Guyana Where And What 2015 by Guyana where and what

Publisher & Editor:

Gem Madhoo-Nascimento

Cover Design & Layout:

Grafix House; Tele: [592] 227-8512

Cover Description:

Tourists enjoying a jacuzzi massage under the cascading waters of Orinduik Falls.

Contributors To Photographs:

Conservation International, Roraima Airways, Colin Edwards, Ray de Wandel, Guyana Tourism Authority, Guyana Information News Agency, National Trust of Guyana, Guyana Times, Gem Madhoo-Nascimento

Gem Madhoo-Nascimento Publisher / Editor

Produced by:

Contributing Writers

Ameena Gafoor, David Singh, Nasim Hussain, Dave Martins, Ray de Wandel, Sean Bhola Print run: 20,000 copies Printed by: The Office Authority

General Executive Management Services Inc (G.E.M.S. Inc.) 168 Century Palm Gardens Durban Backlands Greater Georgetown, Guyana. Tel: 592-226-0240; 225-3557; 624-8694 Email:gemmadhoo@gmail.com www.guyanawhereandwhatonline.com

Rich Flora and Fauna at the Botanical Gardens

CONTEÚDO:

Where and What. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. - Getting Here .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. - Getting Around.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Art- Galleries & Museums . .. .. .. .. Birding.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Calender of Events .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Dining Out .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Dutch heritage-Forts & Museum .. .. Eco Wonders .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Entertainment . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Festivals in Guyana . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Fishing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Guyanese Literature .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Guyana Administrative Regions . .. .. Guyana’s Minerals .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Guyana’s Towns & Counties .. .. .. .. - Bartica . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. - Berbice. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. - Essequibo Coast .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. - Essequibo River .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. - Hogg Island.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. - Lethem. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. - Linden .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. - North West District- Mabaruma .. -Rewa Village . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Guyanese Proverbs . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Hotels & Guest Houses .. .. .. .. .. .. Low Carbon Development Strategy ..

..4 26 29 36 39 41 45 52 56 60 62 68 70 72 75 77 77 77 79 81 82 82 83 85 86 87 88 97

Music .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 99 Recreational Spots .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..101 Resorts, Lodges & Tour Operators . ..105 South Rupununi Safari Shopping .. .. .. .. .. .. Sightseeing .. .. .. .. .. Sports .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Towns/Village Days . .. Trail to Lethem .. .. .. Yachting in Guyana . ..

.. .. .. .. .. .. ..

..112 ..113 ..117 ..127 ..131 ..132 ..134

O Quê e Onde Como chegar Locomoção Galerias de Arte & Museus Observação de Pássaros Calendário de Eventos Jantar Fora Herança Holandesa – Fortes & Museu Maravilhas do Ecoturismo Entretenimento Festivais da Guiana Pescaria Estante Regiões Administrativas da Guiana Minerais da Guiana Municípios e Condados da Guiana - Bartica - Berbice - Costa do Essequibo - Rio Essequibo - Hogg Island - Lethem - Linden - Distrito de North West Mabaruma - Vilarejo de Rewa Provérbios Guianenses Hotéis e Pousadas Estratégia de Desenvolvimento de Baixa Emissão de Carbono Música Pontos de Recreação Resorts, Alojamento & Operadores de Turismo Sul Rupununi Safári Comprar Passeios Turísticos Esportes Municipios e Vilarejos Trilha para Lethem Iate na Guiana

CONTENT

CONTENTS

WELCOME TO GUYANA

Stabroek Market, Georgetown.

The Land Of Many Waters Welcome to our 8th edition of the ‘Guyana Where & What’ tour guide and hand book. It contains a wealth of information that the first time visitor to Guyana is sure to find useful for quick and easy reference to finding your way around our country and in discovering the wonders of Guyana’s pristine forests, magnificent rivers, spectacular waterfalls and vast savannah lands. The Guide has been especially designed for your convenience as it fits conveniently into your hand bag, pocket book or pouch, so that you can easily take it everywhere with you for immediate reference. A map of Guyana along with a road map of Georgetown and environs can be found on the inside back cover to assist you in navigat-

ing your way around our beautiful capital city of Georgetown. Included in this edition are brief descriptions of other towns and tours to interior locations and resorts, to assist you to see much of our country with names of hotels, restaurants and interesting places to ensure you have a wonderful experience. Please tell the advertisers that you saw them in ‘Guyana-Where & What handbook, to encourage them to continue to support this book. We, at GEMS Inc., invite you to enjoy our Guyanese hospitality and hope that your stay will be a memorable experience of many beautiful moments that charm you into returning again and again.

Visit the following websites for more information on Guyana www.guyana-tourism.com; www.exploreguyana.org & www.guyanawhereandwhatonline.com

trará breves descrições de outras cidades e de passeios para localidades e resorts no interior, os quais lhe ajudarão a conhecer amplamente o nosso país juntamente com nomes de hotéis, restaurantes e lugares interessantes que lhe propiciarão uma experiência maravilhosa. Pedimos-lhe encarecidamente que diga aos nossos anunciantes que você viu seu anúncio no Guia “Guiana - O Quê e Onde”, para lhes incentivar a continuar patrocinando este guia. A GEMS Inc. lhe convida a desfrutar da nossa hospitalidade guianense e esperamos que sua visita seja uma experiência marcante com belos e encantadores momentos para que você sempre retorne aqui.

WELCOME TO GUYANA

Benvindo à 8ª edição do guia de turismo e consulta “Guiana - O Quê e Onde”. Nele você encontra informações úteis para quem visita a Guiana pela primeira vez com referências rápidas e fáceis para quem deseja percorrer o país e descobrir as maravilhosas ﬂorestas virgens, magníﬁcos rios, cahoeiras espetaculares e o vasto território de savanas. Este Guia foi concebido especialmente para sua comodidade, pois cabe na bolsa, dentro do seu livro ou da pochete, permitindo-lhe uma consulta rápida em qualquer lugar. Os mapas da Guiana, das ruas de Georgetown e dos arredores estão disponíveis na contracapa e irão lhe ajudar a navegar pela bela capital Georgetown. Nesta edição você também encon-

Acesse os seguintes sites para mais informações sobre a Guiana www.guyana-tourism.com; www.exploreguyana.org e www.guyanawhereandwhatonline.com Mashramani Parade in Guyana

WHERE & WHAT 6

Guyana Flag

Guyana is the only English speaking Guyana achieved the status of a country in South America located Cooperative Republic on February on its Northeastern Coast with an 23rd, 1970, four years after gaining area of 214,969 square kilometres independence from Great Britain or 83,000 square miles and com- on May 26th, 1966. prising four distinct geographical Its citizens are known as Guyanese areas: the coastal belt, the forestand comprise a population of in ed region, the savannahs and excess of 700,000 people. the sandy zone. Guyana is multi-ethnic The name Guyana is with its people origian Amerindian word nating from India, meaning ‘Land Africa, China, MaOf Many Waters’. deira, Europe and Guyana is often the native Amerinreferred to as the dian. The majority bridge between of the population South America and is of Indian descent the Caribbean, borfollowed by those dering Brazil to its of African descent Guyana Coat of Arms south, Venezuela to with a smaller its west, Suriname to its east, the percentage of the other races. Atlantic Ocean to its north. A mem- Elections are held every ﬁve years ber of the Caribbean Community with the most recent election takof nations, its history and heritage ing place in November 2011. The are shared with the former British next election is due in 2016. West Indies and English its lan- Christianity, Hinduism and Islam guage. are the main religions practiced Georgetown, the chief port and in Guyana which functions under capital, is situated on the right a British inﬂuenced legal system bank of the Demerara River estu- that includes a Supreme Court of ary, which is the smallest of our Judicature. This encompasses the three main rivers, Essequibo being Court of Appeal, the High Court the largest and Berbice, the second and a series of Magistrates’ courts. largest.

Guyana National Bird The Canjie Pheasant

República Cooperativa, em 23 de fevereiro de 1970, quatro anos após ter conquistado sua independência da Grã-Bretanha em 26 de maio de 1966. O cidadãos guianeneses formam uma população de pouco mais de 700.000 habitantes. A Guiana é um país de múltiplas etnias originárias da Índia, África, China, Madeira, Europa e dos Índios nativos. A maior parte da população é descendente de indianos, seguida de afro-descendentes e de uma menor parcela composta pelas demais raças. As eleições ocorrem a cada cinco anos. As últimas eleições ocorreram em novembro de 2011 e as próximas serão em 2016. Cristianismo, Hinduísmo e Islamismo são as três principais religiões praticadas na Guiana. O sistema jurídico é baseado no sistema legal britânico e possui uma Corte Suprema de Judicatura, a qual compreende a Corte de Apelação, a Alta Corte e várias Cortes de Magistrados.

WHERE & WHAT

A Guiana é o único país de língua inglesa na América do Sul, localizado no seu litoral norte. Com 214.969 Km² (83.000 Mi²), a Guiana é composta de quatro áreas geográficas distintas: faixa costeira, região de floresta, zona de savana e zona arenosa. O nome Guiana é uma palavra indígena que significa “Terra de muitas águas”. A Guiana é considerada como a ponte entre a América do Sul e o Caribe e faz fronteira ao sul com o Brasil, ao Oeste com a Venezuela, ao leste com o Suriname e ao norte com o oceano Atlântico. Como membro da Comunidade Caribenha de Nações, a Guiana compartilha da herança e da história das antigas Índias Ocidentais Britânicas, assim como do idioma inglês. Georgetown, principal porto e capital, fica situada no lado direito do estuário do rio Demerara, o menor dos rios principais, depois dos rios Berbice e Essequibo. A Guiana alcançou o status de

WHERE & WHAT 8

TIME ZONE 4 Hours behind GMT. 1 hour ahead of EST. FUSO HORÁRIO 4 horas atrás de GMT e 1 hora na frente de EST CLIMATE Guyana’s climate is equatorial; hot but pleasant for most of the year. The heat is tempered by the sea breezes on the coast. An umbrella is useful during the two wet seasons, extending roughly through May and June and from December to the end of January. Rainfall approximates at 2,300mm per year in Georgetown. The temperature on the coastland ranges from 20 degrees to 33.8 degrees centigrade with a mean temperature of 26.8 degrees centigrade. In the interior it is between 18.3 degrees centigrade and 39.4 degrees centigrade with a mean of 28.3 degrees centigrade. CLIMA A Guiana tem um clima equatorial, quente porém agradável durante a maior parte do ano, com o calor amenizado pela brisa do mar no litoral. O uso de guarda-chuva é importante durante as duas épocas de chuva que vão de maio a junho e de dezembro a janeiro. O nível de chuva por ano em Georgetown é de 2.300mm. A tempertatura na área litorânea vai de 22º a 33.8º célsius com temperatura média de 26.8º. A temperatura no interior vai de 18.3º a 39.4º e tem uma média de 28.3º.

CLOTHING The tropical climate enjoyed by Guyana generally allows for apparel made of light, breathable fabric, whether you decide to dress up or go informal. Be warned if you need to visit Government oﬃces , dress appropriately. No shorts, vests, three-quarter pants, armless blouses are allowed for males and females. The National Cultural Centre also has a dress code; please check before you attend. ROUPAS O clima tropical da Guiana permite o uso de roupas leves de tecido transpirável, quer formais ou casuais. Procure vestir-se adequadamente em repartições públicas, pois não é permitido usar shortes, camisetas, bermudas e nem blusas sem manga para homens e mulheres. O National Cultural Center também adota código de traje, por iso veriﬁque-o antes de fazer sua visita. GOVERNMENT Guyana has a unicameral 72 member National Assembly, including the Speaker, of which 40 members are elected directly by proportional representation and 25 are extracted from the list of geographical constituencies and 7 non elected members. His Excellency, President Donald Ramotar, is the current elected leader of the governing Peoples Progressive Party–Civic (PPP-C) alliance. The parliamentary opposition consists of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and

WHERE & WHAT

the Alliance for Change (AFC). The combined opposition holds the majority of 1 seat in the National Assembly. The National Assembly is led by Prime Minister Sam Hinds of the PPP –C. The next election is schedule for 2016. GOVERNO A Guiana possui uma Assembléia Nacional unicameral com 72 membros, incluindo o Orador, dos quais 40 são eleitos diretamente por representação proporcional e 25 são obtidos da lista dos distritos eleitorais geográﬁcos e 7 membros não-eleitos. Sua Excelência, o Presidente Donald Ramotar, é o atual líder eleito da aliança do partido governista Peoples Progressive Party-Civic (PPP-C). A oposição parlamentar é composta dos partidos A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) e Alliance for Change (AFC). A oposição junta possui maioria de 1 cadeira na Assembéia Nacional. A Assembéia Nacional é cheﬁada

pelo Primeiro Ministro Sam Hinds (PPP-C). A próxima eleição está programada para 2016. ECONOMY There has been, in recent years, a thrust towards diversification of the Guyana economy but traditional sectors still dominate. Agriculture, forestry and fishing account for almost 20% of Gross Domestic Product while mining and quarrying have increased in importance with gold accounting for the largest share of export receipts. Manufacturing retains its importance to the economy, averaging almost 7% of GDP, but services, especially in the Information and Technology sector, have grown in importance and contributes to job creation. The country continues to actively seek foreign direct investment and foreign investors are, by law, afforded equal treatment with local investors.

WHERE & WHAT 10

ECONOMIA Nos últimos anos houve um avanço rumo à diversificação na economia da Guiana, mas os setores tradicionais ainda predominam. Agricultura, exploração florestal e pesca representam quase 20% do Produto Doméstico Bruto, enquanto que a extração de ouro e de minérios tiveram um aumento significativo quando o ouro gerou a maior parcela das receitas de exportação. A manufatura mantém sua importância na economia, com média de 7% do PIB, mas os serviços, sobretudo no setor de TI, tiveram um importante aumento e contribuíram para a criação de novos empregos. O país continua a buscar investimento estrangeiro direto e investidores estrangeiros desfrutam do mesmo tratamento dado pela lei aos investidores locais.

of the Central Bank & some commercial banks. Persons with international debit and credit cards bearing the Visa, Maestro, Cirrus or MasterCard signs can obtain cash advances at any Scotia bank ATM for a small fee. SERVIÇOS BANCÁRIOS, CÂMBIO E CARTÕES DE CRÉDITO A moeda local é o dólar guianense e os câmbios oscilam em torno de Guy $205,00 para $1.00 americano Guy $199,00 para $1.00 canadense Guy $330,00 para £1.00 esterlina Guy $277,00 para € 1,00 euro

* Todos os nossos bancos são autorizados a trabalhar com moeda estrangeira. Pode haver uma pequena diferença entre o câmbio oferecido pelos bancos e o câmbio oferecido por operadores privados. A seguir estão listados o Banco Central e outros bancos BANKING, CAMBIOS & comerciais. Titulares de cartões de CREDIT CARDS The currency is the Guyana Dollar crédito e débito com as bandeiras with a fluctuating exchange rate Visa, Maestro, Cirrus e MasterCard depending on whether you are podem fazer saques em espécie em caixas eletrônicos Scotiabank por buying or selling: uma pequena tarifa. Guy $195 to $209.00 to US $1.00 Guy $189 to $195.00 to Can $1.00 BANK OF GUYANA Guy $330 to $360.00 to £1.00 (CENTRAL BANK) Guy $265 to $288.00 to € 1,00 P.O. Box 1003 * All our national banks are author- 1 Church Street & Avenue of the ized to deal in foreign exchange. Republic. However, there may be a slight dol- Tel: 592- 226-3250-9 lar difference in the exchange offered by the banks compared with CITIZENS BANK what is offered by private cambio Head Office - 201 Camp & operators. The following is a list Charlotte Sts., Lacytown, G/town.

ATM Services OMGSheriï¬&#x20AC; Street & Campbell Avenue

Oik ServStabroek (opp. Stabroek Market) ArapaimaMain & Quamina Streets Footsteps BuildingCamp & Charlotte Streets & all branches of Citizens Bank Guyana Inc. SCOTIABANK GUYANA 104 Carmichael Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown Tel: (592) 225-9222 Fax:(592) 227-4832 63 Robb Street, Lacytown, Georgetown Tel:(592) 226-4031 Fax:(592) 225-7985 12 Strand, New Amsterdam, Berbice Tel: (592) 333-4154/5/7/8 Fax: (592) 333-4165

WHERE & WHAT

Tel: 592-226-1705-9 Fax: 592-226-1719 Bartica Branch 592-455-3012-15 Fax: 592-455-3016 Parika Branch East Bank Essequibo Tel: 592-260-4008 Fax: 592-260-4004 Thirst Park Branch Banks DIH Complex, Thirst Park, Mandela Avenue, Georgetown Tel: 592-223-7659 Fax: 592-223-7659 Linden Branch Lot 8 & 9, Crabwood Street & Republic Avenue Tel: 444-3821; 444-2938 Fax: 444-2972;444-2433

WHERE & WHAT 12

2nd Avenue, Bartica, Essequibo Tel: (592) 455-2603/2618 Fax: (592) 455-2716 Parika Highway, East Bank Essequibo Tel: (592) 260-4202-7 Fax: (592) 260-4208 bns.guyana@scotiabank.com www.guyana.scotiabank.com BANKING HOURS AT MOST BANKS ARE: Mondays to Thursdays: 8:00am – 2:00pm Fridays: 8:00am – 2:30pm Parika Highway - Opening hours Mon, Tues, Thurs: 8:00am to 2.00pm, Fri: 8:00am to 2.30pm, Sun: 8:00am to 12.30pm, Wednesday & Saturday: Close. Bartica opening Hours: Mon – Fri - 8:00am – 12:00 noon / 1:00pm – 4:00pm Citizens Thirst Park Branch Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 8:00am – 1:30pm

demanda. No geral, os horários para câmbio são: Segunda a sexta das 8:00am às 5:00pm Sábado das 8:00am ao meio-dia CREDIT CARDS Scotia Cards, Master Cards, Visa and American Express are accepted by major businesses. They can be used to obtain cash from the Bank of Nova Scotia 24 hours ATM machines in Georgetown, Bartica, Parika or the Pegasus Hotel ATM machine, located on the Southern side of the Building (right of the entrance to the hotel). The American Express can be used similarly at the Demerara Bank.

