On the north side of Aruba there are some caves; in the past the locals went there to relax and enjoy the day together with a drink and a snack. Now these caves are located in the Arikok National Park, which makes them less easy to reach. Since we both have an annual pass for the National Park, the entrance is free for us; so we entered the park via the entrance of Vader Piet (past the windmills) and then drove over a dirt road with many transverse ridges towards the caves. They appear to be a popular tourist attraction, because there was a coming and going of groups of tourists, all accompanied by a guide.

You are not allowed to use a flashlight in the cave to protect the bats. You are allowed to use the light of your mobile phone on the condition that you point it at the ground to find your way. Flashing is also not allowed because of the bats.

This morning we took a walk from Shete through Rooi Fluit to the coast at Boca Keto and then back via a high hill. 

The starting point of the walk is 'in the middle of nowhere'; a street/place, which is indicated as Shete; few houses and narrow streets. Parking at the start of the trail is therefore not easy. I was on my own, so there was only 1 car to park, but even that is not easy. 

Then onto the trail. It has been made very impenetrable for buggies, but that also means a considerable obstacle for a hiker. In the first ten meters I almost fell twice because of loose stones on a steeply raised obstacle, but after that it got better. 

This morning, together with my wife, we walked a route from the Visitor Center of Parke Arikok to Dos Playa and then back via Rooi Tambu to the starting point. 

When we arrived at the visitor center, it turned out that there were already a lot of guests. There was an organized hike, which we had wanted to sign up for, but it turned out to be fully booked. That's why we decided to walk the same route ourselves. Eventually I was able to find a place for the car along the road. 

I asked at the counter how the condition of Roi Tambu was. In Aruba it has also rained quite a bit in the past period, so it could be that there would be water in the rooi. But according to the counter employee it should be okay.

This is a relatively easy hike in the eastern part of the island. The Sero Alejandro is located behind Savaneta. At the top there is a large water tank. You can park your car there. 

Then you first have to go back down a little bit and at the first opportunity turn left onto the sandy path. After a while you pass the sign that makes it clear that you are entering the Arikok National Park. In addition to the rules that apply there, it also states that you must have a valid entrance ticket to the national park. That is the reason why I always buy an annual pass at the beginning of my vacation in Aruba. Almost all walks end in or pass through the national park, so the annual pass quickly pays for itself.

 Directly after the forementioned sign there is another one on the right hand side indicating that you are on the Spirit'i kabrito trail. You will not encounter much more than this sign indicating the route and there are occasional side paths. So make sure you have a track with you in a hiking app, so that you know which way to go.

This time a hike starting at the Visitors center in Parke Arikok.
The hike had a length of 7.6km, which is very acceptable for me, but it appeared to be a extremely difficult hike. Not because the hike went to 130m height twice with in between these to peaks a descent to sea level, but because the second dry river bed consisted of large boulders. En there was water in the normally dry river bed.