Page 12 - AHATA

Thursday 1 June 2023 locAl
A10

Visit the island’s popular cave sites!

As with all prehistoric or an- drawing on the wall, these
cient sites, there is always have mostly been ruined
a folk legend that adds to by vandalism. However,
the lore and mystery of the the Fontein Cave further
site. The Quadirikiri cave up north, provides a better
is no different. The most glimpse in prehistoric Amer-
well-known legend behind indian paintings.
the cave could be consid-
ered as Aruba’s first love Fontein Cave
story, as it tells the tale of Longer than the Quadirikiri
the undying love between Cave, the Fontein Cave
the chief’s daughter and contains pathways that
her beloved. As legend stretch to the limestone
would have it, the chief walls further down. Here
disapproved of his daugh- is also where prehistoric
ter’s choice of lover, as drawings can be seen.
he thought him unworthy. Though this cave does not
Stubborn and filled with an- have its own legend, this
ger, the daughter refused was speculated to have
to turn away her beloved. been occupied—or at
least used by prehistoric Ar-
So, the chief decided to awak settlers on the island
lock her up in the Quadirikiri for rituals and other spiritual
(Oranjestad)—Among the Cave, in hopes that she ceremonies.
endless sea of dark brown would soon calm down
sand and cacti, there are and turn away her lover. The Huliba Cave/ Tunnel of
two caves hidden in the Her beloved, in turn, was Love
outskirts of San Nicolas, in locked away in the Tunnel The Huliba Cave, formerly
the north-eastern area of of Love (Now known as the known as the Tunnel of
the island. These caves, Huliba Cave). Love, was once open to
The Quadiriki cave and The the public, and was the
Fontein Cave are open to Through the pathways un- biggest and most acces-
visitors of the Arikok Na- derneath the Tunnel of sible of all three caves. This
tional Park, so if you ever Love running up to the cave had five chambers,
decide to take an “off- Quadiriki cave, the two including one that is heart-
road” tour in the park, be love bird found each other, shaped. This cave had nar-
sure to visit these prehis- and refused to let each row stairs that led to long
toric caves…and be sure to other go. Because of their pathways deep into the
bring a flashlight! stubbornness, they both cave, with a staircase lead-
died in the Quadiriki Cave, ing to the exit on the other
Quadirikiri Cave their ascending spirits burn- side. In one of the cham-
Known for its two cham- ing two holes in the ceiling bers, there used to be the
bers accompanied by a of the cave. This is why the carving of the Virgin Mary,
skylight, the Quadikiri Cave cave has two holes through put there for the protection
is the most popular cave which sunlight passes of the cave.
among locals and tourists, through to illuminate the
as it is easy to walk through chamber. However, the Huliba Cave
and provides great lighting has been permanently
for pictures. Though there have been closed for a few years now,
discoveries of Amerindian as a way to preserve the
bat population that lives
in the cave. These Long
Tongue Fruit Bats and In-
sect Eater Bats are very im-
portant to the ecosystem of
the island. Though this cave
is no longer accessible to
the public, it surely is inter-
esting to learn more about
the history of these caves
and the Awarak tribes that
resided or utilized them.

Do note that these caves
are very dark, humid, hot,
and are inhabited by bats.
Do wear comfortable
clothing and shoes, as the
pathways in these caves
may be rough and bumpy,
and don’t forget to bring a
flashlight!q