CARTÕES DE CRÉDITO Cartões Scotia, Master, Visa e American Express são aceitos nos principais estabelecimentos. Estes cartões podem ser usados para realizar saques em Caixas Eletrônicos CAMBIOS 24 Horas do Banco Nova Scotia em Guyana has a ﬂoating foreign ex- Georgetown, Bartica ou no Caixa change policy hence the foreign Eletrônico localizado no Hotel exchange rate ﬂuctuates depend- Pegasus, no lado sul do prédio (à ing on variations in supply and de- direita da entrada do hotel). mand. Cartões American Express dispõem General Cambio hours are: da mesma facilidade junto ao DemMon to Fri - 8:00am – 5:00pm erara Bank. Saturdays: 8:00am – noon TAX CÂMBIO Exit tax at the airport is US$21 or Como a Guiana tem uma política G$4,000. variável para moeda estrangeira, Value Added Tax (VAT) has been as taxas de câmbio oscilam de introduced since January 2007 at a acordo com variações de oferta e rate of 16% on most items.

WHERE & WHAT 14

produtos que levam na bagagem ao saírem da Guiana, contanto que o valor total pago em vat seja maior que G$20.000. Para maiores informações, adquira cópias do folheto de informações “Reembolso de VAT para visitantes NOTICE TO VISITORS: não-residentes à Guiana” e o forVat refunds for non-resident mulário para requerimento de visitors to Guyana. reembolso de VAT (vat31). Most goods sold in Guyana are Estes documentos estão disponíveis subject to a value added tax (vat) of no aeroporto e no departamento 16% of their selling price. de VAT e impostos do órgão GuyHowever, as a non-resident visitor ana Revenue Authority na Camp you may qualify for a refund of the Street (entre Middle e Quamina) tax you have paid on goods which ou em qualquer filial da GRA. Tel: you export in your personal bag- 227-7310. gage when you leave Guyana, provided that the total amount of vat MEDIA you have paid exceeds GY$20,000. There are 4 daily newspapers, StaFor further information please up- broek News – www.stabroeknews. lift copies of the information leaflet com, Kaieteur News -www.kai‘vat refunds for non-resident visi- eteurnewsgy.com, The Guyana tors to Guyana’ and the vat refund Times - www.guyanatimesgy.com application form (vat 31). and Guyana Chronicle – www. These documents are available at guyanachronicle.com , the latter the Airport or the vat and excise is state-owned. There are a few tax department of the Guyana Rev- weekly newspapers- The Mirror enue Authority in Camp Street (be- produced by the PPP political party, tween Middle & Quamina Streets) The Catholic Standard by the Cathor from any of the GRA Branch Of- olic Church and the Palm Tree by fices. Tel:227-7310 the PNC Political Party. There are about a dozen radio staAVISO AOS VISITANTES: tions, most of them operating on Reembolso de VAT para nãothe FM transmission. NCN Radio, residentes na Guiana which is state-owned has 3 (three) A maioria dos produtos vendi- channels and one state owned TV dos na Guiana está sujeita à taxa station NCN 11 which transmits in acrescida ao valor (VAT) de 16% Linden and Berbice . There are 18 sobre o preço de venda. Contudo, other TV stations; most of them are não-residentes podem ter direito located in Georgetown. The others a reembolso da taxa paga pelos are throughout the various regions. TAXAS A taxa de saída no aeoroporto é de US$21 ou G$4.000 A Taxa Acrescida ao Valor (VAT) foi introduzida em janeiro de 2007 a 16% sobre a maioria dos items.

RADIO 89.1 FM, 89.5 FM, 93.1FM, 94.1 Boom FM, 98.1 Hot FM 100.1 Fresh FM, 102.5 FM/ 560AM (Voice of Guyana), 103.1FM Linden: 104.3 POWER FM TV STATIONS Georgetown*GEN2, CNS6, *WRHM 7 & 89 *HBTV9, *NCN11, RBS 13, HGTV-16,

*TVG-28, MBC 42 *MTV 65, NTN69, HJTV72, Visions 102 Berbice*LRTV-10, *DTV -8, CH.19 Essequibo*RCA-8 Linden*LTV-6 Bartica*TTS5 * denotes that these stations carry a local newscast

WHERE & WHAT

MÍDIA Há atualmente 4 jornais diários – Stabroek News – www.stabroeknews.com, Kaieteur News – www.kaieteurnewsgy.com, The Guyana Times – www.guyanatimesgy.com e Guyana Chronicle – www.guyanachronicle.com o qual pertence ao governo. Há também alguns jornais semanais: The Mirror, produzido pelo partido político PPP, The Catholic Standard, produzido pela igreja católica e o Palm Tree produzido pelo partido PNC. Há aproximadamente doze emissoras de rádio, a maioria FM e uma AM. A Rádio NCN, a qual pertence ao governo, possui 4 (quatro) canais e uma emissora de TV, a NCN11, que transmite em Linden e Berbice. Há também outras 18 emissoras de TV, a maioria localizada em Georgetown e as demais estão espalhadas pelas outras regiões.

HEALTH & SAFETY While there is some risk of contracting malaria in certain sections of Guyana’s interior, Georgetown and the Coast are generally free of malaria. As a precaution, consult your doctor before traveling to Guyana to ensure that you are adequately protected against malaria. Medical facilities include one public and a number of private hospitals in Georgetown. Further information can be obtained from the Vaccination Division of Ministry of Health on Telephone Numbers: (592) 226 7338 or (592) 226 1366. SAÚDE E SEGURANÇA Apesar do risco de contrair malária em algumas localidades do interior, Georgetown e o litoral são áreas livres de malária. Como precaução, consulte seu médico antes de viajar para a Guiana para garantir que você está protegido contra malária. Entre os serviços médicos

WHERE & WHAT 16

disponíveis estão o hospital público e os hospitais particulares de Georgetown. Maiores informações estão disponíveis no Departamento de Vacina do Ministério da Saúde nos números: (592) 226-7338 e 226-1366.

Tel: (592) 226-2024, 225-4050 5 G Dialysis Centre www.5gdialysis.com Tel: (592) 231-2207

…. East Coast, Berbice

& CORENTYNE CC Nicholson Hospital HOSPITALS Nabaclis, E.C.D. Tel: (592) 229-2965 …. IN GEORGETOWN Doobay Medical Centre Davis Memorial Hospital Annandale, E.C.D. Tel 220-9757 Tel: (592) 227-2041/3 Fort Wellington Hospital Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital Tel: (592) 232-0294 / 0304 Tel: (592) 226-4279 or 227-1087 Fort Canje Hospital Georgetown Public Hospital Tel: (592) 333-2141/3 Tel: (592)227-8204/7 or 227-8241/7 Mahaica Hospital Medical Arts Tel: (592) 259-3290/1 Tel: (592) 225-7402 or 226-2556 Mahaicony Hospital Georgetown Medical Centre Tel: (592) 221-2209 (Formerly Prahad’s Hospital) New Amsterdam Regional Tel: (592) 226-7214/9 Hospital St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital Tel: (592) 333-2381 or 333-2591 Anamayah Memorial Hospital Tel: (592) 227-2072/9 Hampshire, Corentyne Woodlands Hospital

When Illness Strikes...

….UPPER DEMERARA/BERBICE

Linden Tel: (592) 444-6127 / 6137 Wismar Hospital Tel: (592) 442-0811 / 2 Kwakwani Hospital Tel: (592) 440-2224

…. EAST BANK DEMERARA & WEST COAST DEMERARA Diamond Hospital Tel: (592) 265-4682 / 3 Leonora Cottage Hospital Tel: (592) 268-2204 West Demerara Hospital Tel: (592)-254-1256/9 or 254-0311 … ESSEQUIBO RIVER & COAST

Fort Island Medex Tel: (592) 681-6536 Bartica Hospital Tel: (592) 455-2339 Charity Hospital Tel: (592) 771-4243 Leguan Hospital Tel: (592) 772-2206/2006 Suddie Hospital Tel: (592) 774-4227/774-4627/8 Wakenaam Medex Tel: (592)-774-5009 Wakenaam Cottage Hopsital Tel: (592) 774-5019

You need to find relief fast.

WHERE & WHAT

Tel: (592) 333--6263 Port Mourant Opthamology Centre Tel: (592) 336-6095 / 6758 Port Mourant Hospital Tel: (592) 336-6376 Skeldon Hospital Tel: (592) 339-2211

MEDI-CARE PHARMACY

MAIN BRANCH

18 Hinck Street, Robbstown, Georgetown

Tel: 225-9369 227-0362 231-6455 MON - FRI 07:30h - 17:00h SATURDAY - 07:30h - 15:30h

NEW MARKET ST. BRANCH 267 B New Market Street, Georgetown

Tel: 225-9349

MON - FRI 07:30h - 17:00h SATURDAY - 07:30h - 14:00h

KITTY BRANCH

26 Sandy Babb St., Kitty, Georgetown

Tel: 223-7188

MON - FRI 10:00h - 20:00h SATURDAY - 08:00h - 18:00h

SOUTH RUIMVELDT BRANCH

3 David Rose Street, South Ruimveldt Gardens

Tel: 218-0112/0113

MON - FRI 10:00h - 19:00h SATURDAY - 11:00h - 18:00h

NEW BRANCH

27 Hadfield Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown MON - SAT 07:30h - 17:30h

“YOUR PARTNER FOR GOOD HEALTH”

WHERE & WHAT

……OTHER AREAS

Port Kaituma District Hospital

Tel: (592) 777-4047 Mabaruma Hospital Tel: (592)-777-5057 Kato Hospital Frequency 5300 by radio Lethem Hospital Tel: (592) 772-2206

MINISTRY OF HEALTH Upper Brickdam & Vlissengen Rd. Tel:(592) 225-2420 (RHS) PHARMACIES & LABORATORY

Medicare Pharmacy 16 Hinck St., Robbstown. G/town. Tel:(592)225-9369; 227-0362 or 267 ‘B’ New Market St. Tel:(592)225-9349 Or 26 Sandy Babb St., Kitty Tel:(592) 223-7188

Woodlands Hospital Pharmacy 110-111 Carmichale St. G/town. Tel: 592-226-2024, 223-7023

WHERE & WHAT

WATER Visitors to Guyana are advised to use bottled water or water available from any of the certified water stores using the reverse osmosis system. There are several brands available at affordable prices. Our tap water is safe for washing and bathing. There is no shortage of water stores in Georgetown and countrywide. Most of them apply the reverse osmosis process to purify their water. ÁGUA Os visitantes na Guiana devem beber água engarrafada ou água procedente de estabelecimentos certificados que utilizam o sistema de osmose inversa para purificação da água. Há várias marcas com preços acessíveis disponíveis no mercado. A água encanada é segura para lavar e para tomar banho. Não fal-

SECURITY The Security Services consists of a small standing army, The Guyana Defence Force and The Guyana Police Force. The Police Force has several Police Stations and Security Booths at various locations throughout the capital city where at least two armed police officers can be seen stationed or on foot patrol. Additionally, throughout the day and night, mobile police patrols can be observed cruising through the city’s streets. Nonetheless, visitors should apply all safety precautions that are normally advisable when visiting an unfamiliar city and avoid walking the streets in down town areas after dark. Check with your hotel for current advice. It is also advisable to avoid wearing conspicuous jewelry and displaying large amounts of cash in public places. EMERGENCY NUMBERS Police: 911, 564 Quick response hotline: 225-6411 Impact: 225-2317; 227-4064/5 CID Headquarters: 225-3650/225-8196 Police Headquarters: 226-2487 Traffic Headquarters: 227-2272 Traffic, Brickdam: 225-3794/225-6940

Ambulance Service: 913 Fire: 912 SEGURANÇA Os serviços de segurança são compostos por dois pequenos grupos, a Guyana Defense Force e a Guyana Police Force. A Polícia possui quiosques em vários locais da cidade com pelo menos dois policiais armados ﬁxos ou em patrulha a pé. Além disso, há também patrulhamento móvel pelas ruas da cidade. Não obstante, os visitantes devem tomar as cautelas básicas com sua segurança assim como em qualquer cidade estranha e evitar caminhar pelas ruas do centro ao escurecer. Veriﬁque as dicas de segurança atualizadas com o seu hotel. Deve-se evitar o uso de jóias chamativas e grandes quantias de dinheiro à mostra em público.

WHERE & WHAT

tam estabelecimentos que vendem água em Georgetown ou pelo país. A maioria deles utiliza o processo de osmose inversa para puriﬁcação da água.

NÚMEROS DE EMERGÊNCIA Polícia: 911, 564 Hotline para Resposta Rápida: 225-6411 Impacto: 225-2317; 227-4064/5 Investigação Criminal: 225-3650/225-8196 Quartel da Polícia: 226-2487 Departamento de Trânsito: 227-2272 Trânsito, Brickdam: 225-3794/225-6940 Serviço de Ambulância: 913 Incêndio: 912 DRIVING Drivers Permits are issued at the Customs Division at CJIA. Passen-

WHERE & WHAT 22

gers desirous of having this permit are required to produce a valid driving license from their country of origin or an international driver’s license. A Customs Officer from the Customs Department will issue the relevant permit for one month. In Georgetown, it can be done at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Office in Camp Street, Georgetown (between Middle and Quamina Streets). Driving is on the left. Seat belts are compulsory and driving under the influence of alcohol and using cell phones while driving are all offences punishable by the law.

ances with 110v connections are operable with some rural communities using 220 v connections.

VOLTAGEM Em Georgetown, a voltagem para aparelhos elétricos é de 110v enquanto que os arredores e a maioria das áreas rurais utilizam 220v 50/60 ciclos.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS & INTERNET SERVICE Guyana’s country code is 592, followed by a seven digit number for all areas (see the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph [GT&T] directory for local area codes and other related information including instructions DIREÇÃO A Licença para Dirigir é emitida on Direct Dialing overseas). pelo Departamento de Alfândega Free ‘Wifi’ services’ are available to no Aeroporto CJIA. Os passageiros guests at most hotels, restaurants, que desejam a licença para dirigir cafes’ bars, fast food outlets. devem apresentar a carteira de habilitação do país de origem ou TELEPHONE SERVICE: carteira de habilitação internacion- The Guyana Telephone and Telal. Um oficial do Departamento de egraph Company is the largest proAlfândega emitirá uma licença vál- vider of telecommunication servicida por um mês. Em Georgetown, es in Guyana with a subscriber base você deve procurar o Guyana Reve- exceeding three hundred thousand nue Authority (GRA) Office in Camp in a country with an average popuStreet, Georgetown (between Mid- lation of seven hundred thousand. GT&T provides wireless GSM serdle and Quamina Sts.). A direção na Guiana é do lado es- vices; a prepaid service with cards querdo. O uso de cinto de segu- is also available. rança é obrigatório e dirigir alcoli79 Brickdam, Georgetown, zado ou usar celular ao dirigir são Guyana, S.A. infrações passíveis de penas da lei. 592-225-1315 website: gtt.co.gy VOLTAGE Throughout the country with some rural communities electrical appli-

WHERE & WHAT

Digicel has become well established within a short time in Guyana and the Caribbean with it’s mobile telecommunications operations It currently has in excess of three million subscribers and operations in 22 markets. Digicel Guyana Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana, S.A Customer Care 592-669-DIGI (3444) E-mail:guyanacustomercare@ digicelgroup.com TELECOMUNICAÇÕES E SERVIÇOS DE INTERNET O código DDI da Guiana é 592, e é seguido de outros sete dígitos em cada localidade (consulte o diretório Guyana Telephone & Telegraph [GT&T] para códigos de áreas locais e outras informações como Discagem Direta Internacional).

SERVIÇOS TELEFÔNICOS: A Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company é o principal provedor de serviços de telecomunicações da Guiana, com uma base de mais de trezentos mil assinantes em um país com uma população média de setecentos mil. A GT&T fornece serviços de telefonia celular GSM e também oferece serviços pré-pagos com cartão. 79 Brickdam, Georgetown, Guyana, S.A. 592-225-1315 website: gtt.co.gy

A Digicel se estabeleu em um curto espaço de tempo na Guiana e no Caribe com suas operações de telecomunicações móveis. A empresa atualmente possui mais de três milhões de assinantes e operações em 22 mercados. Digicel Guyana Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana, S.A O acesso à redes WiFi é gratuito na Atendimento ao Cliente maioria dos hotéis, restaurantes, 592-669-DIGI (3444) cafés e pontos de fast food. Email:guyanacustomercare@ digicelgroup.com

Main Street, Georgetown

GETTING HERE 26

GETTING HERE

principalmente por via aérea, mas também é possível chegar pela Visitors to Guyana mainly travel by Travessia da Balsa na fronteira air, but travel to Guyana is also ac- Suriname/Guiana e pela Ponte cessible by a Ferry Crossing via Suri- Takutu, no Rupununi. Todos os name/Guyana border and the Ta- visitantes devem apresentar paskutu Bridge in the Rupununi area. saporte válido. All visitors require a valid passport. Vôos da Europa seguem rota por Guyana’s international airport Antígua, Barbados ou Trinidade. Há (Cheddi Jagan International Air- vôos diretos de Nova Iorque, Suriport - CJIA) is located 25 miles/40 name, Trinidade e Tobago, Barbakm south of Georgetown. Flights dos e do Brasil. Vôos de Miami e do from Europe are routed through Canadá vêm por Trinidade e vôos Antigua, Barbados or Trinidad & To- de Londres passam por Barbados e bago. There are direct flights from Trinidade. New York, Suriname, Trinidad & To- Há vôos diretos de Miami e do bago, Barbados and Brazil. Flights Canadá ou com escala em Trinidade from Miami and Canada are either e Tobago, Panamá ou Curaçao. É direct or through Trinidad & Toba- preciso reconfirmar vôos antes da go, Panama or Curacao. Outward viagem. flights should be reconfirmed prior Vôos saindo da Guiana devem ser to departure. reconfirmados antes da partida. The suburban Ogle International A Guiana possui mais de 600 milAirport provides direct flights to has de rios navegáveis acessíveis Barbados, Suriname and the Hin- por balsas ou voadeiras. Para inforterland. mações sobre os horários da balsa, A listing of the various airlines, ac- consulte o Transport Harbour’s Decess points, and necessary docu- partment. ments is provided below according Abaixo está uma lista de várias to the mode of transportation. linhas aéreas, pontos de acesso e Official Language is English, often documentos necessários de acordo spoken with a creole flavour. Guy- com o tipo de transporte. ana is also the only English speak- A língua oficial é o inglês, com um ing country in South America. toque de crioulo. A Guiana é também o único país de língua inglesa COMO CHEGAR da América do Sul. Os visitantes chegam na Guiana

dad and Tobago, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America. Only the holders of Diplomatic, Special and Oﬃcial Passports of the following countries – Bolivia, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Cyprus, Haiti, India, Iran, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela are allowed without visas. Visitors are advised to check with the nearest Guyana Embassy, Consulate, their travel agent or visit www.minfor.gov.gy

GETTING HERE

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS All visitors require a passport which is valid for at least 6 months. Those arriving by plane are required to have an onward plane ticket. Visas are necessary for all visitors except nationals of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Dominica, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Luxembourg, Montserrat, New Zealand, North Korea, Norway, Portugal, Russian Federation, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, St. Christopher and Nevis (St. Kitts), St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, The Bahamas, The Netherlands, Trini-

REQUISITOS DE ENTRADA Todos os visitantes devem ter passaporte válido por pelo menos 6 meses. Passageiros que chegam de avião devem ter bilhete de volta. O visto é exigido de todos os visitantes, exceto de cidadãos dos

GETTING HERE

seguintes países: Antígua e Barbuda, Argentina, Áustria, Austrália, Barbados, Bélgica, Belize, Brasil, Canadá, Dinamarca, Domínica, Finlândia, França, Alemanha, Grécia, Granada, Irlanda, Itália, Jamaica, Japão, Luxemburgo, Montserrat, Nova Zelândia, Coréia do Norte, Noruega, Portugal, Federação Russa, África do Sul, Coréia do Sul, Espanha, São Cristóvão e Neves, Santa Lúcia, São Vicente e Granadinas, Suriname, Suécia, Suíça, Bahamas, Holanda, Trinidade e Tobago, Reino Unido da Grã-Bretanha e Irlanda do Norte e Estados Unidos da América. Somente aos portadores de Passaportes Diplomáticos, Especiais ou Oﬁciais dos seguintes países é permitida a entrada sem visto: Bolívia, Chile, China, Colômbia, Cuba, Chipre, Haiti, Índia, Irã, México, Peru, Uruguai e Venezuela. Os visitantes devem se informar na embaixada ou consulado da Guiana mais próximo, com seu agente de viagens ou no site www.minfor. gov.gy DEPARTURE There is an exit tax of G$4000 or approximately US$21. This tax can purchased at the airport near the check-in counter. You should conﬁrm your ticket at least 48 hours before departure.

