Island Tour Manual by Raysa Ashby

Island Tour Manual

Learn about the different reasons why visit Aruba One happy island

One happy island ISLAND Tour Manual

Island Tour Manual

ISLAND Tour Manual

Table of Contents 1. Aruba History 1.1 An overview of the Prehistory and History of Aruba 1.2 Geology of Aruba

1.3 Meaning of the name Aruba

6. Savaneta

6 7 7

23 23

2. Attractions in a Nutshell

9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 10

2.1 California Lighthouse 2.2 The Butterfly Farm (at Palm Beach) 2.3 Bubali Plas (Bird Sanctuary) 2.4 De Olde Molen–The Old Mill 2.5 Aruba Golf Club 2.6 Tierra Del Sol 2.7 Kapel di Alto Vista 2.8 The Large Ship’s Anchor 2.9 Lourdes Grotto

3. Gold Smelter Ruins

13 13 14 14

3.1 Gold was found (1824) 3.2 Rooi Frances or Franse Pas (Frenchman’s Pass) 3.3 Balashi 1899 3.4 Bushiribana

4. Natural Attractions

17 17 17 18 18 18 19

4.1 Natural Bridge 4.2 Conchi/Cura di Turtuga (Natural Pool) 4.3 Boca Prins 4.4 Dos Playa 4.5 Rancho Daimari 4.6 Ayo and Casibari (Rock Formations) 4.7 The Hooiberg (Haystack): A symbol

5. Water en Energie Bedrijf (water and energy company)

20 20 21

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5.1 Water 5.2 The Procedure 5.3 Electricity

6.1 Commandeurs Baai (Commanders’ Bay) 6.2 Commandeurs Baai becomes Savaneta

7. San Nicolas (Sint Nicolaas)

25 26 27 27 28 29

7.1 Pet Cemetery 7.2 The Phosphate Industry 7.3 Parke Nacional Arikok (Arikok National Park) 7.4 Cunucu Arikok 7.5 Fontein Cave 7.6 Guadirikiri Cave

8. Aruba’s Exotic Beaches

31 31 31 31 31 32 32

8.1 Arashi Beach 8.2 Malmok Beach 8.3 Palm Beach 8.4 Eagle Beach 8.5 Druif Beach 8.6 Baby Beach 8.7 Mangel Halto

9. Museums & Monuments

35 35 36 36 37 37 37 37 37

9.1 Fort Zoutman and Willem III Tower 9.2 Hotel Colombia 9.3 Stadhuis 9.4 Protestant Church 9.5 Henriqiez Building 9.6 Ecury Complex 9.7 Aruba Aloe 9.8 Water Tower 9.9 Theresia Kerk

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1. Aruba History 1.2 Geology of Aruba Geology is the study of the crust of the earth. By studying the layers of rocks which constitute the crust, processes and events by which the crust is formed can be reconstructed. The main rock groups are: • Igneous rocks, formed from cooling and solidification of magma or lava (volcanic material). • Metamorphic rock, a rock formed from a previously existing rock. The “transformation” is due to high temperatures and pressure. • Sedimentary rock, a rock that has formed as the result of deposition of material derived from other rocks.

1.1 An overview of the Prehistory and History of Aruba The Pre-Ceramic Period (2000 BC – 1500 AD) The first inhabitants of Aruba arrived in small vessels from Venezuela about 4,000 years ago. These people lived in small family groups of 10 to 15 persons. They were hunters and nomads and did not live in one permanent site. They camped for short periods of time at various places on the island, including Canashito, Arikok, Fontein and Malmok. These people are referred to as Pre-Ceramic Indians. The term Pre-Ceramic refers to the fact that these groups of people did not have a tradition of making ceramic objects (clay pots). A burial site (Malmok), and a number of artifacts have provided an insight into the life of these people, but much remains unknown. The Ceramic Period Approximately 900 years ago, a second group of inhabitants populated the island. These people were

ISLAND Tour Manual

later named the Caquetios; this tribe belongs to the sub-group known as the Arawak. Remains of their ceramic objects have been found at various locations on the island. The Caquetios came from the Peninsula of Paraguana, Venezuela, and established themselves in areas such as Ser’i Noka (Santa Cruz) and Tanki Flip. The Caquetios were farmers, but sea animals were an important part of their diet. Many shell remains were found at the sites of their former settlements. Historical Period (1499 - 1636) The Spanish arrived on Aruba in 1499. This marks the end of the so-called prehistory of Aruba. The Caquetios remained on the island until 1515 when most of the population was deported to Hispaniola (Dominican Republic/Haiti) to work as slaves in the mines. After this, the island was practically deserted until 1526 when the Spanish received permission to colonize the island. The Spanish brought a group of slaves with them. It is possible that these slaves were of the same Caquetio tribe, but this is not certain.

All three types of rocks can be found on Aruba. By studying the Aruban rocks and the landscape they make part of, the major rock groups are identified and thus make it possible for the geological history of the island to be reconstructed.

along with Bonaire and Curaçao, as one of the islas inutiles, “worthless islands”; since it appeared to lack the precious metals they were searching for. Alonso de Ojeda discovered Aruba in 1499, after leaving Curaçao and landing on Cape San Roman in Venezuela. It was from the shores of San Roman that he first set eyes on the then unknown island. Ojeda claimed Aruba for Spain, possibly without ever landing here. At the time of its discovery, Aruba was inhabited by the peaceful Caquetio Indians of the Arawak tribe, who had been living here since the Stone Age. It is believed that the Caquetios, tired of living under the constant threat of attack by the more belligerent Carib Indians, immigrated to Aruba from the Peninsula of Paraguana in Venezuela. Today many of Aruba’s towns, hills, coves and caves still bear the names of the earliest Indian chiefs and warrior settlers, including Turibana, Guadirikiri, Camacuri, Andicuri, Jaburibari, Macuarima, Kibaima, Basiruti and Bucuti.

Volcanism Aruba has its origin in volcanic activity 90 to 95 million years ago. Molten rock, known as magma, from within the earth flows out to the surface from cracks in the earth’s crust. Once this molten material reaches the surface, it is called lava. The natural activity by which lava is produced is called volcanism. Aruba Lava Formation The volcanic unit on Aruba is called the Aruba Lava Formation. Some of the volcanic activity that created Aruba occurred underwater.

1.3 Meaning of the name Aruba The origins of the word Aruba are attributed to the language of the Carib Indians, finding its roots in the words oruba or “well-placed” and in ora and oubao, which means “shell.” Another theory attributes the name to the Spanish conquistadors who, finding gold referred to the island as oro hubo or “there was gold”. This last option seems the least likely. When they discovered Aruba, the Spanish considered it,

ISLAND Tour Manual

California Lighthouse

2. Attractions in a Nutshell

The Butterfly Farm

The main town was built around Fort Zoutman shortly after it was constructed in 1796. Initially the town had no official name, and was known only as the town on the Bay of Horses (Paardenbaai in Dutch) - a fitting designation for the place from which many native-bred and raised horses were transported for neighboring Curaçao. The town has ever since been the capital city of the island. The city is named after the first King Willem van Oranje-Nassau (William of Orange-Nassau) - the first heir to the Dutch Royal House of Orange. The name was conferred on the city in the 1820s when interest in Aruba increased due to the discovery of (alluvial) gold deposits.

