Page 13 - AHATA

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local Tuesday 13 May 2025
Aruban legends:

Frenchman’s Pass

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

A guide for the perfect picture

Where to find the most Instagrammable places in Oranjestad

(Oranjestad)—Imagine, you will spot a giant sign Town Hotel. It may be a long
you’re taking a stroll in the that reads “I LOVE ARUBA”. walk from the harbor to get
city center, and you want to A great first stop for a quick there, but while you’re at it,
take the most picture-perfect shot with the family, this spot check out these other spots
photo to show your friends is among the few that has along the way!
and family back home and become a favorite among
online. It seems like the per- tourists, especially those that The sitting bull
fect spot can be hard to find, are visiting Aruba through a Yes, you read that right; right
but Oranjestad is full of great cruise vacation. in the heart of the city cen-
spots for a quick snapshot! ter, in front of the Crystal Ca-
Here are the most Instagram- Speaking of giant signs that sino in the Renaissance Mall,

mable places in Oranjestad. read “Aruba” (because there is a black bull sitting on
there can never be too a bench, waiting for you to
“I LOVE ARUBA” many), there is another sign take a picture with it. Ok, so
Right on Paardenbaai Plaza, you can find along the Linear it’s not a real bull, but “I took
near the harbor entrance, Park, in front of Talk of the a picture with a sitting bull”
sounds like a great conversa-
tion opener. gram. Just pass through the beautiful picture, especially
Renaissance Mall and find at sunset. The dock is locat-
See if you can also spot the this gem in front of the back ed behind the Renaissance
cow on the roof! entrance! Market Place, and runs from
the Renaissance Marina up
Wooden Swing on Plaza Since you’ve made it this to Renaissance Beach and
Daniel Leo far, one question: How many Wilhelmina Park. This spot of-
While you’re in front of the blue horses have you spotted fers a gorgeous view of the
Renaissance Mall, check already? ocean and sunset, accom-
out the wooden swing on panied by the soft waves
the other side of the mall Renaissance Dock crashing on the shoreline.
on Plaza Daniel Leo. Another Last but certainly not least, You may even spot some
favorite among visitors want- the Renaissance Dock is iguanas! q
ing a cute snapshot for Insta- the perfect spot to take a