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local Thursday 27 June 2024
Aruban legends:

Frenchman’s Pass

(Oranjestad)—If you ever The French colonizers tried needed a ride real bad,
plan on taking a group to smoke them out of the he didn’t think twice and
tour of the island, you may caves, but the indigenous jumped in. But to his horror,
pass through the French- settlers ended up inhal- he noticed that the there
man’s Pass in Balashi. The ing too much smoke and was no driver in the front.
Frenchman’s pass (known most died in those caves. Paralyzed with fear, he
to locals as “Franse Pas”) From then on, this passage didn’t dare to get out, and
remains a mysterious—and was known as Frenchman’s the car started to move.
spooky—road of which its Pass, and there have been
legend is told from genera- many accounts of spirits When approaching a
tion to generation. roaming the area of Span- sharp turn, the hitch hiker
ish Lagoon. braced for impact, but just
The history of the French- when he though the car his experience. Everyone
man’s pass—and how it got There are many ghost sto- might drive straight off the grew quiet, because they French man’s pass is one
its name—dates back to ries surrounding this area, road and crash, he saw a realized he wasn’t some of the few sites on the is-
the colonization era, when but one of the most famous hand appear out the win- drunk messing around; he land that keeps the locals
the French tried to colo- one involves a lonely hitch- dow and turn the wheel. was telling the truth. on their toes. While most
nize the island, but were hiker, trying to find a ride For the next few turns, the ghost stories may not have
met with an angry mob of back home in the dark hand appeared again. Af- Sometime later, two men real grounds—or some may
indigenous settlers, refusing rainy night. ter having had enough, the walked into the bar and even be a set up story for a
to give up their land. How- man decided to jump out one of them noticed the joke, this pass contributes a
ever, as the French were Sometime after trying to and he ran to Santa Cruz. hitchhiker. He called out to lot to our culture of folkloric
heavily equipped with fire hitchhike, the man saw a his buddy and said: “Look, story-telling.
arms, the indigenous set- car approaching, appear- Arriving at a nearby bar, there’s the idiot who sat
tlers began to retreat, and ing almost ghost-like in the he ordered a drink and be- in our car when we were Source: visitaruba.com
hid away in nearby caves. rain. However, since he gan to tell everyone about pushing it!”

Buoys added to Arashi, Boca Catalina and Eagle Beach

The ministry said that the
buoy project ensures more
safety for local swimmers as
well as visitors enjoying the
beach, creating a special
area specifically for swim-
ming which is not acces-
sible to jetski, waverunner
or any speedboat.

Minister of Tourism, Mr. Dan-
gui Oduber, thanked ATA
for making funds available
(Oranjestad) – With a focus completed a project which According to a press re- our tourists, as well as focus- to make this project a reali-
on the safety of our visitors saw buoys installed on lease of the ministry, this ing on respecting local na- ty. This is an investment that
on the island, the ministry of Arashi, Boca Catalina and is one of several positive ture and cultural values. will guarantee safety for all
Tourism together with Aru- Eagle Beach. projects in ATA’s corporate those who wish to swim in
ba Tourism Authority (ATA) plan to improve Aruba for these areas.q

Dining in? Try making a local favorite
How to make “pan bati”

(Oranjestad)—If you’re ever up for an Aruban Instructions:
snack, try making another Aruban classic ap- Add all the dry ingredients in a bowl first, and
petizer called Pan Bati. Similar to a pancake stir until well mixed. Then add the milk and beat
both in appearance and cooking, this is a su- until reached a pancake-like consistency. If
per easy meal that adults and children will both more moister is needed, add some water until
enjoy. Here’s how to make it! reached desired consistency.

Ingredients: In a hot pan with oil, pour in enough batter to
2 cups of all purpose flour cover the bottom of the pan. Just like pancakes,
1 cup grams of fine cornmeal (we recommend flip the pan bati when one side turns golden
the Harina PAN brand) brown. When your pan bati is ready, place on
2 tbsp baking powder a plate and cover with a clean kitchen towel.
1 1/3 cup of milk
1 pinch of salt Traditionally, pan bati is cut in triangle pieces,
2 tbsp of granulated sugar and is often eaten as a side dish with soup, fried
Oil for cooking fish or stews. However, it is also casually enjoyed
with some butter and cheese on top!q