Back to Paramaribo, Suriname to finish what we started. We met a great group of people on the border crossing boat who all spoke English. A lady who currently lives in French Guiana having escaped Vietnam in 1975, a man from Laos and another from Cambodia all going to Suriname for the Easter weekend.
Like the masochists we are we decided to walk in the heat of the day to the Arya Diwaker Hindu Temple – a mere 5 plus miles.
We passed through the bustling Central Market where herbs and dried greens were stacked high and sold for medicinal purposes.
Having been warned that the women shopkeepers didn’t like their photographs taken, I took heed and asked a gal for permission to take photos of her goods, promising to exclude her. She kindly said yes and oh what a stir that caused. Another shopkeeper came running up to cuss me out. In my best English I told her to take it up with the person who gave me permission. Bam.
We took a boat trip up the Suriname and Commewinje Rivers that led us to Nieuw-Amsterdam, Rust-Werk, Johan-Margaretha and Plantage Frederiksdorp. Like visiting the landlocked country of Eswatini (Swaziland) last year – it felt a bit like forced tourism. I’ll be kind and just say…
We enjoyed being on the water. The breeze from the boat’s movement cooled the pools of sweat on our bodies. We played Where’s Waldo with the frolicking dolphins that live in the brackish waters. Our boat weaved and bobbed in the swift river current. It was the highlight of the day.
Plantage Frederiksdorp looked charming on the internet. It’s an old plantation turned hotel/resort. Our last stop. A two hour stop! UGH! Two hours. It was suggested that we relax by the pool. Apparently good and relaxing for people with no sense of smell!! The moldy, black, stagnant water sitting in the canals around the pool and bar reeked so badly that I had to hold my breath and briskly walk back towards the entrance to get some relief. Poor Bill was also gagging but wondered where the fire was. I didn’t want to have to take a breath until I was clear of the area. Under the shade of a big tree we did relax and read.
Below the surface and unseen, drug and human trafficking are evil problem in these adjoining countries – a gateway to the United States and Europe.
Our take away from Suriname is the people. Very warm and friendly. We loved that, from our point of view, many cultures communed without animosity. Our boat captain said it still a work in progress…
We’re super glad that we explored this part of South America. It’s not on the bucket list for most Americans but we’re honored for having been the few.
From Bill: Guyana in indigenous lingo means “Land of water” and included two additional land areas north and south prior to colonization. There is much water. Basically one paved road runs from Venezuela to Brazil on the coast where more than 50% of each country’s population lives.
The populations are very diverse, mostly from importing slaves, or post-slavery, “indentured workers” from Java, India and somehow, China. Its a bit strange to see some of these nationalities on horseback and tractors, or to hear unusual languages spoken by differing nationalities (e.g. Chinese speaking French). However, the dominant nationality is African, presumably because there were more slaves than slave masters.
