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local Tuesday 8 July 2025
Enjoy one of the best views on Aruba at the top of the Hooiberg Hill

(Oranjestad)—If you are a regular you might enjoy one of the most pop- 600-step staircase, this hill overlooks
hiker, or maybe want to spice up ular climbing sites on the island: The a great part of the island, the Carib-
your morning work out session, then Hooiberg Hill. Accompanied with a bean sea, and sometimes even the
Santa Anna mountain located in the
coastal state of Falcon in Venezuela, ed of 900 steps. Over time, as the
providing one of the best views you steps faced erosion, the government
can get on Aruba. decided to renovate these stairs in
1991. This new project delivered the
located at the center district of the newer staircase with only 587 steps.
island, Santa Cruz, the Hooiberg Hill However, don’t be fooled—it may still
is the second highest point on the be a work out to get on top. In addi-
island at 165 meters above sea level tion, there is now a gazebo placed
(or about 540 feet above sea level). halfway up the stair for a little rest.
The highest point is Jamanota Hill at The view at this resting stop is also a
189 meters (620 feet), located in the sight to see.
Arikok National Park.
The best time to climb the hill would
The staircase that run on the side of be early in the morning or right be-
the hill was first built in 1951, when fore sunset, as it may not be as hot.
Mr. Eduardo Tromp constructed it. However, the hill is of course open
At that time, the staircase consist- all day, every day.q

A quick snack for the road: Learn how to make the Aruban Pastechi!

(Oranjestad)—If you ever been to Aruba before, dough into the bowl you are using or on a clean
you probably heard of (and even tried) the Aruban surface with some flour lightly dusted until its sur-
Pastechi. Beloved by young and old, this tasty face is smooth. You'll know your dough is ready
treat is a staple for party snacks, a quick lunch when it doesn’t stick to your hands or the surface
or even breakfast! on which you’re kneading it. Let your dough rest
covered for 15-20 minutes.
Here’s how to make the Pastechi dough.
After resting, divide your dough into approximately
Ingredients: 100 gram balls and roll it flat with a rolling pin.
4 cups of wheat flour The thickness of the pastechi depends on your
1 tbsp baking powder (if using self-rising flour, taste, but the average thinness would be around If you want to store some pastechis for later use,
omit baking powder) ¼ inch or so. you can freeze them. A good tip is to place a
1 tsp salt piece of wax paper in between each pastechi
1 tbsp sugar Filling for the pastechis varies according to your if you are to store them on top of one another.
0.5 cup of melted butter taste. The easiest and most common filling you’ll This way the pastechis don’t stick to each other
1 cup water find in Aruba is a simple cheese filling. For this, we when defrosting.
1 egg usually use shredded Gouda, but feel free to use

any cheese that melts well when frying the pastry. Here in Aruba we enjoy pastechi at any time of
Directions: the day, but it has become almost tradition to
Sift your flour into a bowl and add all the dry ingre- Place the filling on your rolled out piece of dough, eat pastechis for breakfast on the way to work.
dients before giving it a quick mix. Next add the fold it in half and pinch the sides shut with a fork. Many roadside snack trucks sell pastechi from
butter, water and egg and mix until thoroughly If you have a folding tool, feel free to use it for early morning to noon, and offer a variety of fill-
combined. At this point, your dough will start to this process. Your pastechi is ready for the fryer! ings like cheese; ham and cheese; ground beef
get sticky; time for an arm workout. Knead your and pulled chicken to name a few. q