2.1 California Lighthouse The California Lighthouse was built in 1914–1916, and is located at the northern tip of the island on a hill named Hudishibana. It was named after the ship California, which shipwrecked on the coast prior to the lighthouse’s completion. The California was traveling from Liverpool to Central America with passengers, merchandise, clothes and furniture. The restaurant at the lighthouse used to be the dwelling of the lighthouse keepers. The last keeper was a young man from Curaçao called Jacob Jacobs. The last person to watch over the California lighthouse was Federico Fingal from Aruba. 8

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Bubali Plas

2.2 The Butterfly Farm A visit to Aruba’s butterfly farm is an unforgettable encounter with nature in all its beauty and diversity. Step into a tropical garden teeming with butterflies from around the globe and prepare to meet some of the world’s most colorful and unusual creatures. Observe the life cycle of these fascinating animals from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to? butterfly.

2.3 Bubali Plas (Bird Sanctuary) Since 1973, the bird sanctuary in Bubali has attracted more than 220 types of local and migrating birds. It is located near the high-rise hotel area. Bubali Plas is an official bird sanctuary and consists of two artificial lakes that are connected to each other, surrounded by vegetation that is typically from the edge of swampland. From the observation tower, visitors can enjoy a great view of the lakes and the various types of local birds. There is an average of 80 types of foreign, migrating birds that make their nests and have their offspring on Aruba.

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Attractions in a Nutshell

De Olde Molen

2.4 De Olde Molen–The Old Mill The fanciful Dutch windmill, which sits atop The Mill Restaurant, was at one time a working windmill. Built in Friesland, Holland, in 1804, it was used to pump water from the lands that lay below sea level until it was damaged in a storm in 1878. It was later disassembled and rebuilt elsewhere in Holland to mill grains. In 1929, it was again damaged by a storm and no longer used. In 1960, the remaining wooden structure was purchased by a Dutch merchant, brought to Aruba and rebuilt atop a two-story concrete structure to be used as a restaurant and museum in 1974. This building has been renovated and currently houses a nightclub.

2.5 Aruba Golf Club Aruba Golf Club exists since 1939; however the course as it is currently, was laid out in 1941. The club was founded by employees of LAGO Aruba (the oil company at that time). When in 1986 LAGO closed, they donated the golf course and clubhouse to the ‘people of San Nicolas’. Since then the Golf Course and Club are administered by a manager.

2.6 Tierra Del Sol Located near the California lighthouse is the Tierra Del Sol golf course. Tierra Del Sol, completed in 1995, is Aruba’s first championship golf course. Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, the course is an 18-hole, par 71 golf course that totals 6,811 yards in length and features sand traps. Multiple tees, the highest located 98 feet above sea level, provide a variety of distances and angles which make it possible to play the course differently each time.

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Tierra Del Sol

3.7 Kapel di Alto Vista The yellow chapel of Alto Vista is considered to be the birthplace of Aruba’s Roman Catholic religion, the first chapel to be built on the island by the Indians and the Spanish pioneers over 250 years ago. One of these pioneers was Domingo Antonio Silvestre, who came to Aruba from Coro, Venezuela. The Chapel of Alto Vista was dedicated to our Mother of the Rosary, and was considered a special place since the very beginning. After Domingo Antonio passed away, Miguel Enrique Albarez was left in charge of the chapel, followed by Domingo Bernardino Silvestre, who was the last person to supervise the church. Incidentally, Domingo Bernardino Silvestre was the son of the late Domingo Antonio Silvestre. In 1954, the Virgin Mary of Alto Vista was adorned with a gold crown containing 78 gemstones, which was made with contributions from the people of Aruba, who donated money, rings and other gold valuables. She was crowned in the Wilhelmina Stadium, currently the Guillermo Trinidad stadium, located on the outskirts of Oranjestad. Unfortunately and much to the dismay of the Aruban population, a mentally ill man destroyed this much beloved statue in 1997. The original statue was repaired and currently can be found at the Horacio O. Oduber hospital’s chapel.

3.8 The Large Ship’s Anchor The large ship’s anchor, located near Seroe Colorado (at the entrance to the former LAGO Colony concession), stands as a lonely sentinel, its history as varied and unique as the place where it is located. The story begins sometime in the 1960s, when this type of anchor was

Kapel di Alto Vista

first cast by a German foundry “Deutsche Bundes Patent” (DBP). The small numbers “4112” and “4115” are believed to be serial numbers that refer to the “fluke” or horizontal part of the anchor and the vertical shaft of the anchor, respectively. The number “21772K” refers to the weight of the anchor in kilos, roughly 47,889 pounds. The anchor is approximately 10 feet 6 inches wide and about 15 feet 6 inches tall. How it came to rest in its present location, is story as interesting as history itself. According to an article printed November 15, 1996 in “Algemeen Dagblad” (a Dutch newspaper), it is believed that the anchor was lost at sea, by the Esso tanker Cambridge, seeking a mooring offshore during rough weather. It lay on the ocean’s floor with its broken chain until it was recovered by another ship, Esso de Roma, in 1984. One day, after the anchor’s recovery, Wim Martinus (Harbormaster of Oranjestad), Gus Genser, (Division Superintendent at LAGO’s Laboratory), and Willie Davis (owner of Filtec), were conversing with Charlie Brouns Jr. at his famous Restaurant & Bar in San Nicolas. Always eager to seize an opportunity, Charlie petitioned George Reynolds, (then president of LAGO Oil & Transport Company, Ltd.) for permission to acquire the anchor; and with the assistance of Wescar and Filtec, two local companies, the anchor was relocated to its present location and dedicated “To All Seamen” on the occasion of the closing of the LAGO Oil Refinery in March 1985.

The Large Ship’s Anchor

Speziale requested assistance from the management of Valero Aruba Refinery, who graciously sand blasted and painted the anchor and poured a concrete pad around it. On April 17, 2005, this monument was rededicated “To All Seamen” in a formal ceremony in memory of Charles Brouns, Jr. It stands today as a silent reminder of the fact that Seroe Colorado is part of San Nicolas and San Nicolas is still a vibrant part of Aruba. The anchor continues to be one of the most visited and photographed sites on the island, by locals and visitors alike.

3.9 Lourdes Grotto The population of Aruba is predominantly Catholic, a fact that can be seen by observing the number of Catholic churches located in all of the districts of the island. On a drive to the northeastern coast from San Nicolas is a unique Roman Catholic shrine built into the rocks. The grotto is located in Seroe Preto (black hill).The Lourdes Grotto, named in commemoration of the famous French religious landmark and was created under the guidance of a priest named “Erkamp” and parishioners in the year 1958. A statue of the Virgin Mary, weighing 700 kilos, was hoisted into place in the grotto.

