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LOCAL Monday 13 May 2024
Today is going to be a good day

(Oranjestad)—Here’s why: Aruba
Today collected some things to do
BEYOND the beach. Yes, we know.
Aruba, located 15 miles north of
Venezuela in the warm waters of
the southern Caribbean, is home
to beautiful white-sand beaches,
82-degree days, and thus ideal
for the perfect beach day. But we
are also blessed with some of the
warmest people in the world and
our island is 19.6 miles long and 6 formation, visit the website www.
miles across, with a total area of 70 arubanationalpark.org
square miles. Bit more to discover
than the white stretch on the coast- Philip’s Animal Garden
line we say. Let’s mention some of To stay with the animals, let’s hop
these hidden gems. to an amazing place. Something
different to do, an experience that ably took the ride uphill already.
Nature Calls is to be enjoyed by people of all But, there is a significant change to
The Arikok National park is worth ages. Welcome to Philip’s Animal this tower. Since September 2016
the ride. We love the hikes that Garden. We are not talking about you can climb the top. In 2015
are guided by the park’s rangers a zoo here, this is actually a sanctu- Stichting Monumentenfonds start-
whose job is to maintain trails and ary for all types of creatures, from ed the restoration of the California
protect natural resources. The flora horses to peacocks, kangaroos to Lighthouse. The project finished
and fauna are beautiful and the turtles, monkeys, goats, and many, in September 2016 and the Light-
historical sites tell you about the many more different species. The house is now open for visitors to
island’s indigenous roots. The guid- place was founded in 2009 and it enjoy the beautiful view from the
ed tours are even free of charge. If is the only organization rescuing top. The construction of the Califor- ing tour. If you have a rented car,
you are not up to walking, you can and rehabilitating exotic animals nia Lighthouse started in 1915. The you can drive through the north-
drive through the park, one way or in Aruba, which has resulted in an name ‘California’ came from a eastern side of Aruba and explore
another this park is a great place amazing collection of these ani- vessel of the West India Company the natural pools, caves, rock for-
to spend an entire day. Cruising mals. They provide a suitable living and Pacific Steamship Co. called mations and gorgeous view of the
through the landscape you end environment for all the rescued ‘California’ that shipwrecked in the Atlantic Ocean. To access most of
up at some of the most stunning animals. Up until now the owner, area in 1891. Therefore they came these sights, like the natural pool
beaches like Dos Playa or Daimara Philip, has built this shelter with his up with the idea of building a light- (Conchi) and the Guadirikiri and
Beach. In Total the park consists of own efforts; building all the cages house that could indicate the is- Fontein caves, you must enter
7907 acres protected nature with a from scratch, designing all struc- land’s eastern tip to ships with its through the Arikok National Park
richness of animals living in it. The tures and welding them with his light. www.arubalighthouse.com and buy a day pass. Then you drive
Aruban whiptail lizard (cododo), own bare hands. His goal is to up- will give you more information. up the rugged road that leads you
Aruban cat eye snake (santanero) grade the facilities to a world-class through the white dunes, caves
and endangered rattle snake (cas- animal shelter with veterinary care Kayak in the Mangroves and along the wind turbines. Other
cabel) are just some of them, you and round-the-clock staffs. With Mangel Halto at Savaneta is defi- locations, like the Ayo and Casibari
can also admire these close in the the input from the Aruban commu- nitely a place not to miss out on. Rock formation are situated more
park’s Visitors’ Center. For more in- nity and visitors they provide the The beautiful beach with the natu- in the center of the island, and are
best care for these animals. Please ral mangroves is simply a beauty, free for guests, 24 hours a day.
check out their website for more but if you are into a more active Go for a shopping spree in the city
information: www.philipsanimal- way to enjoy the nature: take a center
garden.com. kayak. While you are doing some
workout -as it might get a little Need a new bathing suit? Head
The Lighthouse windy and rough-, you will see the to the city center of Oranjestad,
No, you would not think of this as island from a different perspective. where there is countless of differ-
a hidden gem. The California Light- You can even make a stop to do ent stores—both high end and
house is actually one of the most some snorkeling at the reef. Its fun, more affordable—that can offer
known highlights in Aruba and it’s healthy and for sure something you the service you deserve! Lo-
many repeated guests most prob- else. There are several compa- cal shopping stores often offer a
nies that offer kayak tours, we had more affordable price, and have
good experience with The Shack a variety of clothes, shoes, bath-
Kayak Tours Aruba, find them on ing suites, purses and more. Along
Facebook. the Royal Plaza strip, there are nu-
merous jewelry stores with great
Take an “off-road” sightseeing tour quality jewelry. In the Renaissance
A must-do activity on the island is mall, you can shop high-end luxu-
for sure taking an off-road sightsee- ry brands, like Dolce & Gabbana,
Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton and
more.

Around the high-rise hotel area
near Palm Beach, the Paseo Her-
encia Mall contain a variety of
shopping stores, restaurants, small
food stands and even a movie the-
ater! q