Page 7 - HOH

a8 local
Saturday 15 March 2025

Another Treasure of Aruba’s Beaches: Sea Glass!

NOORD - It is hard to imag- comes fire glass, the rarest of
ine this happening today, but sea glass with certain inclu-
years ago people dumped sions, just like precious gems.
all kinds of refuse straight
into the ocean, including For years, the water beat
old cars, and their household against the different kinds of
garbage, which of course in- trash being dumped. Glass,
cluded lots of glass. Over the household appliances and
next 30 years the pounding even motor parts were dis-
waves cleaned the beach, carded on the beach. The
by breaking down every- waves and weather condi-
thing but glass and pottery. tions wore down the over- If you like to see the sea glass
The pounding waves washed whelming amount of gar- for yourself, and be in awe of
the trash up and down, back bage in the water, creating the power of nature, rent a
and forth. Tons of polished, millions of beautiful smooth car or jeep and go explore
broken glass pieces were rocks. our deserted beaches on
created by the pounding the north side of the island.
surf. These smoothened, It’s hard to believe the short- Make it a fun family day!
colored glass particles then sighted mistakes we were Even if we didn’t mean to
settled along the sea shore in making that could have po- pollute the Beaches how we
millions, and that is why you tentially ruined these beau- did, it is inspiring to see just
can find these beautiful and tiful beaches. But thanks to how the earth can correct
colorful pieces on the north natural processes, the ocean our mistakes.
shore beaches of Aruba. transformed the trash into
the sea glass. Funny, how trash can
Especially on the strip on Each colored gem on the change into treasures!
white sand between the beach has its own story.
famous Natural Bridge” and Everybody knows that you
the huge red anchor close The ruby red glass stones are not allowed to take local
to “Grapefield” beach you are typically from old car shells home, but the people
will be able to find your own tail-lights. working at the airport have
pieces of sea glass. The sea no problem you taking sea
glass that was created is the Then, the sapphire rocks glass home. A few of those
product of a very long and are the remnants of broken pieces make great souve-
interesting process. It can “Sea glass. broken up into shards and is apothecary bottles. The most nirs. You can place them in
take anywhere from 10 to tumbled around in the wa- common and the easiest to a wine glass or large bottle
30 years to make sea glass. The colorful pieces of glass ter, where sand and other find are the brown (Amstel & for decoration and every
The name for any piece of are being used for decora- rocks act like sandpaper to Polar beer), green (Heineken time you look at it a smile
glass that finds its way to the tion, handcrafts and jewelry! smooth out its rough edges. & Balashi beer) and clear will light up your face thinking
ocean and tumbles around Once glass makes its way Sometimes as the sea glass glass which are the soft much back of your unforgettable
in the water long enough is into the ocean, the glass is is passed through fire, it be- loved “soft drink” bottles. Aruba vacation! q