PARTIDA Há uma taxa de saída de G$4.000 ou aproximadamente US$21. Esta taxa pode ser paga no aeroporto,

próximo do balcão de check in. Você deve conﬁrmar seu vôo pelo menos 48 horas antes da partida. TRAVEL AGENCIES Angellina’s Travel Service 91 Middle Street, South C/Burg Tel: (592) 225-1035 Fax: (592) 225-1037 1995 Parika Highway, EBE Tel: (592) 260-4536 Fax: (592) 260-4537 angellinastravel@hotmail.com www.angcamgy.com Survival Travel Agency 16 Vlissengen Road & Duncan Street, Newtown. G/town. Tel: (592) 225-1658/9 survivaltravelagency@networksgy. com Worldwide Travel Services 64 D Middle Street, Georgetown Tel: (592) 226-6007/226-3032/2264099 / Fax: 592-226-4866 world@networksgy.com Guyana’s National Bird The Canjie Pheasant

Guyana’s capital city, Georgetown was renamed after the British conquered the Dutch in 1812. The name originates from Fort St. George which was established at the mouth of the Demerara River as a signal station for the purpose of observing and controlling incoming and outgoing traﬃc. Like all capitals, the city is the centre of government administration and a wide range of economic activity. Most of the streets of Georgetown are laid out in almost perfect rectangles, a legacy of our Dutch heritage. This design therefore makes it relatively easy for the stranger to wend his/her way around town. The larger concentration of commercial houses is found ‘downtown’. This area is bounded by Vlissengen Road in the east , Water Street in the west with Lamaha Street and Brickdam being the northern and southern extremities respectively. LOCOMOÇÃO A capital da Guiana, Georgetown, recebeu seu nome após a conquista britânica sobre os holandeses em 1812. O nome vem do Forte Saint George, o qual foi construído na foz do rio Demerara como estação de controle de tráfego ﬂuvial. Como todas as capitais, a cidade é a sede administrativa do governo e de uma gama de atividades comerciais. As ruas de Georgetown

foram, em sua maioria, cuidadosamente projetadas em retângulos - um legado da nossa herança dos holandeses. Este planejamento permite ao visitante um fácil deslocamento por toda a cidade. A maior concentração de prédios comerciais está no centro da cidade. O centro situa-se entre as ruas Vlissingen, ao leste, Water, ao oeste, Lamaha, ao norte e Brickdam ao sul.

GETTING AROUND

BY ROAD

Transportation around the city is provided by privately owned mini buses. These operate in allocated zones for which there is a well-regulated fare structure. This arrangement extends to all mini bus routes throughout the country. Taxis move freely around the city. One can easily locate a yellow cab almost anywhere in the city; however, some hotels oﬀer a private taxi service and would arrange one for you at your request. A trip anywhere within the city will cost approximately G$400 (US$2.00), to travel by minibus within the city, would cost G$80. The minibus fares for traveling outside of Georgetown vary from G$100 to about $500 depending on how far outside the city you are going. In other parts of Guyana, taxis are easily available. In Corriverton the popular ‘tapir’ ply the roads regularly. Car rentals usually range US$35-

GETTING AROUND 30

$50 per day with a security deposit of US$200-$250. A few Companies oﬀer 4x4 vehicles for rental. TRANSPORTE RODOVIÁRIO O transporte pela cidade é feito em microônibus particulares. Estes ônibus operam em zonas distribuídas com estrutura de tarifa regulada. Este sistema é aplicado a todas as rotas de ônibus do país. Táxis também circulam livremente pela cidade. Os principais meios de transporte em Georgetown e nos arredores são ônibus e táxis. Os táxis amarelos podem ser encontrados facilmente por toda a cidade. Alguns hotéis possuem serviço de táxi e podem lhe disponibilizar um táxi quando solicitado. Uma corrida para qualquer lugar da cidade custa em torno de G$400 (US$2,00). Andar de ônibus pela cidade custa em torno de G$80,00. As tarifas ônibus para fora de Georgetown variam entre G$100 e G$500, dependendo do destino. Os táxis também estão disponíveis nas demais partes da Guiana também. Em Corriverton, o “Tapir” é um transporte popular pelas ruas. Locadoras de carro geralmente cobram US$35-US$50 por dia e exigem uma caução de US$200US$250. Algumas empresas oferecem veículos 4X4 para locação. Bayridge Taxi Sheriﬀ Street

City Taxi Vlissengen Road Tel:(562)225-6222

Movement Auto Rental & Bus Services 104 Amla Ave. Prashad Nagar Tel: (592) 623-2755/621-2755 Email:movementautorentalbusser vices@yahoo.com

GETTING AROUND

London Base Car Rental & Trucking Service 6 Mandela Avenue (near to Joseph Pollydore st.) Tel: (592) 666-2786/641-4392 Email: londonbase@live.com

Eddiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; s Taxi Vlissengen Road Tel: (592) 226-0606 Caribbean Temptation Taxi & Car Rental 14 Public Rd., Anna Catherina, WCD Tel: (592) 276-1409; 690-1808 Vicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Taxi Service 11th Street Foulis, Enmore Tel: (592) 256-3333 AUTO RENTALS Comfort Suites Car Rental 108 Barima Ave. Bel-Air-Park Tel: (592) 225-0595/225-0585 225-4816 www.comfortsuitesgy.com Four Princess Car Rental Service 2102 Nutmeg Street, Festival City North Ruimveldt, Georgetown Tel:(592)218-4282,602-7828

BY RIVER With 600 miles of navigable river that includes the Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara Rivers, one has the option of using ferries or the 12 to 17 seater passenger speedboats. Life jackets are compulsory. It is also possible to charter private speed boats or jet boats. Plan to use the Ferry Service, then call the relevant number below for schedules. (see page 33) Up until December 2008, the only way to get to East Berbice was by ferry, between Rosignol and New Amsterdam, now commuters can drive across the newly built Berbice River Bridge. Large cargo trucks, pedal cyclists and pedestrians must use the Ferry Service.

GETTING AROUND 32

sas, consulte os horários no número indicado abaixo. Até dezembro de 2008, a única maneira de chegar no leste de Berbice era de balsa. Agora, os viajantes podem atravessar de carro pela ponte recém-construída sobre o rio Berbice, entre Rosignol e New Amsterdam. Não há limites para carretas com carga, ciclistas ou pedestres. Os viajantes com destino a West Demerara, além da opção de atravessar de carro pela ponte Demerara Harbour Bridge, podem também atravessar o rio de voadeira entre Stabroek Stelling e Vreeden-Hoop. A estrada que se inicia em West Coast Demerara é uma rota de fluxo intensivo que leva até Parika, na margem leste do rio Essequibo, a qual se tornou um importante centro de atividade econômica na região do Essequibo. Os táxis fluviais são um modo de transporte mais rápido e mais caro para passageiros que vão à Bartica e Supenaam na costa do Essequibo, ou resorts no interior e voltam no mesmo dia. Um modo de transporte mais barato para Bartica é o TRANSPORTE FLUVIAL serviço de balsa, porém é bem mais Com 600 milhas de rios navegáveis, lento e leva horas para chegar. As entre eles o Essequibo, o Berbice balsas chinesas que operam com e o Demerara, as opções de trans- sistema roll on/roll off fazem transportes são balsas ou voadeiras de porte entre Parika e Supenaam e le12 a 17 assentos. O uso de colete vam a metade do tempo das balsas salva-vidas é obrigatório. Também maiores. é possível alugar voadeiras e lan- Há balsas disponíveis para as ilhas chas particulares. de Wakenaam e Leguan (no rio EsAo planejar usar o serviço de bal- sequibo) saindo de Parika e para Commuters to West Demerara, also have the choice of road transport via the Demerara Harbour Bridge or by speed boats from the Stabroek Stelling to Vreed-en-Hoop, obliquely opposite each other. The highway which begins on the West Coast of Demerara is heavily used since it provides a link to Parika on the East Bank of Essequibo River which has become an important centre of economic activity in the Essequibo region. River taxis provide a faster and more expensive mode of transportation to take passengers as far as Bartica, Supenaam on the Essequibo Coast or other hinterland resorts and back in a single day. A cheaper transportation mode to Bartica is the larger Ferry service and takes approximately 4 hours. The ‘Roll-on roll-off ’ ferries are operating from Parika to Supenaam. Ferries are available to Leguan and Wakenaam Islands from Parika and to North West District from Georgetown. The Canawaima Ferry services the Corentyne River from Moleson Creek, departing at 9.00a.m and 1.00p.m daily to Nickere, Suriname.

FERRY SERVICES Adventure Stelling (Essequibo Coast/Parika) (592) 774-4272 Bartica Stelling (Bartica/Parika) - 455-2273 Georgetown Stelling (Georgetown/Vreed-en-Hoop) (592) 225-6471 Leguan (Leguan/Parika) (592) 260-0726 Moleson Creek Canawaima Ferry Service (Guyana/Surname) (592) 339-2744/2787 Departs from Moleson Creek: 9.00am (check in bet. 6.30am - 8.00am) & 1.00pm (check in 10.30am - noon) Departs Suriname: 9.00am & 1.00pm (check in time 8.00am noon - Guyana time)

New Amsterdam Stelling (New Amsterdam/Rosignal) (592) 333-2512/333-4660 Orealla, Corentyne River Departs Orealla every Thursday Departs Corriverton every Friday Tel: (592) 338-9280-1 (Village oﬃce) Parika Stelling (Parika/Essequibo/Leguan/ Bartica) (592) 260-4498 Rosignal Stelling (Rosignal/New Amsterdam)(592) 330-2208/2269 Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling (Vreed-en-Hoop/Georgetown) (592) 264-2336

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o distrito de NorthWest saindo de Georgetown. O serviço de balsa Canawaima Ferry opera no rio Correntyne em Molesome Creek, com saídas diárias às 9:00am e 1:00pm para Nickere, no Suriname.

For further information, contact the Transport and Harbours Department at Water Street, Georgetown. Tel: (592) 226-2944, 225-9350, 226-9742 Demerara Harbour Bridge (592) 226-8027 Berbice River Bridge (592) 327-5466/5676/5677 Takutu Bridge Gateway to South America (linking Guyana to Brazil)

MV Kanawan Travelling along the Parika - Supernaam Route

GETTING AROUND

FOR PRIVATE HIRE

PARIKA/BARTICA... Old Fort Tours 91 Middle Street, South C/Burg Tel: (592) 225-1035 Fax: (592) 225-1037 1995 Parika Highway, EBE Tel: (592) 260-4536 Fax: (592) 450-4537 angellinastravel@hotmail.com www.angcamgy.com Hurakabra River Resort (592) 225-3557/226-0240 Da Silva’s Marina Capt. DaSilva Roeden-Rust Tel: (592) 262-0290 BERBICE… CORRIVERTON TO NICKERE: Ravi Ramdass Speedboat Service Lot 44 #78 Coriverton Tel: 592-335-3279, 639-7278 Corriverton to Orealla: Washer - Tel: (592) 622-3350 Shell Beach… Romeo DeFreitas Tel: 686-8951

business or pleasure, several local airlines depart from Ogle International Airport on the East Coast of Demerara and from Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri. Information on their availability and movement is easily obtainable from their office and from tour operators. For more information click on the airline of choice: The newly expanded airport at Ogle can accommodate Dash 8, ATR 42s and ATR 82s, from the Caribbean Region and neighbouring countries. Liat now flies into Ogle International Airport from Barbados. Among the private charter Companies operating flights from Ogle International Airport to the interior are:

TRANSPORTE AÉREO Há transporte aéreo disponível BY AIR para viagens a várias localidades Air transportation is readily avail- do interior, seja a lazer ou a negóable for travelling to several parts cios. Várias linhas aéreas locais têm of the hinterland, whether for vôos saindo do Aeroporto InternacOgle Airport

East Coast Demerara.

ional de Ogle, localizado em East Coast Demerara e do Cheddi Jagan International Airport, em Timehri. Informações sobre horários e disponibilidade estão disponíveis nos escritórios das linhas aéreas e junto aos operadores de turismo. Para maiores informações, clique na linha aérea de sua escolha: O recém-ampliado aeroporto de Ogle agora recebe várias aeronaves, inclusive o Dash 8, da região do Caribe e de países vizinhos. A Liat também tem vôos chegando no Aeroporto Internacional de Ogle. As seguintes empresas de frete aéreo operam vôos do Aeroporto Internacional de Ogle para o interior: DOMESTIC AIRLINES -operating out of Ogle International Airport Air Guyana Tel: (592) 222-6513 Ext. 116 Wingjet2@networksgy.com

Jags Aviation Inc. Tel:(592) 222-2460/1 Jags.aviation@yahoo.com Roraima Airways Tel: (592) 222-2337/225-9647 www.roraimaairways.com

GETTING AROUND

Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timari

Trans Guyana Airways Tel: (592) 222-2525 Fax: (592) 222-5462 www.transguyana.com AIRPORTS Cheddi Jagan International Airport Timehri Tel: (592) 261-2300 Flight Information: Tel: (592) 261-2245 Ogle International Airport Ogle, East Coast Demerara Tel: (592) 222-4132

ART

ART GALLERIES & MUSEUMS Our ethnic diversity, Amerindian heritage, and the country’s exceptional physical beauty have inﬂuenced many great painters of Guyanese descent. Ron Savory, Philip Moore, Stanley Greaves, ER Burrowes, Aubrey Williams and Hubert Moshett are among them. Merlene Ellis, George Simon, Wilson, Philip Gajadar, Bernadette Persaud are among some of our present day artists. The Castellani House always has an exhibition on and sometimes two running concurrently. It is a well recommended visit for art lovers. It houses the national collection. Don’t miss the third ﬂoor exhibit for complete portrayal of Amerindian life done in balata.

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF GUYANA - Museum of natural history Company Path, Georgetown Tel: (592) 225-7191 *oldest Museum in Guyana, dates back to1844 when the Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society was formally established. The pre-

GUYANA POST OFFICE Robb & Savage Streets Georgetown Tel: (592) 225-9002 *Philatelic collection BANK OF GUYANA Church and Avenue of the Republic Georgetown Tel: (592)226-3261 *history of currency THE GUYANA HERITAGE MUSEUM -Kastev, Meten-meer-zorg West Coast Demerara Tel: (592) 275-0331 This building houses exhibits representative of Guyana’s history e.g. Irons, ice shavers, enamel lunch carriers, 3-legged iron pots, 18th/19th century maps, coins, stamps etc THE CHEDDI JAGAN RESEARCH CENTRE RED HOUSE 65 High Street, Kingston Georgetown Tel: (592) 223-7523 to 4

lished a strong painting and sculpting tradition that gives this collection a distinctiveness that sets it apart from others in the Caribbean, reflecting the country’s unique culture, history and geography. The third floor displays an Amerindian Village made from Balata gum. Works range from realism to abstract art and variations of these elements. Paintings explore themes of ethnic and folk, cultural and religious practices, of African village life, Hindu or Muslim beliefs or Amerindian myths, or depict city and rural scenes, and landscapes THE WALTER ROTH MUof Guyana’s spectacular interior. SEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY Recent sculpture has been impres- Main Street, Georgetown sive, producing memorable and Tel: (592) 225-8486 unique forms. This building houses an Ethno- The Collection’s works, as well as graphic collection of Guyana’s in- those from contemporary artists, digenous peoples and excavated are promoted in an annual exhibiartifacts from all ten administrative tion programme, along with an arts regions. programme of book launches, literary evenings, lectures, occasional THE NATIONAL ART GALmusic and dance performances, LERY, CASTELLANI HOUSE and a monthly film programme. En- Vlissengen Road and Homestretch trance to all gallery events is free. Avenue, Georgetown. Tel: (592)225-0579, 225-6638 THE LINDEN INDUSTRIAL Fax: (592)225-5078 HERITAGE MUSEUM *official residence of former Presi- Mackenzie Recreation Hall Linden dent, Linden Forbes Sampson Tel: (592) 652-6012/662-3576/444Burnham, it was converted to an 6374 art gallery in 1993 and renamed * displays a chronological history of ‘Castellani House’ after it’s Malte- Mackenzie, Wismar and Christiansian architect. burg, a carved wooden depiction of Castellani House exhibits the Na- the bauxite mining process from pit tional Collection of over 700 works to port, paintings and a large mural of art, acquired since the 1940’s. of Linden. Guyana’s best artists have estab-

ART

sent building was erected between 1867-8. Among it’s exhibits are the stamp press that manufactured the world’s most valuable stamp- the black magenta and several interesting Dutch and Scottish bottles, water prints of Lt. Thomas St. Clair’s visit to Guyana The second ﬂoor exhibits natural history of Guyana with an exquisite collection of mounted specimens of reptiles, birds and mammals, together with specimens of the country’s geomorphology.

