Page 14 - ARUBA TODAY

A14 LOCAL
Monday 24 SepteMber 2018

Today Is Going To Be A Good Day

Here’s why: Aruba Today perfect beach day. But we these hidden gems. beautiful and the histori- goal is to upgrade the facil-
collected some things to are also blessed with some cal sites tell you about the ities to a world-class animal
do BEYOND the beach. Yes, of the warmest people in Nature Calls island’s indigenous roots. shelter with veterinary care
we know. Aruba, located the world and our island is The Arikok National park is The guided tours are even and round-the-clock staffs.
15 miles north of Venezu- 19.6 miles long and 6 miles worth the ride. We love the free of charge. If you are With the input from the Aru-
ela in the warm waters of across, with a total area of hikes that are guided by not up to walking, you can ban community and visitors
the southern Caribbean, is 70 square miles. Bit more the park’s rangers whose drive through the park, one they provide the best care
home to beautiful white- to discover than the white job is to maintain trails and way or another this park is for these animals. Please
sand beaches, 82-degree stretch on the coastline we protect natural resources. a great place to spend an check out their website for
days, and thus ideal for the say. Let’s mention some of The flora and fauna are entire day. Cruising through more information: www.
the landscape you end up philipsanimalgarden.com.
at some of the most stun-
ning beaches like Dos Pla- The Lighthouse
ya or Daimara Beach. In No, you would not think
Total the park consists of of this as a hidden gem.
7907 acres protected na- The California Lighthouse
ture with a richness of ani- is actually one of the most
mals living in it. The Aruban known highlights in Aruba
whiptail lizard (cododo), and many repeated guests
Aruban cat eye snake (san- most probably took the ride
tanero) and endangered uphill already. But, there
rattle snake (cascabel) are is a significant change to
just some of them, you can this tower. Since Septem-
also admire these close in ber 2016 you can climb the
the park’s Visitors’ Center. top. In 2015 Stichting Monu-
For more information, visit mentenfonds started the
the website www.arubana- restoration of the Califor-
tionalpark.org nia Lighthouse. The project
finished in September 2016
Philip's Animal Garden and the Lighthouse is now
To stay with the animals, open for visitors to enjoy
let’s hop to an amazing the beautiful view from the
place. Something different top. The construction of the
to do, an experience that California Lighthouse start-
is to be enjoyed by peo- ed in 1915. The name ‘Cali-
ple of all ages. Welcome fornia’ came from a vessel
to Philip’s Animal Garden. of the West India Company
We are not talking about and Pacific Steamship Co.
a zoo here, this is actually called ‘California’ that
a sanctuary for all types shipwrecked in the area in
of creatures, from horses 1891. Therefore they came
to peacocks, kangaroos up with the idea of build-
to turtles, monkeys, goats, ing a lighthouse that could
and many, many more dif- indicate the island’s east-
ferent species. The place ern tip to ships with its light.
was founded in 2009 and www.arubalighthouse.com
it is the only organization will give you more informa-
rescuing and rehabilitat- tion.
ing exotic animals in Aru-
ba, which has resulted in
an amazing collection of
these animals. They pro-
vide a suitable living envi-
ronment for all the rescued
animals. Up until now the
owner, Philip, has built this
shelter with his own efforts;
building all the cages from
scratch, designing all struc-
tures and welding them
with his own bare hands. His