Page 9 - AHATA

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local Saturday 19 auguSt 2023
Visit the island’s hidden natural pools

you are set!

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

Visit the natural bridges of Aruba!

(Oranjestad)—After you’ve also a frequently visited
visited the Alto Vista The bridge was formed dur- beach, as the bridge had
Church, the Bushiribana ing thousands of years, cut a small opening through
Gold Mill Ruins and the and crafted by the wild which the water would flow
mini natural pool that is lo- waves that crash into the into the tiny beach.
cated right next to it, you’re coral stone walls of the
next up around the north- coast. Before its collapse, Unfortunately in 2005, the
ern coast line must be the this bridge measured 30 bridge collapsed, and the
Natural Bridge. Once the meters in length and 7 me- little beach dried up. De-
largest natural bridge in the ters in height, making it the spite this, this site remained
Caribbean, this bridge has biggest natural bridge in a tourist attraction, with
been a tourist attraction for the Caribbean at the time. many visitors walking along The Natural Bridge pre-collapse
many years. For many years, this site was the coral cliffs of the bridge
to see the spectacular view While the natural bridge
of the northern coastline no longer is functional,
and the Caribbean Sea. there is now a smaller nat-
Visitors can also still visit the ural bridge very close. This
souvenir shop on the left of bridge is often called the
the bridge entrance. “Baby Bridge” or “Daugh-
ter Bridge”. q

The Baby Natural Bridge Current state of the Natural Bridge