Page 13 - AHATA

Monday 14 July 2025 locAl
A10

Aruba’s kite flying tradition

(Oranjestad)—Every year
for King’s Day, Arubans
gather with friends and
family to fly kites. Big or
small, paper or plastic,
blue skies fill up with these
colorful flying contraptions,
brightening our yearly cel-
ebration of the Dutch Mon-
arch.

The tradition of flying kites
starts at home in the weeks
leading up to King’s Day. is tied in the knotted center
These kites were tradition- and bundled up, used to
ally made with things found steer the kite as it flies in the
in the nearby mondi* and in air. Decorating the kite was
the kitchen at home. Using especially important, and
dried up cactus sticks for children would use paint to
the frame, old news papers, create their own designs—
and glue made from flour, the more colorful, the bet-
water and salt to dry faster ter!
(some people even use People usually fly their kites
cornstarch slurry as glue), in big open fields, like emp-
kids usually make their own ty soccer and baseball
kites with their friends, par- fields found all around the
ents or other close family island around noon, when
members. Tails are made of the kite. To finish off the the sun is at its brightest.
from old bed sheets, ripped process, people used fish In the past few years, kite
and tied together to create lines or thin rope to tie three flying has become a sport other to see whose kite is lessly and longer in the air.
a long string of fabric trail- corners of the kite together. in which groups of people the biggest, the prettiest,
ing behind the back end Another long string of rope would battle against each and whose could fly flaw-
Visit the island’s hidden natural pools

(Oranjestad)—Amongst hours to hike there!
the countless beaches sur- When you get there, may-
rounding the island that are However, when you even- be you won’t be able to
well-known and frequently tually do get there, you spot the pool immediately,
visited, there are an addi- will be greeted with crystal because you will probably
tional two “hidden” natural blue water surrounded by notice the moon-shaped
pools that are situated in a natural rock formation lagoon where wild northern
the northern coast of the is- that protects you from the waves crash into each oth-
land, two ideal stops in your wild waves on the other er. Sounds scary, but if you
tour itinerary. side. Though the pool is lo- what is now the natural look down on your right,
cated on the northern side pool that is hidden there. you’ll see a calm, crystal
Conchi (Natural Pool) from park management of the island (where the sea Because it’s still so new, blue little pool in the cor-
For many years, Conchi to enter. You would have is largely rough and largely there is no official name for ner. To get there, you have
was the only natural pool to purchase a day pass, no suitable for swimming), it, but most people just call to climb down some stairs.
that we had on the island. and receive a wristband the pool itself is very calm. it the cave pool. Be careful when climbing
Located in the Arikok Na- as proof of payment. Once It’s also relatively deep, down and follow the in-
tional Park, near Boca Keto you’ve completed that, and you can climb up the Just like the Conchi, the structions of your tour guide
and the Daimari Ranch, you are set! rocks and jump in! new natural pool is situated if you have one.
Conchi—also known “Cura on the northern coast of
di Turtuga (Turtle’s Cove) or If you decide to hike from Cave Pool Aruba. However, this pool is And just like Conchi, this
just Natural Pool—is reach- the entrance of the Arikok This relatively new pool ap- much easier to reach with pool also has a jumping
able with any 4x4 vehicle National Park, this is also peared just a few years any type of vehicle, and spot, and a rope to climb
or by foot if you’re up for a possible: do bring plenty ago, when a part of the there is no hiking needed. back up the boulder.
long hike. However, since it of protective clothing and dried up coral floor broke This spot has also become
is part of the National Park, enough water and food—it off and created a partition a regular stop for touring Picture of cave pool is cred-
you must first get permission could take you up to three between the ocean and visitors. ited to RockaBeach Tours