The Light at the Top of the Island
Jul 30 '01
The Bottom Line Go to the lighthouse for the view, and pay attention to the chattering in the divi-divi trees.
I'd seen the name on the map, but I didn't quite believe it. California Lighthouse? In the Caribbean? For a moment I thought maybe they had called it California to cater to the Yankee tourists, but the real story is much better.
The California Lighthouse is located on the northern most tip of Aruba. It was built betwen 1914 and 1916, and was named after a German steamship that ran aground just off the point in 1891.
The lighthouse stands at the highest point of this part of the island. It overlooks the Tierra del Sol Golf course, and some beautiful and wild sand dunes. There is also a restaurant adjacent to the lighthouse. The light is not open to the public, and is no longer manned.
The public bus does not run as far as the lighthouse. You can take the bus as far as Malmok, or rent a car. If you are up to it, I'd suggest you walk the route, starting at the north end of Palm Beach. From here you will walk past the wreck of the Debbie II, and through a very pretty residential district. Once past the beach at Malmok, there are some absolutely stunning vistas of sand dunes, breaking surf, and cacti. Since the lighthouse is at the high point, your walk is uphill, but it is a paved road, and a fairly gentle grade.
As I walked this route, kind of lost in thought and scenery, I wasn't paying particularly close attention to the birds chattering in the divi-divi trees. Until I came a little closer, and a flock of wild green parrots swirled around my head. What a wonderful experience!
Bottom line, don't make this trip just for the lighthouse. It is not particularly exceptional, and is starting to look a little run down. But do make the trip, preferably on foot if you are able, just for the scenery. And it's pretty cool to have a flock of parrots fly around your head.
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friskycelery
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