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LOCAL Tuesday 16 July 2024

Aruban snacks and where to find them

ORANJESTAD — Want to taste One of the staples of Aruban cui- can almost always find a coconut/
something different for a change? sine and snacks is the Pastechi. shaved ice vendor:
How about some Aruban snacks Pastechi is a Caribbean fried pas- 1. Right next to the Red An-
that you can find all around the is- try that is filled with cheese, meat, chor in San Nicolas, on the way to
land? Hop in your car, and go to chicken, veggies and sometimes Baby Beach.
these locations to find some of the even fish! Or perhaps you might 2. Along the main road next
most popular and tasty snacks that want to try a croquette, locally to the airport field.
are beloved by our locals. called a “kroket,” which is a crusty 3. At the California Light
fried snack with typically a meat House.
and dough mix filling. The Aruban “batido”? Batidos are fruit shakes, 4. At the Alto Vista Chapel.
kroket is based on its Dutch coun- typically made with added milk
terpart, the “bitterbal”. for some creaminess. However, These vendors may also sell other
you can also ask to hold the milk. delights, like the beloved coconut-
These two snacks are typically Batidos are commonly found in based dessert “cocada” or pea-
found in all local snack trucks, snack shops too. You may find nuts. All in all, in Aruba, you can
which can be found all over the some batido shops next the flee always find some place to take a
island, including on the side of the markets downtown, or if you’re on break and have a bite of some-
main road that stretches from San your way to San Nicolas, at Mau- thing local, you maybe just might
Nicolas to the Hotel Area. You can chi Smoothies and Juice Bar in Sa- have to look for them!
also find pastechis and krokets at vaneta (located at the side of the
local bakeries and snack shops, main road). Photo credit: wheninaruba.com
like Bright Bakery in Piedra Plat,
Huchada in Santa Cruz or Paste- If you are looking for something a
chi House in the city center. These bit more fresh and healthy, why not
places may also sell other snacks try some coconuts, or shaved ice
and sandwiches too, perfect for from local vendors? These vendors
on-the-road lunch break.
carry their little shop at the back of
their truck, so they are ever-mov-
While you’re at it, why not accom- ing around the island. However,
pany your snack with a refreshing there are a few spots where you

Prohibited by law: leaving the island with seashells, white sand or

corals

(Oranjestad)—Often times, the suspected that our own locals are our environment. Stop collecting
customs department at the air- the ones selling these to the tour- seashells, white sand and corals
port intercepts many tourists leav- ists, which is unacceptable. from our shores and stop buying or
ing the island with seashells, white accepting these from local sellers
sand and/or corals as souvenirs. Upon confiscation at the airport, or companies.
you can also face a fine that they
Conforming to the international have to pay before leaving. This is We want our future generations
treaty of CITES and our local law surely not a pleasant experience and visitors to enjoy the beauty
which protects our Flora & Fauna, it for the tourist. This also leads to a of our beaches, shells and corals
is absolutely prohibited to take any negative reaction which can put in a sustainable way, without de-
seashell, sand and coral outside of our tourism in a negative light. stroying or disrupting the Aruban
Aruba. This is to protect our envi- ecosystem. Help us protect what is
ronment. The high number of sea- Though we love to accommodate ours!
shells, coral and amount of sand our visitors, let’s all give nature the
confiscated is very strange and it is respect it deserves by protecting