ART

*Former residence of Dr. & Mrs. Jagan from 1961-64 (during his time as Premier of Guyana), the Centre houses documents and photographs illustrating Dr. Jagan’s political career, memorabilia and gifts and other interesting items presented to him as President. ROY GEDDES STEELPAN MUSEUM - 190 Roxanne Burnham Gardens Greater Georgetown Tel: (592) 226-9844 *experience the history of the steel pans, dating back to the 1940’s, from a legend, Roy Geddes, through photographs, recorded and written music. You may order lunch and enjoy it while on your visit. THE MUSEUM OF AFRICAN HERITAGE - Barima Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown Tel: (592)226-5519 *collection includes African Art, mostly West Indian, from wooden mask to the carved door of secret societies, brass weights used for measuring gold dust, drums, musical instruments, games and clothing.

THE JOHN CAMPBELL POLICE MUSEUM - Guyana Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown. Tel: (592) 225-3017 *displays the history of the Guyana Police Force in 5 sections- History, Uniform, Musical Instruments, Photographs and Miscellaneous. THE NATIONAL MILITARY MUSEUM - Camp Ayangana Thomas Rd., Thomaslands G/Town Tel: (592) 226-9246-9 Exhibits a fascinating array of materials linked with Guyana’s military heritage including governor’s portraits, armaments, inclusive of riﬂes, pistols, bayonets, revolvers, swords, cannons, medals and additional paraphernalia THE DUTCH HERITAGE MUSEUM Fort Island, Essequibo River Tel: (592) 656-2496 *housed in the oldest non-military structure erected in Guyana, the Court of Policy, are a variety of items inclusive of Delftware, crockery, bottles, maps and jars. African Heritage Museum

BIRDING

Crimson Crested Woodpecker

BIRDING A paradise for birding enthusiasts Guyana is truly a birders and nature lover’s Paradise

Guyana is a natural museum for the eco-tourist, containing 275 waterfalls, four mountain ranges, eighteen lakes (some more easily accessible than others) and vast areas of untouched tropical rainforest. The Guiana Shield and the adjacent Amazon Basin form the largest equatorial forest in the world having a wide range of ecosystems. With this rich and unique ﬂora and fauna, abundant wildlife and spectacular vegetation, and is one of the richest biodiversity locations in South America. 1. Over 858 species of birds belonging to 79 families inhabit Guyana and over 70% of the species are endemic to the Guianan Shield. A total of 144 waterbird species and 99 migrant species also inhabit this land, where 75% of the land mass is desolate. Guyana occupies a signiﬁcant percentage of the Guiana shield, which accounts, not only for its rich biodiversity and captivating sceneries, but also the abundance and diversity in its beautiful bird species. The capital city, Georgetown, is

a small area of approximately 6sq. miles. The habitat is structured by public places, parks, cultivated lands and coast lands. In and around the environment of Georgetown, flycatchers, raptors, herons, plovers, terns, skimmers, and sand pipers, are abundant. The blood colored woodpecker (an endemic specie to the East Coast of the Guianas), along with many migrant species, such as the Osprey, Peregrine and Aplomado Falcon, can all be seen here. Migrating warblers can be observed with no difficulty. CITES species, such as the White-neck Jacobin is also present. 263 species are recorded that inhabit Georgetown, and in one session over 50 species can be spotted from one location. Due to the remoteness of many locations, there are many species yet to be identified and recorded!!! The Blood-coloured Woodpecker (Veniliornis sanguineas) is endemic to the Guianas’ and can be found along the coast of the Essequibo River all the way to French Guiana. This is just one of the ten wood-

BIRDING 40

peckers in the city out of a total of twenty-five recorded in Guyana. The Festive Parrot (Amazona festiva bodini) is one of five Amazonas species in Guyana and can only be found in the City. The capital city has 282 species of birds recorded. Four of the amazonas species along with four out of the six species of macaw can be seen in the Botanic Gardens. Over 50 species can be spotted during a 3- day birdwatching session. Rufous-crab Hawk, Gulls, Terns and Yellow-crowned Night Herons can also be seen at the mouth of the Demerara River and the Kingston Seawall. Hoatzin- Guyana’s National Bird site in the Mahaica River. Green-throated Mangos, Green-tail Goldenthroat, Purple and Azure Gallinule and White-bellied Piculet can be sited at Garden of Eden and along the Lamaha Conservancy Dam. Scarlet Ibis, Frigatebird, Sandpipers, Plovers, Rufous-crab Hawk are found amidst the magnificent scenery of the powerful Demerara river. The Scarlet Ibis transform the early morning sky at the mouth of the Waini River, North West, into crimson. Exclusive species can be observed in resorts and lodges, which provide comfortable and suitable birding trails with guides.

Essequibo River- Baganara Resort; Hurakabra River Resort & Sloth Isalnd. Georgetown - Capital City Kaieteur National Park Kamuni Creek- Arrowpoint Resort North West District & Shell Beach Rupununi- Dadanawa Ranch; Karanambu Ranch; Rockview Lodge; Surama Village; Rewa Village; Wowetta Village; Yupukari Village; Iwokrama Field Station – Canopy Walkway. Information provided by: Guyana Feather Friends: 77c1 Light Street,Georgetown, Guyana Tel:(592) 231-5684 or 6820739 or 697-9766 gﬀ_birdingtours@yahoo.com / www.birdingguyana.gy email: gatbs@yahoo.com/www. guyanabirdssociety.com

Scarlet Macaw

JANUARY

Thursday 1st - New Years Day - National Holiday Annual Kashif & Shanghai Football tournament Providence National Stadium Kashiﬀ Mohammed- 227-7717 *Saturday 3rd - Youman Nabi - National Holiday

FEBRUARY

14th - ‘Love thou art’ Theatre Guild Playhouse225-4033 Monday 23rd - Mashramani Celebrations / Republic Day - National Holiday Lennox Canterbury 226-4764 Link Show 31 Guyana’s Annual Satirical Theatrical Presentation National Cultural Centre - 226-2172 GEMS Theatre Productions & The Theatre Company 225-3557 / 226-0240/614-8205

MARCH

*Friday 6th – Holi (Phagwah Celebrations) - National Holiday Link Show 31 - Continues Kennard Memorial Turf Club Cecil Kennard - 226-1399

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2015

CALENDER OF EVENTS 2015

Annual Rainforest Tours ‘Pakaraima Safari’ Frank Singh 231-5661

APRIL

Friday 3rd- Good Friday - National Holiday Monday 6th –Easter Monday - National Holiday Bartica Easter Regatta Celebrations (1 week) Mr. Gordon Bradford -455-2224 Rupununi Rodeo - Lethem Ministry Of Amerindian Aﬀairs 227-5067

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2015

12th - Inner Wheel Easter Hat

Show Promenade Gardens Gem Eytle - 226-3769

20th - 26th - Linden Town Week Ms Dawn Caynes - 444-6590, Mr Winston Smith 444-4010

Tuesday 26th -Guyana’s 49th Independence Anniversary - National Holiday

MAY

JUNE

Tuesday 5th - Arrival Day – National Holiday

Sunday 21st –‘To dad with love’ Horizon Arts Productions Theatre Guild of Guyana Tel: 225-4033 Jennifer Thomas-626-9867

Friday 1st-Labour Day – National Holiday

Nritrageet 35 presented by Shah Dance Troupe 226-5570 National Cultural Centre - 226-2172 Arrival Day Mela Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Providence National Stadium Tel:227-6181 GMR&SC National Race of ChampionsSouth Dakota circuit Tel: 231-5457 / 225-7492 Saturday 10th Mother & Daughter Pageant National Cultural Centre Ingrid Fung - 226-2825/226-2172

Nothing To Laugh About National Cultural Centre Tel:(592)226-2172 Maria Benschop-(592)

Sunday 11th - A Tribute to Mothers National Cultural Centre Winﬁeld James - 226-4870/2262172

GMR&SC Endurance Race T: 231-5457 / 225-7492

Focus on Fathers National Cultural Centre - 226-2172 Norma Joseph - 218-2302

JULY

Monday 6th - Caricom Day – National Holiday Berbice Expo - New Amsterdam Ministry Of Trade & Tourism-226-2505 GMR&SC National Race of Champions 231-5457 / 225-7492 Moruca Expo Ministry Of Trade & Tourism-226-2505 , Ministry Of Amerindian Aﬀairs- 227-5067

Jamzone (continues) Providence Rawle Fergusion - 226-3073 Kerwin Bollers - 227-0580 Hitsandjams@gmail.com

Building Expo Providence National Stadium Ministry of Housing & Water Tel: 226-0489

Kennard Memorial Emancipation Horse Races Kennard Memorial Turf Club, Corentyne, Berbice 325-3230 / 226-1399

AUGUST

Saturday 1st Emancipation Day - National Holiday Folk Festival Event National Park African Cultural Development Association - 225-8420 Guyana Festival National Stadium Ministry of Trade & Tourism Tel: 226-2505 / 219-0088/9 GMR&SC Circuit Racing Championship - South Dakota T: 231-5457 / 225-7492

Naya Zamana National Cultural Centre, 226-2172 Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha 227-6181

SEPTEMBER

Amerindian Heritage Month Ministry of Amerindian Aﬀairs T: 227-5067 Education Month Ministry of Education, Tel:223-7900 Wakenaam Nite Wakenaam Island, Essequibo River

Lake Mainstay Regatta Lake Mainstay Resort , T: 226-2975

GMR&SC Drag Racing 231-5457 / 225-7492

BikeFest - National Park Carey Griﬃth - 639-7817 Roger - 623-7826

Guyana / Brazil Cultural Festival Lethem (Alfred Ramsarran) 600-1955

Mining Week / Pork knocker’s Day Bartica & Bartica Summer Regatta Regional Oﬃce: 455- 2224

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2015

Jamzone Summer Break Rawle Fergusion - 226-3073 / Kerwin Bollers - 227-0580 hitsandjams@gmail.com www.hitsandjams.com

Rupununi Expo - Lethem Rupununi Chamber of Commerce 772-2213

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2015

GMR&SC Race of Champions 231-5457 / 225-7492

NOVEMBER

*Saturday 19th –Eid-Ul-Adha

*Wednesday 11th – Diwali - National Holday

OCTOBER

Guyexpo Annual Trade Exhibition Sophia Exhibition Complex Ministry of Trade & Tourism 226-2505 / 219-0088/9 Agricultural Awareness Month - AGRIFEST Min. of Agriculture 225-5973 National Drama Festival Ministry of Youth Sports & Culture National Cultural Centre 226-6846 Essequibo Expo - Anna Regina Ministry Of Trade & Tourism 226-2505 Leguan Nite Leguan Island, Essequibo River UNITED Women For Special Children Halloween Fair Georgetown Cricket Club Grounds Tel:233-2819 Bikefest Parika, EBE. Carey Griﬃth -639-7817 Roger - 623-7826

Rockstone Fish Festival Ministry of Trade & Tourism and Guyana Tourism Authority 226-2505 / 219-0092-4

Tourism Awareness Month

South Rupununi Safari Ministry of Trade & Tourism And Guyana Tourism Authority 226-2505 / 219-0092-4 New Amsterdam Town Day Ministry Of Trade & Tourism 226-2505 GMR&SC International Race of Champions 231-5457 / 225-7492

DECEMBER

1st - World Aids Day Christmas Productions Ministry of Culture Youth & Sports National Cultural Centre Tel: 226-6365/226-2172 Friday 25th Christmas Day - National Holiday Saturday 26th –Boxing Day - National Holiday 26th - Kennard Memorial Turf Club Cecil Kennard - 226-1399 *denotes date may be diﬀerent due to moon and other sightings

DINING OUT 46

There are many restaurants in Guyana to enjoy elegant dining with a delightful selection of international cuisine or delectable Guyanese food of varied cultural origins or even a combination of both, ranging from Continental, Creole, Indian, Chinese, Amerindian, Middle Eastern and Brazilian. For those interested in elegant dining and authentic Indian cuisine Aagman Eclectic Indian Cuisine must be on your list. It is Guyana’s premier fine dining Indian restaurant. Relax and enjoy the stunning interior design and a variety of authentic Indian Dishes prepared by award winning Chefs out of India. The Pegasus offers great dining at Aromas Café with a daily lunch menu and exciting evenings under the stars at Ignite (poolside). The Bottle Bar at Cara Lodge is set in a Victorian style building with Guyana’s trade mark ‘demerara shutters’ offering elegant dining of a European taste mixed with Guyanese flavours and a salad bar for lunch time specials. The newly opened Midtown Restaurant will be serving up mouth watering meals with an international flair.

Club 704 serves fantastic appetizers and meals to satisfy your needs while you enjoy your favourite sports games on big screen TV, Evolve (floor level) has a variety of unusual fast food for all ages. Check out Kamboat in Sheriff Street for Chinese food in a more relaxed setting and The Little Kitchen in Sandy Babb street for take-aways and events catering. Oasis Café for that special cappuccino, sandwiches, pastries, international menus, salad bar and Friday night dinners with live jazz. Shanta’s, in Camp Street, serving you for over 50 years, has your favourite ‘Shanta puri’, curry dishes of meat, fish and vegetables. Visit Grand Coastal Hotel, at le Ressouvenir on the East Coast Highway, every Wednesday evening, for a wide variety of mouth-watering curries.

DINING OUT

Check out the Church’s branches for sit in meals or take-away fried chicken along with their new addition of Juici patties. For Pizzas, then Mario’s- the Pizza King in Camp Street, is the place to go or their new addition of the International chain, Quiznos for subs, soups and salads. They have recently added DQ Grill & Chill in Camp Street next to Church’s, serving up sandwiches, ice cream and other delightful deli-

cacies. Status Churascaria Pizza & Bar serves up a Brazilian menu at the Status International Hotel. For authentic Amerindian Cusine, a visit to Tuma Sala, is a most to complete your stay in Guyana. While in Lethem visit the Savannah Inn and The Ori Hotel & Restaurant for your dining needs.

Aagman Eclectic Indian Cuisine 28 Top ﬂoor, Sheriﬀ Street Campbellville, Georgetown Tel: (592) 219-0161; 654-7683 655-6766;653-6799 Café Aromas Le Meridien Pegasus High Street & Seawall Rd. Kingston Tel: (592) 225-2856 The Bottle Bar Restaurant Cara Lodge, 294 Quamina St. Tel: (592) 225-5301

ABOVE AVERAGE:

Mid-Town Hotel Middle Street. Tel: (592) 227-0152

MID-RANGE

Status Churrascaria , Pizzaria & Bar Status International Hotel 102-109 Croat Street Tel: 592-227-7639 Caribbean Cuisine 78-79 No. 2 East Canje, Berbice Tel: (592) 332-0096 Oasis Café 125 Carmichael St. T: 226-9916 OMG Sheriﬀ Street & Campbell Ave. Campbellville Tel: (592) 223-5234 / 5

MaRiO’S-THE PIZZA KING 232 Camp & Middle Street, Gtown Tel: (592) 231-2639-40 http://www.mymarios.com Midtown Restaurant 176 Middle street, Cummingsburg Tel:(592) 2270152/225-4634/ 225-4644 E: bailpi@hotmail.com

DINING OUT

EXPENSIVE:

QUIZNOS 232 Camp & Middle Street, Gtown Tel: (592) 225-1527 (Mario’s Pizza building)

LOW BUDGET

Church’s Chicken Bourda 248 Bourda St.-Tel:(592)231-5000 Hinck Street 32-33 Regent & Hinck Sts, Robbstown. Tel:225-3891, 227-8673 Camp Street 231Middle & Camp St., N. C/burg Tel: (592) 225-7546-7 Mahaica 18 Public Rd Helena Mahaica Tel:228-5000 RoseHall 67 ‘A’ Rosehall Public Rd Berbice, Tel: 337-4471 Linden – 34 D Co-op Crescent, McKenzie Tel:(592) 444-4444, 444-4111 Rosignal2 Section ‘A’ Cotton Tree W.C.B Tel:330-2564 New Amsterdam11 Strand & Trinity Sts. NA, Berbice Tel:333-4147

DINING OUT

Corriverton72-83 # 78 Corriverton Corentyne Berbice; Tel: 335-3037 Parika – 311 Parika, Essequibo Islands, West Demerara. Tel: 260-3000 Bartica –First Avenue, Third St. Tel:455-3000 DQ Grill & Chill Camp & Middle Sts., Tel: (592) 225-7546/7 Avenue of the Republic Tel: (592) 231-2245 Vreed-en-Hoop Tel: (592) 264-0171

Roti Express King st. & North Rd.. Tel:(592)223-0030

German’s Restaurant 8 New Market St. N.C/burg Tel: (592) 227-0079

Tuma Sala Middleton St & Campbell Avenue Tel:(592) 219-0460

Idaho Health Bar Brickdam, Stabroek Tel:(592) 226-9614

LETHEM, REGION 9

Kamboat Restaurant 51 Sheriﬀ & William Sts. Tel: (592) 225-8323 / 225-8090 The Little Kitchen Sandy Babb Street, Kitty Tel:(592)231-2140/225-3608 Qik Serv Stabroek - Tel: (592) 226-3935 Kitty - Tel: (592) 226-3910 Main St., Georgetown Tel: (592) 225-4387 New Amsterdam Tel: (592) 333-3477

Shanta’s Puri Shop New Market & Camp St. Tel: (592) 226-4365

Savannah Inn Restaurant Lethem Tel/Fax: (592) 772-2035 The Ori Hotel & Restaurant 118 Lethem Tel: (592) 772-2124/641-3764 FORTGuest KYK-OVER-AL having lunch at Hurakabra River Resort Beach Bar

DUTCH HERITAGE-FORTS & MUSEUMS

OUR DUTCH HERITAGE-FORTS & MUSEUMS Kyk-Over-Al was a Dutch fort in the colony of Essequibo, in what is now Guyana. It was constructed in 1613 , other historians claim between 1623-1627, on an islet in the mouth of the Mazaruni River. Originally named Fort ter Hoogen, after an inﬂuential Dutch gentleman it was later changed to ‘kyk-over-al’ meaning ‘see-over-all’ ,” as a result of its strategic location that allowed for the view over the Essequibo River and its tributaries- the Mazaruni and Cuyuni rivers. It was used also as a trading post with the indigenous Indians for cotton, tobacco, annatto, balsam copaibo etc. to satisfy the demands of the Dutch. . It once served as the centre for the Dutch administration of the county, but now only an arch is left. This was the ﬁrst location for the fort and as a result of overcrowding, nearly 1700 military persons were on the Island at one time and

some 70 years later it moved location to Cartabo Point, a few miles east of Kyk-Over-al on the Bartica mainland. After about 7 years, realizing this was not such a good location they moved to a better vantage point for invaders coming down river and plundering their cocoa and coﬀee plantations. Serious attacks, constant invasions and an overcrowded Island cause the Dutch to move To Fort Zealandia.