Through the years, the anchor held its ground, slowly weathering from the wind and salty spray. As time passed, its origins and purpose slowly faded away until one sad day, years ago, on September 25, 2004, Charlie Brouns, Jr. died in a tragic fall that many still recall. Thereafter, with a purpose and mission in mind, a family friend, Sam ISLAND Tour Manual

Bushiribana

3. Gold Smelter Ruins Rooi Frances

3.1 Gold was found (1824) It was 1824 when gold was first found on Aruba. Perhaps people found gold prior to this date but those findings were never registered. A twelve-year-old boy, Willem Rasmijn, found the ore while herding his father’s sheep in Rooi Fluit. Of course this unleashed a heavy gold fever, as everyone went looking for the precious metal. Whatever they found had to be sold to the government at a fixed price. Finally, the fever died in 1830. With the findings of new gold veins in 1854, the exploitation was going to be handled professionally. The right to explore for gold was taken from the Aruban population and granted to a foreign company. The concession to excavate for gold on Aruban soil was granted to a Dutch company, Concessie de Jongh, Den Haag (Concession de Jongh of The Hague). However, they did not work intensively. In 1867 the right was passed on to another company, Isola. They were granted the concession for the next 25 years and had to pay the government 2,500 florin per year (approximately US$ 1,430). Nevertheless, in 1868 this right was passed on to an American company, Rickect & Co of New York. This company worked with a primitive method. At the mines 12

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the rocks and stones would be crushed and filtered and the residue would be washed. The mining company worked in the area of Westpunt, Rooi Fluit, Seroe Cristal, Seroe Muskita and Tres Cabez, at the north east area of Aruba.

4.2 Rooi Frances or Franse Pas (Frenchman’s Pass) Buccaneers and smugglers from time to time brought some change to the quiet life of Aruba’s 200 inhabitants. Horse breeding, as we saw from Spanish times, continued and the animals formed one of the attractions luring French and English privateers. Horses were bred on Bonaire and Curaçao as well - on Bonaire at least as many as on Aruba. An attack was supposed to have taken place by French filibusters at the beginning of the seventeenth century, so at about the same time when the first Dutchmen came to the island. This cannot be historically proven. History however, preserves the memory of a fight between the Aruban Indians and the French privateers on the spot which was named Rooi Frances or Franse Pas (Frenchman’s Pass), allegedly in commemoration of this event.

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Gold Smelter Ruins

Balashi

3.3 Balashi 1899 On January 31st, 1899 Aruba Gold Concessions Ltd. of London obtained a new concession for a 40-year period against payment of a fixed annual due of 3,750 guilders and 25 percent of the net proceeds exceeding 6 percent of its capital. Mr. Jennings and Mr. Hosking, superintendent and chemical expert for this last foreign gold company on Aruba, arrived here via Curaçao. At the time there were no hotels or other buildings where they could be accommodated. These gentlemen were the pioneers who founded the Balashi Gold Smelter. They also constructed the mine in the high Mira Lamar valley as well as other mines all over the island. Just outside the town, on the old estate “Werk en Rust” (labor and rest) a manager’s house was built for Jennings in. The house which was later renamed Sividivi by Felipe Bareño, became Aruba’s most modern building of its time. It still stands today, as the right wind of the former San Pedro Hospital. Aruba Gold Concession Ltd. operated with great losses; according to the balance-sheet, the annual report for 1904. The cause of losses is said to be the collapse of Mira Lamar mine in 1904, possibly due to machination on the part of the superintendent, who had been passed over on the appointment of a new manager. The other mines together did not cover the expenditure. The estate of Sividivi was passed into the hands of the Catholic mission and became the first nunnery of the Dominican nuns on the island, before it was converted into a hospital; currently it is a senior citizens home. In the meantime, a combination, the Aruba Goud Maatschappij, was formed here, which for the insignificant amount of 10,000 guilders 14

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Bushiribana

became possessor of a great part of the machinery and buildings of Aruba Gold Concessions Ltd. Aruba Goud Maatschappij operated with a capital of 40,000 guilders. They were active at Balashi from 1908 to 1916, but over the years experienced a continuous decrease of the gold content. If in 1908 it still was 27 DWT per ton, in 1915 it had shrunk to 18 DWT per ton. The system caused small workings to spring up everywhere, at Calbas, Kristalberg, Alto Vista, Matasin, etc., from the west coast via the whole of the north up to and including parts of the east coast. No more gold has been exported since 1916.

3.4 Bushiribana To conclude, from 1872 to 1881 the right to explore for gold was given to the English company named Aruba Island Gold Mining Company, London. It was finally this company that built the Gold Mill of Bushiribana in 1874. The famous Aruban bricklayer or mason, Alexander Donati along with a few other bricklayers of Curaçao was hired to lift these massive rocks. These people had to use cranes made out of wooden beams to put the rocks in place. An old fashioned mill grinder was built. The idea was to grind the rocks into dust. The mill would be powered by the powerful wind of the northeast sea. The dust would leave the clumps of gold behind to be picked up. To find the pure gold they had to melt the gold and let it attach itself to quicksilver. The areas near this gold mill, being Kadushi, Matividiri, Seroe Cristal, Wariruri, and Babijn, were mostly excavated for gold, as were the more traditional and new regions like Rooi Fluit, Sabanilla, Piedra Cacho, Daimari, Tamarijn,

Parca, Shete and Angochi. The longest mine tunnels were at Seroe Cristal, Seroe Gerard and Kadushi. The work there was done in a primitive manner; the precious gold was released from the rocks with a heavy hammer and crowbar. The rocks were then put in a chest and passed from hand to hand to Bushiribana. This company built the first pier/port of Aruba: Waf’i Compania at Forti Abou. They put up a 10 km long road to transport the machines. Twenty-five years after Bushiribana was built another mill was built at Balashi. In Balashi, there were probably steam engines, grind mills, water tanks and fern aces, just like the one in Bushiribana. The gold mill was built out of limestone. They chose Balashi, because of the better connection with the sea. The connections were provided by a system of 3 railway lines. The gold was mainly supplied from the area around Mira Lamar.

In 1897 Edward Ibbotson, nephew of one the shareholders of the Aruba Island Gold Mining Company, Ltd, began working with the “cyanide” process. His uncle concluded, together with Ibbotson, that this process proved to be more efficient and confirmed that the old process left more than half of the gold behind. No wonder the old process was not profitable. In 1895, two engineers came to Aruba and introduced a new method to excavate gold, which was profitable, although a lot of accidents took place. In 1908 the concession was granted to the Aruba Goud Maatschappij (Aruba Gold Mining Company). This local company obtained reasonable results. But, because of the lack of materials to refine the ore during World War I, the excavation for gold was stopped in 1916 and was never resumed thereafter.

Of a total of 252 tons of ore, 556.6 oz. was pure gold. Between 1878 and 1880, 2,075 oz. of fine gold was produced from 2,938 tons of ore. The initial capital was half a million sterling which was all invested by 1874 and, consequently the company had to invest another £ 10,000. The machines at Bushiribana cost £ 21,000, which excluded the cost of transport and installation, as well as the high wages. Furthermore, all the required machinery had to be imported. Between 1880 and 1881 no gold mining had taken place. The right was passed on to the Aruba Agency Company, London in 1881.

