Our trip to the Natural Pool
Trip Start
Apr 08, 2009
1
9
12
Trip End
Apr 19, 2009
Oranjestad,
Aruba
Thursday, April 16, 2009
By 1130, were on the parking lot and saw the big red truck. When I opened the door, it made this creaking sound that it will fall off. The truck was really old. You can see the wear and tear. When DH starts to drive, it made a sound that it will break down any minute. I wanted to return that car but DH said to give it a try. I obliged and prayed that the vehicle will make it to the Natural Pool without a problem.
The off road to the Natural Pool was really scary
The Rocky Road to the Natural Pool
. I know it is hard to go to the Natural Pool and the road was not that great. But for me, being scared of heights, it was terrifying. There was a part where we climbed up a steep, rugged road and then down. I can't help it but I screamed the loudest. DS was laughing at me. The whole time we were really bouncing off our seat and we don't really know if we're going the right way. Then DH said we're running out of gas. I was really petrified. Here we are in the middle of nowhere, driving on this hell raising road with a beat up vehicle without a gas under the heat of the sun. At least we have plenty of water and food. There were lots of people too. Maybe they can help us in the event we ran out of gas. I just hope and pray nothing worse will happen. I have to get off the vehicle and walked parts of the way where it was steep and scary. DH was telling me there is another natural bridge. I just looked at it and did not really care because I was really upset. In normal circumstances I would have taken a picture. Now I wish I had.We parked at the top of the hill where the pool was already visible. There is no way I will let DH drive all the way down. There was a jeep that was out of control. If it would have not been on the big rock that was caught underneath the vehicle they would have been all the way down to the ocean. With all of what's going on, DD2 was asleep. She and Lola stayed in the vehicle
The steep rugged road
. We walked all the way down to the pool. It was beautiful. The rocks were slippery. Someone fell and broke his finger. The pool was protected from the raging ocean by a wall of huge rocks. It was crowded at first but it was nice and quiet when the tour group left. I just watched the kids swimming in the pool and jumping of the rock into the pool. The water in the pool was clear. You can snorkel. As we were heading back to the car, we were discussing whether we want to come back here on our next trip to Aruba. We had mixed emotions about it. It was really a nice experience.We have a dinner reservation at Yemanja Woodfired Grill through the ASC concierge. This is a Brazilian Restaurant. We requested an outside seating because we are aware of the smoking policy in Aruba restaurants. We found out later on that the inside is non smoking section and the waiter asked us if we like to transfer. They already served us our meal and we don't want the hassle. The service was good and the food was really good. We ordered chicken breast, fish chowder, kids shrimp, moqueca trio, rib eye steak, tomato soup. This is our favorite restaurant on the island because the food and the service were really good, they have a nonsmoking section and they have a kids menu. The shrimp that my kids ordered from the kids' menu were the jumbo shrimp with fries and salad.
Directions to the Natural Pool from the High Rise Hotels: (4x4 is a must) Got this rom TA and added some changes
The Natural Pool from the stairs
.Take 1A toward Oranjestad past the Adventure Golf.
Make a left at the circle past Royal Cabana. This is 4A to Paradera. On the right side is "mommies bellies" on the keft side is Hunny Punny and Dunkin Donuts.
Go through the 2nd circle past Chevy Dealer (R)
Go through the 3rd circle past Aruba Bank which is next to the orange/yellow building
Make a left turn at the Mundo Nobo Supermarket. There is a blue Arikok National Park sign on your left.
Make a right on a small narrow road. In front of this road is a telephone post that says Speel School 50m underneath is a sign Rancho.
Pass Rancho Del Campo on the right.
moqueca trio
Make a left when you see the yellow house on the left hand corner. There is a handwritten Natural Pool sign at this turn.
Once you make a left, you'll see a blue house on your left side.
Go up the hill and there is a house at the top. This is where you start off road expedition.
Follow the trail to your left. You will see the "Conchi" sign.
Once you see the pool at the top of the hill, you can leave the car there or drive all the way down.