Fort Kyk-Over-Al

FORT ZEALANDIA & COURT OF POLICY Located on Fort Island, 16km from the mouth of the Essequibo River The Dutch colonists felt it was necessary to move closer to the mouth of the Essequibo to intercept the English and French ships as they sailed into the river to take possession of their lands, moved to Fort Island and built Fort Zealandia and the Court of Policy In 1744. The Island was originally known as Flaggen Island or Flag Island. In addition to protecting the interests of the Dutch West India Company from their European rivals it also served as a stronghold against internal forces such as rebellious slaves. This brick fort, which replaced the original wooden structure, was constructed in accordance to a design by the then secretary of the colony of Essequibo Laurens Storm Vans Gravesande (the colony’s longest serving Dutch Commandeur 1738-1776) to conserve funds Relatively small; the lozengeshaped (this design followed a pattern of similar shapes which were common in West Africa dur-

ing this time) two storey redoubt is about 15m x 20m. The redoubt is enclosed by ramparts with four bastions (at each corner) - the river side rampart has fallen into the river. The total area to outside of ramparts is 56m x 78m. Bricks are used throughout. Within the compound of the Fort are the Armory used for the storage of ammunition and several canons reminiscent of the belligerent history of the site. DUTCH HERITAGE MUSEUM

(Formerly The Court Of Policy) This is a solid clay brick building 31.1m long and 11m wide. The walls are 61cm thick. There are three “rooms”- the central is the church, the northern was the Court of Policy and the southern was used for auctioning slaves. It also served as a store, a sales oﬃce and in recent years a church before being converted into the Dutch Heritage Museum. During the period of Dutch occupation the Fort and the Court of Policy were part of a large urban settlement that extended along

DUTCH HERITAGE-FORTS & MUSEUMS

Fort Zealandia

DUTCH HERITAGE-FORTS & MUSEUMS 54

Court Of Policy

the northeastern section of the island. This was the seat of the Dutch administration in the colony of Essequibo and became the site of Guyana’s ﬁrst parliament when Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo became one country-Guiana. Inside the Court of Policy are three tombs belonging to a child, a doctor and a military personnel- all of Dutch origin. It is the oldest non military structure in Guyana. Prior to being converted into the Dutch Heritage Museum, church services were held there.

was Varken Eiland, which means Hogg Island. It was so named for the obvious reason that it was home to numerous wild hogs, and when the British took over the Dutch colonies in Guyana they retained the name in English translation. The Gazetteer, the oﬃcial reference book for the spelling of all Guyana’s place names, records it as “Hogg Island”. Copies of the Gazeteer of Guyana are available from the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission. In pursuit of its policy of heritage preservation and conservation, the HOGG ISLAND WINDMILL National Trust, which has an annual The Hogg Island windmill is the agenda of capital projects, restored only known surviving brick wind- the windmill and constructed a mill structure once used on sugar fence and footpath at the site in estates during colonial rule. The 2010. Hogg Island Windmill Hogg Island windmill ruin is located on a former Dutch plantation called Plantation Lyksburg on the eastern side of the island. Constructed on a six-foot mound, the structure stands some 28 feet high, and is made of granite blocks and red brick; the brick being primarily used as facing for the big windows and archways. Hogg Island’s original Dutch name

Nova Zealandia

DUTCH HERITAGE-FORTS & MUSEUMS

on the first floor. The Fort was surrounded by outhouses for servants and petty officers. In 1712 it was demolished when Baron de Mouans’ Corsairs threw bombs into it and held Berbice at Fort Nassau ransom. A new fort was constructLocated about 55 miles up the ed. The 1763 slave rebellion reBerbice River, it is one of the early ferred to as “the cradle of the revoDutch Forts built in Guyana . This lution”, led by Cuffy, was initiated fort, constructed on the eastern here. During the slave revolt it was bank of the Berbice River, circa burnt by Governor Van Hoogenhe1627, was erected shortly after the im and his soldiers to prevent the establishment of Berbice as a trad- slave rebels from acquiring it. ing post by Abraham Van Pere (a The Fort occupied 166 acres of Dutch merchant) and his colonists. which housed several historic This was the seat of Government structures. The remnants today in Berbice which was governed include the western and eastern as a separate colony prior to the grave plots, the semi-circular brick unification of the three colonies- stairs of the Court of Policy Hall, the Essequibo, Demerara and Ber- stairs of the Armoury, the ruins of bice in 1831. Fort Nassau, built the bridge, the Lutheran Church, by merchant Abraham Van Pere combined with the lush vegetation in 1627, was among the first non- has made it a paradise for wildlife.. indigenous structures in Guyana. Today visitors experience its rich Constructed of wood and enclosed flora and fauna. The “Talking Tree” with palisades, the fort had an ‘ir- which is the most intriguing and atregular rectangular redoubt where- tractive feature at the site today is in was a larger stone building.’ The believed to have been used to send barracks were built to house about messages during the slave rebellion 60 soldiers. The main building in led by Cuffy. the fort had two floors. The Governor, Captain of the Troops, the NOVA ZEALANDIA Secretary and two Lieutenants Built by the Dutch during the early lived on the upper floor. There was period of occupation in the Pomea Council Chamber and Church Hall roon River. FORT NASSAU

ECO WONDERS

Guyana’s rainforest, which covers approximately 75% of the country, and over 16 million hectares, is part of the last remaining stands of tropical forests in the world. Guyana’s ‘Green Gold’, not only represents a home to our indigenous peoples and a rich natural resource but a global asset to address climate change. At a time when tropical forests have become a focal point of the climate agenda, Guyana has been cautiously opening a path to this lost world, revealing its natural treasures, and indeed there are many, and still, many more to be discovered.

KAIETEURSituated within Kaieteur National Park on the Potaro River is the magniﬁcent Kaieteur (Falls), one of the world’s natural wonders. Cascading 226 meters (741 feet) in a sheer drop, Kaieteur is truly a majestic sight to behold. The immediate environs of Kaieteur is home to a number of rare, threatened and endemic species, principal among them being the Golden Frog, whose entire life cycle plays out in the water that collects in the giant Tank Bromeliads -second largest bromeliad in the world, the Guianan Cock of the Rock and the Swifts or ‘Makanaima’ birds, who emerge in their hundreds at dusk from under the vast shelf of rock carved by the falls over the centuries. Kaieteur National Park,

Guyana’s first National Park and one of the first in this region was established in 1929. The park encompasses 242 square miles of raw jungle, creeks and rivers teeming with biodiversity. Kaieteur National Park occupies a prominent position in the center of the Guiana Shield. The Guiana Highlands or Guiana Shield being roughly 2 billion years old is the earth’s oldest surface. Located in north-eastern South America, it includes a large mountain plateau and rainforest system that is part of a vast watershed between the Amazon and the Orinoco rivers. The area contains an estimated 20,000 different vascular plant species of which 35 percent are endemic making it one of three richest tropical wilderness areas on earth. Golden Frog

Kaieteur Falls

ECO WONDERS

seaboard where mud-flats front the shore in some areas. Apart from the four species of endangered marine turtles (Giant Leatherback, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, and Green Turtles) the area is known to posses giant river turtles as well as tortoises, along with manatees, tapirs, deer, jaguars, howler monkeys and other large animals. The bird diversity is one of the richest in Guyana and includes many species of parrots and macaws, numerous ORINDUIK FALLSwading birds including many scarThe Ireng River thunders over steps let ibis and Caribbean flamingoes, and terraces of solid jasper, a semi herons, egrets among a host of othprecious stone to form the Orin- ers. The ecosystem of Shell Beach duik Falls. With a backdrop of the has remained relatively intact over rolling grass covered hills of the the years due to the absence of Pakaraima Mountains, this is truly large settlements along the beach one of the most beautiful locations and surrounding areas. This has in Guyana’s hinterland. Orinduik been due mainly to the inaccessiis ideally suited for swimming and bility of the areas as well as the inyou will find natural Jacuzzi’s as the hospitable nature of the mangrove falls tumble down the steps of Jas- swamps. Over the years though per. A short ride on a small boat can a few communities have built up have you setting foot in Brazil. along the beaches and are mainly Amerindians from other villages SHELL BEACHwithin the wider area. It is advisJourney to the north Western At- able to visit Shell Beach between lantic coast of Guyana in the Ba- March to August if you want to see rima Waini Region to Shell Beach! nesting sea turtles. This 90 mile stretch of relatively uninhabited coastline is known mainly as a nesting ground for four species of endangered marine turtles which come to nest here annually from March to August. The area itself however, is a unique ecosystem encompassing mangrove forests, inland swamp forests and savannahs and bordered by the Atlantic Shell Beach Orinduik Falls

ECO WONDERS 58

with many of the tree dwellers that are rarely seen from the ground. Explore the numerous nature trails at dawn and be prepared to be amazed by the abundance of the Screaming Phias, the Cock of the Rocks and the Wedge-billed Wood Creepers – all highlights for beginIWOKRAMAners or avid bird watchers. A boat Iwokrama, one of our protected cruise at night along the mighty areas, occupies one million acres Essequibo River may introduce of forest which offers the opportu- you to nocturnal creatures such nity for an exceptional natural and as Tree Boas, Pacas, Nightjars, and cultural experience. At Iwokrama, Hula tree frogs. A trip to Iwokrama partnerships with local communi- is not complete without a hike to ties and the private sector are built, the summit of Turtle Mountain for to combine traditional knowledge, a stunning jungle vista. The journey science and business to develop may also reward you with sight“green”, socially responsible and ings of monkeys such as Red Howlsustainable forest products and ers, Wedge-capped Capuchins and services, such as low-impact tim- Black Spiders. ber harvesting, ecotourism, training forest rangers and guides, and MOUNT RORAIMAS harvesting aquarium fish. It is the It is the most famous Tepui in the home to the Macushi people who World. Over 1,700 million years have lived here for thousands of old, this ancient formation is one of years and still manage to main- the most acclaimed sights in South tain the pristine environment that America forming a tripartite bortoday holds an incredible animal der between Guyana, Venezuela and plant diversity. This forest is a and Brazil. For hundreds of years wonderland for nature enthusiasts, this ancient flat-topped mountain birdwatchers, adventure tourists, formation inspired travelers - tales biologists, photographers, back- and rumours abounded concerning packers and education groups. En- the mysterious, inaccessible sumjoy guided nature walks, nocturnal mit above the clouds. wildlife spotting either by boat or Mount Roraima is the highest point by foot, hiking, bird watching or ex- in Guyana with a plateau standing plore the canopy of the rainforest. at 2700m. Forming part of the anThe Iwokrama Canopy Walkway cient Guiana Shield, Mt. Roraima places you at 30 meters up in the was once part of Gondwanaland tree-tops and provides you with before tectonic activity moved the opportunity to be eye to eye apart the continents of Africa and Iwokrama Canopy

Mount Roraima

South America. The lunar-like surface is home to many unique ﬂora species which huddles for shelter in pockets on the exposed, windswept plateau. Amazing rock formations have been carved by wind and water, and the ground is uneven and rocky with frequent crystal clear pools of excruciatingly cold water (good for the circulation apparently!) There are crystal beds that contain large, individual crystals in interesting shapes, and stunning views. Mt. Roraima has made a deep impression on western literature and thought, inﬂuencing such men as Charles Darwin and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. After the publication of Darwin’s ‘Origin of Species’ there was great public interest in ‘missing links’ and ‘relic species’ preserved by isolation. Roraima’s mysterious summit was an excellent possibility for an area at evolutionary standstill and the last place on earth where dinosaurs could exist. Conan Doyle, fascinated by the

KANUKU MOUNTAINS Recognized by Conservation International as being one of the few remaining pristine Amazon habitats is located in southwestern Guyana. This picturesque mountain range forms a spectacular backdrop to the Rupununi Savannahs with its sculptured crowns peaking just below the clouds. The range, divided by the Rupununi River, is noted for its high diversity of bird and animal species, with approximately 80% of the known mammal species of Guyana being recorded. With little or no human settlement on the eastern range, the area is still pristine and is perfect for the nature and adventure traveler to experience the diversity of the tropical ecosystems. A trip down the enchanting Rupununi River provides you with the opportunity to see Black and Spectacled Caiman, Puma, Tapir and Giant River Otters. Explore forest trails that lead into the virgin Kanuku Mountains in search of the Harpy Eagle, the Cock of the Rock, Cotingas, Three-toed Sloth, Tyra and many more exotic animals.

ECO WONDERS

descriptions of early explorers such as Im Thurm, wrote in 1912 what is considered to be one of the best science ﬁction novels ever written “The Lost World.”

View of Kanuku Mountains from Shea Rock

ENTERTAINMENT 60

ENTERTAINMENT

Guyana‘s capital, Georgetown, has always provided an unending wave of social activities that form an integral part of our unique hospitality. Monday to Sunday, day or night, depending on “what tickles your fancy”, the city is abuzz with ﬂavours of our culture. So whether you decide to test your vocal talents at a karaoke bar or click your heels and shake your hips all night long to the familiar, liberal variety of contemporary music at one of our night clubs, you’ll discover that nightlife in Guyana is never boring. Latin, Caribbean’s Soca, calypso and chutney ﬁll the entertainment spots Good Guyanese “Live” entertainment still holds a special attraction as the best of Guyana’s Live Bands entertain around the hotel circuit on select nights. The Yoruba Singers (Guyana’s oldest live band) still brings the house down every Friday night at the GPSU Hall, Steel Pan Concerts on Sundays in the scenic Botanical Gardens. Guyana’s Indigenous Band, Calibro per-

forms every weekend at Rockies Sports Bar (A Brazilian Hot Spot), Majestic entertain every Saturday evening at the Pegasus Poolside and The Peppa Band provides the groove for “Rock Steady Wednesdays” at Cody’s Palace. Guyana is now host to several Mega Concerts featuring Top International Artists and Guyanese favourites all year round. These Concerts attract thousands of Guyanese as well as hundreds of visitors from neighbouring Suriname as well as sister Caribbean Islands. Popular hang-out spots are Sheriﬀ Street, Main Street along with hotel poolsides like the Pegasus, Princess and Duke Lodge. All oﬀer up various types of entertainment. A Casino is at the Princess Hotel for non-Guyanese only. The Princess Steel Pan Performance at the Botanical Gardens

ENTERTAINMENT

Hotel also have 7-D cinemas for movie fans. The newly opened Vintage Wine & Cheese Lounge, with its multitude of music videos and comfortable leather seats, is great to wind down the evening. The newly opened Club A scene from Link Show at the 704 oďŹ&#x20AC;ers a GeorgeNational Cultural Centre town skyline, sports on mega-screen tv while sipping their wide array of cocktails and food. There are regular happenings here. For Guyanese poetry and stand-up comedy, check out Upscale Restaurant on Friday nights. If you like the theatre then the 2000-seat National Cultural Centre (2262172) or the intimate 300-seat Theatre Guild Playhouse (225-4033) is your place. Large concerts with local and foreign bands, top entertainers are held mainly at the Providence Stadium, Thirst Park or Georgetown Cricket Club and various Community Centre grounds in the rural areas.

FESTIVALS IN GUYANA 62

FESTIVALS IN GUYANA Travel to Guyana and experience our public holidays either religious or non religious and celebrated by all Guyanese. These reflect our motto, ‘one people, one nation, one destiny.’ Guyanese, regardless of their religious orientation - Hindus, Muslims or Christians, are all part of a big community. Travel around Guyana and experience our cultural heritage which is not separated or isolated in compartments and thus cannot exist without the other. The government has made National Holidays the days of celebrations for each major festival and events of the Guyanese people. This was done so that Guyanese can be actively involved in each other’s festivals both religious and secular. There are some festivals that help to shape and foster the Guyanese culture both religious and non religious. Some of those festivals are mentioned below:CHRISTMAS The major Christian festivals that are celebrated in Guyana are Christmas and Easter. These festivals are enjoyed and celebrated by all Guyanese. During this time, people normally do general cleaning of the house, repairs or any other works that need to be done on their homes are taken care of at this time. This is done in the perspective of the coming of Jesus Christ who was born in Nazareth. The women would then put up clean curtains, scrub the ﬂoors among other small jobs. There are plans for the famous black cake. Within days before fruits are soaked before the cake is baked. Among other dishes baked or cooked during this time is pepper pot, garlic pork and ginger beer. A few nights before Christmas , leading up to the holiday, the old and even the young folks move from house to house singing

carols. There is a famous phrase in Guyana that plays on the radio ‘Christmas comes once a year, and every man must have his share, only poor Willy in the jail, drinking sour ginger beer.’ During this time the men folk indulge in a lot of drinking and eating, the women cook and clean, parents take the children to see ‘Santa Clause’ at some one of the department stores. There are also a lot of parties and dances during this season. Churches hold services that depict the reason for the season. And it does not matter who you are or what religion one might belong to, this season is celebrated by all. Christmas Parade in Main Street

BOXING DAY In Guyana St. Stephen’s day is known as Boxing Day which is a national holiday. It is said that St Stephen was a Christian martyr who was stoned to death. On this day his death is remembered by taking part in all forms of rough sports or games. It is customary or was a custom to take box presents to relatives and friends. But Guyanese celebrate this day by going to parties, picnics, visiting friends, among many other social events. ARRIVAL DAY Despite the recruitment of West Indian, African and Portuguese and other European labourers, this did not help very much to ease the labour shortage. After the West Indian islands placed restrictions on emigration, the sugar planters in Guyana began to look further aﬁeld to obtain a large labour force. One of them, John Gladstone, the father of the British statesman, applied for permission from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to recruit Indians to serve in Guyana for a ﬁve-year period of indenture. Gladstone himself owned a sugar plantation in West Demerara.

