AHCNights_Arikok by Susan Campbell_B

Activities

Activities

Arikok: Unexpected Outback

by Susan Campbell Arid, rocky, prickly, scrubby, and almost otherworldly, this island’s interior is often a surprise for those expecting the lush foliage and verdant rainforests of other tropical isles.

But it has its own terrestrial treasures; you just have to know where to look!

Preview the park

Aruba’s countryside, which the lo­ cals call cunucu or mondi, encompasses vast stretches of the northeastern inte­ rior and most of the land is part of the protected preserve called Arikok National Park. The park operations are financed by the gov­ernment and overseen by the Arikok National Park Foundation (FNPA) whose mandate is to promote discovery of the area while maintaining stringent environmental safeguards to ensure its on­ going protection. There are many unique facets to the park, and it encompasses di­verse natural attractions spread across

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Photo by Johnny Sandaire

more than 18% of the island’s total land­ mass. Some of these adventurous locales deserve and require more than a quick tour, so the best way to get the most out of the park, and do so in a manner that suits your trekking style, is to preview what the park has to offer at the new Visitor Center.

Completed in 2010, the new build­ ing at the San Fuego entrance has an en­vironmentally sustainable design that relies on Mother Nature’s help as much as possible to generate power and to keep it cool. There is an eco-friendly theme prevalent throughout, including gift shop

souvenirs that are made of recycled or bio­ ­ egradable materials. The onsite restaurant/ d café serves authentic local dishes, and out front you’ll see a re-creation of an ancient adobe house where cultural performances are presented the first Saturday of each month. Inside the center itself, you’ll find all kinds of information, printed materi­ als, video presentations, and live demon­ strations and exhibits highlighting the park’s flora and fauna. Free maps are also available of the 20 miles of marked hiking trails should you decide to explore on your own; you can also drive through the park along some newly paved roads. E

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Activities

Activities park is another must. This churning sea­ side cauldron is called conchi, and with water warmer than the sea it’s like a nat­ ural Jacuzzi, though be prepared for a cold shower when the wave spray crashes over the walls! It is very hard to reach on foot or by car due to very rough terrain (ATVs highly recommended) so take ad­ vantage of the many tour operators that provide transportation via monster trucks, horseback, or jeep and ATV convoys.

Swimming and snorkeling here can be wonderful depending on how restless the waters are that day. Beach shoes are rec­ ommended, as the stairs down can be slippery and sharp. Another secret spot is the ancient ruins of one of Aruba’s old

A guided tour is highly recommended for first-time visits since park rangers know where to find the hidden life among the park’s fragile micro-ecosystem. Regard­ less of how you decide to explore, early morning is always better when the air is cooler and nature is most active. If you want to avoid the heat altogether, you can also get a unique perspective of the area at night by joining one of their special guided moonlight hikes.

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Creatures and critters

Though you’re bound to encounter some wild donkeys and meandering goats, many of Aruba’s indigenous creatures are masters of camouflage, so a guided hike will help you spot them. Park rangers can point out the many types of lizards, snakes, insects, and birds secreted among the craggy candelabra cacti, stubby brush, dry riverbeds, and torturously twisted dividivi trees. And Aruba’s outback is home to some creatures you’ll find nowhere else, like the endangered burrowing owls called choco, the cascabel rattlesnake, and the blue whiptail lizard (kododo blauw). In fact, half of the lizard species of the world can be found living in this arid outback!

Rangers will also enlighten you with cool nature trivia like how young choco owls make rattlesnake sounds to scare preda­ tors away from their underground nests; why the iguana symbolizes fertility; and

how the tiny suction pads on the feet of lizards called pega pega, which means “sticky, sticky”, enables them to attach themselves to absolutely anything. You also might encounter cottontail rabbits and the prikichi, Aruba’s colorful yet rare native parakeet. And if you go spelunking in the park’s caves you’ll definitely en­ counter colonies of harmless bats. Aruba’s bats are integral to the island’s circle of life; they are essential for pollinating the cacti that produce the fruit that the birds need to survive.

Volcanic lava formations and lime­ stone made of fossilized coral make up most of Aruba’s geology, but there are some odd outcrops of a diorite/tonalite that are found nowhere else on the island.

Just outside the park’s borders, Ayo is an example of one of these cool rock oddities and well worth a visit for some interesting photos. The secret natural pool inside the

Top left photo by Svitlana Prada. Top right photo by Famke Backx. Middle left and bottom left photos courtesy of Arikok National Park. Middle right photo by Lara Rosenoff

gold mines. Look around while you’re there and if you’re lucky, you might see another kind of gold in “them thar hills”.

The blooms of the native kibrahacha trees (meaning “axe-breaker”) come out very rarely – typically after a surprise shower – but when they do, their brilliant yellow flowers dot the entire countryside in gold!

Amazing vistas and ancient echoes

Aruba’s cool caves at Guadarikiri and Fontein can be explored on your own or with a tour. There you can almost hear the echoes of ancient peoples within, and you can view the images they left behind over 1,000 years ago. As you travel along the picturesque coastline within Arikok Park you’ll come upon some secret bays and tiny beaches – though not suitable for swimming as the water is too rough and there’s a very strong undertow – called Boca Prins (boca means bay or inlet) and Dos Playa (meaning two beaches). You might even stumble upon some sea tur­ tles as both beaches are popular nesting spots. You’ll also see natural blowholes, hauntingly barren sand dunes, and some of the smaller natural land bridges. The two tallest hills on the island can also be found within the park: Jamanota at 617 feet and Arikok Hill at 606 feet, and hiking to the top of either affords some amazing vistas. E

Middle left photo by Jaime Villalta. Bottom left photo by Svitlana Prada. Middle top photo courtesy of Arikok National Park. Middle bottom photo by Jay. Bottom right photo by Chris Pritchard

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Activities Get the back story

One can easily surmise that you are not the first visitor to be surprised at this unexpected outback. Imagine the early Amerindians who first came here from Venezuela via dugout canoes! For another perspective on Arikok Park and the an­ cient peoples who once called it home, be sure to visit the new National Archae­ ological Museum of Aruba. There you’ll get an insightful perspective of what it might have been like to attempt to tame and live in this unforgiving, arid, and yet beautiful land. You will surely appreciate the ingenuity and perseverance of those early inhabitants. K

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Arikok Park Manager Roy Maduro - The New Keeper of the Green

BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD 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 colourful creatures. Observe the life cycle of these fascinating animals from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly.

The Butterfly Farm is also home to Aruba’s most unique gift shop.

Open 7 days a week 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Last tour starts at 4 pm Call us at 586-3656

J.E. Irausquin Blvd Z/N Conveniently located across from the Phoenix Hotel www.thebutterflyfarm.com 36 Nights

When the government was seeking a new manager for Arikok National Park Foundation, Roy Maduro, who is known island-wide as the “plant person”, was the natural choice. His family business Fantastic Gardens has provided plants and flowers for locals and businesses in this extremely arid climate for decades.

He has also been instrumental in creating many of the lush, tropical gardens of major resorts here.

Roy’s in-depth knowledge of this island’s fragile ecosystem and his legendary commitment to eco-preservation bode well for the park’s immediate future.

If hiking the park on foot, wear sturdy shoes and apply lots of sunscreen.

Also bring plenty of water and, of course, don’t forget your camera!

For more information on Arikok Park and the Archaeological Museum visit www.arubanationalpark.org and www.namaruba.org.

Top photo and map courtesy of Arikok National Park. Bottom photo by Susan Campbell