Page 13 - AHATA

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LOCAL Saturday 13 September 2025

Cas di Torto

Cas di torto (also called in the 18th century. Existing
cas di lodo or cas di bara) houses date back 150 years.
is a traditional building tech- Until 1925 many houses on
nique from Aruba. It refers to Aruba were built using this
a type of houses made of technique, afterwards it fell the structural support. On this consisted of corn (maize) rel for storing water that
mud with rounded corners. into disuse. In 2005 there basis, loam is applied, mixed stems, afterwards the nu- was collected in small rain
These houses were usually were 62 cas di torto houses with sand, water and para clei of columnar cacti were ponds. Around this barrel a
found around the planta- left, of which only four were grass. This is then coated with used. The floor is made of thick loam wall would be
tions. The few structures that in good condition. aloe vera juice, which gives loam, mixed with cement erected. Often large families
still exist are the oldest struc- the white colour and helps to or cow dung. would live in these houses;
tures that are left standing in The skeleton of the houses is protect against the weather. people would sleep on mats
the country. made up of round wooden The houses were usually di- on the floor.
poles placed with distances On top of the poles pieces of vided into a kitchen, a living
The technique probably of 1.5 feet between them. wood are fitted that serve as room, a porch and a bed- If you visit the Arikok National
came over from the Vene- Branches are interwoven the base for the roof beams. room. In the kitchen would Park you will be able to see a
zuelan Paraguaná Peninsula between them, completing Until 1815 the roofing usually be a wooden or metal bar- very nice cas di torto.q

Why You Should Not Miss Aruba’s Free City Center Street Car Tour

(Oranjestad)—Aruba’s City Center Street Car offers you a 360 degree view of the down town each other; all stops are clearly marked. The
– or as we call it in Dutch; “Tram van Oranjes- area with a picture perfect scenery of the is- tram will bring you close to different museums,
tad’ – is a single track tram line in Oranjestad, land’s clear blue skies. Who would not enjoy historical plazas, monuments, the Protestant
the capital city of Aruba. It was inaugurated on a ride on this beautiful and naturally air-condi- church, Aruba’s high- end mall, retail shops,
22 December 2012, being the first and so far tioned vehicle? The tour consists of a total of and a variety of local and international cuisine
the only passenger rail service on Aruba and 9 stops approximately 200 meters apart from restaurants. The “I love Aruba” trademark also
the rest of the Dutch Caribbean. There are two belongs to that list. The third stop on the route is
trolleys, a single-deck one with 42 seats and a close to a 5-minute walk to the famous Renais-
double-decker with 64 seats. The line was in- sance Marina showcasing luxurious yachts and
spired by the popular battery-powered street- Aruba’s blue waters.
car operation at the Grove in Los Angeles, USA.
Aruba’s streetcars are powered by hydrogen The “Tram van Oranjestad” starts from a bal-
fuel cells, which are charged by the island’s loon loop near the Port of Call and serves the
year-round trade winds. downtown area and ends at Plaza Nicky. The
first ride starts at 10:00 am sharp with intervals
Caya Betico Croes, mostly referred to as our of 25minutes. The last trolley departs from the
“main street” has been developed into a pol- cruise port at 5:00 pm. Don’t miss this tour of the
lution-free pedestrian mall. The double-decker beautiful Aruba’s City Center – it is free for all! q