Page 14 - AHATA

Thursday 27 November 2025 LOCAL
A10

Ayo & Casibari: Aruba’s famous rock formations

(Oranjestad)—The Ayo and Casi-
bari Rock Formations are known
locally as one of the crucial sites to
have in your “off-road” trip itinerary.
These naturally formed rock forma-
tions as just one of the few places
on the island that hold a rich history
of our culture and of our ancestors.

Ayo
The Ayo Rock Formation is located
in the northern part of the island,
right on the road that leads you to
the Black Stone Beach, and close
to the Natural Bridge. The Ayo is a
fenced terrain that consists of sev-
eral giant boulders, resting neatly
on top of or side by side each other,
adding gorgeous natural architec-
ture to the surrounding “mondi”*.
This is also one of the few sites to
contain prehistoric markings of our
indigenous ancestors. The Ayo Rock pect of the Casibari Rock Forma-
formation contains stairs that lead tion is the accompanying view
you to the top of the highest boul- when you climb up the top of the
der, offering a breath-taking view round, flat bolder. For this position,
of the Aruban backyard. The Ayo is you can see the majority of the is-
usually quiet, as it is situated farther land and the ocean in the south.
away from the busier parts of the
island. However, this is just another Both sites are open free to the
charm of the site: the quiet area public, 24 hours a day. However,
and the refreshing breeze offer a unless you are taking a trip with a
sense of comfort and peace. professional tour guide, there are
no guides at the sites to help you
Casibari climb the rock. So, do be careful
Probably the busier rock formation when trudging on the boulders, and
site, the Casibari is situated more make sure to befriend any roaming
in the center of the island, much goats you see along the way!
closer—and more accessible—to
the general public. Just like Ayo, *Mondi: what we call our Aruban
Casibari is a fenced area contain- wilderness. We don’t have forests,
ing several boulders that lay on top or deserts, but we do have mondi!q
or lean on each other. The best as-

Place names in San Nicolas and their origins

(Oranjestad)–If you’re ever sponsible for governing this does support this with the
taking a tour of Aruba, San remote area. As the story theory that the district was
Nicolas would definitely goes, Pieter was well known named after the saint by
be on your itinerary. From and beloved for his kind- Spanish colonizers, the
relaxing on the white, san- ness and good treatment other account is much less
dy beaches of Baby and of his employees, and was divine, but does refer to an
Roger’s Beach, to explor- therefore also called Vader influential figure in the area.
ing the prehistoric caves Piet (Father Piet). Howev-
of Quadirikiri and Fontein, er, he was tragically mur- Nicolaas van der Biest was
you are taking in a full view greeted with red soiled hills section of its employees. dered—some speculate at a successful landowner
of what San Nicolas has by the coast. This is Sero the hands of a slave. For his during the time of the phos-
to offer. But did you know Colorado. Named after the Vader Piet work and good heart, the phate boom in late 19th
that you are also pass- 30-meter, deep red, lime- Another well visited area, area was named after him. century Aruba. Back then,
ing through areas whose stone hill, “Sero Colorado” Vader Piet is located in the landowners (most, if not all
names have historical ori- translates to “Colored Hill”. Arikok National Park. Rec- San Nicolas of them men) were referred
gins? Here are a few place Sero Colorado has deep ognizable sites within this Of course we can’t forget to as “Shon” by their subor-
names in San Nicolas and historical ties with the once- area include the Wind Mills San Nicolas itself. Much like dinates. So, the district was
their origin story. thriving phosphate industry and the Quadirikiri Cave. Vader Piet, the origin of the originally named after Shon
in the area. Matter of fact, The origin of this name is name San Nicolas has so Nicolaas. Over time, the
Sero Colorado there are still underground part historical and specula- far two different accounts. name evolved into what is
On your way to Baby or shafts and passages deep tion, as there are slight de- In the literal sense, “San now San Nicolas. q
Roger’s Beach, you’ll pass in Sero Colorado from the viations from what actually Nicolas” translates to “Saint
by the famous Red Anchor time of phosphate mining. happened. Nicolas”, leading many Source: “Aruba: Short History”
at what was once the en- In 1958, the refinery at the to believe that this district by Dr. J. Hartog.
trance to the Colony resi- time, Lago, adopted this In 1829, Pieter Lampe was a was named after a Spanish
dential community and be name for the residential planter and the person re- saint. Though one account