Page 17 - AHATA

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LOCAL Friday 6 June 2025

Ayo & Casibari: Aruba’s famous rock formations

(Oranjestad)—The Ayo and south. Right in front of the help you climb the rock.
Casibari Rock Formations entrance, there is the Casi- So, do be careful when
are known locally as one bari Café and Grill, a great trudging on the boulders,
of the crucial sites to have place to get refreshments and make sure to befriend
in your “off-road” trip itiner- and snack before continu- any roaming goats you see
ary. These naturally formed ing your off-road adven- along the way!
rock formations as just one ture!
of the few places on the is- *Mondi: what we call our
land that hold a rich history Both sites are open free to Aruban wilderness. We
of our culture and of our the public, 24 hours a day. don’t have forests, or des-
ancestors. However, unless you are erts, but we do have mon-
taking a trip with a profes- di!
Ayo cestors. The Ayo Rock for- formation site, the Casi- sional tour guide, there are
The Ayo Rock Formation mation contains stairs that bari is situated more in the no guides at the sites to
is located in the northern lead you to the top of the center of the island, much
part of the island, right on highest boulder, offering a closer—and more acces-
the road that leads you to breath-taking view of the sible—to the general pub-
the Black Stone Beach, and Aruban backyard. The Ayo lic. Just like Ayo, Casibari
close to the Natural Bridge. is usually quiet, as it is situ- is a fenced area contain-
The Ayo is a fenced terrain ated farther away from the ing several boulders that
that consists of several giant busier parts of the island. lay on top or lean on each
boulders, resting neatly on However, this is just anoth- other. The best aspect of
top of or side by side each er charm of the site: the the Casibari Rock Forma-
other, adding gorgeous quiet area and the refresh- tion is the accompanying
natural architecture to the ing breeze offer a sense of view when you climb up
surrounding “mondi”*. This comfort and peace. the top of the round, flat
is also one of the few sites bolder. For this position, you
to contain prehistoric mark- Casibari can see the majority of the
ings of our indigenous an- Probably the busier rock island and the ocean in the
Aruba Tourism Authority honored loyal visitors at Marriott’s Aruba

Surf Club!

The Aruba Tourism Author- are as follows: Club bestowed the cer-
ity recently had the great Distinguished Visitor tificate upon the honor-
pleasure of recognizing (10>years consecutively ees, presented them with
Goodwill Ambassadors of visiting Aruba) gifts, and thanked them for
Aruba. The honorees were Goodwill Ambassador choosing Aruba as their fa-
respectively honored with (20>years consecutively vorite vacation destination,
a certificate for their years visiting Aruba) as their home away from
of visits, loyalty, and love Emerald Ambassador home.
for the island of Aruba. (35>years consecutively The top reasons for return-
visiting Aruba) ing to Aruba provided by
The honorary certification The honorees were: Mr. and Mrs. Paul were:
is presented on behalf of Goodwill Ambassadors • D e p e n d a b l e
the Minister of Tourism as Mr. Micheal and Mrs. Judy weather.
a token of appreciation Paul from Gainesville, Geor- • The staff and peo-
and to say “Masha Danki” gia, USA. ple are so nice at the Surf
to guests who have visited Club. On behalf of the Aruba preciation to the honorees
Aruba 10, 20, or 35 years or Ms. Keyttin Silva, represent- • Restaurants and Tourism Authority, we for their continued visits to
more consecutively. ing the Aruba Tourism Au- great dinners. would like to express our the “One Happy Island”.
thority, and staff members • Aruba’s safety. sincere gratitude and ap-
The three levels of honor of Marriott’s Aruba Surf • Same time zone.