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LOCAL Monday 26 august 2024

Exploring the Mainstreet of San Nicolas

SAN NICOLAS— At Just 11 if you are looking for his- shop, just to name a few of
miles southeast from Oran- tory San Nicolas has it. Here the items of old-time Aruba
jestad you will enter the city you will find three amazing that has been preserved. A
San Nicolas, also known as museums, The Museum of collection of artifacts and
Sunrise City or Chocolate Industry, the Community other objects of artistic, cul-
City. A city that is rich in Museum and the Carnival tural, historical, or scientific
authentic culture and is- Euphoria, all within walking importance can be found
land charm. San Nicolas is distance from one another. here for the purpose of ed-
Aruba’s second largest city The Museum of Industry is ucation or enjoyment.
and was once a bustling situated in the Water Tower Carnival Euphoria is show-
company town dominated in San Nicolas and narrates casing Aruba’s Carnival.
by the oil industry since the Aruba's industrial history See how are Carnival has
early 1930’s. which began in the 19th developed over the past lent but the walls are loud, be found in the main street.
century. Here you will learn 65 years. filled with bright, colorful Stores selling shoes, cloth-
Over the course of four de- about gold, aloe, phos- murals painted by a collec- ing, jewelry you name it.
cades, its demographics phate, oil and the tourism The new San Nicolas tion of artists from around Arts & crafts by Cosecha
had changed immensely industries which made San In the shadow of the refin- the world. Thanks to the ef- store & Creative Center, a
due to a stream of Afro-Ca- Nicolas once a bustling ery, an art capital is quietly forts of various art organiza- design store in which you
ribbean and South Ameri- business center. Experi- beginning to grow. This is tions in Aruba, such as Art can immerse yourself in dis-
can workers who came ence the touching stories the new San Nicolas, a Rules Aruba and Aruba Art covering genuine and lo-
to fill the jobs in the oil re- of those who were part of place that is starting to be- Fair, San Nicolas has had cally made arts and crafts
finery between the 1920’s this history. come a magnet for all that quite the aesthetic make- which reflect the diversifi-
until the 1960’s. To this day Nicolaas Store built in 1940 is young, cool and hip in over with regards to vibrant cation of the Aruban craft
traces of the multicultural and renovated in 2014 is Aruba. Indeed, San Nicolas street art. Each year more heritage and the artistic
influences in culinary offer- the home of the Communi- has all of the ingredients of and more stunning murals supply of artisans. Don’t
ings and customs, housing ty Museum. The collection is an emerging cultural hub are replacing broken down miss out on trying the exqui-
and population are clearly remarkable and spans mil- — varied history, interest- buildings with colorful art site food offered by the ca-
visible in San Nicolas - more lennia. Ancient fossils stand ing architecture, and, per- pieces that keep brighten- fes and restaurants or just
than anywhere else on the next to tableaus of an au- haps most importantly, an ing up SunriseCity. enjoy a peaceful walk ad-
island. thentically recreated colo- urban layout that makes miring the murals, mosaic
nial kitchen and bedroom it walkable. As you walk Must See, Do, Buy & Eat benches and all the history
Flow of history and 19th-century barber- around, the streets are si- A little bit of everything can San Nicolas has to offer.q

Feeling parched? Grab refreshment by the side of the road!

can cool off with delicious smoothies, drinks, snacks, and
of course, fresh coconuts! Perfect during family outings
around the island, these stands can be found in the fol-
lowing locations:
• Near the red Anchor in San Nicolas
• On the Linear Park in Oranjestad (in front of airport
runway)
• At the California Light House hill
• Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruin
• Bushiribana Beach (Near the Ling & Song Supermar-
ket) q

(Oranjestad)—Touring the island in the blistering heat can leave one feeling rather
thirsty and looking to cool off. Luckily there are a few stands along the roads of Aruba
that can offer you just what you need: a nice, refreshing beverage!

These “coconut stands” can be found at several locations on the island, where you