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Natural Pool

4. Natural Attractions Natural Bridge

4.1 Natural Bridge This was one of Aruba’s most popular attractions. The bridge was shaped by years of pounding surf on the coral limestone, and was one of the largest of these types of spans in the world. It stood some 23 feet (7 meters) above sea level and spanned more than 100 feet (30 meters). There is no admission fee or set hours for visiting. Natural Bridge is still a very popular spot, and there is a smaller bridge (Baby Bridge) nearby. Aside of this Natural Bridge, there are another 6 natural bridges located in the following areas; Black Stone Beach, Seroe Colorado, Wariruri and next to the Natural Pool.

4.2 Conchi/Cura di Turtuga (Natural Pool) Aruba’s Natural Pool is located at the windward part of the island, inside the Arikok National Park. It is also known as “Conchi”. The Natural Pool is a formation of rocks, which waves hit on the sides causing the seawater to cascade over and fill the pool. It is unique and considered one of the island’s best hidden gems because of its location. Waves crash over the rocks into the pool, making you feel like you are in a water

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park. Also, if you are brave enough, you can dive from the rocks into the pool, making it a fun and truly daring experience. Inside the pool the water is clean and calm, with plenty of fish and coral reef, which you will need to bring your snorkeling gear along to enjoy. You might also need to bring waterproof shoes or sandals since the rocks in some parts are sharp and you could scratch your feet on the reef, causing some discomfort.

4.3 Boca Prins Boca Prins Beach is similar to Boca Grandi; it is also located at the eastern part of the island, inside Arikok National Park. It is a beautiful place to have a picnic or visit while on an excursion, since the constant trade wind makes it mosquito-free and comfortable to manage the warm weather. You must bring sunscreen to protect yourself from the strong sun. The darker water is a remainder of the strong current in this section of Aruba. However, it is not recommended for young children, senior citizens nor inexperienced swimmers to go into the ocean here, because the waves that hit the beach are strong and it could become dangerous if a person gets caught in them. The beach

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Natural Attractions

Casibari

has darker sand and is covered with stones and pebbles, making it somewhat uncomfortable to walk barefoot. In contrast to the somewhat flat west side of the island, here the views from the beaches are gorgeous. From the hills to the beach is just a short stretch, and what makes this place so unique.

4.4 Dos Playa Dos Playa Beach is the traditional draw for surfers on the island. The crashing surf is awesome to watch and the relative solitude on the white sandy beach is heavenly. This spot is truly awe inspiring as the waves encounter the harsh rocky cliffs of the eastern side of the island, creating coves like Dos Playa Beach. The long, bumpy ride is worth your while.

4.5 Rancho Daimari Nestled amongst the most exotic hillsides on the island, in front of the Daimari Beach, lies the best kept secret on Aruba, “Rancho Daimari”. Built in the 1600s, it is one of the oldest coconut plantations in the Caribbean, where some of the original Dutch settlers started developing plantation-type settlements. The ranch’s headquarters are located at the gates of the National Park allowing for the immediate introduction to Aruba’s unspoiled Flora and Fauna. The idea of sharing this beautiful, unique environment with Aruba’s visitors came to fruition after owners received numerous requests from the tourism industry. 18

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Hooiberg

4.6 Ayo and Casibari (Rock Formations)

4.7 The Hooiberg (Haystack): A symbol

For such a relatively flat, sandy island, the presence of the unusual hills and huge monolithic boulders that dot the countryside are truly an enigma. These remarkable geological formations add aesthetics to the landscape and also provide excellent vantage points from which to better view the island. Casibari’s clusters of huge tonalite boulders sit together in an area just north of Hooiberg. This rock formation, unique to the more typical features of the area, inexplicably rises up from the desert soil to create an unusual setting. Some of the boulders weigh several tons and feature peculiar forms.

The 146-meter tall Hooiberg is located in the center of the island. For its geological component it is the symbol of the island. People have always used the Hooiberg as a landmark for directions. Also, it was concluded for all the remainders of shells that can still be found here, that the Indians used the hill as orientation point and as a watchtower to oversee the horizon. For the past 50 years companies have been using the hilltop to place TV and radio antennas for better reception. A

cement staircase of 900 steps was built in 1951 for easier access and maintenance of these masts. Nowadays, the Hooiberg climb is considered an excellent exercise routine by walkers and runners. Geologists who explored our island for minerals and gemstones discovered a unique compilation of rock formation called Hooiberggiet (haystack casting), that is only to be found here, on Aruba and in certain parts of New Zealand.

The Government of Aruba has created walking trails and steps through the stack of boulders, allowing hikers to reach the top to obtain breathtaking views of the island. Ayo Rock Formations’ towering stone boulders are located in close proximity of each other and in unusual designs. In combination with the tranquil environment of Ayo, the formation creates a sense of awe and an understanding of why the area was once considered a sacred site by the island’s original inhabitants. Rock drawings by the first inhabitants of Aruba, dating back thousands of years, are found at this site, where huge stones appear to have been scattered like marbles. Modern pathways have been constructed in order to help visitors better explore this ancient site.

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5. Water en Energie Bedrijf (Water and Energy Company)

The water produced at the W.E.B. Aruba N.V. is stored at on-site in eight water tanks with a total capacity of 12.500 metric tons or 3.3 million gallons each. Through the pumping systems the water then goes to water tanks located at among others, the following locations: Seroe Preto, Savaneta, Mondi Fierno, Urataca, Jaburibari and Alto Vista. From these reservoirs the high quality drinking water is distributed to homes and businesses all over the island.

5.3 Electricity In the late 1950s W.E.B. Aruba N.V. assumed responsibility for power generation and the local electricity company Elmar N.V (‘Electriciteits Maatschappij Aruba’), retained the responsibility for power distribution. Aruba’s power distribution system consistently meets international standards and reaches every home on the island, a performance that most nations in the world cannot meet.

5.1 Water Aruba’s drinking water’s quality is among the best in the world, even compared with the top brands of bottled water. The tap water is pure distilled water, filtered through beds of coral stones, where it absorbs important minerals such as calcium and oxygen. These give the water its delicious taste. Our drinking water from the tap is safe for consumption without any need for further treatment such as boiling, a luxury most water suppliers in the world have only on an intermittent basis. W.E.B. Aruba N.V. has procedures in place to safeguard the safety and quality of the water supply and water distribution. A daily water quality testing program for chemicals is conducted in the W.E.B. Aruba N.V. Other strict quality control procedures include a monthly testing cycle, which takes place at 21 strategic sites spread all over the island. The WHO (World Health Organization) standard for dissolved salts is 600 parts per million (PPM).

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Aruba’s water contains between 5 to 15 PPM. The government laboratory does bacteriological testing twice a month at these same strategic sites. The bacteria’s count is consistently below detectable levels.

On Aruba power outages are rare. The electric power is produced by steam turbine (the same as in the water procedure) generators and the steam is supplied by fuel-oil burning boilers.

