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LOCAL Thursday 13 March 2025

Feeling parched? Grab refreshment by the side of the road!

(Oranjestad)—Touring the island in the blistering heat can leave one feel-
ing rather thirsty and looking to cool off. Luckily there are a few stands
along the roads of Aruba that can offer you just what you need: a nice,
refreshing beverage!

These “coconut stands” can be found at several locations on the island,
where you can cool off with delicious smoothies, drinks, snacks, and of
course, fresh coconuts! Perfect during family outings around the island,
these stands can be found in the following locations:
- Near the red Anchor in San Nicolas
- On the Linear Park in Oranjestad (in front of airport runway)
- At the California Light House hill
- Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruin
- Bushiribana Beach (Near the Ling & Song Supermarket) q

Aruba: The island of Aloes

ORANJESTAD – Aloe vera, a means. Dutch Governor Van changed the labor market
succulent plant species, is Raders introduced the plant on Aruba, shifting away from
renowned for its incredible after it had been introduced agriculture. It would be af-
properties for the skin. It is in other islands of the Carib- ter World War II that aloe
widely distributed and usu- bean to cultivate and har- would make a comeback.
ally grows in tropical, semi- vest the aloe to produce the And eventually, as science
tropical and arid climates laxative. learned about the amazing
on the planet. But this plant properties of aloe gel, the in-
also had a very prominent Around 1920, about two- dustry shifted from produc-
role in the history of Aruba, thirds of Aruba was aloe ing laxative to producing
and its significance to the fields, earning our island skin care. An interesting fact
island’s economy endures the nickname “The Island is that in 1951, the produc-
to this day. of Aloes.” tion of Aruban aloe amount-
ed to around 30 percent of
The leaves of Aloe vera con- Under Commander Jan the total global production!
tain a good amount of gel Helenus Ferguson (1866-
which when used topically, 1871), aloe experienced a The impact and relevance
is great for the skin. Tradition- boom, which is why there of aloe is visible all around
ally, Arubans use this gel to is a road named after him, Aruba. While most homes
treat minor burns and other which goes through the aloe will have a few plants for
skin ailments, or just to keep fields. In the 19th century, personal use and decora-
skin supple and looking Aruba was the main supplier tion, houses are also deco-
bright and nourished. Aside of aloin for laxative, which rated with aloe motifs, and
from the gel, aloe contains was imported abroad to the at some point, aloe even
a bitter, yellow substance United States and Europe. featured on post stamps.
(called aloin) which is a The aloin from Aruba and Around 1920, about two-
gentle but powerful laxative, Curaçao was known to be thirds of Aruba was aloe
and it is also the origin of the one of the best in the world fields, earning our island the
industry of aloe in Aruba. and was more expensive, nickname “The Island of Al-
which meant that at the oes.” And in 1955, the aloe
According to the website time, it had significant eco- became a part of Aruba’s
of Royal Aruba Aloe, Aloe nomic impact, particularly coat of arms, symbolizing
vera was introduced in for the local farmers. prosperity for the island.q
Aruba around 1840, when
most of the island’s inhab- However, by the time the oil Images from the archive of
itants were farmers of little industry arrived on Aruba, it the National Library of Aruba.