Page 16 - AHATA

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local Monday 10 noveMber 2025
Visit the island’s hidden natural pools

(Oranjestad)—Amongst the count-
less beaches surrounding the is-
land that are well-known and fre-
quently visited, there are an addi-
tional two “hidden” natural pools
that are situated in the northern
coast of the island, two ideal stops
in your tour itinerary.

Conchi (Natural Pool)
For many years, Conchi was the
only natural pool that we had on
the island. Located in the Arikok
National Park, near Boca Keto
and the Daimari Ranch, Conchi—
also known “Cura di Turtuga (Tur-
tle’s Cove) or just Natural Pool—is
reachable with any 4×4 vehicle
or by foot if you’re up for a long
hike. However, since it is part of
the National Park, you must first
get permission from park manage-
ment to enter. You would have to
purchase a day pass, and receive the other side. Though the pool there is no official name for it, but goon where wild northern waves
a wristband as proof of payment. is located on the northern side of most people just call it the cave crash into each other. Sounds
Once you’ve completed that, you the island (where the sea is largely pool. scary, but if you look down on
are set! rough and largely no suitable for your right, you’ll see a calm, crys-
swimming), the pool itself is very Just like the Conchi, the new natu- tal blue little pool in the corner. To
If you decide to hike from the en- calm. It’s also relatively deep, and ral pool is situated on the northern get there, you have to climb down
trance of the Arikok National Park, you can climb up the rocks and coast of Aruba. However, this pool some stairs. Be careful when climb-
this is also possible: do bring plenty jump in! is much easier to reach with any ing down and follow the instruc-
of protective clothing and enough type of vehicle, and there is no hik- tions of your tour guide if you have
water and food—it could take you Cave Pool ing needed. This spot has also be- one.
up to three hours to hike there! This relatively new pool appeared come a regular stop for touring visi-
just a few years ago, when a part tors. And just like Conchi, this pool also
However, when you eventually do of the dried up coral cliff floor has a jumping spot, and a rope to
get there, you will be greeted with broke off and created a partition When you get there, maybe you climb back up the boulder.q
crystal blue water surrounded by between the ocean and what is won’t be able to spot the pool im-
a natural rock formation that pro- now the natural pool that is hid- mediately, because you will prob- Picture of cave pool is credited to
tects you from the wild waves on den there. Because it’s still so new, ably notice the moon-shaped la- RockaBeach Tours

Visit the historic museum at Fort Zoutman!

(Oranjestad)—Located in the Zoutman, they are actually a light tower, but after a re- even experienced aban-
middle of downtown Oran- referring to two separate quest from Lieutenant Gov- donment until the Cultural
jestad, situated right next buildings that, over the years, ernor Jan Helenus in 1866, it Center Aruba Foundation
to the government building have been merged: the fort also became a bell tower. (CCA) petitioned for its ren-
“Cocolishi”, is one of the old- and the tower. That’s right, ovation in 1964, turning the
est buildings of Aruba: Fort the iconic 5-story, squared The fort itself was originally site into the Historic Museum
Zoutman. First constructed tower was not part of the constructed to protect the it currently is.
in 1796, this site has been original structure of the fort, commerce bay of Paarden-
used (or left unused) in many and is actually called “Wil- baai from pirates and other Despite its small size, The His-
ways and have survived eras lem III Toren”. Constructed in disreputable characters toric Museum guards a rich
of war and attempted dis- 1867, this tower was named roaming the Caribbean Sea. depository of the commer-
mantling. after the then-reigning king Unlike the Willem III Toren, cial, military and social his-
of The Netherlands, Willem III. Fort Zoutman had a more tory of Oranjestad, offering
When anyone refers to Fort Willem III Toren was originally tumultuous past, including a glance into how the social
the on-and-off reception of culture of the town came to
unwanted members of the be. If you are interested in
English military several times history and want to learn
(The Netherlands was at more about Aruba, then Fort
constant war with England Zoutman should definitely be
back in the colonial era). included into your itinerary.

Over the years, both the The museum is open Mon-
fort and the tower had day to Friday from 9am-6pm,
functioned as different and Saturday from 10am-
government center points, 2pm.q
including a tax and stamps
office. For some time these Source: The Old Fort of Aruba
two buildings also housed a by Jan Hartog.
police precinct and jail, and