5.2 The Procedure The desalination process produces high quality water by heating sea water under vacuum conditions until it vaporizes, then the water vapor is condensed as distilled water. The brine left over is mixed with sea water and safely returned to the ocean. This process eradicates all bacteria and guarantees clean, safe and healthy water. W.E.B Aruba N.V. does not add chlorine, as is commonly done elsewhere. The tap water all over Aruba is potable and can be used without any potential health risks. In this, Aruba is exceptional compared to most nations. W.E.B. Aruba N.V. maintains one of the lowest processes for water produced in a comparable manner, in the region. The price is about one-cent (US currency) per gallon.

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6. Savaneta

6.1 Commandeurs Baai (Commanders’ Bay)

6.2 Commandeurs Baai becomes Savaneta

There are legends enough and to spare making part of Aruba’s history. According to one of them there is supposed to have been a commander named Jahram, who was so cruel as to force the Indians to carry cactuses, in the same manner that guns are carried, on their naked shoulders. It is said that the people took revenge by tying Jahrman to a horse and chasing the horse into the ocean, drowning both the horse and its rider.

A few people continued to live on Commandeurs Baai. In the mid-1800s, Commandeurs Baai was renamed to Savaneta, or small sabana, meaning “plain overgrown with Underwood.” It seemed that the name Commandeurs Baai was forgotten when the generation that had known the Commander died out.

Other legend recounts, that they put Jahrman under a spell, causing him - on his own account - to jump onto his horse and spur it into the sea, resulting in their death. Allegedly the bay was named Commandeurs Baai (Commanders’ Bay) after this incident.

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Parke Nacional Arikok

7. San Nicolas Charlie’s Bar

San Nicolas (Dutch: Sint Nicolaas) is 19 kilometers (12 miles) southeast of Oranjestad, and is Aruba’s second largest city. Known as the island’s Sunrise Side, San Nicolas was once a bustling industrial town, when LAGO Oil and Transport operated its oil refinery here, from 1924-1985. The refinery was closed from 1985 to 1990, when Coastal Corporation reopened the oil refinery. It was later sold to Valero. The refinery was open for a number of years, when Valero decided to close it in 2009. In 2010, Valero announced plans to reopen the refinery, but in 2012 decided to stop all refining operations and prepare the facilities to continue using the transshipment division only, while the refinery remains on the market for a new operator. San Nicolas was named after Mr. Nicolas van der Biest (1808-1873), who owned a big piece of the land there. Landowners were then addressed by their subordinates by their first names preceded by ‘Shon’ meaning ‘master’. So, he was called ‘Shon Nicolas’, as was the area. It is thought that the change from Shon Nicolas to San Nicolas was due to the influence of the Spanish. (Source is Dr. J. Hartog, an Aruba historian, and Aruba Tourism Authority). 24

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Charlie’s Bar, in operation since 1941, once had a colorful reputation as a hangout for rowdy sailors and oil refinery workers. The establishment is known for its variety of bric-a-brac. Pictures, business cards and license plates grace the walls of the bar while the hundreds of items hanging from the ceiling include hats, frisbees, an inner tube, a life jacket and even shirts from the Boston Braves and Brooklyn Dodgers. Charlie’s Bar and the town of San Nicolas are featured in two novels by American author Daniel Putkowski, An Island Away (2008) and Under a Blue Flag (2011). In nearby Seroe Colorado, there is a small natural bridge, not to be confused with the bridge at Andicuri.

7.1 Pet Cemetery This place exists since the first refinery was opened (The LAGO). Many foreigners came to work in the refinery and lived in the LAGO Colony with their families and, of course, they had dogs. They started burying their dogs when they died at this location by the ocean, as a way of showing their love for their pets. Years later, people living in all parts of the island started burying not only dogs, but also all other deceased pets here, thus resulting in the name “Pet Cemetery.” ISLAND Tour Manual

San Nicolas 7.2 The Phosphate Industry In the 19th century another natural product, besides gold, was found to be fit for exploitation. On Seroe Colorado, at the utmost south-easterly tip of the island, guano was found. This limestone, containing phosphoric acid, originates from bird droppings, in this case seagulls. There was a broad world market for phosphate that was used as a fertilizer. The discovery of guano is being credited to J. H. Waters Gravenhorst in 1874, but it seems that in 1859 already an American, S. R. Kimball, who was digging guano on the Aves islands, had applied for a permit for exploitation. In 1871, guano had also been discovered on Klein Curaçao by the Englishman John Godden. His discovery caused quite a hype on the Antillean islands, a kind of ‘guano mania’. On Curaçao too, guano was found and exploited by Godden. The phosphate was very conspicuous in color: yellow to red-brown or the color of liver, sometimes green or purple. That is how Seroe Colorado (the Colored Hill) got its name. After the discovery of guano on Aruba by Gravenhorst, exploitation was started by the Aruba Phosphaat Maatschappij (APM), founded in December of 1879. The centre of exportation was San Nicolas, which only consisted of a few fishermen’s huts before this. The activities surrounding the exploitation and exportation of phosphate led to more and more huts being built there. It already started to look quite like a little village, where sailors from the ships that came for the phosphate came looking for distraction ashore. Local labor was initially only found with difficulty; this was caused by the rival branch of industry, the exploitation of gold. That is why 40 men were attracted from Bonaire and about 20 bricklayers and carpenters were recruited from Curaçao to come work for APM. Even a group of Italians was attracted to the island to manage the company; four of them never left: Antonio and Victorio Petrocci, Eugenio Falconi and Cajetano Jacopucci. They settled in Tanki Leendert. The exploitation of phosphate led to the development of the settlement of San Nicolas. First a wooden pier was built in the harbor and the phosphate was taken there by donkey. In 1881, new materials arrived from England and New York. The installations that were built then were ultramodern for that time. In the Sint Nicolaasbay, an iron landing was built; this was the most modern harbor facility in the entire Caribbean region at that time. For the transport of the phosphate to the harbor, a sixkilometer long narrow gauge railway was built and the phosphate was taken to the loading berth in trains consisting of more or less 20 tip carts and a steam locomotive. There it was --loaded into sailing ships that took it to countries like England, France, Germany and the United States of America to be processed to super 26

