Surinam, untouched nature and very friendly people

Surinam is a very special country. In Surinam you will find people from all over the world. Different communities from Africans, Europeans, Asiatic and South-American people are living peacefully together, accepting everybody's individual way of living.  

You will recognize all those influences in the Surinam cuisine, which gives a very special taste to the food. Add to this the fact that to eat is an important way of communication and you can image how nice it really is.  The typical Creole food combined or alternated with Chinese and Javanese specialities is delicious. Important are fish and  Sea-food. For me personally the most attractive part of Surinam is its Nature.  the vastness of the rain-forest is amazing. Don't go to Surinam to enjoy a beach-holiday. The country does adjoin  the ocean in the North, but really beach-fun you will not find. Driving around in Surinam you will be surprised by the pleasantness of its inhabitants. Unfortunately the political situation is somewhat unstable. There are to many political parties at the moment and that makes it almost impossible to establish a stable government un-independently what ever will be the election results. This can be one of the major problems to deal with in the future, besides that it will be extremely difficult to set up and maintain an adequate infra-structure necessary to develop the country.

There is simply not enough money and the costs are high, might be too high ..... However for the (nature-loving) tourist Surinam is and will be very special.

The northern coast-line, especially in the middle part where you will find Paramaribo exists of mud-banks. Nice to explore and to see, but not very useful for beach-lovers.

 The Commewijne river is an important fishing spot

<---- Fishermen preparing to go out fishing
 

Ready to go for fishing by the Osprey     ---->
 

In the history of Surinam  plantations have always been of great importance for employment, also being in general an important source of income . Many people left Surinam (going to Holland) when the country got its independence. Starting an uncertain future for a lot of  plantations because of loosing so many employees. When during  the government period of the Military army moreover the  import of share-parts was prohibited many plantations had to close down, simply because machinery good not be repaired.

It will not take long before nature has taken over by man cultivated lands

Below some Photos of Mariënburg, just a couple of years ago it was one of the most prosperous Plantations of Surinam.
 

 Click next to go to - Paramaribo

Paramaribo

The Capital of Surinam is Paramaribo. The city is situated on the west-bank of the Surinam-river, 23 km inland. The city counts with ca. 300.000 inhabitants,  almost  60% of the Surinam population
It all happens in Paramaribo. It is not only the seat of the government but also for all other more or less important organisations. The Wijdenbosch government took the initiative to build a bridge over de Surinam-river. This bridge is economically of extremely great importance for the further development of Surinam. 

Very special are the wooden dwellings in Paramaribo. The problem now a day is the very expensive but very necessary maintenance.

Just outside Paramaribo you will find the "Weg naar zee". It indeed is a "road to the sea". Following this road and reaching the sea you will find the open-air Crematorium of Paramaribo.
Almost daily cremations take place by the Hindustani community of Surinam.

The "Weg naar zee" is also a very good birding site
 

 Click on next to go to - Inland of Surinam

The Inland of Surinam

The inland of Suriname enjoys a modest form of  small-scaled tourism. Especially the almost pristine rain-forest is very attractive. Transport takes place by small planes and further on by boat. In the northern part of Surinam there are destinations which can be reached by car (4 x 4).

Interesting destinations are  for instance Palumeu, Awarradam and Raleigh-falls. Unfortunately it was impossible to reach those destinations during my trip because of the extreme dry period, which made transport by river almost impossible.

Easy to reach was (by car) BROWNSBERG NATURE PARK.

 
The camp-site on the Brownsberg managed by STINASU. The accommodation is very modest, but nature is overwhelming. The camp has beautiful views over the Brokopondo-lake. The photo above was made from the camp-site. 
      
On the Brownsberg walking is very popular. A local guide is cheap and very useful. The change to see all kind of plants and animals will be a lot better. Furthermore it is also safer, because you never know what you will meet on your way. There are poisonous snakes around and what to think of the so called howler monkey.

Click on next to go to - Birds of Surinam 

Birds of Surinam

The diversity of birds in Surinam is tremendous. Bird-watching you can do everywhere. This great kiskadee made its nest just outside my hotel-door.

The cleaning-service did everything to change its mind , but the bird had chosen its place, and he just started to re-build the nest every time again.  The great Kiskadee is one of the real very common birds in Surinam.

 In Surinam I went birding a couple of days with a guide. I found this guide via Stinasu. In my opinion it is absolutely necessary to use a guide, especially if you are un-known with the local situation. It safes a lot of time.
I was lucky to find a duch-speaking guide, a biologist, very well introduced in birding-sites in Surinam.  He used by himself recorded bird-sounds to attract specific birds. A very interesting experience.

To rent a guide for a day is not very expensive. Taking with you a picnic-lunch you can have a lovely day for about  $ 50,-- Starting early in the morning and being back in the late afternoon. 

To see more photos of birds go to The Surinam Gallery