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local Friday 11 august 2023

Visit the island’s popular cave sites!

(Oranjestad)—Among the
endless sea of dark brown
sand and cacti, there are
two caves hidden in the
outskirts of San Nicolas, in
the north-eastern area of
the island. These caves,
The Quadiriki cave and The
Fontein Cave are open to
visitors of the Arikok Na-
tional Park, so if you ever
decide to take an “off-
road” tour in the park, be
sure to visit these prehis-
toric caves…and be sure to
bring a flashlight!

Quadirikiri Cave
Known for its two cham-
bers accompanied by a
skylight, the Quadikiri Cave
is the most popular cave
among locals and tourists,
as it is easy to walk through
and provides great lighting
for pictures.

As with all prehistoric or an- was speculated to have
cient sites, there is always been occupied—or at However, the Huliba Cave
a folk legend that adds to least used by prehistoric Ar- has been permanently
the lore and mystery of the awak settlers on the island closed for a few years now,
site. The Quadirikiri cave for rituals and other spiritual as a way to preserve the
is no different. The most ceremonies. bat population that lives
well-known legend behind in the cave. These Long
the cave could be consid- locked away in the Tunnel Though there have been The Huliba Cave/ Tunnel of Tongue Fruit Bats and In-
ered as Aruba’s first love of Love (Now known as the discoveries of Amerindian Love sect Eater Bats are very im-
story, as it tells the tale of Huliba Cave). drawing on the wall, these The Huliba Cave, formerly portant to the ecosystem of
the undying love between have mostly been ruined known as the Tunnel of the island. Though this cave
the chief’s daughter and Through the pathways un- by vandalism. However, Love, was once open to is no longer accessible to
her beloved. As legend derneath the Tunnel of the Fontein Cave further the public, and was the the public, it surely is inter-
would have it, the chief Love running up to the up north, provides a better biggest and most acces- esting to learn more about
disapproved of his daugh- Quadiriki cave, the two glimpse in prehistoric Amer- sible of all three caves. This the history of these caves
ter’s choice of lover, as love bird found each other, indian paintings. cave had five chambers, and the Awarak tribes that
he thought him unworthy. and refused to let each including one that is heart- resided or utilized them.
Stubborn and filled with an- other go. Because of their Fontein Cave shaped. This cave had nar-
ger, the daughter refused stubbornness, they both Longer than the Quadirikiri row stairs that led to long Do note that these caves
to turn away her beloved. died in the Quadiriki Cave, Cave, the Fontein Cave pathways deep into the are very dark, humid, hot,
their ascending spirits burn- contains pathways that cave, with a staircase lead- and are inhabited by bats.
So, the chief decided to ing two holes in the ceiling stretch to the limestone ing to the exit on the other Do wear comfortable
lock her up in the Quadirikiri of the cave. This is why the walls further down. Here side. In one of the cham- clothing and shoes, as the
Cave, in hopes that she cave has two holes through is also where prehistoric bers, there used to be the pathways in these caves
would soon calm down which sunlight passes drawings can be seen. carving of the Virgin Mary, may be rough and bumpy,
and turn away her lover. through to illuminate the Though this cave does not put there for the protection and don’t forget to bring a
Her beloved, in turn, was chamber. have its own legend, this of the cave. flashlight!q