Page 12 - AHATA

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local Monday 3 July 2023

Visit the natural bridges of Aruba!

the Caribbean at the time.
For many years, this site was
also a frequently visited
beach, as the bridge had
a small opening through
which the water would flow
into the tiny beach.

Unfortunately in 2005, the
bridge collapsed, and the
little beach dried up. De-
spite this, this site remained
a tourist attraction, with
many visitors walking along The Natural Bridge pre-collapse
the coral cliffs of the bridge
to see the spectacular view
The Baby Natural Bridge
of the northern coastline
(Oranjestad)—After you’ve many years. and the Caribbean Sea.
visited the Alto Vista Visitors can also still visit the
Church, the Bushiribana The bridge was formed dur- souvenir shop on the left of
Gold Mill Ruins and the ing thousands of years, cut the bridge entrance.
mini natural pool that is lo- and crafted by the wild
cated right next to it, you’re waves that crash into the While the natural bridge
next up around the north- coral stone walls of the no longer is functional,
ern coast line must be the coast. Before its collapse, there is now a smaller nat-
Natural Bridge. Once the this bridge measured 30 ural bridge very close. This
largest natural bridge in the meters in length and 7 me- bridge is often called the
Caribbean, this bridge has ters in height, making it the “Baby Bridge” or “Daugh-
been a tourist attraction for biggest natural bridge in ter Bridge”.q Current state of the Natural Bridge

Ayo & Casibari: Aruba’s famous rock formations

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