FESTIVALS IN GUYANA

Mascarade

By this time Indians were being taken to Mauritius to work on the sugar plantations and were proving to be very productive. Gladstone’s request was granted and he, Davidson, Barclay and Company, Andrew Colville, John and Henry Moss, all owners of sugar plantations in Guyana, made arrangements to recruit 414 Indians. Of these 150 were “hill coolies” from Chota Nagpur, and the remainder were from Burdwan and Bancoorah near to Calcutta. (The word “coolie”, a corruption of the Tamil word “kuli”, referred to a porter or labourer). To transport these Indians, two ships, the Whitby and Hesperus were chartered. The Whitby sailed from Calcutta on the 13 January 1838 with 249 immigrants, and after a voyage of 112 days, arrived in Guyana on the 5 May. Five Indians died on the voyage. The ship immediately sailed to Berbice and 164 immigrants, who were recruited by Highbury and Waterloo plantations, disembarked. The ship then returned to Demerara and between 14-16 May the remaining 80 immigrants landed and were taken to Belle Vue Estate. Of the total of 244 Indians who arrived on the Whitby, there were 233 men, 5 women and 6 children. The Hesperus left Calcutta on the 29 January 1838 with 165 passengers and arrived in Guyana late on the night of the 5 May, by which time 13 had already died. The remaining 135 men, 6 women and 11 children were distributed between

FESTIVALS IN GUYANA 64

the 8-10 May to the plantations Vreedestein, Vreed-en-hoop and Anna Regina. On their arrival, the male adult Indians agreed with the estate owners to a ﬁve year contract under certain terms and conditions. However, they were ill treated and brutalized . Some of the Indians on the Berbice sugar estates were generally well treated. Nevertheless, the death rate was relatively high. Of the 396 Indians who arrived in May 1838, 48 had died by January 1839. By the end of the indentureship period in 1843, an additional 50 died. It was clear that the immigrants did not acclimatise well and fell sick very quickly. At the end of 1843 when their period of indenture came to an end, 236 Indians (206 men, 12 women, 14 boys and 4 girls) departed for India in two ships, the Louisa Baillie and Water Ditch. Sixty others opted to remain in Guyana. The day is celebrated with grand events throughout the country. The Guyana Dharmic Sabha stages a grand event at the National Stadium depicting all traditional Indian foods, utencils, models of their logies(homes), traditional wear and many other items reminiscent of the past. Like on the West Coast there are ﬂoats on tractors and trucks depicting similar history and tradition which all assemble at the Joe Vieira Park, located west of the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

EASTER This is an exciting time of the year for all Guyanese. The Easter season symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. On Good Friday businesses are closed. It is usually a somber day with special programmes or movies played to show the Passion of Christ. There are many church services that reflect on the holiday season. Then all the fun starts on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. When looking up in the sky one could see hundreds of kites flying. These are usually in different shapes and colors; the sweet buzzing sounds of the kites, is a wonderful site. The Kite season would normally start a few days or a month before Easter. This is when the children and even adults would buy colored kite paper and start to make the kite of their choice. In Guyana it is very important for a person to have kites that can fly the highest and buzz the loudest. It is fun for some to have razor blades at the tail of their kites so that when it moves in the sky the wind will swing and cut the string or punch a kite that is close by. This may sound very mean, but it’s all part of the fun. Kite flying is mostly done on the sea wall, Hope Beach, National Park or in any wide open spaces where the wind is strong. Easter Monday at the Georgetown Seawall

ebrated by the Hindus every year. Every part of the house is cleaned and new curtains are hung. Special foods on this day are prepared include metai, halwa and many other sweet meats. On this day as well, homes are decorated with clay cups that contains oil and a wick. This is always a beautiful and marvelous sight to see. There are also services at the Hindu temple (Mandir) at this time. Many Guyanese love to move around the towns, villages and communities to admire the diyas that decorate the homes and lawns. There is an annual diwali parade where vehicles are beautifully decorated, sponsored by various companies enroute from Georgetown to LBI Community Centre Ground in an entourage. They are judged and prizes given out. Huge crowds line the route along the seawall and East Coast road to witness this sight. EID-UL-AZHA Ramadan is one of the most important times of the year for the Muslim community. Thus, it is not always held the same time each year, because the Muslims count their months depending on the moon which generally change from year by year. During this time they are required to fast and do not eat nor

FESTIVALS IN GUYANA

Diwali Motorcade

DEEPAVALI OR DIVALI In Guyana this is one of the most colorful festivals known as Divali or Deepavali. This means ‘festival of lights’. This festival is celebrated by Hindus and occurs late in November 2013. Divali is normally celebrated for four days and during this time people pray, fast and greet each other. But to understand Divali one needs to know about the great Hindu hero Rama. This can be found in the Ramayana (Hindu holy book) that is often read at festivals. King Dasarata had three wives. His ﬁrst wife give birth to a son called Rama. The second wife, Queen Kaiiteye, did not take to him very much because he was the next heir to the throne. Instead she wanted her son, Prince Bharat to be king. So she banished Rama and Sita his wife, from the kingdom forever. In the forest they lived for fourteen years and whilst being there in the forest Rama fought evil people. Sita was kidnapped by Ravana and taken to his kingdom. Rama won the war, rescued Sita and brought her back to the forest. He later returned to his kingdom after fourteen years. The people were glad for their return including Prince Bharat who was King during his absence. Then King Bharat willingly handed over the throne to Prince Rama and welcomed him with open arms. This is when they light tiny lights(dias) along the pathway to lead them out of the forest. Since this return the day is known as Divali, the festivals of lights and is cel-

FESTIVALS IN GUYANA 66

drink between sunrise to sunset. In fasting it requires or encourages them to have good thoughts and do kind things. At the end of this fasting period which is usually a month the Muslims celebrate a day known as ‘Eid’. On this day special foods are made and people feast with their family and friends as well as their neighbors. Muslims who can afford to make a pilgrimage to Mecca (the Holy City), at least once in their lifetime. This is a reminder in memory of the sacrifice of Ishmeal. God had asked Abraham to offer his son Ishmeal as a sacrifice to show his devotion to him. Even though Abraham loved his son dearly, he was willing and prepared to do what God had asked him to do. As he was about to carry out his task, God stopped him and told him he was an obedient servant. And instead of his son he was asked to sacrifice a goat instead. Muslim remember this by making sacrifices of goats and cows and share it with their family, friends, neighbors and to the poor. There are other Muslims festivals of ‘Eid’ that have different meanings.

ing of the hinterland through the pork knockers. Thus, there was an opening for civil services and artesian shops. Freedom Day kicked off indentured labor, which attracted the Portuguese, Chinese and East Indians to the country. With the fall of slavery, there was a radical change in the colonial life. By 1838, the overall emancipation had come into action. The end of slavery had sparked several changes. Many former slaves swiftly departed the British plantation. Some of them shifted to villages and towns with a feeling that the field labor was inconsistent and degrading with freedom, whereas others accumulated their resources for purchasing the estates, which were abandoned, and helped in the creation of village societies. Setting up of small settlements offered new communities constituting Afro-Guyanese people. Victoria was the first of such village to be bought and owned by freed slaves. They were given a chance to grow their own produce and sell the food themselves. On this day grand events are held throughout Guyana, in celebraEMANCIPATION DAY tion, for all Guyanese to attend. Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, In Georgetown, an all day activas it was earlier called, marks the ity at the National Park involving abolition of slavery in 1834 and is a stage presentation with African celebrated in Guyana on August 1. drumming, authentic creole food, The end of the abolitionism brought clothing, wraps, jewelry, games about a new phase in Guyana; the and lots of fun. A healthy mix of all villages started getting established, Guyanese, dressed in colourful and there was a struggle of the trade fashionable African regalia, in celunion movement and the open- ebration. It is organized by ACDA.

FESTIVALS IN GUYANA

lated to mean “the celebration of a job well done” or “celebration after hard work”. The day is sometimes referred to as “Mash” and observed on the 23rd February which is Republic Day for Guyana – to commemorate Guyana for being a Republic nation. This is one of the most colorful of all festivals because of the multitude of colors. During this time there are singing competitions, float parades, masquerade bands, and dancing in the streets to the beat of steel band, soca, calypsos and chutney music. In the streets masqueraders perfume acrobatic dance routines which is a vivid reminder of Guyana’s African HeritYOUMAN NABI age. The calypso, soca and chutney Another Muslim festival celebrat- competitions are in full swing as ing the birth and death anniver- persons vie to be champion King sary of Prophet Muhammad. He or Queen for the year. The float pawas born in Mecca after the death rade competitions are also judged of his father Abdullah. He lived in various categories. Large crowds for 63 years. The Holy Quran was gathered along the route in Church revealed to this Prophet by God Street, Vlissengen Road and ThomAlmighty (Allah) through Angel Ga- as Road (the route for the parade) briel. He dedicated his life towards and picnic, party or tramp behind the teachings of Islam and upbring- the bands for much fun and frolic. ing of the Muslim Ummah. Mulims in Guyana pay tribute to the Holy Prophet Mohamad on YoumanNabi with services held in rememberance of the life and teachings of their beloved Prophet. Also, on this day, they give alms to the poor and persons who are in need. PHAGWAH Is a Hindu festive holiday that is celebrated in March that deals with the triumph of good over evil. Traditionally on this day , Hindus wear white and participate in throwing powder, water, perfume or red liquid called abeer on each other. This is a red dye which symbolizes the tyrannical blood of King Kiranya who in Hindu teachings was burnt alive by his son Prince Prahalad because of the way in which the people had suffered at the hands of the father. In these days the liquid takes on different colours and are thrown on family, neighbors, friends, by Hindus and non-Hindus.

MASHRAMANI

This word is derived from the Amerindian language and is trans-

FISHING

Rockstone Fish FESTIVAL The Rockstone Community, approximately (18) eighteen miles from Linden is renowned as a ﬁshing community where the waters are teeming with several varieties of ﬁsh- Haimara, Bassa, Arawana, Lukanani (Peacock Bass), Hassar, Perai, Tiger Fish and the Mighty Arapaima ‘The Rockstone Fish Festival’ is held annually in October (now in its 9th year),with visitors for the 2 day event totaling approximately 2000. Fantastic prizes and trophies are given out to winners of the Fish Cooking Competition, the Fish Deboning Competition, the Smoke Fish Competition and to the Largest Catch Competition. The festivities will feature an Amerindian Village. Amerindian cuisine are on sale, ranging from pepper pot to tuma pot to piwari. This community based event has grown tremendously over the years. Rockstone, located in Region 10, some two hours from the capital

city, is a perfect getaway paradise. Contact can be made with: Trudy Scott – 663 6043, Coretta Brathwaite – 662 3576, W. Simmons – 444 6374. Email: info@lindentourism.com www.lindentourism.com or Shiba Kaliko Resort (For overnight and organized fishing trips) 17 Mile, Rockstone Tel:592-618-4499/220-3630 Rewa Village is another prime location for fishing (see Guyana towns, villages & counties) of over a hundred species of catfish, the Payara Dracula Fish, Basha and Tiger Catfish. There are also populations of Lukanani, Peacock Bass, Arawana, Giant Haimara and four species of Piranha. The endangered arapaima is found here and can be fished in a ‘catch and release’ programme. Fly rods and reels can be used to catch this largest-scaled fresh water fish in the world. Contact Wilderness Explorers or any tour operator (see resorts/tour operators page) .

FISHING

Arapaima- Largest fresh water ďŹ sh in the world.

Fishing in the Abary Creek (Fly Fishing) Lukanani and tarpon are in abundance in the Abary Creek. Ensure that your trip coincides with the ďŹ sh season Contact: Hinterland Tours 76 First Ave., Subryanville, Georgetown Tel: 592- 226-2860 Email: hinterland.tours@networksgy.com Peacock Bass or Lukanani Fish

Fishing in the Essequibo Coast 34 Stelling Road, Adventure, Essequibo Coast Tel: 592-774-4624 teamguyana@solutions2000.net Fishing in the Waini River, North West District. Gary James: Tel:592-777-5140

Cat Fish

Fishing in Guyana is truly a rewarding experience.

GUYANESE LITERATURE 70

GUYANESE LITERATURE: A brief glimpse by Ameena Gafoor Any just account of Guyanese literature must foreground the rich oral literatures of the indigenous peoples who have inhabited these lands for thousands of years. Written accounts of explorers, cartographers and botanists who ventured into the Guianese jungle began from the late sixteenth century with Walter Ralegh‘s Discoverie of Guiana (1595) which brought Guiana into the consciousness of the western world. These adventurers, among them, the Schomburgk brothers, Adrian Van Berkel, Henry Bolingbroke, to name a very few, left an impressive archive of travelogues. Norman Cameron’s anthology Guianese Poetry: Covering the Hundred Years’ Period, 1831-1931, indeed the first anthology of Guianese literature, appeared in 1931 and offers a survey of an emerging national poetics, the poetics of Empire and slavery. C.E.J. RamcharitarLalla replied with an Anthology of Local Indian Verse. (Georgetown: Argosy, 1934), effectively marking the entry of the (East) Indian into the Guianese literary tradition. Religious missionaries were joined by the abolitionists and social activists, some with the aim of disbanding the institution of slavery and, later, to critique the system of indentureship. Notably, Edward Jenkins’s The Coolie: His Rights and Wrongs was published in England

in 1871 and was the first comprehensive account of the East Indian indentureship system. Jenkins later gave “flesh, heartbeat and animation to dry data” in literary form in Lutchmee and Dilloo: A Study of West Indian Life (1877). This effectively brought the indentured Indian and the rich artistic heritage of India into the English literary tradition Among the early novelists who sought to give psychological realism to the Guyana landscape through works of fiction are W.H. Hudson whose Green Mansions was first published in the US in 1904; and Evelyn Waugh whose A Handful of Dust (1934) affords a glimpse into the formidable Guyana jungle and its isolated tribes. The pre-independence period saw the blossoming of an essentially native literature with the rise of the prolific novelist Edgar Mittelholzer (his first published work, Corentyne Thunder, 1941) followed by Wilson Harris and Jan Carew (incidentally, these three writers all have roots in New Amsterdam, a former Dutch township at the mouth of the Berbice River). Martin Carter with his fiery revolutionary poems added impetus to the thrust for Independence while Roy Heath who had migrated to England since 1950 has left us a discerning chronicle of twentieth century Guyana in nine novels that he first started to publish in 1974. The pioneering writers

Ryhaan Shah

who contributed to a national literature include Rajkumarie Singh, Sheik Sadeek, A.J. Seymour, Basil Balgobin, among others. Imaginative prose ﬁction and poetry have remained central to the lives of Guyanese. The post-independence period has thrown up masters of the novel, short story form, as well as poetry: David Dabydeen, Mark McWatt, Rooplall Monar, Fred D’aguiar and Mahadai Das. Women writers such as Jan Lowe Shinebourne, Grace Nichols, Beryl Gilroy and Pauline Melville have all written award winning books that give valuable insight into the social history and culture of our nation and the submerged experiences of our diverse peoples. Notably, Wilson Harris who produced twenty-ﬁve stunning novels from Palace of the Peacock (1960) to The Ghost of Memory (2006), was knighted in 2012 by Queen Elizabeth 11 for his life’s labours. New and emerging writers, among them Ruel Johnson whose Fictions has won the Guyana Prize for Literature (2013), are adding their voices to the rich literary tradition to which Guyana is heir. Ryhaan Shah‘s third novel A Death in the Family was recently released by the Cutting Edge Press. Shah’s A Silent

Beryl Gilroy

Jan Shinebourne

Life won the Guyana Prize for Literature in the best ﬁrst book category in 2006 while her second novel, Weaving Water, weaves a fascinating story of magic and fantasy. Guyanese in the diaspora continue to create works that deepen our understanding of self and society. To be counted among them are: Cyril Dabydeen, Sasenarine Persaud, Jan Shinebourne.

THE ARTS JOURNAL For Submission of Articles and Subscriptions: Tel: [592] 2227-6825 / 220-3337 Email: theartsjournal@live.co.uk www.theartsjournal.org.gy

GUYANESE LITERATURE

Ruel Johnson

GUYANA’S 10 ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS 72

GUYANA’S 10 ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS REG#1: BARIMA-WAINI Regional Administrative Oﬃce Tel: 592-777-5011/5081 The Barima-Waini region gets its name from its two main rivers. The region is predominantly forested highland, bordered at the north by a narrow strip of low coastal plain. REG#2: POMEROON-SUPENAAM Tel: 592-771-4324 The Pomeroon-Supenaam region comprises forested highland and low coastal plain, but also takes in a small portion of the hilly sand and clay region. REG#3: ESSEQUIBO ISLANDS WEST DEMERARA Tel: 592-264-2692 The Essequibo Islands-West Demerara Region is made up of the islands in the Essequibo River such as Leguan and Wakenaam, and the Western portion of mainland Demerara. It is made up of low coastland, hilly sand and clay, and a small portion of forested highland regions.

REG#4: DEMERARA-MAHAICA Tel: 592-256-3774 The Demerara-Mahaica Region extends east of the Demerara River to the Western bank of the Mahaica River, and is predominantly low coastal plain, with a small portion of the hilly sand and clay region further inland. REG#5: MAHAICA-BERBICE Tel: 592-221-2278 The Mahaica-Berbice Region extends east of the Mahaica River to the west bank of the Berbice River. A large part of the region is low coastal plain. Further inland lie the Intermediate Savannahs and hilly sand and clay region. REG#6: EAST BERBICECORENTYNE

Tel: 592-333-3761 East Berbice-Corentyne Region is the only one include parts of all the four natural [geographic] regions: coastal plain, intermediate savannah, hilly and sandy clay area and forested highland. It is also the only Region with three towns: New Amsterdam, Rose Hall and Corriverton.