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phosphate that was used as fertilizer. The phosphate company had its own tugboat (the ‘S.S. Phosphate’) and its own pilot to get the ships safely in and out of the Sint Nicolaas bay. The time that was needed to load a ship was being reduced from 15 to 5 days. Three to five hundred tons of phosphate per day could be handled by the pier. In 1882, about 250 men worked in the phosphate industry and the salaries were not bad. People came from all over the island to work in the phosphate mines; those who lived in the surroundings of Noord, had to get on their way by foot or on a donkey by Sunday afternoon and stayed overnight in Savaneta to start working on Monday. The workers stayed near the phosphate mines all week and slept in barracks. On Saturdays, they worked half days, after which they set out to return home on foot or on a donkey. Business went well and soon a profit was made which allowed paying off the loans that were made for the investments. A dividend could be paid out as well. Initially, phosphate was extracted on Seroe Colorado and Seroe Culebra. When the supply at the surface of the hills was exhausted after about 15 years, they went on to look for phosphate deeper in the ground. On a depth of 15 to 18 meters, phosphate layers, six feet thick on average, were discovered at Banki Jerome, a bit more to the north. Mines were made to bring up the material. These mines provided enough phosphate for the next 15 years. Holes were drilled by hand into the phosphate and then it was extracted with explosives. The exploitation of the phosphate caused the revenues of the island to rise considerably and made it possible for Aruba to support the other islands of the Dutch colony Curaçao (the Netherlands Antilles did not yet exist) as well. In the years of exploitation, which continued until 1914, 530.060 tons were exported with a total market value of almost 17 million guilders. As time passed, phosphate exploitation became less profitable; as the phosphate had to be extracted from deeper underground, the quality became poorer. Besides this, there was strong competition from Canadian phosphate companies, which offered a product of better quality. Good and relatively cheap phosphate came out of Florida as well and as a result, the global prices went down. The APM realized that the expenses to exploit phosphate from Aruba were too high to be able to still be competitive. Even though the tax rates had been reduced by the government, the profits continued to decrease and finally the expenses could not be covered anymore. When World War I broke out in 1914, the exploitation of phosphate became very difficult. It was impossible to get dynamite and the means of exportation became worse as a result of the war in Europe. The Aruba

Cunucu Arikok

Phosphaat Maatschappij closed down in August of 1914 and a year later, the company was dissolved by its shareholders. Workers left again and went looking for work in surrounding countries, among others Venezuela and Colombia.

7.3 Parke Nacional Arikok (Arikok National Park) The idea of establishing a national park for Aruba started in the late sixties. It was not until 1980 that a plan was presented for the development of the area of ArikokJamanota into a national park. Only a small portion of the plan was realized. This resulted in the creation of Cunucu Arikok. In 1995 the government came with a new plan for the development of a national park. In that year the Nature Protection Regulation came into effect. This State Ordinance was the basis for the complete nature protection policy for the island Aruba and resulted in the start of the establishment of the national park. In 1996 the government of Aruba approved the Nature and Landscape Structure Memorandum. A committee was established for the setup of the Arikok National Park and produced the 1997 policy document on how to manage it.Finally, in the year 2000, the Arikok National Park was established by a Ministerial Order. In 2003 Arikok National Park became a foundation in order to obtain European Development Funds of 7.1 million Euros for infrastructural developments within the park.

7.4 Cunucu Arikok One of the landmarks within Arikok National Park is the central area known as Cunucu Arikok. In this garden a cas di torto is the focal point. It is one of the examples of how Arubans used to build their homes. Its frame is composed of the dry husks of the cadushi cactus, which is covered by mud, thereby earning it its name cas di torto, or “house of cake”. In the vicinity of the house, fruit trees planted by the original occupants still survive. Big boulders of quartz diorite, similar to those of Ayo and Casibari, with Indian pictographs (rock drawings) are also found in this area. Rock drawings, such as those in Cunucu Arikok, are found at 17 sites on the island, where approximately 300 representations have been made on rocks. Most of the rock drawings were made in the openings of the large boulders that dominate a portion of the Aruban landscape. Local archeologists hypothesize that the Indian pictographs are probably related to creation myths, but the exact meaning as well as the date they were created are unknown. The drawings could have been made by members of either of the two Indian groups that inhabited the island. Various watapana or divi divi trees are also found within Cunucu Arikok. This tree has become the island’s trademark. The oddly shaped tree, which always points to the west, has been modified by the constant trade winds that blow predominately from the northeast. In a spot sheltered from the wind, such as in the valleys of Arikok National Park, the watapana will grow in an ISLAND Tour Manual

San Nicolas

Fofoti

upright position. The watapana has inconspicuous but fragrant blossoms and thick curled pods rich in tannin; at one time these pods were exported to Hamburg in great numbers for use in the leather industry. Aruban trees similar to the watapana, include the kwihi or indju; the thorny hubada or wabi; the huliba; the shimarucu or West Indian cherry tree; and the yuana or watakeli. The park is the habitat of several animal species found only on Aruba: • Cascabel (Aruban rattlesnake) • Santanero (Aruban cat-eyed snake) • Kododo Blauw (Aruban whiptail lizard) • Shoco (Aruban burrowing owl) • Prikichi (Aruban parakeet) In the park you will find a variety of birds including: • Blenchi berde (common emerald hummingbird) • Blenchi Cora (ruby-topaz hummingbird) • Chonchorogai (rufous-collared sparrow) • Gonsalito (yellow oriole) • Kinikini (American kestrel) • Mofi (black-faced grass quit) • Parha di Misa (yellow warbler) • Trupial (troupial) • Warawara (crested caracara) Flora varieties found include: • Aloe (aloe) • Basora preto (black sage) • Brasil (brasilwood) • Calbas (calabash) 28

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Cawara di Mondi Cawara spaño (Geiger tree) Casho (cashew) Cocorobana (sea lavender) Druif (sea grape) Kukwisa Kwihi Mata di Juana (chinks wood, body wood) Palo di Boonchi (Indian coral tree) Ratonero (gouge bush tree) Watapana Cacti varieties found here include: Cadushi (candle cactus) Breba Breba di pushi Bushi (Turk’s cap cactus) Cadushi colebra (snake cactus) Tuna (cochineal cactus)

Guadirikiri Cave

and feed on nectar and pollen. It is also reported that Arawak Indians used to perform their tribal rituals and ceremonies inside this cave.

is the only one that has the drawings of Arawak Indians on the ceilings, providing a real sense of island history to this cave.

7.6 Guadirikiri Cave

The Huliba Cave is also known as the Tunnel of Love because of the heart shaped opening at its entrance. You will need flashlights to explore the 300-foot-long passageway.

In the deep recesses of rock along the island’s windward coast, shallow cave formations intrigue visitors, who, in seeking to penetrate its damp chambers, are rewarded with mysterious views of rock drawings, the sudden, flapping wings of a nervous bat and nature’s artwork of stalagmites and stalactites. The Guadirikiri Cave is famous for its two chambers, illuminated by the sunlight streaming through holes in the roof of the cave. The cave extends for about 100 feet. In the darker portions of the cave hundreds of harmless bats nest. The Fontein Cave is the most popular of the caves as it

7.5 Fontein Cave The Fontein Cave is a small cave near Boca Prins on the northern part of the island. It is well known for its native Arawak drawings on the walls, which were decoratively etched by Amerindians on the stone walls and flatter roof portion of the cave in brownish-red, reddish brown or purplish color; this in turn gives a clue to the history of the Amerindians. The cave is accessible from an “escarpment of a terrace of coral limestone” and has a width of 3 meters (9.8 ft) and a height of 2 meters (6 ft 7 in). The entrance hall, which is open for visitors, is 4 meters (13 ft) in height and extends to a depth of 50 meters (160 ft). As it is a limestone geological formation, solution effect due to seeping water has resulted in colorful stalagmites and stalactites formations in very odd shapes and sizes. Long tongued bats, which nestle in the holes of the cave, go on nocturnal hunts to collect ISLAND Tour Manual

