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Guyana
Georgetown
Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, has been described as
the most dangerous place in South America and visitors are
advised to be alert at all times and never to walk alone after
dark. But in spite of the danger the people are still reputed
to be open and friendly. The vibrant character of Georgetown
is perhaps most tangible in the hustle bustle of the city's
lively East Indian markets, which sell everything from all
types of spices to bananas and even birthday cards. Guyana's
colonial past guarantees some rich historical pickings which
can be seen in the plentiful colonial architecture and the
Georgetown Museum which houses an eclectic collection
ranging from original papers documenting Guyana's history
of slavery to the former Prime Minister's 1960s limousine.
However the colonial influence has not completely erased the
South American feel of the town; the traditional ramshackle
houses raised on stilts with tin roofs that line Georgetown's
broad boulevards stand as living proof of this.
Kaieteur Falls
Kaieteur Falls are situated in the heart of Guyana and this
location could not be more apt. Standing at a spectacular
741 feet they are Guyana's most prized natural possession.
The awe inducing sight of the powerful, cascading waters of
Kaiteur Falls is amazing within itself, but the experience
is taken to a whole other level in combination with the tropical
jungle setting and the fascinating wildlife, particularly
the bird species that inhabit that area. The easiest way to
get to the falls is by air and if you are really keen you
might be best to consider chartering a small plane because
the organized tours can often be disappointingly short.
Rupunini Savannah
The Rupunini Savannah is an area of vast grasslands in the
southwest of Guyana which, despite its relative inaccessibility,
is the most worthwhile region to visit in the country. The
savannah is bisected by the Kanuku Mountains where
it is rumored that around 80 percent of known mammal species
in Guyana are to be found. The majority of the peoples in
this sparsely populated area are Amerindian and a short distance
away is one from the Kanuku Range is one of Guyana's
oldest Indian settlements - Wai Wai. During Easter
you can also take the opportunity to go to see one of the
many rodeos that the cattle ranches in the area traditionally
host during this season. It is probably best not visit the
region during the wet season because you could be in for some
serious flooding.
Shell Beach
Shell Beach is 90miles of uninterrupted coastline made up,
true to its name, of countless numbers of tiny shells. Most
remarkably, this unusual natural setting is a nesting site
to four of the world's eight turtle species. Every year between
March and July these awkwardly beautiful creatures choose
to emerge from the ocean, to slowly amble up this particular
beach to dig their nests and lay up to ten dozen eggs. It
goes without saying that the experience of witnessing this
extraordinary event will be unforgettable.
Surinam
Paramaribo
Surinam's colonial capital, Paramaribo, is a potent blend
of European, Asian, African and Latin American cultures. This
fusion is duly reflected in the predominantly Creole (racially
mixed) population and the town's colorful street life. Paramaribo's
greatest charm is definitely its diversity. East Indian and
Javanese street vendors jostle along with Maroons selling
their woodcarvings while Dutch-speaking Creoles sit around
chatting and enjoying a beer. On the down side, accommodation
in the town may be difficult to find because Surinam is yet
to fully gear itself up to tourism but at the very least you
can expect to get a good meal: Paramaribo has a wealth of
cafes and food stalls to eat to your heart's content, providing
everything from Indian and Chinese to Creole and Indonesian
cooking.
Brownsberg Nature Park
Brownsberg Nature Park is an eco-paradise of tropical rainforest
and mountainous terrain. It lies about two hours from the
Paramarimbo and from there it is possible to take a day trip
to the Mazaroni Plateau, where you can take a hike
down the canyon to view the impressive waterfalls, exotic
bird-life and primates that are common to this area. You can
also take an educational trip to Tonka Island to investigate
the environmental project that is presently being run there.
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