Aruba
the world and our island is entire day. Cruising through and many repeated guests
19.6 miles long and 6 miles the landscape you end up most probably took the ride
across, with a total area of at some of the most stun- uphill already. But, there is
70 square miles. Bit more ning beaches like Dos Pla- a significant change to this
to discover than the white ya or Daimara Beach. In To- tower. Since September
stretch on the coastline we tal the park consists of 7907 2016 you can climb the
say. Let’s mention some of acres protected nature top. In 2015 Stichting Monu-
these hidden gems. with a richness of animals mentenfonds started the
living in it. The Aruban whip- restoration of the Califor-
Nature Calls tail lizard (cododo), Aruban nia Lighthouse. The project
The Arikok National park is cat eye snake (santanero) finished in September 2016
worth the ride. We love the and endangered rattle and the Lighthouse is now
hikes that are guided by snake (cascabel) are just open for visitors to enjoy

the beautiful view from the miss out on. The beauti-
top. The construction of the ful beach with the natu-
California Lighthouse start- ral mangroves is simply a
ed in 1915. The name ‘Cali- beauty, but if you are into
fornia’ came from a vessel a more active way to enjoy
of the West India Company the nature: take a kayak.
and Pacific Steamship Co. While you are doing some
called ‘California’ that workout -as it might get a
shipwrecked in the area in little windy and rough-, you
1891. Therefore they came will see the island from a
up with the idea of build- different perspective. You
ing a lighthouse that could can even make a stop to
indicate the island’s east- do some snorkeling at the
ern tip to ships with its light. reef. Its fun, it’s healthy and
www.arubalighthouse.com for sure something else.
will give you more informa- There are several compa-
tion. nies that offer kayak tours,
we had good experience
Kayak in the Mangroves with The Shack Kayak
Mangel Halto at Savaneta Tours Aruba, find them on
is definitely a place not to Facebook.q