Eagle Beach

8. Aruba’s Exotic Beaches

Arashi Beach

Aruba is known for its beautiful beaches with fine white sand and turquoise waters that are clean, nice and safe during the entire year. Aruba’s beaches are public; and the majority of the high-rise and low-rise hotels were built on or across from these beaches. The island offers a total of 7 miles of pristine white sand, complementing the calm blue ocean, where people can swim and practice water sports, including parasailing, banana boats and much more. Aruba’s most popular beaches are indicated on this map:

8.1 Arashi Beach Arashi is located between Malmok and the California Lighthouse. This beach is well-visited by locals as well as tourists

8.2 Malmok Beach The long strip, which begins after Marriott Resort and ends at Boca Catalina is called Malmok Beach. This is where most people practice windsurfing as well as kite surfing. Its depth and crystal clear water is what makes this area perfect for snorkeling. The Antilla wreck is a perfect location for diving. 30

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8.3 Palm Beach Palm Beach is probably Aruba’s most famous beach, it has been recognized as one of the top beaches in the world by different media. Palm Beach is almost 2 miles long and where most of the high-rise hotels are located. There are various piers, shops, bars and restaurants where visitors can relax, have a drink and eat something while enjoying the beach. Palm Beach is ideal for taking afternoon walks and to experience Aruba’s beautiful sunset.

8.4 Eagle Beach Eagle Beach is one of the island’s most popular beaches. It is located near the low-rise hotels, offering a large area with crystalline waters and great shade for picnics. There is a good variety of water sports activities available. Eagle Beach is much used by families during the weekend as well as in the Lent season.

8.5 Druif Beach Druif Beach is the location of a few of the low-rise hotels. It offers a peaceful, comfortable environment and a lot of space. ISLAND Tour Manual

Arubaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Exotic Beaches

Palm Beach

Mangel Halto

8.6 Baby Beach

8.7 Mangel Halto

Baby Beach is located at Seroe Colorado, known as the Colony back in the LAGO refinery days. Colony was the gated community, where LAGO executives and their families lived. Baby Beach is very well visited by locals as well as tourists, who come to enjoy the peaceful crystal clear water. Baby Beach is also recommended for snorkeling, as is it a meeting spot for an abundance of tropical fishes.

Located at Pos Chiquito and close to Spaans Lagoen, Mangel Halto is an ideal place for snorkeling. It is much used by divers with little experience and also by those who are working on obtaining their diving certificate. A very calm beach with crystalline water and not deep at certain areas, Mangel Halto also offers an abundance of marine life.

Baby Beach

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Fort Zoutman

9. Museums & Monuments

Hotel Colombia

9.1 Fort Zoutman and Willem III Tower Centuries ago, when settlement was permitted by the Dutch, Paardenbaai (Horses Bay) in Oranjestad became an intermediate harbor for trade between Curaçao and Venezuela. For protection against pirates and enemies, Fort Zoutman, Aruba’s oldest edifice, was built in 1798, and, due to commercial growth, Oranjestad was named Aruba’s capital. The fort is named after Dutch Rear Admiral Johan Arnold Zoutman, who never set foot on Aruba, but by defeating the English in the North Sea, warded off an English attack on the island in 1799. The Willem III Tower was built in 1868 and first lit on King Willem III’s birthday; it served as both a lighthouse and public clock tower. After 95 years, the light in the tower was extinguished in 1963. Over the years, it has housed government offices, a police station, the jail, the tax office, the courtroom, the library and the post office. At present, the restored fort and tower house are home to the Historical Museum, which opened in 1984. It is a proud symbol of Aruba’s national heritage and a fitting place to hold the Bon Bini Festival every Tuesday evening (from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.) celebrating the island’s 34

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culture and history. The museum is involved in many ongoing projects aimed at creating a close link with the educational system. The collection is mostly made up of donations from citizens, such as the special private collection of historical documents of Richard Beaujon. The exhibit depicts the history and development of Aruba up to the 1920s when the LAGO oil refinery came to the island. Ongoing activities include group visits to the museum with tours by multi-lingual museum guides; rental of the patio for the celebration of special occasions; and Legacy Tours for groups, a walking tour through the city of Oranjestad, highlighting monuments and other museums. The museum is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and after hours or on weekends upon special request for groups. The museum is frequently visited by schools, tourists and locals.

9.2 Hotel Colombia Around 1924 Aruba’s first guesthouse was opened, the Pension Aruba; and others soon followed. Pension Aruba was located across from Fort Zoutman and the Willem III-tower and at that time it had a splendid view

ISLAND Tour Manual

Museums & Monuments

Stadhuis

of the sea. With its pillars and balcony, it was one of the most beautiful buildings in Oranjestad. Next to it was the island’s first cinema, the open air De Veer Theatre. The guesthouse was later renamed Hotel Colombia. In the 20th century the Hotel Colombia building was occupied by two different companies, a printing shop (Excelsior) and a “delicatessen” (The Wine Cellar); now it makes part of the entirely restored Town Hall Complex.

and the dilapidated state of the structure prompted the planning for the construction of a new church; the funds for this were collected on Aruba (876.50 florins) and on Curacao (2050.75 florins). In 1845 construction started, the stones from the demolished building were re-used for construction of the walls of the church. The church in Wilhelminastraat, due to its location, then close to the coastline, was called ‘The church at the bay’.

9.3 Stadhuis

On February 15, 1846, the newly erected house of prayer was consecrated by Drs. A. Meyer from Curacao, who had purchased some furniture for the church on Curacao. The cost of the construction amounted to 2714.08 florins. The old church bell broke during its transport. A generous gift from Commander Jacob Jahram made the purchase of a church bell from Coro, Venezuela, possible. The new bell was placed in a belfry, erected on top of the roof in May 1856. The belfry, which was commonly known as the “duiventil” (pigeon’s house), was replaced by a tower designed by Lieutenant Governor J.H. Ferguson and built in 1867. During the 1886 renovation, where the church walls were increased in height, a tile roof was constructed. The church was used for service until 1950, after which church services were moved to the adjacent new Protestant church. During 1988-1994 restoration of the church took place under the direction of Ds. A. van den Doel. The old church was restored to its nineteenth century settings. Ds. A. van den Doel transferred the pews from a Dutch church and had chairs custommade in the twenties buttons chair style. The pulpit, the baptistery screen and the balustrade found on the church balcony were made by Kees van Dijk (the Netherlands). He also ordered to make text designs on the decorative wall plates. The organ was acquired with money received as a gift. Chandeliers, the organ and current roof tiles were all brought from the Netherlands. On the pulpit an image of the Good Samaritan is found in a woodcarving;

This building on Wilhelminastraat, which was formerly a house, was built in 1922-1925 by Dr. Eloy Arends. It was restored in 1998 by the Government’s ‘Monumenten Bureau Aruba’. At present, this building is used for civil weddings by citizens of Aruba, as well as visitors from across the globe that comes to the island to get married. In the back of the building, a modern edifice was added to accommodate the Civil Register Office.

