Page 17 - AHATA

Friday 8 March 2024 LOCAL
A10

Visit the island’s hidden natural pools

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

Episode CIX - 109 - Stone Age Natives

NOORD — Paleo Amer- characteristics reflected in formation regarding these
indian societies moved the way that they buried early peoples and specially
by land and sea (along their deaths. Their distinc- though their bones. One
the coasts). Their mate- tive shovel teeth incisors, of these single graves site
rial legacy, which includes the peculiar shape of their was discovered at Piedra
works in stone, bone, ivory bones, skulls and jaws, and di Wara wara, in 1976. Sa-
and wood, is indicative of their tool making abilities bania Abao, Sta. Cruz. A
groups with a family, clan left behind as testimony of single male having shovel
or tribal organization, who the part that have played incisors, Approx. 37 at age
live by hunting, fishing and in our history. of death, laying North be-
gathering, but are also en- Various archaic sites are neath a diorite bolder in a
gaged in artistic and cul- present on our island. Some crouch or fetal position on
tural expressions and spiri- are stone quarries, shell his right side, cranium rest-
tual activities. maidens and gathering lo- ing in right hand, micro-
cations while others where scopic red ocher pigment
The cultural diversity and single graves, family or clan present on skull. one grave at Canashito is the salt-lake. Limestone is
similarities of these groups cemeteries and other nat- The only way I suppose known to be a male and found below the sand in the
can determine a lot regard- ural sites that offer great these people could have one of the skeletons seems site. This limestone is part of
ing their origin and path shelter. From burial sites arrived was by sea, howev- to be a short person. the Lower Terrace Forma-
used to reach Aruba. These we can obtain great in- er if the sea level was lower Three of the Canashito tion. It was formed during a
in those days, they could dead had their head rest- period of a rising sea level.
have walked and jumped ing on hand, in a similar The limestone emerged by
a steam or two. Canashito fashion as most of the pa- the subsequent lowering of
was one of these sites that leo deads at the cemetery the sea level and tectonic
these paleo natives liked a at Malmok and the grave uprising. Most of the area
lot. One for its safety fea- at Piedra di Warawara. The of the Malmok site is flat ter-
tures, shelter offering caves burial cluster in Canashito is rain near the saliña.
and fresh water that could especially interesting when
be collected for daily use. compared to the cluster of To get to know more over
At Malmok cemetery, Malmok. Aruba’s and its origins, its
combinations of 2 graves The Malmok site is situat- animals and culture, we
at cross angles have been ed at a distance of 200 m highly recommend you to
attested several times: they South and 300 m north from book your visit for our re-
always contained a male the sea, parallel to a former nowned cultural encounter
and a female skeleton. Un- saliña or salt -lake. The site session has been entertain-
fortunately, only the sex of shares its sandy subsoil with ing curious participants for
decades. Mail us at etni-
Article by: Etnia Nativa anativa03@gmail.com or

WhatsApp 297 592 2702 to
Whatsapp us +297 592 2702 and book confirm your participation.
your Aruban exprerience Our facilities and activities
Etnia Nativa is close to the high rise hotels take place close to high
rise hotels.q