Natalee Holloway - Case Discussion Extended Thread 7

Various News Sources | 7/14/05

[TexKat]

Mountain Brook High School graduate Natalee Holloway went missing May 30 during a senior trip to Aruba. AP photo

[countryconservative]

In order to fully appreciate the beauty of this place, it’s necessary to spend a few hours trekking some of the relatively easy trails that crisscross the landscape. It’s well worth wandering the 1.5km trail inside the cactus walls of Cunucu Arikok, an example of what the typical Aruban countryside (cunucu) would have looked like in the nineteenth century. Inside the enclosure, a trail guides visitors past several species of native and introduced plants as well as bizarre rock formations that would not look out of place in the Flintstones. Also fascinating are ancient petroglyphs and a recently renovated cas di torta, a small traditional country home constructed with rocks, dried cactus husks and glued together with layers of mud and grass. A short drive uphill from the garden will take you to the top of Cero Arikok (176m), where your efforts are rewarded with a panoramic view of the park. From there, the road continues for 4km to Cura di Tortuga, a “conchi” or natural pool – the perfect place to enjoy a brief swim and get a break from the midday desert heat.

[countryconservative]

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/aruba/0176020080.html

Prins Plantation, a complex of abandoned adobe structures, witnessed the cultivation of hundreds of coconut trees as recently as the 1960s. Passing by an old farmhouse, well, aloe field, and crumbling stone walls, the 45-minute walk provides views of a nearby ocean cove. Wildlife attracted to the vegetation includes iguanas, cottontails, troupials, parakeets, mockingbirds, kestrels, and caracaras (huge vulturelike hawks).

At the seacoast, the terrain and vegetation change dramatically from hills covered with cacti and divi divi trees to sand dunes and limestone bluffs studded with sea grapes and sea lavender. Soldier crab and lizard trails crisscross the morning sand of Boca Prins, and in the early spring, baby sea turtles hatch and wobble frantically toward the sea. Steps from the parking lot, stairs descend to Fuente, a rocky cove pounded by the surf. On the limestone bluff across the sandy beach, salt spray infuses the air, and small salt pans form where trapped water has evaporated. Bleached coral and bones litter the sharp plateau, and ospreys and caracaras patrol the coast. A 20-minute walk farther west along the coast, Dos Playa features two coves carved out of the limestone bluff. With its wide sandy beach, the first cove attracts sunbathers and is perfect for picnics, but its strong current makes swimming dangerous.

Tucked away on the coast northwest of Dos Playa, the Natural Pool or conchi known as Cura di Tortuga is protected from the rough sea by surrounding rocks. It's said that the pool was once used to hold sea turtles before they were sold (tortuga means turtle in Papiamento). On quiet days, the pool is great for a swim, but bathing is risky when waves leap the rock barrier. It's a considerable hike to the pool from the parking lot at Boca Prins; take a horseback tour to the site on another day to fully enjoy the experience.

A 15-minute walk from Boca Prins, Fontein Cave is the most popular of several small limestone hollows along the north coast (you'll pass the park's only restaurant on the way to the cave). Brownish-red drawings left by Amerindians and graffiti etched by early European settlers ornament the walls and ceilings. Calcareous-rich water dripping through the limestone has caused stalagmites and stalactites to form, some in the shape of bison or human heads (park rangers stationed at the cave will point them out). The hole is an important roosting place for long-tongued bats. Early in the evening, the flying mammals leave the cave for nectar and pollen.

A Dutch family owned the patch of land south of Fontein Cave at the beginning of the 19th century. Known as Hofi Fontein (fountain garden), it's the only place along the north coast with a freshwater spring. In the early 20th century, Chinese immigrants grew vegetables here, which explains the area's other common name, Chinese Garden. The humble museum, with animal, plant, and colonial-life displays, is worth a look, and rangers are happy to answer your questions.

more at link

[TexKat]

Beth's natural hair color is red...

I don't know, that is what a poster on SM posted. Beth is on Fox now, what do you think?

[countryconservative]

make sure you read post 1,682 to get a "feel" of the area.

[Former]

I have known her for most of her life.. and her hair color was always red. She may color it now.. I don't know, but I know she is a natural red head.

[countryconservative]

Notice the hiking trail (dotted line) from Boca Prins to Dos Playa (Natural "Turtle" Pool). This goes with post 1682

[TexKat]

Was that "grave" at Boca Prins?

Yes.Was this piece of tape washed up from the beach, or in the pool?

It washed up in a cave area, found by a park ranger (reported the same park ranger that was present during the digging of the so-called grave at Boca Prins).

From Freeper moneywrench: "Tim is back home now and said it is confirmed that the duct tape/hair was found. It was found not too far from the gravesite area. There are still TX E searchers staying in Aruba. Tim will go back Thurs after next." "He'll be on Geraldo (uggh) tonight."

[TexKat]

Thanks countryconservative, see post #1489.

[countryconservative]

Don't mix this natural "turtle" pool up with the larger Natural Pool that is farther up the coast. This is a smaller pool called Cura di Tortuga aka Conchi di (de) Tortuga. This one is closest to Boca Prins, the one mentioned by Geraldo.

The pictures links I posted above are of the Large Natural Pool and are not of the Cura di Tortuga aka Conchi di (de) Tortuga Natural Pool.

[TexKat]

make sure you read post 1,682 to get a "feel" of the area.

See posts #1489, 1511

[Palladin]

Thank you, former. I know that you have given a correct report.

God bless all the Holloways and Twittys and friends of Natalee on the island tonight, and give them a peaceful night's sleep.

[TexKat]

Thank you Former, I did not know that you were stating that as fact on your last post.

[GarySpFc]

Dr Baden said hair is a great forensic tool. Said it will even show drugs the person was taking.

If that is Natalee's hair it would not show any drugs she took or was given that evening.

[TexKat]

Don't mix this natural "turtle" pool up with the larger Natural Pool that is farther up the coast. This is a smaller pool called Cura di Tortuga aka Conchi di (de) Tortuga. This one is closest to Boca Prins, the one mentioned by Geraldo.

Thanks countryconservative we got that about 200 posts back.

[Pepper777]

Thanks for the two links on what McVay said. Dang, I must be loosing it. I didn't realize it was the same person we've already heard from before. She clearly states May 29th was the first time Natalee met Juran. So much for my earlier question. From what I recall, PVDS was also present in the casino that night, as a side note.

Thanks again!

[toldyou]

original FR start date 9/21/05

Are you out of the future?

[TexKat]

Former your heart must be heavy also. Do you know Natalee as well?

[countryconservative]

well it looked that way until you picked up on my typo.


Here are some interesting photos...
http://www.photo-refresh.com/

click on the left where its says "ROOI"

[TexKat]

Thanks for the two links on what McVay said. Dang, I must be loosing it. I didn't realize it was the same person we've already heard from before. She clearly states May 29th was the first time Natalee met Juran. So much for my earlier question. From what I recall, PVDS was also present in the casino that night, as a side note.

In Greta's interview Ruth McVay states that they met Joran on 5/29. In the New York Post article Ruth states that they met Joran on 5/28, the day before and that Natalee talked to Joran about 5 minutes.

Both stand out because Ruth elaborates in both.

[countryconservative]

Thanks countryconservative we got that about 200 posts back.

Well then I will go back to lurking again :-)