Page 15 - AHATA

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local Friday 20 June 2025
Aruban legends:

Frenchman’s Pass

(Oranjestad)—If you ever The French colonizers tried think twice and jumped in.
plan on taking a group tour to smoke them out of the But to his horror, he noticed
of the island, you may pass caves, but the indigenous that the there was no driver
through the Frenchman’s settlers ended up inhaling in the front. Paralyzed with
Pass in Balashi. The French- too much smoke and most fear, he didn’t dare to get
man’s pass (known to locals died in those caves. From out, and the car started to
as “Franse Pas”) remains a then on, this passage was move.
mysterious—and spooky— known as Frenchman’s Pass,
road of which its legend is and there have been many When approaching a sharp
told from generation to gen- accounts of spirits roaming turn, the hitch hiker braced
eration. the area of Spanish Lagoon. for impact, but just when he
though the car might drive
The history of the French- There are many ghost stories straight off the road and
man’s pass—and how it got surrounding this area, but crash, he saw a hand appear quiet, because they realized
its name—dates back to the one of the most famous one out the window and turn the he wasn’t some drunk mess- French man’s pass is one of
colonization era, when the involves a lonely hitchhiker, wheel. For the next few turns, ing around; he was telling the the few sites on the island
French tried to colonize the trying to find a ride back the hand appeared again. truth. that keeps the locals on their
island, but were met with an home in the dark rainy night. After having had enough, toes. While most ghost stories
angry mob of indigenous set- the man decided to jump Sometime later, two men may not have real grounds—
tlers, refusing to give up their Sometime after trying to out and he ran to Santa Cruz. walked into the bar and one or some may even be a set
land. However, as the French hitchhike, the man saw a of them noticed the hitchhik- up story for a joke, this pass
were heavily equipped with car approaching, appearing Arriving at a nearby bar, he er. He called out to his buddy contributes a lot to our cul-
fire arms, the indigenous set- almost ghost-like in the rain. ordered a drink and began and said: “Look, there’s the ture of folkloric story-telling.q
tlers began to retreat, and However, since he needed to tell everyone about his idiot who sat in our car when
hid away in nearby caves. a ride real bad, he didn’t experience. Everyone grew we were pushing it!” Source: visitaruba.com

Aruban snacks and where to find them

You can also find pastechis
and krokets at local bak-
eries and snack shops, like
Bright Bakery in Piedra Plat,
Huchada in Santa Cruz or
Pastechi House in the city
center. These places may
also sell other snacks and
sandwiches too, perfect for
on-the-road lunch break.

While you’re at it, why not
accompany your snack
with a refreshing “batido”?
Batidos are fruit shakes,
ORANJESTAD — Want to sometimes even fish! Or per- typically made with added 1. Right next to the other delights, like the be-
taste something different haps you might want to try milk for some creaminess. Red Anchor in San Nicolas, loved coconut-based des-
for a change? How about a croquette, locally called However, you can also ask on the way to Baby Beach. sert “cocada” or peanuts.
some Aruban snacks that a “kroket,” which is a crusty to hold the milk. Batidos are 2. Along the main All in all, in Aruba, you can
you can find all around the fried snack with typically a commonly found in snack road next to the airport always find some place
island? Hop in your car, and meat and dough mix filling. shops too. You may find field. to take a break and have
go to these locations to find The Aruban kroket is based some batido shops next the 3. At the California a bite of something local,
some of the most popular on its Dutch counterpart, flee markets downtown, or Light House. you maybe just might have
and tasty snacks that are the “bitterbal”. if you’re on your way to San 4. At the Alto Vista to look for them!q
beloved by our locals. Nicolas, at Mauchi Smooth- Chapel. Photo credit: wheninaruba.com
These two snacks are typi- ies and Juice Bar in Sava-
One of the staples of Aru- cally found in all local snack neta (located at the side of These vendors may also sell
ban cuisine and snacks is trucks, which can be found the main road).
the Pastechi. Pastechi is a all over the island, including
Caribbean fried pastry that on the side of the main road If you are looking for some-
is filled with cheese, meat, that stretches from San thing a bit more fresh and
chicken, veggies and Nicolas to the Hotel Area. healthy, why not try some
coconuts, or shaved ice
from local vendors? These
vendors carry their little
shop at the back of their
truck, so they are ever-
moving around the island.
However, there are a few
spots where you can al-
most always find a coco-
nut/shaved ice vendor: