Page 6 - AHATA

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local Wednesday 27 august 2025

Enjoy one of the best views on Aruba at the top of the Hooiberg Hill

(Oranjestad)—If you are a regular hiker, located in the Arikok National Park.
or maybe want to spice up your morning The staircase that run on the side of the
work out session, then you might enjoy hill was first built in 1951, when Mr. Edu-
one of the most popular climbing sites ardo Tromp constructed it. At that time,
on the island: The Hooiberg Hill. Accom- the staircase consisted of 900 steps.
panied with a 600-step staircase, this hill Over time, as the steps faced erosion,
overlooks a great part of the island, the the government decided to renovate
Caribbean sea, and sometimes even these stairs in 1991. This new project de-
the Santa Anna mountain located in the livered the newer staircase with only 587
coastal state of Falcon in Venezuela, steps. However, don’t be fooled—it may
providing one of the best views you can still be a work out to get on top. In addi-
get on Aruba. tion, there is now a gazebo placed half-
way up the stair for a little rest. The view
located at the center district of the is- at this resting stop is also a sight to see.
land, Santa Cruz, the Hooiberg Hill is the The best time to climb the hill would be
second highest point on the island at 165 early in the morning or right before sun-
meters above sea level (or about 540 set, as it may not be as hot. However,
feet above sea level). The highest point the hill is of course open all day, every
is Jamanota Hill at 189 meters (620 feet), day.q

Forgotten gems: Open air movie theaters

(Oranjestad)—During the island, these theaters were The first open air theater cated at the Hotel Colom- who didn’t have much
span of over 100 years, once frequently visited by was constructed in 1920 bia in Oranjestad, which entertainment other than
Aruba only saw five open locals and migrants in the and was commissioned is now where the Aruban movies at that time.
air movie theaters. Now 20th century. by Shon Eduard (Eddy) de census office is located.
practically obsolete on the Veer. This theater was lo- The theater was simple; it The last and most recent
only consisted of a screen, open air theater was con-
and visitors had to bring structed in the form of a
their own chairs to enjoy drive-in theater. A popular
the popular silent movies of American concept, the
the time. Drive Inn located in Balashi
was a hot spot for teenag-
American migrants who ers, who had the habit of
worked in the refinery and cramming all their friends in
lived in the Lago Colony one car to go see the mov-
in Sero Colorado also had ies. For this phenomenon
their piece of the pie with there was a separate price
their Open air Theatre, that you had to pay called
which formed part of the the “car crash”.
Esso Club, also known as
the Pan-Am Club. It was at This theater closed around
this theater that “Talkies” 2012, but was re-opened
were first streamed, mov- during the pandemic in
ies with sound. This theater July 2020, where movies
mostly streamed American were streamed on a gigan-
blockbusters for the Ameri- tic screen set up in front of
can expats, this way mak- stacked containers. How-
ing sure that these migrant ever, this nostalgic form of
were not missing out on entertainment did not last
entertainment from their very long as it was closed
home land. again only a year or two
later. Nowadays you can
In the 1950’s and 60’s, Sa- still see the stacked con-
vaneta saw their own open tainers when you drive near
air theater, located in front the bridge in Balashi.q
of the Marinier’s Kazerne
(Marine Barracks). This the- Source: “De kolibrie op de
ater was mostly visited by rots en meer over de geschie-
the neighboring marines, denis van Aruba” by Evert
Bongers.