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Thursday 10 sepTember 2020 LOCAL
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Today Is Going To Be A Good Day

ORANJESTAD — Here’s why: Aruba you can also admire these close in
Today collected some things to do the park’s Visitors’ Center. For more
BEYOND the beach. Yes, we know. information, visit the website www.
Aruba, located 15 miles north of arubanationalpark.org
Venezuela in the warm waters of
the southern Caribbean, is home The Lighthouse
to beautiful white-sand beaches, No, you would not think of this as
82-degree days, and thus ideal a hidden gem. The California Light-
for the perfect beach day. But we house is actually one of the most
are also blessed with some of the known highlights in Aruba and
warmest people in the world and many repeated guests most prob-
our island is 19.6 miles long and 6 ably took the ride uphill already.
miles across, with a total area of 70 But, there is a significant change to
square miles. Bit more to discover this tower. Since September 2016
than the white stretch on the coast- you can climb the top. In 2015
line we say. Let’s mention some of Stichting Monumentenfonds start-
these hidden gems. ed the restoration of the California
Lighthouse. The project finished
Nature Calls in September 2016 and the Light-
The Arikok National park is worth house is now open for visitors to
the ride. We love the hikes that enjoy the beautiful view from the
are guided by the park’s rangers top. The construction of the Califor-
whose job is to maintain trails and nia Lighthouse started in 1915. The
protect natural resources. The flora name ‘California’ came from a
and fauna are beautiful and the vessel of the West India Company
historical sites tell you about the and Pacific Steamship Co. called
island’s indigenous roots. The guid- ‘California’ that shipwrecked in the
ed tours are even free of charge. If area in 1891. Therefore they came
you are not up to walking, you can up with the idea of building a light-
drive through the park, one way or house that could indicate the is-
another this park is a great place land’s eastern tip to ships with its
to spend an entire day. Cruising light. www.arubalighthouse.com
through the landscape you end will give you more information.
up at some of the most stunning
beaches like Dos Playa or Daimara Kayak in the Mangroves
Beach. In Total the park consists of Mangel Halto at Savaneta is defi-
7907 acres protected nature with a nitely a place not to miss out on.
richness of animals living in it. The The beautiful beach with the natu-
Aruban whiptail lizard (cododo), ral mangroves is simply a beauty,
Aruban cat eye snake (santan- but if you are into a more active
ero) and endangered rattle snake way to enjoy the nature: take a
(cascabel) are just some of them, kayak. While you are doing some
workout -as it might get a little
windy and rough-, you will see the
island from a different perspective.
You can even make a stop to do
some snorkeling at the reef. Its fun,
it’s healthy and for sure something
else. There are several compa-
nies that offer kayak tours, we had
good experience with The Shack
Kayak Tours Aruba, find them on
Facebook. q