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LOCAL Monday 19 February 2024

Exploring the Mainstreet of San Nicolas

SAN NICOLAS— At Just 11 situated in the Water Tower here for the purpose of ed-
miles southeast from Oran- in San Nicolas and narrates ucation or enjoyment.
jestad you will enter the city Aruba's industrial history Carnival Euphoria is show-
San Nicolas, also known as which began in the 19th casing Aruba’s Carnival.
Sunrise City or Chocolate century. Here you will learn See how are Carnival has
City. A city that is rich in about gold, aloe, phos- developed over the past
authentic culture and is- phate, oil and the tourism 65 years.
land charm. San Nicolas is industries which made San
Aruba’s second largest city Nicolas once a bustling The new San Nicolas
and was once a bustling business center. Experi- In the shadow of the refin-
company town dominated ence the touching stories ery, an art capital is quietly
by the oil industry since the of those who were part of beginning to grow. This is
early 1930’s. this history. the new San Nicolas, a
Nicolaas Store built in 1940 place that is starting to be-
Over the course of four de- and renovated in 2014 is come a magnet for all that
cades, its demographics the home of the Communi- is young, cool and hip in
had changed immensely ty Museum. The collection is Aruba. Indeed, San Nicolas
due to a stream of Afro-Ca- remarkable and spans mil- has all of the ingredients of
ribbean and South Ameri- lennia. Ancient fossils stand an emerging cultural hub
can workers who came next to tableaus of an au- — varied history, interesting
to fill the jobs in the oil re- thentically recreated colo- architecture, and, perhaps
finery between the 1920’s nial kitchen and bedroom most importantly, an urban
until the 1960’s. To this day and 19th-century barber- layout that makes it walk-
traces of the multicultural shop, just to name a few of able. As you walk around, of various art organizations Arts & crafts by Cosecha
influences in culinary offer- the items of old-time Aruba the streets are silent but in Aruba, such as Art Rules store & Creative Center, a
ings and customs, housing that has been preserved. A the walls are loud, filled Aruba and Aruba Art Fair, design store in which you
and population are clearly collection of artifacts and with bright, colorful murals San Nicolas has had quite can immerse yourself in dis-
visible in San Nicolas - more other objects of artistic, cul- painted by a collection the aesthetic makeover covering genuine and lo-
than anywhere else on the tural, historical, or scientific of artists from around the with regards to vibrant cally made arts and crafts
island. importance can be found world. Thanks to the efforts street art. Each year more which reflect the diversifi-
and more stunning murals cation of the Aruban craft
Flow of history are replacing broken down heritage and the artistic
if you are looking for his- buildings with colorful art supply of artisans. Don’t
tory San Nicolas has it. Here pieces that keep brighten- miss out on trying the exqui-
you will find three amazing ing up SunriseCity. site food offered by the ca-
museums, The Museum of fes and restaurants or just
Industry, the Community Must See, Do, Buy & Eat enjoy a peaceful walk ad-
Museum and the Carnival A little bit of everything can miring the murals, mosaic
Euphoria, all within walking be found in the main street. benches and all the history
distance from one another. Stores selling shoes, cloth- San Nicolas has to offer.q
The Museum of Industry is ing, jewelry you name it.

Aruba Tourism Authority honors loyal visitors at

Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa!

The Aruba Tourism Authority re- of Aruba. This family was respec- loyalty, and love to the island of ing the Aruba Tourism Authority,
cently had the great pleasure of tively honored with a certificate Aruba. and staff members of the Manche-
recognizing Emerald Ambassadors acknowledging their years of visits, bo Beach Resort & Spa bestowed
The honor certification is presented the certificate to the honorees,
on behalf of the Minister of Tourism presented them with memorable
as a token of appreciation and to gifts, and also thanked them for
say “Masha Danki” to guests who choosing Aruba as their best-loved
have visited Aruba 10, 20, or 35 vacation destination, as their ho-
years or more consecutively. meaway fromhome.

The three honoring levels are as Top reasons for returning to Aruba
follows: provided by the honorees were:
Distinguished Visitor (10>years con- Aruba’s warm & consistent weath-
secutively visiting Aruba) er
Goodwill Ambassador (20>years Aruba’s drinking water
consecutively visiting Aruba) Aruba’s nice sandy beaches
Emerald Ambassador (35>years Aruba friendly people
consecutively visiting Aruba) “Things to do!”

The honorees were: On behalf of the Aruba Tourism Au-
Emerald Ambassadors of Aruba thority, we would like to express our
Mr. Brian & Mrs. Colleen Mackey sincere gratitude and appreciation
from New York, United States to the honorees for their continued
visits to the “One Happy Island”.
Ms. Marouska Heyliger represent-