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local Thursday 27 June 2024

Visit the island’s popular cave sites!

Note to visitors:
Due to heavy rainfall in the past few days, Arikok National
Park has informed that they have closed the Quadirikiri
Cave until further notice for the safety of visitors.

Fontein remains open from 9am to 4pm.

(Oranjestad)—Among the Cave, in hopes that she ceremonies.
endless sea of dark brown would soon calm down
sand and cacti, there are and turn away her lover. The Huliba Cave/ Tunnel of
two caves hidden in the Her beloved, in turn, was Love
outskirts of San Nicolas, in locked away in the Tunnel The Huliba Cave, formerly
the north-eastern area of of Love (Now known as the known as the Tunnel of
the island. These caves, Huliba Cave). Love, was once open to
The Quadiriki cave and The the public, and was the
Fontein Cave are open to Through the pathways un- biggest and most acces-
visitors of the Arikok Na- derneath the Tunnel of sible of all three caves. This
tional Park, so if you ever Love running up to the cave had five chambers,
decide to take an “off- Quadiriki cave, the two including one that is heart-
road” tour in the park, be love bird found each other, shaped. This cave had nar-
sure to visit these prehis- and refused to let each row stairs that led to long
toric caves…and be sure to other go. Because of their pathways deep into the
bring a flashlight! stubbornness, they both cave, with a staircase lead-
died in the Quadiriki Cave, ing to the exit on the other
Quadirikiri Cave their ascending spirits burn- side. In one of the cham-
Known for its two cham- ing two holes in the ceiling bers, there used to be the
bers accompanied by a of the cave. This is why the carving of the Virgin Mary,
skylight, the Quadikiri Cave cave has two holes through put there for the protection
is the most popular cave which sunlight passes of the cave.
among locals and tourists, through to illuminate the
as it is easy to walk through chamber. However, the Huliba Cave
and provides great lighting has been permanently
for pictures. Though there have been closed for a few years now,
discoveries of Amerindian as a way to preserve the
As with all prehistoric or an- drawing on the wall, these bat population that lives
cient sites, there is always have mostly been ruined in the cave. These Long
a folk legend that adds to by vandalism. However, Tongue Fruit Bats and In-
the lore and mystery of the the Fontein Cave further sect Eater Bats are very im-
site. The Quadirikiri cave up north, provides a better portant to the ecosystem of
is no different. The most glimpse in prehistoric Amer- the island. Though this cave
well-known legend behind indian paintings. is no longer accessible to
the cave could be consid- the public, it surely is inter-
ered as Aruba’s first love Fontein Cave esting to learn more about
story, as it tells the tale of Longer than the Quadirikiri the history of these caves
the undying love between Cave, the Fontein Cave and the Awarak tribes that
the chief’s daughter and contains pathways that resided or utilized them.
her beloved. As legend stretch to the limestone
would have it, the chief walls further down. Here Do note that these caves
disapproved of his daugh- is also where prehistoric are very dark, humid, hot,
ter’s choice of lover, as drawings can be seen. and are inhabited by bats.
he thought him unworthy. Though this cave does not Do wear comfortable
Stubborn and filled with an- have its own legend, this clothing and shoes, as the
ger, the daughter refused was speculated to have pathways in these caves
to turn away her beloved. been occupied—or at may be rough and bumpy,
least used by prehistoric Ar- and don’t forget to bring a
So, the chief decided to awak settlers on the island flashlight!q
lock her up in the Quadirikiri for rituals and other spiritual