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a4 local
Monday 27 January 2025

Aruban legends:

Frenchman’s Pass

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

Today Is Going To Be A Good Day

the park’s Visitors’ Center. For more area in 1891. Therefore they came
Nature Calls information, visit the website www. up with the idea of building a light-
The Arikok National park is worth arubanationalpark.org house that could indicate the is-
the ride. We love the hikes that land’s eastern tip to ships with its
are guided by the park’s rangers The Lighthouse light. www.arubalighthouse.com
whose job is to maintain trails and No, you would not think of this as will give you more information.
protect natural resources. The flora a hidden gem. The California Light-
and fauna are beautiful and the house is actually one of the most Kayak in the Mangroves
historical sites tell you about the known highlights in Aruba and Mangel Halto at Savaneta is defi-
Here’s why: Aruba Today collect- island’s indigenous roots. The guid- many repeated guests most prob- nitely a place not to miss out on.
ed some things to do BEYOND the ed tours are even free of charge. If ably took the ride uphill already. The beautiful beach with the natu-
beach. Yes, we know. Aruba, lo- you are not up to walking, you can But, there is a significant change to ral mangroves is simply a beauty,
cated 15 miles north of Venezuela drive through the park, one way or this tower. Since September 2016 but if you are into a more active
in the warm waters of the southern another this park is a great place you can climb the top. In 2015 way to enjoy the nature: take a
Caribbean, is home to beautiful to spend an entire day. Cruising Stichting Monumentenfonds start- kayak. While you are doing some
white-sand beaches, 82-degree through the landscape you end ed the restoration of the California workout -as it might get a little
days, and thus ideal for the perfect up at some of the most stunning Lighthouse. The project finished windy and rough-, you will see the
beach day. But we are also blessed beaches like Dos Playa or Daimara in September 2016 and the Light- island from a different perspective.
with some of the warmest people Beach. In Total the park consists of house is now open for visitors to en- You can even make a stop to do
in the world and our island is 19.6 7907 acres protected nature with a joy the beautiful view from the top. some snorkeling at the reef. Its fun,
miles long and 6 miles across, with richness of animals living in it. The The construction of the California it’s healthy and for sure something
a total area of 70 square miles. Bit Aruban whiptail lizard (cododo), Lighthouse started in 1915. The else. There are several companies
more to discover than the white Aruban cat eye snake (santan- name ‘California’ came from a that offer kayak tours, we had
stretch on the coastline we say. ero) and endangered rattle snake vessel of the West India Company good experience with The Shack
Let’s mention some of these hid- (cascabel) are just some of them, and Pacific Steamship Co. called Kayak Tours Aruba, find them on
den gems. you can also admire these close in ‘California’ that shipwrecked in the Facebook. q