Gold Mine & Natural Bridges on Aruba October 25, 2010   Sun: Radisson Aruba Resort, Passions Beach Bar & Restaurant Mon: ABC Jeep Tour & California Lighthouse, Alto Vista Chapel, Ostrich Farm & Baby Beach, sunset cruise & Smokey Joes Tue: Ayo Rock Formation & Donkey Sanctuary, Boca Prins & Fontein Cave, Guadirikiri Cave, Café Rembrandt, Bon Bini Festival & El Gaucho Wed: SNUBA on the Antilla shipwreck, Pelican's Nest & Aqua Grill Thur: Fort Zoutman Museum, Submarine Atlantis, Amazonia Brazilian Steakhouse Fri: Aruba Aloe Factory,  Palmera Rum & Zeerover Bar, cemeteries, churches & Casabari Rock, Screaming Eagle Sat: Old Dutch Mill & Bubali Bird Sanctuary Previous page                                                              Next page

Monday continues

Our Land Rovers from ABC Jeep Tours continued south along a very rough unpaved road toward Baby Bridge. Baby Bridge received its name because a much larger Natural Bridge was located nearby, until its collapse in 2005. We paused only briefly for photos and continued along the Aruba coast toward the Gold Mine Ruins.

Gold was discovered on Aruba in 1824 and mines sprang up along the island's northern coast. The Bushiribana Gold Mine smelter at this location was built in 1872 and operated for 10 years.

The Bushiribana Gold Mine is near the site of the former Natural Bridge. Although the larger bridge collapsed in 2005, there is still a smaller "daughter" bridge which is larger than the Baby Bridge which we saw earlier.

There is a small gift shop, refreshment stand, and pay toilets (50 cents) at the daughter bridge. These were the first toilets on the tour.