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a8 local
Thursday 16 May 2024
Aruba’s Nature is to be Cherished

ST. CRUZ — The national park offering unique geological, another nest laid 2 months
Arikok comprises almost 18 cultural and historical sites. ago by the same female
% of the island. Its rugged These can all be enjoyed hatches. A very rare occur-
terrain, desert-like hills filled and explored either on your rence of daytime nesting
with tall cacti, breathtaking own or during guided tours. A and hatching. Sea turtles
coastline and protected lo- wide variety of educational prefer nesting in the cool and
cal flora and fauna welcome and informative programs dark hours of the night. And
you to be explored. There is and fun activities is available. hatchlings usually wait for the
numerous wildlife to discover Did you know that four of cue of cooling surface sand
like for example the sea tur- the in total seven species before emerging.
tle who lays his eggs on the of sea turtle lay their eggs
park’s beaches. There are on Aruba's beaches? In the Bubali Magic
more places on the island national park, a Least Tern This beautiful close-up image
that are a preserved area (Sternula antillarum) keeps a of the pink bird is courtesy
like the Bubali Plas which is strict eye on a very special of Michiel Oversteegen of invertebrates. The Roseate activities have on our na-
a bird sanctuary. event taking place below the Aruba Birdlife Conserva- Spoonbill remains an un- ture, for example the ATV
on the beach: a majestic tion. This important founda- common sight as they are vehicles cause a lot of dust,
The national park Arikok Leatherback (Dermochelys tion showcases and builds vulnerable to degradation of noise and leave tire tracks.
takes you on a memorable coriacea) heads back to sea awareness of Aruba’s birds feeding and nesting habitats Animals live in these areas
journey of the islands past after laying her eggs, while and other native flora and (Wetlands). (Source: arikok where the vehicles run, of-
fauna. You may have seen a national park) ten with high speed and with
‘pink cloud’ lately at the Bub- detrimental consequences
ali or Spanish Lagoon Wet- The aforementioned is just to flora and fauna. Motor-
lands areas? It’s most likely to a part of what Aruba’s na- ized vehicles are forbidden
be Roseate Spoonbills (Ajaia ture has to offer. We cannot to drive on the sand dunes
ajaja) or ‘Chucharon Cora’ stress enough to go, see for in the Northern part of the
as they are known in Papia- yourself. The island has the island and all beaches in
mento. This unusual looking most beautiful beaches but Aruba are forbidden for any
bird forages in shallow mud- it is also worthwhile to go be- motorized vehicle. Treasure
dy water while sweeping its yond this and get an idea our island to enjoy it like you
flattened bill from side to side of our entire island. Lately do: as a tropical and natural
to catch small fish, crustae- there is a discussion going paradise. We truly appreci-
ceans and other aquatic on about the effect certain ate it!q

Visit the natural bridges of Aruba!

(Oranjestad)—After you’ve length and 7 meters in height, can also still visit the souvenir
visited the Alto Vista Church, making it the biggest natu- shop on the left of the bridge
the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ru- ral bridge in the Caribbean entrance.
ins and the mini natural pool at the time. For many years,
that is located right next to this site was also a frequently While the natural bridge no
it, you’re next up around the visited beach, as the bridge longer is functional, there is
northern coast line must be had a small opening through now a smaller natural bridge
the Natural Bridge. Once the which the water would flow very close. This bridge is often
largest natural bridge in the into the tiny beach. called the “Baby Bridge” or
Caribbean, this bridge has “Daughter Bridge”.q
been a tourist attraction for Unfortunately in 2005, the
many years. bridge collapsed, and the
little beach dried up. De-
The bridge was formed dur- spite this, this site remained
ing thousands of years, cut a tourist attraction, with
and crafted by the wild many visitors walking along
waves that crash into the the coral cliffs of the bridge
coral stone walls of the to see the spectacular view
coast. Before its collapse, this of the northern coastline and
bridge measured 30 meters in the Caribbean Sea. Visitors