Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine July 2017 | Page 59

Antilla
This 4,363-ton Hamburg American Line
steamer, which is the largest wreck in the
Southern Caribbean, is the most popular
Aruba dive site. Rather than the ship being
confiscated at the start of WW11 the crew
of this “Ghost Ship” opted to sink it. Over
the years the starboard side of the wreck
has become thick with coral attracting
many species of fish, making it one of the
most interesting wrecks to dive in the
Caribbean.
Photo Credit: Charlie
Bushiribana Ruins
Although only in use for 10 years, this
large gold smelting works was built so
solid it still stands today. In its hay-day
Aruba produced 3 million pounds of gold
but today the works only provide views
of the ocean which can be magnificently
framed by one of the ruin’s still intact
windows.
Photo Credit: Ian McKenzie
Grot Di Lourdes
In 1958, the priest Erkamp placed a
statue of the Virgin Mary in this cave
in commemoration of her appearance
in Lourdes, France. As most of Aruba’s
population is Catholic, a procession
to the cave takes place every year on
February 11 but year round Arubans will
light candles for the dead and place them
by the 700 kilo statue.
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