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local Friday 28 July 2023
Aruba’s Bocas: home to the rarest fossil reefs on the planet!

(Oranjestad)—If you’ve faculty at the University of like hurricanes and tsuna- These findings can certainly This research is also im-
been to the northern coast Bremen, Prof. dr. Alessio mis. put things into perspective. portant for the future of
of Aruba already, you’ve Rovere from the Ca' Fosc- The ground on which we coral reefs on the island.
probably noticed how the ari University of Venice and Through underwater and have walked many times By studying rising sea lev-
ground differs entirely from Prof. dr. Gianfranco Scic- land surveillance, and 3D on the northern part of the els and climate impact on
the sandy beaches on the chitano, from the University models of the reefs, they island hold such rich history, these coral reefs, we are
southern part of the island. of Bari Aldo Moro, present- were able to narrow down history that dates back to a able to take concrete ac-
These hard surfaces, with ed their research on these when these formations time that most of us cannot tion in protecting and pre-
sharp bumps and holes fossilized coral reefs at the started to take place. They even imagine. serve our coral reefs. So, if
are actually fossilized coral University of Aruba. Their were also able to track the As the scientists themselves you are ever visiting one of
reefs, of which its growth focus for their research in- fluctuation of sea levels have pointed out, these the bocas or driving along
and changes can be cluded studying the health during the past hundred or fossilized reefs on the wind- the northern part of the is-
traced back to the last gla- and formation patterns of even thousands of years, ward side are truly an in- land, please be conscious
cial period. these coral reefs, and to and the effects that this credible and rare remnant to help protect our natural
investigate how these reefs fluctuation has had on the of geological history, as historical remnant.
On May 30 2023, geosci- have responded and can coral reefs of the windward they provide a clear view
entists, Dr. Patrick Boyden respond to fluctuating sea side of Aruba. of how these reefs have Oh, and wear (coral-friend-
from the Marum research levels or extreme weather, formed. ly) sunscreen!q

Food culture in Aruba

Afro-Caribbean Stews. Some sine entails. In Aruba, our the island. These include,
of the more unique stews Christmas cuisine is again Saco*, basket, pastechi,
and soups from the ABC Is- largely based on Latin-Amer- kroket, deditos, Johnny cake
lands* include sopi di bonchi ican influences, most nota- and more. These snacks are
cora (red kidney bean soup bly form Venezuela. Ayacas usually sold at local snack
with pig tail), sopi mondon- and the famous pan di ham* trucks and cafes, often lo-
(Oranjestad) - Like many Breakfast in Aruba is quite go (tripe soup), carni stoba are two crucial holiday dish- cated on the side of the
other cultures, an important simple: a cup of coffee or (beef stew), comcomber es, along with stuffed turkey, road. In the area of Tanki
aspect of the Aruban cultural tea, some bread, and some- stoba (West Indian gherkin roasted glazed ham topped Leendert and Tanki flip, for
identity is our connection to times an egg. Sometimes, stew) and much more. with pineapples, arroz con example, there are many of
food and food traditions. The due to the need of a quick pollo (rice and chicken) and these trucks parked on the
local food traditions consist “to-go” breakfast, you may Dinner Time potato salad, among other side of the road and often
of a melting pot of different also find many snack trucks Dinner time can vary signifi- items. Traditional drinks in- open until late at night—of-
cultural and religious eating and cafes that sell sand- cantly from household to clude ponche crema (Aru- fering tasty and filling snacks
habits and dishes. wiches, pastechis (meat household. Unlike the U.S. or ban eggnog), chuculati post night-life fun.
pie), arepas and empana- in Europe, dinner time typi- pinda (hot chocolate with
Breakfast, lunch and dinner das early in the morning. cally does not consist of a peanut butter), and home- *ABC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire
The routine of breakfast, whole (warm) meal. Instead, made fruit punch. Desserts and Curacao
lunch and dinner on the Main Meal the evening “meal” can typi- include, bolo di pistachio *Pan di ham: Derived from
island is one that does not The main meal is typically cally consist of something (pistachio cake), bolo di the Venezuelan Pan de
completely follow a Euro- eaten in most households lighter, like a sandwich, cashupete (cashew cake), Jamon (rolled up bread with
pean or American routine, around noon or in the af- though it is not uncommon quesillo (flan), bolo preto ham, raisins and olives)
despite the major influences ternoon. This can consist of to see leftovers from the (dark fruit cake), drigidek *Saco: Saco literally means
from these parts of the world meat, fish, and chicken— main meal reheated and (gingerbread), pan boyo “bag”. Saco contains fried
on our culture and way of stewed or fried—with funchi eaten again. Tea and cof- (bread cake) and more. potatoes, plantains, chick-
living. When it comes to the (polenta) or rice with stewed fee are often also served en (and ribs) and a Johnny
three important meals of vegetables. Often, fried or with the evening snack. Snacks and tasty delights cake, served in a paper
the day, most of the Aru- boiled plantain or pan bati Besides meals and dishes bag.q
ban population follows a (Aruban pancake) is in- (Religious) Holidays that are eaten on the dinner
Latin-American influenced cluded. Stews are a staple Christmas is probably the table, Aruba also has a food Source: Voeding, voedings-
routine. in Aruban cuisine and can biggest global holiday, and tradition that includes snacks gewoonten en gerechten op
are largely influenced by every culture has its own spin and other tasty delights that Aruba (Nutrition, Food Tradi-
Breakfast Latin-American and Latin/ on what their Christmas cui- you may easily find around tions and Dishes on Aruba) by
Biblioteca Nacional Aruba