REG#9: UPPER TAKUTUESSEQUIBO Tel: 592-772-2021 The Kanuku and Kamoa highlands

REG#10: UPPER DEMERARAUPPER BERBICE Tel: 592-444-6456 The inland region of Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice contains the largest portion of the hilly sand and clay area. Guyana’s principal bauxite deposits are found in the White Sands area. Map showing Guyana’s 10 Administrative Regions

REG#8: POTAROSIPARUNI Tel: 592-225-8655 (Radio room) The Potaro-Siparuni Region gets its name from the Potaro and Siparuni Rivers, which are tributaries of the Essequibo River. Predominantly forested highland with a small portion of hilly sand and clay, this region is home to the famous Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls. The Kaieteur is one of the highest single-drop waterfalls in the world, and it is one of the beautiful sights in the Guyana. The waterfalls of this region are great tourist attractions.

and the vast Rupununi savannahs make up the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region. The forested Kanuku Mountains divide this Region in two. The north savannahs are about 2,000 square miles in area, and the south savannahs are 2,500 square miles.

GUYANA’S 10 ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS

REG#7: THE CUYUNIMAZARUNI REGION Tel: 592-455-2209 (includes Bartica) contains two of the four natural regions: forested highlands and a small portion of the hilly sand and clay region. This Region brings to mind the majestic Pakaraima mountain range. Mount Roraima (2,810 metres high, standing at the point where Guyana, Brazil and Venezuela meet) and Mount Ayanganna are in this mountain range.

Gold, Bauxite, Diamond, Sand, Stones, Loam, Manganese, Rare Earth Elements, Iron Ore.

From the very inception of mining in Guyana in the 1880s, the sector has been highly regulated and formalized. Over the 130 years since, various governments diﬀered in their motives for intervening in the industry, but at no time was the activity ignored or allowed to run unfettered. As a case in point, it has been mandatory, since the country’s ﬁrst mining law in 1880, for all those involved in gold mining to be licensed or registered. The mining and metals industry is well placed to contribute to the resolution of the climate change challenge. Many mining and metals companies are measuring, managing and reducing their own greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. More

GUYANA’S MINERAL

GUYANA’S EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES: significantly the industry is also supplying the materials needed to build a low carbon future. In addition to managing their own emissions, the mining and metals industry also makes a broader contribution in providing the minerals and metals required for the transition to a low carbon economy. Many abatement options have the potential for reducing global GHG emissions, including reducing consumption, low carbon energy technologies and improvements in transportation systems and building infrastructure. The transition to our low carbon economy will require a focus on energy efficiency on many fronts. Energy efficiency initiatives in the

A Mining Site

GUYANA’S MINERAL

The Majestic Kaieteur Falls

mining and metals industry are already driven by cost savings opportunities and security of supply considerations. Emissions management is another driver. Welldesigned policies will encourage further energy efficiency improvements across all sectors of the economy in the transition to a low carbon economy. From a country’s development perspective, the most important component of the economic benefits from extractive industries is usually the flow of revenues that can be used for growth-promoting public expenditures. As such, a changing climate presents physical risks to mining and metals operations because these industries are often located in challenging geographies, rely on fixed assets with long lifetimes, involve global supply chains, manage climate sensitive water and energy resources, and balance the

interests of various stakeholders. However, the mining and metals sector is already very experienced at identifying and managing risks. Increased temperatures, changes in precipitation, sea level rise and extreme events may become additional stressors with the potential to exacerbate existing risks managed by mining and metals companies. A changing climate also holds ﬁnancial and business opportunities for the mining and metals sector. The nature of the mining and metals business already requires companies to engage in activities that support adaptation to future climate change. Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment Telephone: (+592) 231-2506-11 Email: ministry@nre.gov.gy Website: www.nre.gov.gy

GUYANA’S TOWNS, VILLAGES & COUNTIES

BARTICA, during the Dutch era ing hotels, supermarkets, shops Bartica was named ‘Plantation Vryheid’, now the Amerindian word, means ‘red earth’ found abundantly in the area. This mining town considered the gateway to the interior is located at the estuary of three great riversEssequibo, Mazaruni and Cuyuni. It was developed from an Anglican missionary settlement, established in 1842. Today the only Benedictine Monastery in Guyana is situated on the western side of the town. It is a beautiful old colonial style wooden house set on the hillside surrounded by a beautiful garden of ferns, crotons and a variety of ﬂowers. The building is no longer functioning as a place of worship. Bartica is a bustling little town with a population of 10,000. It has a Hospital, primary and secondary schools, a regional oﬃce, banks, hotels, bars, restaurants and an active night life. Miners frequent the town to spend their gains after weeks in the mining camps. It has a large population of Brazilians, own-

and restaurants. The annual ‘Bartica Regatta’ is held as a one-week event for the Easter Holidays and includes a number of aquatic and non-aquatic events plus the popular Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant. It attracts Guyanese and visitors alike. In August it organizes the annual ‘Pork Knockers Day’ and a summer Regatta. A one-hour ride on the river taxi from Parika and you will be in Bartica or 4 hours by Ferry.

BERBICE, travelling to Ber-

bice, since December 23rd 2008, has been made much easier and quicker with the new Berbice River Bridge. A three-minute drive across this new structure which starts from D’Edward village on the West Coast and stretches 1.5 kilometers across to Crab Island, on the Eastern Bank of the Berbice River brings you out to Palmyra village and the ‘Ancient County’ of Berbice. The Ferry still serves foot passengers, cyclists and heavy cargo

63 Beach, Berbice

GUYANA’S TOWNS, VILLAGES & COUNTIES

Mazaruni Prison- Bartica

GUYANA’S TOWNS, VILLAGES & COUNTIES 78

trucks. In 6 hours one can leave Georgetown and be in Suriname travelling across the bridge, then further travel on the Canawaima Ferry across the Corentyne River to Nickere, Suriname. Continue travelling across Suriname will take you to French Guiana. Berbice has many Banks, Insurance Companies, Telephone Companies, Schools, Magistrates Court, a high Court in New Amsterdam, Hospitals, Health Centres, Regional Offices, Town Councils; it has 3 townsNew Amsterdam (the second largest and oldest town in Guyana), Rose Hall and Corriverton. . The first settlement, Fort Nassau, is 55 miles upriver. The Dutch then moved this settlement in 1784 to what is now New Amsterdam and made it the seat of Government in 1785. In 1790 the colonists gave it this name because most of them originated from Amsterdam in Holland. This town has over 35,000 inhabitants and it’s aesthetically quaint and regal buildings - Ituni Temple, Mission Chapel, Government House and the Town Hall–office of the Mayor, all standing proudly amongst the modern concrete high risers. The new and modern state-of-the-art Hospital and the country’s only mental institution are located at the southern end of the famous Canje Bridge. There is no shortage for visitors accommodation- check out Little Rock Suites or The Berbice Inn in New Amsterdam.

Great Guyanese dishes are served up at Caribbean Cuisine, one of the ﬁnest restaurants around. Bauxite and Sugar provide the majority of Berbicians with employment. A ride in the popular ‘Tapir’ as cheap transportation on the roadways of Corriverton might be considered adventurous. A trip to the Upper Corentyne will not be complete without a visit to the ‘No. 63 Beach’ which extends for many miles with the North Easterly trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean in full force and the coastline of Suriname visually distinctive to the East. Overnighting in Corriverton is made easy with its many hotels-City Inn Hotel, Paraton Inn, Tej mohal and Riverton Suites are among them.

Mission Chapel Congregational Church:

this ediﬁce was constructed after the ﬁrst Mission Chapel which was founded by Reverend John Wray was destroyed by the order of the planters who blamed the missionaries for the1823 slave insurrection. Under the ministry of Ebenezer Davies, the foundation stone of this structure was laid in 1841.

founded circa 1820 through the assistance of the Public Teasury. In 1838 the present structure was built when the Scots acquired a plot of land to erect a church and later a school to cater for the popu‘widow’s walk is one of the main arlation of New Amsterdam. chitectural features of this ediﬁce.

ESSEQUIBO COAST,

Ituni Temple: this elegant wooden building was constructed in the late 19th century. It is home to one of Guyana’s oldest fraternity the Freemasons Lodge. Timber louvres and stained glass windows

in the small tower with intricately designed fretwork are noteworthy features of this ediﬁce.

The New Amsterdam Town Hall:

This imposing structure was erected in 1868 after the establishment of the Board of Superintendants in 1844. The tower encircled by a

crossing the Essequibo River, the largest of our rivers in Guyana and third largest in South America, we arrive at Supernaam from Parika. Guyana, land of many waters, is very evident in this county. Numerous lakes- Lake Capoey, Ituribisi or the Hot and Cold Lake, Lake Mainstay – can all be found here. On the third weekend of August the Lake Mainstay Resort would host its annual ‘Lake Mainstay Regatta’ in this Cinderella County, attracting thousands of spectators, many overnighting to relax and enjoy the facility. The aquatic events are speed boat racing, jet skiing, kayaking, and swimming. A number of non-aquatic activities are also available. The resort sits at the edge of the lake. Rice, coconut and cash crop farming are the main occupation of its residents. The town of Anna Regina, has a regional oﬃce, market and a number of hotels are strewn along the Coastline from Suddie to Charity, welcoming visitors. One can feel the refreshing North East Trade winds on the drive along the coast (about 30 miles stretch of

GUYANA’S TOWNS, VILLAGES & COUNTIES

All Saints Scots Church was

GUYANA’S TOWNS, VILLAGES & COUNTIES 80

road) to Charity. It is the gateway to the Pomeroon River, a bustling community where all the residents from the neighbouring villages along the Pomeroon River converge for marketing and business. Charity is famous for its Monday morning market. It has been rapidly developing with international fast food franchise, an air conditioned supermarket, nightclubs and hotels. The Essequibo Coast has approximately 150,000 people. Take a trip down the Pomeroon River to Adel’s Resort. Wakenaan and Leguan are 2 Islands in the mouth of the Essequibo River. Tiger Island, near to Wakenaam, boasts the Hamburg Beach popular for large picnics at Easter time and Emancipation Day.

sculpt the monument. He interviewed many persons who claimed They were descendants of Damon. Six clay models were cast before one entitled ‘Maquette’ was chosen as the design of the sculpture. Claude Geddes, of Brass Aluminium and Cast Iron Foundry Limited, cast the sculpture in bronze. Upon completion, the monument was displayed in front of the Parliament Buildings allowing the residents of the city an opportunity to view the sculpture. As pioneers in the fight for Guyana’s freedom, the monuments of Cuffy and Damon faced each other from opposite ends of Brickdam. The monument is a ‘reminder to all Essequibians of the struggles of their forefathers, which is now manifested in a truly independDamon Statue ent Guyana’, the Regional DevelDamon was an enslaved African opment Council of Region Two who was executed for his role in (Pomeroon/Supenaam) in 1988, the protest against a new system of erected the Damon Monument. apprenticeship on August 8, 1834, This monument of Damon in a giant in Trinity Parish, Essequibo. chair, sculpted of bronze, weighs Damon led the men in a strike de- three tons and stands nine feet tall. claring that they were free men It rests on a concrete plinth. The and would only work for half of the sculpture was unveiled at Anna Reday. As their leader, he raised a flag in the Trinity churchyard at La Belle Alliance, which they had occupied during their protest. For his role in the protest, he was hanged. The erection of a monument to honour the fallen hero, Damon, was proposed by the Guyana Commemoration Commission in 1985. Mr. Ivor Thom was selected to

Damon’s Cross

This simple concrete cross is believed to mark the spot where Damon, an enslaved African was buried after being executed for his role in the 1823 Demerara uprising.

The Devonshire Castle Monument

This monument, located in the County of Essequibo, was erected in memory of ﬁve indentured workers: Kaulica, Beccaroo, Maxidally, Baldeo and Auckloo who were killed during a protest on 29 September 1872. It was ﬁrst unveiled by William Badar on 29 September 1985 and then reconstructed and rededicated by the National Trust of Guyana on September 29, 2000.

Scenic Itiribisi (hot & cold lake)

Itiribisi Lake in Mashabo, an Amerindian community located several miles aback Huist T’Dieren village on the Essequibo Coast, is a scenic lake ﬁlled with etay palms. There is a spectacular view of the village of Mashabo from the lake.

ESSEQUIBO RIVER, third largest in South America and largest in Guyana with its source being the Amazon, is Guyana’s largest waterway spanning approximately 450 miles and ﬂowing into the Rupununi River in Region 9, Lethem. It has approximately 365 Islands, with *Hogg Island being ¾ the size of Barbados. The other larger Islands that are inhabited and closer to the mouth are Wakenaam and Leguan . The River is about 22 miles wide at the mouth and experiences a tidal rise and fall every 12 hours. It rises 8 feet daily with a nip tide every full moon. The river has rocks, sandbanks and is about 80 feet deep in certain areas. Boat captains have to be very knowledgeable and know their course or stick to the channels at all

GUYANA’S TOWNS, VILLAGES & COUNTIES

gina on the Essequibo Coast on the 150th anniversary of Emancipation celebrations on July 31, 1988 at Damon Park. Many of the oﬃcials of the State who were in attendance remarked at the beauty of the new monument.

Scenic Itiribisi (hot & cold lake) (Photo by Marco Basir)

GUYANA’S TOWNS, VILLAGES & COUNTIES 82

times. One would encounter fishing nets as villagers cast long and wide nets, for their daily catch. Many of the inhabitants farm, fish or rear poultry and market their produce to nearby Parika or in Bartica. Interesting sites along the river is Fort Island to see the remains of the historic Dutch Fort Zealandia and the Dutch Heritage Museum (formerly the Court of Policy), the long stretch of natural beach where the Amerindian Village of Saxacalli is located. Shanklands Resort, Famous Guyanese singer Eddie Grant’s Island home, military Base Makouria can all be seen on the your left as you travel about 40 minutes of your journey. About 10 minutes later is Hurakabra River Resort on your right with Calf and Kaow Islands before you, then Bartcia. Sloth Island Nature Resort is to the far left and Baganara Island Resort further down the Essequibo River. The Essequibo River branches out to the Mazaruni and Cuyuni Rivers. In the Mazaruni is the Mazaruni Prisons (once home for some of Guyana’s politicians), Benedictine Monastery, Baracara Falls, Baracara Resort, Marshall Falls rapids and BK International , a stone quarry and Marshall Falls rapids. Gold and diamond mining camps and dredges abound in these waterways. At the point where the Cuyuni meets the Mazaruni is Island of Kyk-over-al where the first Dutch Fort was built in the 1631. A day visit to the Essequibo River is well worth it.

HOGG ISLAND, (sometimes referred to as Hog Island) is the largest of the hundreds of islands in the Essequibo River in Guyana, it is located just 5 km from the river’s mouth in its estuary into theAtlantic Ocean. The island used to be controlled by the Dutch when it was known as Varken Eiland or Hog Island, so named due to it being inhabited by a large number of wild hogs. Then in 1814 with the cesation of the Napoleonic Wars the British gained control of the Dutch colonies: Demerara, Berbice, and Essequibo, leaving the Dutch with Suriname until 1975. The British had decided to keep the name of the island as the Dutch did “Hogg Island”. With a total area of 23 square miles (60 km2) this island is larger than many of the other Caribbeanislands. Its 250 residents are engaged mainly in the farming of rice and ground provisions. The population has decreased a lot because of migration to other parts of Guyana, However there is still a primary school and a church on Hogg Island. LETHEM, with a population of

approximately 7000, lies on the Takutu River, which forms the border with Brazil, opposite the Brazilian town of Bonﬁm. Lethem is the largest town and main commercial centre of the Guyanese Rupununi savannah. Power is provided by hydo-electricity from the Moco Moco Falls.

GUYANA’S TOWNS, VILLAGES & COUNTIES

nah and up into the hills. Overland camping treks to the falls, horse riding and hiking in the Rupununi, and whitewater rafting are just a few options. Savannah Inn can arrange trips to Buro Ranch for such activity, they can take you climbing the 100 Rodeo This, the administrative centre of odd steps to Region nine, boasts a hospital, a the top of the police station, an army camp, a tel- Moco Moco ecommunication station, schools, Falls or trips guesthouses, restaurants and to Boa Vista in stores. It is also home of the Rupu- Brazil. nuni Weavers. It’s main anSince the building of the Takutu nual tourist atBridge, the town has been grow- traction is the ing rapidly, with a large commer- famous Rupununi Rodeo held on cial centre, making shopping by the Easter weekend. This event attracts visitors from Guyana, Brazil, Venezuela and other parts of the world. Lethem can easily be described as the gateway to South America It is named after Sir Gordon James Takutu Bridge Lethem, Governor of British Guiana from 1946- 1947. Brazilians a very lucrative business across the border. A large 30 plus LINDEN, the Linden Highway hotel complex is under construc- was built in the 1968 connecting tion , and a number a smaller ho- Linden to the remainder of Guyana tels have been built in recent times by road. The area’s other economic activi- Transportation was mainly by the ties are plant and mineral extrac- Demerara River which divides Lintion, and tourism. The indigenous den from Wismar, Christianburg population is comprised mainly of and other villages. Linden is the Makushi and Wapishana tribes. Linden Highway The Rupununi Savannah is divided into north and south by the Kanuku Mountains. Visitors can stay at cattle ranches there, and locals provide guided walks across the savanMoco Moco Falls, Lethem

GUYANA’S TOWNS, VILLAGES & COUNTIES

gateway to Guyana’s hinterland by road. Bauxite is the life blood of Lindeners. It is extracted from the mines and processed into dried bauxite to be converted into aluminum for the use of refractory material in the steel and other industries and for production of abrasive materials. Linden has all the qualities of a town- market, shopping centres, banks, hotels, restaurants, clubs, Sports Ground and it is the only town, other than Georgetown, to have a fully operational theatre, Lichas Hall, recently refurbished by LEAP for Carifesta in 2008 and a Museum. The majestic Watooka Guest House with its beautiful landscaped grounds alongside the Demerara River is reﬂective of old Linden, which was then known as McKenzie. Don’t miss an opportunity to stay at this Guest House. Many of the homes that housed the expatriate staﬀ are still in use. An unusual feature of linden is the numerous blue lakes which have resulted from bauxite excavation.

