Land of Many Waters

I love Guyana! I have had an amazing month and was tempted to just stay but hopfully one day I´ll go back. Guyana means ¨land of many waters¨so a great place for a water study. Most of our days were spent collecting water samples for Candice’s project which was a door to door exercise so I really got to see a lot of the village and meet lots of people. In the afternoons we swam in the “black water” at the Creek.

The Amerindians took great care of us and were so friendly and welcoming I really felt part of the village. They took us for an overnight camping/fishing trip and I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so much fish! But even after fish for lunch, dinner, breakfast .. and another lunch I was still sad to head back to the village.

On our ¨weekends¨we headed out to explore the country. A day trip to Kaieteur Falls - the highest single drop waterfall in the world - which required a flight into the jungle. After being carefully weighed I was lucky to get the co-pilot’s seat for a fantastic view as we flew over the rainforest.

We took a trip up the Essequibo - the third largest river in South America. The journey in itself was an experience. It started with a minibus from the market in Georgetown which was hectic. Although regulated the minibuses are privately owned and wont leave until they are full. So after numerous laps around the market we were finally on our way. After an hour or so we arrived at the banks of the Essequibo where we caught a speedboat up river. In contrast to the minibus we relaxed on the beach waiting for the boat to fill. Don’t ever try to get anywhere in a hurry in Guyana!! In the evening we took a boat trip to a nearby island to watch (and hear!) hundreds of parrots coming in to roost. The next morning we took a hike to Marshall Falls where we could swim at the bottom in the natural Jacuzzi plunge pool.

The highlight was a trip to the rainforest in the Iwokrama National Park. This involved an overnight bus trip which after 2 hours we left the tarmac and it was rough riding the rest of the way with frequent stops including one to get the bus out a hole! It was worth it though - we took a boat trip to see giant water lilies as well as monkeys and other wildlife. We then spent a night at a hammock camp next to the Canopy Walkway where we were saw fantastic wildlife including toucans and macaws aswell as the forest itself. We flew back from Annai which consisted of a dirt runway and ¨benab¨terminal.

Guyana has a very varied ethnic mix and we got to celebrate Phagwah (or Holi - the Hindu Festival of Colour ) with a friend of Candice’s. We spent the entire day visiting her relatives being covered in coloured powder and being fed! We were stuffed and tired by the time we got back but had a lot of fun.. as we were reminded during the days to come as we continued to wash colour from various parts of our bodies!

I also got the chance to go see a one day Cricket match between the West Indies and England. Surprising as it sounds - me + cricket - I had a really great time.

I was sad to go but was sent off in style. They sent one of the boys off for a couple of chickens who came back with 4 (live) ones which were quickly turned into a giant pot of chow mein!

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