Page 22 - AHATA

a8 local
Friday 18 July 2025
Aruba to me

ORANJESTAD — You are back and page! Thank you for supporting our
we would like to portrait you! By free newspaper, we strive to make
inviting you to send us your favor- you a happy reader every day
ite vacation picture while enjoying again.
our Happy Island. For today we received a lovely
message from Richard Mayo from
Complete the sentence: Aruba to Maine, USA.
me is ……. Send your picture with
that text (including your name and He wrote to us saying: “Aruba to
where you are from) to: news@aru- me is the enjoyment of interact-
batoday.com and we will publish ing with the fantastic, warm, open,
your vacation memory. Isn’t that and friendly people living in Aruba.
a special way to keep your best I have been coming to this para-
moments alive? Please do note: By dise since 1986 and stayed at over
submitting photos, text or any oth- twenty-five places during those
er materials, you give permission to years. I have been fortunate to be
The Aruba Today Newspaper, Ca- invited to birthday parties, a grad-
ribbean Speed Printers and any of uation, and several family barbe-
its affiliated companies to use said cues.”
materials, as well as names, like-
ness, etc. for promotional purposes Thank you for sending us this won-
without compensation. derful message sharing what Aru-
Last but not least: check out our ba means to you with us and our
website, Instagram and Facebook readers!q

Aruba’s Nature is to be Cherished

ST. CRUZ — The national park available.
Arikok comprises almost 18 % of Did you know that four of the in to-
the island. Its rugged terrain, des- tal seven species of sea turtle lay
ert-like hills filled with tall cacti, their eggs on Aruba's beaches?
breathtaking coastline and pro- In the national park, a Least Tern
tected local flora and fauna wel- (Sternula antillarum) keeps a strict
come you to be explored. There is eye on a very special event tak-
numerous wildlife to discover like ing place below on the beach:
for example the sea turtle who a majestic Leatherback (Dermo-
lays his eggs on the park’s beach- chelys coriacea) heads back to
es. There are more places on the sea after laying her eggs, while
island that are a preserved area another nest laid 2 months ago by
like the Bubali Plas which is a bird the same female hatches. A very
sanctuary. rare occurrence of daytime nest-
ing and hatching. Sea turtles pre-
The national park Arikok takes fer nesting in the cool and dark
you on a memorable journey of hours of the night. And hatchlings
the islands past offering unique usually wait for the cue of cooling
geological, cultural and histori- surface sand before emerging.
cal sites. These can all be enjoyed
and explored either on your own Bubali Magic
or during guided tours. A wide va- This beautiful close-up image of life Conservation. This important of what Aruba’s nature has to of-
foundation showcases and builds fer. We cannot stress enough to
riety of educational and informa- the pink bird is courtesy of Michiel
tive programs and fun activities is Oversteegen of the Aruba Bird- awareness of Aruba’s birds and go, see for yourself. The island has
other native flora and fauna. You the most beautiful beaches but it
may have seen a ‘pink cloud’ is also worthwhile to go beyond
lately at the Bubali or Spanish La- this and get an idea of our entire
goon Wetlands areas? It’s most island. Lately there is a discussion
likely to be Roseate Spoonbills going on about the effect certain
(Ajaia ajaja) or ‘Chucharon Cora’ activities have on our nature, for
as they are known in Papiamento. example the ATV vehicles cause
This unusual looking bird forages a lot of dust, noise and leave tire
in shallow muddy water while tracks. Animals live in these areas
sweeping its flattened bill from where the vehicles run, often with
side to side to catch small fish, high speed and with detrimental
crustaeceans and other aquatic consequences to flora and fauna.
invertebrates. The Roseate Spoon- Motorized vehicles are forbidden
bill remains an uncommon sight as to drive on the sand dunes in the
they are vulnerable to degrada- Northern part of the island and
tion of feeding and nesting habi- all beaches in Aruba are forbid-
tats (Wetlands). (Source: arikok den for any motorized vehicle.
national park) Treasure our island to enjoy it like
you do: as a tropical and natural
The aforementioned is just a part paradise. We truly appreciate it!q