Page 8 - aruba-today-20220217

a8 local
Thursday 17 February 2022

Explore Aruba

ORANJESTAD — Aruba To- the park’s rangers whose through the landscape you
day collected some things job is to maintain trails and end up at some of the most
to do BEYOND the beach. protect natural resources. stunning beaches like Dos
Yes, we know. Aruba, lo- The flora and fauna are Playa or Daimara Beach.
cated 15 miles north of Ven- beautiful and the histori- In Total the park consists of
ezuela in the warm waters cal sites tell you about the 7907 acres protected na-
of the southern Caribbean, island’s indigenous roots. ture with a richness of ani-
is home to beautiful white- The guided tours are even mals living in it. The Aruban
sand beaches, 82-degree free of charge. If you are whiptail lizard (cododo),
days, and thus ideal for the not up to walking, you can Aruban cat eye snake
perfect beach day. But we drive through the park, one (santanero) and endan-
are also blessed with some way or another this park gered rattle snake (casca-
of the warmest people in is a great place to spend bel) are just some of them, close in the park’s Visitors’ The Natural Bridge is the
the world and our island is an entire day. Cruising you can also admire these Center. For more informa- perfect stop while touring
19.6 miles long and 6 miles tion, visit the website www. Aruba. There is no admis-
across, with a total area of arubanationalpark.org sion fee or set hours for visit-
70 square miles. Bit more ing. Quench your thirst with
to discover than the white Natural Bridge refreshing beverages &
stretch on the coastline we One of Aruba's favorite refuel your tank with local
say. Let’s mention some of tourist attractions is the snacks.
these hidden gems. Natural Bridge. For thou-
sands of years, pounding The Lourdes Grotto
Arikok National Park waves and strong winds Named in commemora-
The Arikok National park is have slowly chiseled away tion of the famous French
worth the ride. We love the the limestone cliffs along religious landmark, was
hikes that are guided by Aruba’s north coast to cre- created under the guid-
ate several natural bridges. ance of a priest named
The largest of these bridg- "Erkamp" and parishioners
es used to be the famous in the year 1958. The grotto,
Natural Bridge. The bridge a shrine built into the rocks
was a formation of coral is located in Seroe Preto,
limestone cut out by years just off the main road to
of pounding surf, and was San Nicolas.
one of the largest of these A statue of the Virgin
types of spans in the world. Mary, weighing 700 kilos,
It standed some 23 feet (7 was hoisted into place in
meters) above sea level the grotto. Every year, on
and spans more than 100 February 11 (feast of Lady
feet (30 meters). Unfor- of Lourdes), a procession
tunately the bridge col- leaves from the St. There-
lapsed on September 2, sita church in San Nicolas
2005. Despite this, it is still to the grotto, where a mass
the most photographed is performed. The grotto is
natural bridge and it re- located road-side and can
mains a popular tourist at- be visited daily. Just make
traction in Aruba, with the sure you park safely in the
adjacent and intact Baby event you wish to stop for
Bridge also meriting a visit. pictures at this location.q