St.Maarten | Tours | Eco and Nature | Hato Caves, Ostridge Farm & Aloe Vera
Cildren US$ 40
Including: Entrances fee
Hato Caves are limestone caves inside a coral reef. Hato caves have numerous speleothems, stalagmites, stalactites and dripstone pools. This overwhelming growth of speleothems is a result of the high temperature of Curacao, which increases solution and deposition processes of limestone. A colony of rare long nose bats lives in the cave.
Mulit lingual guides will take you through the caves. They'll point out the apocryphal and fanciful stories behind some of the stalactites and stalagmites; in the eerie lighting, some take on shapes and are called the Pirate's Head, the Sea Tortoise, and the Giant of Jack and the Beanstalk fame.
The caves are known to the native indians, for a very long time. Even before the arrival of Europeans and slaves, the Amerindian Arawaks used them for shelter and as a burial place. The remains of a buried family were found in the cave, with the sculls grouped together and the male in the center. This typical form of funeral was also found in caves on the neighbor island Aruba.
But the indians left more remains inside the caves, like flint tools, engravings, cave drawings, or petroglyphs, estimated at 1,500 years old. The style of this engravings is also found in certain areas along the Orinoco River where the Indians most likely came from.
They also brought their food with them, the iguanas, which are an attraction of the park around the cave.
These caves had a utilitarian purpose during the early days of the slave trade in Curacao, escaped slaves used them as hiding places, and lived in them for months at a time.
The guide takes you into the world of the ostriches to give you the opportunity to get acquainted. You will drive slowly through the farmland in an open truck with a canvass roof for shade. Every stop you make will lure you closer into the ostrich way of life until you find yourself wondering who is watching whom anyway? The Safari Tour comes to an end at the nursery, where it all begins, and where you get to see what's in an egg.
Come and discover the secrets and medicinal powers of the Aloe Vera and enjoy the interesting and entertaining tour of the plantation and production plant! You will also have the opportunity to buy lovely and original souvenirs!
The plantation specializes in natural skincare products, which are known by the name of CurAloe, and contain a high concentration of Aloe Vera. All CurAloe products are produced with the greatest care and dedication, maintaining a perfect balance between man and nature.
You can tour the Factory and Shop and see how Serena’s amazing souvenirs and sculptures are made.
At Serena’s Art Factory her larger than life art sculptures are produced individually and her delicate souvenirs are cast in silicon moulds and made of various materials like plaster, epoxy and concrete. This is done by a team of local craftsmen, experienced in both modern and traditional techniques.
Island Experience Willemstad, Curaçao
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