9.4 Protestant Church This church was built in 1845-1846 for the Protestant congregation of Aruba, established in 1822. The old church was built according to traditional design and construction methods using hewn rocks and coral stone and is located on a large lot bordered by Wilhelminastraat, Schoolstraat, the Rifstraat and Klipstraat. The south front, portico and main entrance are situated on Wilhelminastraat. The oldest of the church buildings on Aruba, it was built on the foundations of a house purchased from the Arends family for 250 Aruban florins. After the acquisition of the Arends house, it was transformed into a dwelling and a church hall and on August 25, 1822, the first service was conducted there. A church bell was placed in one of the dormer-windows. Lack of adequate space 36

Protestant Church

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Aruba Aloe Museum

this was executed by an Indonesian artisan. The windows were restored in the original style. In the portico a Dutch tile tableau designed and painted by Renske and Fred Patist is displayed. Nowadays, the old Protestant church is used for exhibitions and music performances.

9.5 Henriquez Building The house in traditional crafts style, a so-called “Stadskunukuhuis” (No. 38) was probably built at the end of the 19th century and the two-story edifice was established as a merchant house (No.36) in the first half of the 20th century, forming a two-unit. Both houses are in one yard with a rubble stone boundary, with a gate at the north side. The first floor of the merchant house was open to the south by a balcony with a wooden spiral staircase leading to the front terrace of the cunucu house. Abelardo Henriquez from Curaçao (10 March 1875 - 6 February 1956), tailor, ship owner and merchant, owned the two buildings. He was married to Silda Dominica Figaroa. The buildings were popularly referred to as “La Casa de la Municipalidad”, The Municipality House. On 17 April, 1997, the two houses were sold to the Monument Fund Aruba. In 2002, the restoration of the complex was completed and since then houses the Monument Bureau.

9.6 Ecury Complex This urban villa was built in or around 1910 on a rectangular piece of land. It is also referred to as a Caribbean town villa, which indicates that the style of the building formerly came from an inspiration from Curaçao or from a similar design found in the southern areas of the United States of America, the northern areas of South

Theresia

America or from one of the other Caribbean islands. The building has two construction layers. According to the late Poppy Schouten-Ecury, whose father built the home, the construction of the buildings took place in phases. The first construction layer appears to have been built in 1910/1911. The second floor was built in 1917/1918, around or shortly after the so-called ’kaboutergriep’. This is the birth place of Aruba’s war hero, Boy Ecury. At present the Ecury Complex houses Aruba’s Archaeological Museum and different temporary exhibits.

9.7 Aruba Aloe In 1840, the cultivation of aloe began on the island and Aruba became known for having aloe of the best quality. The gel of the aloe plant supplies a component for certain pharmaceutical product, among others, laxatives. In 1912, 827,814.5 pounds (375.000 kilograms) were exported. The aloe plant is used for its curative characteristics, among others as medication for minor wounds and sunburns. It can be found in many face and body care products. The local company, Aruba Aloe N.V., currently markets its own line of suntan and beauty products internationally. At its factory in Hato, Aruba Aloe N.V. has a shop, a museum and offers tours of its facilities.

9.8 Water Tower On June 22, 1932, the water works was opened for Oranjestad, in 1934 for San Nicolas. In order to raise the pressure later on a water tower was built in Oranjestad as well as in San Nicolas. The one in San Nicolas was put into use on August 14, 1939, by Governor Gielliam J.J. Wouters. The managing director of the Landswatervoorzieningsdienst R.J. (‘Hensi’) Beaujon did the same with the water tower in Oranjestad on the following November 4th. The water towers were designed ISLAND Tour Manual

and built in a style with influences of the “New/ Modern Building Style” and the “Art Deco Style”; the design was from P.A. Stuivenberg. F.A. van Drimmelen. The ground floor under the actual tower building was used as an office space. The first and second floors were initially used as a storage space. The water reservoir is completely at the top of the tower and its holding capacity is 375 cubic meters. The connection between the floors was done by metal stairs; the last ladder was a steep ladder with a cage. The water tower of San Nicolas is of general importance for the country Aruba. It is a clear image characteristic of the town of San Nicolas and has with this a function of a ‘landmark’. It was realized after a design by P.A. Stuivenberg, and just as the water tower in Oranjestad, the tower is part of a special category of buildings which have stylistic characteristics of the New/ Modern Building Style and the Art Deco Style. Together with the designs executed in Curaçao both towers form an important phase in the complete work of the architect. Both towers have an eminent historical importance for the water distribution of Aruba and have great importance as representatives of the industrial heritage with respect to the category of public utility companies.

9.9 Theresia Kerk The Santa Theresa church built in 1935 is a hall type church. The form of the windows is inspired by the Gothic style. The building is at a square which is bordered at the southern and eastern side by a division wall. In the southeast corner of the square there is the almost connectedly built rectory of 1931. To the north-eastern side there is a small free-standing guesthouse. At the eastern side of the church there are two cisterns.bAt the site of the Theresia church formerly a small wooden church was built in 1929. On August 4th, 1929, its construction started and two and a half months later on November 24 it was inaugurated. A parish priest for the church was not appointed at first. The church was serviced from Savaneta. It was not until 1931 that a presbytery for one person was built. This was ready in April. Construction works for the presbytery were done by the construction company Albetam from The Hague. At a later stage this presbytery was expanded for the benefit of the lodging of more priests. Historic building investigation could reveal if the original ground plan was rectangular to which in a later construction stage a construction on a (possibly) T-formed ground plan was added. On December 16, 1932, the construction of the schools at the north side of the church was begun. The first school was opened on January 9, 1933. Gradually the school complex was expanded. The actual church was 38

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built only in 1935. This was built over the little wooden church so that the services could continue normally during the construction. Only when they got as far as the interior of the new church, the old one was torn down. The demolished wood was used for the construction of the seaman’s house, which in the mean time has been demolished. The design of the present Theresia church comes from the drawing tables of LAGO. This oil refinery, just as the actual Coastal refinery several times has given financial donations as support for the purchase of land, construction, renovation and restoration. In 1947 the Theresia church underwent a radical change. The threesided apse was replaced by a stair apse enclosure and on both sides of the presbytery a sacristy and a service area was built. About 1950 the wooden shutter windows in the hall of the church were replaced with windows with images of the life of Christ in leaded glass. These windows were made by studio Frans Balendong in Haarlem. The windows in the west part of the church contain images of the allseeing eye, the trinity, a cross with five stars, and scales in leaded glass. Above the windows in the hall of the church also 14 station paintings were placed. Between 1995 and 1996 the church was renovated thoroughly. The roof of the church seriously affected by termites had to be replaced completely by mahogany wood. The original wooden spring works disappeared then. The opportunity was used to embellish the roof covering with orange Dutch roof tiles. These come from Woerden. Also the spire was replaced by a new one. Its wooden construction is replaced by a stainless steel one. The spire is no longer pointed but blunt. The ball of the cross erected on it comes from an oil barrel of the oil refinery Coastal. The former roof covering of the tower was also replaced by orange Dutch roof tiles. The remarkable protruding gutter of the old tower is replaced by a lesser protruding gutter. The tower’s belfry windows were supplied with better ventilation. In this period the leaded glass windows in the church were restored by studio Bloem of Hoogezand.

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