Paramaribo Highlights

Posted May 9, 2018 by Jan
Suriname

Paramaribo

Suriname

February 3, 2018

In Paramaribo I visited the downtown area.  Known for the Dutch colonial structures, the inner city of Paramaribo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site,  Some of the structures reminded me not of Amsterdam but of New Orleans. 

I also visited the Zeeland Fort and Museum.

The Chinese community here supports several Asia style markets that certainly draw my attention: green vegetables, Chinese buns, roast duck, even sushi. And "Kaaiman Saté."

When I posted a photo of the capture of a huge Black Caiman (Alligator) in Guyana, a friend asked, "Did you release it or cook it?" 

In Guyana, the researchers released the Black Caiman.  But here in Suriname, the Asian market has "Kaaiman Saté" on sale.  I couldn't resist.

I stayed at the Eco Resort Inn Paramaribo and used that as a base for my travels.

Read all about the capital city of Suriname:

 

Kaieteur Falls

Posted April 24, 2018 by Jan
Guyana

Georgetown

Guyana

February 1, 2018

My journey to Guyana concludes with a flight to visit Kaieteur Falls.

Here are a few statistics for Kaieteur:

  • Sheer Drop of 226 meters or 741 feet
  • Maximum Width of 122m or 400 feet
  • Flow of Water: 136, 200 liters or 35,980 gallons per second

To put this in perspective, Kaieteur is five times higher than Niagara Falls.

Yupukari Primary School

Posted April 23, 2018 by Jan
Guyana

Caiman House Lodge and Field Station

Yupukari Village

450 km -280 mi from Georgetown

Central Rupununi

Section 9

Guyana

January 31, 2018

My friend Jack tells me that whenever he travels to a foreign country he tries to spend time at a school. 

As I follow Jack’s suggestion, on my very last stop in the “interior” of Guyana, here at the Caiman House Lodge, I didn’t have to walk very far.

The Caiman House Lodge is in the middle of Yupukari, an Amerindian village with a population of about 500 people of the indigenous Macushi tribe.  The village supports three school buildings, outdoor meeting pavilions and a well-stocked, Internet-connected library.

The Black Caiman

Posted April 20, 2018 by Jan
Guyana

Caiman House Field Station and Lodge

Yupakari

North Rupununi District

Section 9

Guyana

January 30, 2018

Regarding spotting of Jaguar and other wildlife, the Wilderness Explorers itinerary provides hope but makes no promises.

At the Iwokrama Lodge, for example, the itinerary states, “After dark we’ll set out on the river in hope of finding one or another of its four species of Caiman or snakes including Cox boa, tree frogs and if lucky maybe a puma or capybara.”

I did see one species of Black Caiman. 

The itinerary continues, “Transfer by 4 x 4 along the trail that is one of the best places to see the elusive Jaguar. The Iwokrama forest is rapidly gaining an international reputation for its healthy jaguar populations that seem not to be troubled by the appearance of curious humans.  No promises, but many have been lucky!”

Karanambu Lodge

Posted April 16, 2018 by Jan
Guyana

Karanambu Lodge

North Rupununi District

Section 9

Guyana

 

I spent two days relaxing at the Karanambu Lodge.

How better to relax then a morning ride across the savannah in search of the Giant Anteater and an afternoon river cruise in search of the Giant River Otter?

Here is the description of Karanambu from my Wilderness Explorers itinerary:

Karanambu, a 110-square mile former cattle ranch, was the home of the late Diane McTurk, conservationist and a world-renowned expert on giant otters. Karanambu is located in the North Rupununi, a region of south-western Guyana known for its expansive wetlands and savannah, as well as its biological and cultural diversity.

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