Built during the years 1914, 1915 and 1916, the California Lighthouse is located at the northernmost point of the island of Aruba.
The tower of this magnificent master piece is made of stone blocks that were hewn right here and is 100 feet high. The metal top of the lighthouse, which contains the light that sets a romantic setting, is 25 feet in diameter.
Although standing on a hill called Hudishibana, the lighthouse is called California Lighthouse.
This point of the island, called California, is named after a vessel that shipwrecked at the coast near Aruba's northernmost point. The ship "California" was traveling from Liverpool to Central America with passengers, merchandise, provisions, Clothes and furniture.
Ironically, when the ship hit the coast, at midnight sharp, the passengers were partying on board. It was not until daybreak that the inhabitants of Aruba saw and understood what had happened.
The crew of the California had thrown much of their cargo overboard when the boat hit the coast. This meant that everybody was able to salvage the merchandise out of the water, and take it to Oranjested to sell.
The restaurant you are now standing at used to be the dwellings of the lighthouse keepers.
The first lighthouse keeper was a young man from Curacao called Jacob Jacobs. He learned the rofession of lighthouse keeper at a lighthouse on the islet of Klein Curacao. The last person to watch over the California Lighthouse was Federico Fingal from Aruba.
Source: National Library of Aruba
Mrs. Anna Krozendijk-De Cuba
A special thanks goes to the government of
The Netherlands and Aruba and Sun Development Company
for conserving this monument.
Driving to Alto Vista Chapel
Traveling by jeep was not an inconvenient or "bumpy" ride and in fact it was a smooth transport through several parts of the island, affording clear visibility and the advantage of a personal tour.
A drive to the hills above the north shore afforded seeing fourteen crosses (marking the Stations of the Cross) along the winding roadway to the Alto Vista Chapel. This small Catholic chapel, suddenly appearing lonely at the top of the hill, provides cement benches for worshipers in the front of the church, as well as pews inside. Accessibility was not a problem because there was a ramp to enter the church and spacing of the outside seating permitted access.
The original chapel, first built in 1750 by an Indian from Santa Ana de Coro in Venezuela, named Domingo Antonio Silvestre, was near a small group of Indians who settled in the area but abandoned the area in 1816. Following a German submarine attack during World War II, Catholics in Aruba built a votive chapel at the same site completing it in 1952.
A major pilgrimage occurs every year during the month of October to the Alto Vista Chapel. Worshipers stop at each of the 14 Stations of the Cross while going on the pilgrimage to the Chapel.
Returning to Oranjestad
During the return trip to the cruise terminal in Oranjestad, the brightly colored homes rich with the flavor of Dutch heritage encouraged quick photos without stopping along the roadway. There was still time to shop to buy several souvenirs before re-boarding the Island Princess and additionally visit the stores inside the cruise terminal. In less than four hours, the visits to points of interest provided by
De Palms Tours gave more than knowledge, it also provided the desire to return! This one happy island had much more to share and this alone encourages a return visit!
Special Appreciation
Driver, Photographer and Tour Guide, Raymond Winterdal and Geraldine Keyter-Bisslik, Shore Excursions & Cruise Services Executive, who accompanied and escorted Julia Hollenbeck for this extraordinary adventure around Aruba and timely returned Hollenbeck to the cruise terminal for her departure on the Island Princess!
For More Information Contact
Aruba Cruise Tourism
Royal Plaza Mall, Suite 230
L.G. Smith Blvd 94
P.O Box 5254, Oranjestad, Aruba
Email
Telelephone: (297) 583-3648
Facsimile: (297) 583-5088 |
Aruba De Palm Tours
L.G. Smith Boulevard #142
Oranjestad, Aruba
Dutch Caribbean
Email
Telephone: (297) 582-4400
Facsimile: (297) 582-3012 |
|
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The pleasure of meeting Aruba Cruise Tourism Public Relation Representative, Ernest E. Giel, at the cruise terminal prior to traveling throughout the island with knowledgeable escorts on January 16, 2009, allowed a first-hand experience of true hospitality on the island of Aruba. Whereas this was a mission requesting special assistance to gain insight, awareness and education for our members and readership, the goal was learning about access and promoting accessible tours on the island of Aruba. It was one requiring a willing team to make it a successful happening. Ultimately, true are the words, "One Happy Island" and indeed it was, "Only the Best."
Less than fifteen minutes away, one of the most popular sites is the California Lighthouse. Located on the top of the hill of Hudishibana, at the very northwest tip of the island. The lighthouse was actually named after the steamship "California", which was wrecked on September 23, 1891, on the coastline below the hill.
La Trattoria el Faro Blanco Restaurant is immediately next to the famous California Lighthouse and was the original Keepers Quarters of the California Lighthouse. The first lighthouse keeper was a young man from Curacao named Jacob Jacobs who learned his trade at a lighthouse on the island of Curacao. The last person who served the watch for the California Lighthouse was Federico Fingal, a gentleman from Aruba.
