Yesterday we came home from our holiday to Suriname & Curaçao.

Aug 20, 2015

We enjoyed it immensely and are very satisfied with the organization and execution of our trip.

During this trip we saw and experienced very beautiful things and had many wonderful encounters with special people through the changing travel groups.

Paramaribo
Greenheart is a great spot. Close to the centre. A hotel where you feel at home. Certainly by Jason, the manager, who in our opinion runs the business there.
Next time we would skip the last day (21) in Paramaribo and add it to Curaçao
Galibi
We loved being there.
Didn't see any turtles the first evening.
The 2nd day started somewhat disappointingly, there was no boat available.
However, later we sailed with Mr Wijnberg to the Surinamese laying beaches.
There we discovered a nest of 20-25 young sea turtles, which we saw go into the ocean.

That evening we went again to the laying beaches of Fr Guyana, where we were lucky. A leatherback turtle was laying eggs on the beach.
We found the visit to St Laurant du Maroni somewhat disappointing and poor. We were too late to visit the Punishment Camp museum. We did walk past the buildings.
This may have been due to a defective outboard motor, which caused us to be stuck on a beach for more than half an hour before a new motor was delivered.
Had a delicious iced coffee in St Laurant.
Brownsberg-Ston Island-Isadou & Jaw Jaw,
A great trip because of the variety it contains.
Hiking to the waterfalls.
The stay on Ston Island was very simple, but it served the purpose.
The boat trip on the special Brokopondo Lake and fishing for Piranhas, of which we caught 3.
Then to Atjoni, you hear and read that the road ends there. It is a special experience to see that all transport continues by boat.
Isadou & Jaw Jaw was relaxed, splashing around in the sullas and enjoying the overwhelming rainforest.
A beautiful location and special accommodation
The next day a visit to the Maroon villages on the river and a walk through the rainforest.
Warappa Creek & Bakkie
It is special what those two young people have already achieved there and congratulations for their perseverance.
We were the only 2 guests there and spoke extensively with both of them.
Spent the evening hunting for young caimans with their son.
We felt like a pincushion there because of all the mosquitoes.
The next day we went up the creek with a group. A beautiful area.
New Nickerie & Bigi Pan
It was an experience to see the diversity of that part of Suriname.
Nieuw Nickerie is not much. In retrospect, we think that 1 night there would have been enough.
Nevertheless, we were able to enjoy ourselves, partly because of the guides.
After arrival to the dike; visited the temple and saw the sunset.
The next day to the market, the back trackers (an exciting experience) and to the rice fields.
Of course we also visited Manglie, where we were personally shown around by Mr Manglie.
Bigi Pan is a beautiful area, where we saw many Scarlet Ibises
Palumeu
What an experience to fly inland with such a small plane.
That was also a great place to be, a beautiful location and special accommodation.
We also made several boat trips there and walked through the rainforest. We were able to see beautiful birds and a sloth. Henk caught an Anjumara in one of the sullas. Which unfortunately we were not able to taste.
Pepperpot
A relaxing bike ride through that area with a visit to the plantation.
Too bad the buildings are not open for visitors.

Curaçao
A very warm welcome by Marianne.
Kas di Ala is a nice accommodation that is centrally located.
After 3 weeks in Suriname, we found Curaçao to be a culture shock.
You are immediately in another world; much more touristy and actually fully geared towards that.
For example, from the Chinese (barred) supermarkets in Suriname to the Center Supermarket in Curaçao, it was quite a transition.
We drove the country house route there, via the Westpunt.
Visited and walked through Willemstad and visited the slavery museum. Spend an afternoon snorkeling at Ocean Encounters.
Spent the last afternoon at Blauwbaai and had dinner there at sunset.

Furthermore, all praise for the guides (Tio, Giovanni, Yve, Rogier & Reggie, Henk).
Their guidance and care was excellent.
We also let Cathrin know this.
It turned out to us that the guide world in Suriname is a world we know.
Also that they all know you.

If we hear that people in our area want to go to Suriname, we will certainly recommend that they contact you.

Lianne Geertzen
Hans Blatter