The Christanburg WaterWheel, was installed in 1855 to

St. Matthews Church, WAS CONstructed by the Presebyterians was opened on 25 November 1898. Today this church serves an important role in the social and cultural lives of Lindens community. St. Aidians Church, was con-

structed in 19 July 1969, through the eﬀorts of the community . Situated on Burnhams’ Drive, which runs parallel to the Demerara River. This oval shaped church, with its transparent egg like dome set in an umbrella type roof stands out in sharp contrast to the houses and

facilitate the operations of a saw mill owned and operated by John Dalgleish Patterson. This water wheel is a ﬁne example of Guyana’s commercial structures in the area. industrial heritage. Watooka House, this elegant structure with its timber shutters, and jalousied- windows is a sterling example of Guyana’s reknown wooden architecture. Constructed

Christianburg Magistrates’ Court - this

ediﬁce was formerly the residence of John Dalgleish Patterson. It was one of the largest houses constructed in British Guiana during the 1830s.Though this structure has been modiﬁed to accommodate the proceedings of the Court,

many of its architectural features such as the brick columns, wooden jalousie windows and timber shutters are still visible.

GUYANA’S TOWNS, VILLAGES & COUNTIES

in the late 19th century, this was the location for many of the ﬁnest balls and social gatherings in Linden.

MABARUMA - NORTH WEST, We associate Guyana with the miles of northern coastline and the mountainous interior to the south, but in Mabaruma in the northwest – 40 minutes by air from Georgetown – there is a diﬀerent landscape of low hills and rolling valleys reminiscent of St. Lucia or Grenada. Visitors can enjoy the picturesque palm-lined roadways, the pristine Mabaruma Creek, a tour of a cocoa estate, and a cooling dip in a tranquil nearby waterfall. Much of Mabaruma remains untouched, including the riverside stones used by Amerindian people for hundreds of years to sharpen their implements. In an agricultural country, the northwest is known for the heaps of succulent produce in its open-air markets. A big plus for travelers is that three local airlines, servicing the area daily, operate from the Ogle airport, just 10 minutes from Georgetown. For repose, for interaction with unspoiled nature, for undulating valleys and vibrant rivers, Mabaruma is the place.

A beautiful serene scene from a hill in Mabaruma

GUYANA’S TOWNS, VILLAGES & COUNTIES

Rewa Eco-Lodge

REWA VILLAGE, Located a pleasant two hour boat ride from the Annai Airstrip, Rewa Eco-Lodge sits on a hillside at the conﬂuence of the Rewa and Rupununi Rivers. Fisher folks delight in drifting the river for over a hundred species of catfish, the Payara Dracula Fish, and other large denizens of the deep. Especially prized are freshwater drum called Basha and the Shovelnose Tiger Catfish. There are seventeen oxbow ponds which often hold aggressive populations of Lukanani Peacock Bass, Arawana, Giant Haimara and four species of Piranha. This area of Guyana is part of the Arapaima Conservation Zone, an enormously successful program which has brought the prehistoric monster species back from the edge of extinction. Under the

partnership of Conservation International and USAID, the Rewa villagers have developed a program of catch and release sports fishing which ensures a sustainable use of these valuable fish resources. With special permission from Government, fly fishermen from around the world have come to fight the largest scaled freshwater fish using only fly rods and reels. The Eco-Lodge is located in prime territory to see a wide variety of birds including the Harpy Eagle, six species of monkey and often the tracks of jaguar which prowl in the night. There are three selfcontained cabins and two double benabs, each complete with twin beds, flush toilets and showers. The staff prepares a variety of local dishes and a small bar serves both cold drinks and cocktails. The unnammed waterfalls, Rewa River

GUYANESE PROVERBS

Nah all who guh a church house guh fuh pray. You must not take everything at face value. If oil ah ﬂoat, watah deh ah battam. A little evidence can tell the whole story.

One man money mek too much man cry. Sometimes when a person dies others will cry not so much in sorrow, but in joy for the expected inheritance

GUYANESE PROVERBS

Toucan

One kiss nah done lips. A source of enjoyment is always available where it was once found. Never guh a store ah night fuh buy black cloth. You must attempt something only when all aspects are clear. Fish ah deh ah watah but nah ah dam tap. There are places where you can play an important part, but there are other places where you can be insignificant. Nah one-time ﬁre mek peas a boil. Some things take along time to be completed. Lil ah stick, big ah get better. When you are small you are insignificant, but when you become big you are strong and important. Nah because dog ah play wit yuh he nah bite yuh. Some people talk kindly to you but they are capable of hurting you. Lil ﬁngah point to de big thumb and she nah guh. Those who are leading can see the danger ahead and are in a position to give advice.

Come for the food. Stay for the rooms.

592.220.1091 | www.grandcoastal.com

| grandcoastal

Accommodation in Guyana ranges from hotels of various grades, guest houses and apartments. The cost for accommodation in Guyana varies from as low as $15.00 up to US$300 per night. IN GEORGETOWN

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Marriott Hotel Seawall Road, Kingston Tel: (592) 2312480 E: mhrs.geomc.reservations@marriotthotels.com

Pegasus Hotel Guyana Seawall Road, Kingston Tel:(592)225-2853-9 Email:reservations@pegasushotelguyana.com www.pegasushotelguyana.com

HOTELS & GUEST HOUSES

Inside St. Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anglican Cathedral - Georgetown.

Cara Lodge 294 Quamina St. C/burg, G/town Tel: (592)225-5301 www.Carahotels.com Herdmanston Lodge 65 Peter Rose & Anira Sts. Queenstown. Tel:225-0808 stay@herdmanstonlodge.com Website: www.hl.gy

MID-RANGE-$$$

Midtown Hotel 176 Middle street, Cummingsburg Tel:(592)227-0152/225-4634/ 225-4644 E: bailpi@hotmail.com

HOTELS & GUEST HOUSES

UPMARKET-$$$$

HOTELS & GUEST HOUSES

Brandsville 89-90 Pike Street, C/ville. G/town Tel: (592)-227-0989/226-1133 231-7000 www.brandsville.com Comfort Suites Apartments 108 ‘A’ Barima Avenue Bel Air Park, Georgetown Tel: (592)-225-4816/225-0585 Barima108@yahoo.com www.comfortsuitesgy.com Grand Coastal Hotel

1 & 2 Area M Plantation Le Ressouvenir

East Coast Demerara. Tel:(592)220-1091/220-1288/ 220-2046. Fax: (592) 220-1498 reservations@grandcoastal.com Website: www.grandcoastal.com Signature Inn 83 Laluni Street, Queenstown. Tel:( 592) 226 2145, 227-5037 signatureinngy@gmail.com www.hotelsgy.com

Sleepin International Hotel 24 Brickdam, Georgetown Tel: 592-227-3467 reservations@sleepinguesthouse.com

www.sleepinguesthouse.com

Status International Hotel 102-109 Croal Street & Sandeman Place, Stabroek Tel: (592) 227-7606/ 7610/ 7640/ 7643 Fax: (592) 227-7603 statushotel@yahoo.com.br www.statushotelgy.com

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Campala Hotel 10 Camp Street, Werk en Rust Georgetown Tel:(592)225-1620, 225-2950-3 capsgy@yahoo.com K & V C International 221 South Road, Lacytown Georgetown Tel:(592) 225-2304;225-0198 kvchotel@gmail.com Palace de Leon Hotel / Apartments / Suites 60 Croal St. Stabroek & 32 Public Road Kitty, G/town. Tel # 592-227-7019/ 592-226-4374 El - palacedeleonhospitality2000@ yahoo.com E - leonlesruth@yahoo.com www.palacedeleon.com Rima Guest House Middle Street, Georgetown Tel:(592) 225-7401 rima@networksgy.com Sunset View International Hotel 1 David Street, Kitty Tel: (592) 223-6416 sunsetview@ymail.com www.sunsetviewhotelgy.com

Sleepin Guest House & Bar 151 Church St., Alberttown, Tel: 592-231-7667, 223-0991/2

reservations@sleepinguesthouse.com

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IN BERBICE… NEW AMSTERDAM Little Rock Suites 10 Main and Church St., N/A Tel: (592) 333-2727/37, 333-4050 Fax: (592) 333-4446 Littlerocksuitesgy@yahoo.com www.lrsgy.com

HOTELS & GUEST HOUSES

The Opus 48 Croal Street, Stabroek. Tel:592- 223-0301, 223-0302, 223-0306, 223-0308, 223-0310 Fax :592 223-0291 E: info@opusgy.com

The Berbice Inn Princess Elizabeth Road, N/A. Tel: (592) 333-3344 berbiceinn@gol.net.gy …..CORRIVERTON City Inn Hotel 143 Line Path, Corriverton, Berbice Tel:592-339-2279/612-7710 Hemchand1223@yahoo.com FB-cityinnhomeawayfromhome Paraton Inn K & l, # 78 Coriverton, Tel: 592-335-3025 mahendraparasram@yahoo.com

HOTELS & GUEST HOUSES

Riverton Suites #78 Springlands, Corriverton 592 335-3039 hotelriverton@hotmail.com Tejmohall 107 Section ‘A’ & 79 Corriverton Berbice Tel: 592-339-2520 USA-718-322-4421 IN ESSEQUIBO… The Urbane Oasis International Hotel Queenstown, Essequibo Coast Tel: (592) 771-5387/8 reservation@urbaneoasishotel. com www.urbaneoasishotel.com IN POMEROON, NORTH WEST & MABARUMA… Broomes Guest House Mabaruma Tel: 592-777-5118 592-669-2297

IN LETHEM… Savannah Inn Hotel & Restaurant Lethem, Rupununi Tel/Fax: (592) 772-2035 (592) 600-1955/699-1515 Linda@savannahguyana.com Alfred@savannahguyana.com www.savannahguyana.com

Ori Hotel & Restaurant Lot 118 Lethem Tel:(592)772-2124/641-3764/ 654-6317 Orithotel@yahoo.com www.origuyana.com Takutu Hotel ‘JH’ Takutu Drive, Lethem, Rupununi Tel: 772-2034; Fax: 772-2220 Email: TakutuHotel@gmail.com Website: TakutuHotel.com IN BARTICA… D’Factor Interior Guest House Tel:(592) 455-2544

HOTELS & GUEST HOUSES

IN LINDEN & SOESDYKE… Watooka Guest House 130 Riverside Drive, Watooka, Linden Tel: (592) 444-2162/6194/2634 linceo22@yahoo.com watookacomplex@yahoo.com

Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) is widely perceived as a progressive and potentially transformative approach by a small developing country to promote economic development whilst contributing to the global eﬀort to address climate change through the conservation of its carbon-storing forests. In a world with few options and little time, Guyana is shouldering the risks of innovation and is a model that the world is watching closely. The strategy revolves around the receipt of payments from the international community for forest conservation, and the use of these earned funds to support Guyana’s eﬀorts to combat climate change

through investment in high-potential, low-carbon sectors. Critical to the success of the LCDS is the enhancement of human capital to fuel a low-carbon economy. The successful implementation of the LCDS can result in transformation in all sectors of society. The nature tourism industry benefits directly from these efforts as one important “low-carbon” economic activity. Additionally, visitors are attracted to one of the first countries in the world to embrace a conservation economy that is taking early action to fight the effects of climate change in a way that both enhances economic development and promotes the preservation of its ecosystems.

LOW CARBON DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

LOW CARBON DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (LCDS)

LOW CARBON DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 98

Guyana is known as a “high forest, low deforestation” (HFLD) country, with an estimated forest cover of 77% and an annual deforestation rate of .054%, one of the lowest in the world. Despite providing a global public good through its carbon-capturing forests, Guyana is still ineligible to participate in existing market-oriented frameworks such as the Kyoto Protocol. However, the more recent international eﬀort to establish a framework to mainstream forests into the global climate eﬀorts, called REDD+ (which means for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, + conservation), sets up a system by which forested countries that maintain their for-

ests can benefit from climate funding. The governments of Guyana and Norway are at the forefront of this international framework, in which Norway has pledged up to US$250M to Guyana, and in return Guyana has committed to maintaining its forest ecosystems. This is the largest forest climate deal per capita in the world. Guyana and other concerned actors continue to appeal for access to carbon credits for forest conservation efforts. At the same time, Guyana’s efforts to implement REDD+ under its LCDS helps to illustrate how REDD+ can complement the gaps in the Kyoto and address the development needs of similar countries.

MUSIC

There is no doubt that Guyana is exploring and discovering the awesome potential that has laid dormant in our once struggling music industry. As new Guyanese stars emerge on the Local music scene and the established trail blazers open new frontiers in the international markets optimism is at an all time high. Kudos to Telecommunications giant GT&T for believing and investing in Guyana’s Musical talent. The Jingle and Song Competitions have unearthed some of the richest new talent Guyana has to oﬀer. The musical dexterity displayed by those who emerged as the top contenders is proof that there is deﬁnitely no shortage of talent in Guyana. Apart from creating the biggest spawning ground for aspiring talent, the Production has taken Guyanese Family TV entertainment to an unprecedented high with overwhelming local and on line viewership. Guyanese at home and in the Diaspora wait with abated breath for season 6. The dynamic X2 “Tag Team” (Adrian Dutchin & Jomo “Rubber Waist” Primo) with their high energy per-

formances has taken the Guyanese Diaspora by storm and overseas engagements for the duo keep them busy. Tamika Marshall also continues to make impressive inroads internationally with her constant ﬂow of reggae love songs and collaborations with top Jamaican Reggae artiste. Chutney is a main ingredient in the Guyana Music Massala as front runners Fiona Singh, Terry Gagraj and Mahendra Ramkellawan serve up their delectable Spices for chutney lovers at home and abroad. Shelly G, Michelle ‘Big Red’ King, Tanecia DeFreitas, Vanilla and Fojo are also enjoying their share of the overseas spotlight. The Mashramani season (February) brings abuzz of activities in the Guyana music industry as competition time approaches. National Calypso, Chutney, Groovy and Power Soca competitions will be the main battle grounds as a host of singers, lyricists, musicians and recording studios face oﬀ for top bragging rights. The 2013 season produced the most Guyanese music for any calendar year. A proliferation of rhythms and genres and artistes

MUSIC

provide a Madd Mix of Sweet Music, Guyanese, from any part of the world (and we can be found in all parts of the world) would be proud to claim as their own. Guyana is also becoming a favorite destination for International Mega Artistes as local promoters ensure regular Star Studded treats for tens of thousands of Guyanese and music fans from neighbouring states and sister Caribbean countries. Soca King - Machell Montano, Rap Sensation – Rick Ross, Dance Hall Super Stars – Popcan, Tammie Lee, Shaggy, John Legend, as well as R&B Heart Throb R Kelly have all graced the Guyanese stage. Famous and popular Indian playback singers, Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik and more Muslim rock start Sami Yusuf are all in the mix performing at the Guyana National Stadium satisfying the thirst for much needed quality entertainment. The Stalwarts and Music Ambassadors continue to hold their own. Eddie Grant of the Equals fame has remixed his ‘Electric Avenue’ a few years ago and hit platinum with great international success. The Guyana Festival which was staged for the ﬁrst time in August Dave Martins & Terry Gajraj

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Lisa Punch

2014, held a ‘Night of Legends’ which featured many of our singers of yesteryears. Dave Martins, Sammy Baksh, Sach Persaud and Lisa Punch, who was on the American singing competition show ‘Rising Star’ was welcomed home as a celebrity and performed on the show along with Terry Gajraj and many others. Guyana’s ethnicity has inﬂuenced its varied mixture of music- European, Amerindian, African, Indian and Caribbean. Long before Trinidad & Tobago claimed that they are the originators of Chutney Music, Guyanese Urmila Harris’s ‘Benjie Darling’ was hitting our airwaves back in the 60’s. Bill Rogers was our Shanto king and creator of this genre of music. His son Young Bill Rogers is following in his footsteps. Lord Canary (now boasts over 70 years in the calypso arena) and the late King Fighter were feared contenders in T&T calypso tents. They have all laid the foundation for the dynamic resurgence of the Guyanese Music Industry we are now experiencing. A good selection of Guyanese music can be found at Giftland Oﬃcemax in Water Street and Matt ’s Record Bar in Regent Street.

RECREATIONAL SPOTS NATIONAL PARK Located in Thomaslands, was originally named ‘Queen Elizabeth Park’ and was opened by Queen Elizabeth 11 on February 5th, 1966. Within the park, are the Burrowes School of Art with a sculpture of E. R Burrowes on its roof, a sculpture in honour of scouting in Guyana and the Children’s Millennium Monument. The latter was unveiled by former President Janet Jagan on March 15, 2000. It consists of a hemisphere at the base, an upside-down ‘L’ and the rising sun at the top of the structure. The vertical portion of the upside-down ‘L’ signifies the strength and growth of children, the shorter horizontal portion of the ‘L’ reflects the unlimited potential of children and the rising sun signifies the development of children. An inscription on the hemisphere at the base reads as follows, “Every child has the right to, A Name and Nationality, A Family, Healthcare, Education, Play ...” There are six benches

around the monument representing the six races of Guyana. The monument was designed by the artist Michael Khan. Many sporting groups use the park as practice grounds for games like Hockey, Football, Rugby, track and field. Many Guyanese use it for exercising, weekend and holiday picnics, fishing, cricket or relaxation. Large concerts are held at the pavilion with overseas artists, church crusades, annual Folk Festival on August 1st, flag raising ceremonies for Independence and Republic anniversaries and it is the final judging site for the Annual Mashramani (our carnival) float parade in February. It is great for family picnics and games on weekends. Some even try their hand at fishing in the ponds.

RECREATIONAL SPOTS

National Park

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Band stand at Kingston Seawall, Georgetown

SEA WALL Built by Dutch colonists in 1872 and measuring 280 miles long, it was replaced by concrete in 1880. It is favoured for taking long walks or jogging to the refreshing cool breezes and the lapping waves from the nearby Atlantic Ocean. Traditionally, on Sunday evenings, many people gather along the sections of the dyke (which protects Georgetown from flooding) located closer to the city to enjoy each other’s company, savour Caribbean-flavoured music, hot dogs, fried chicken, hamburgers and nuts, while the children enjoy a variety of rides. The section between Vlissengen Road and Camp Street is a big open-air party every Sunday evening, frequented by a much younger crowd. During Easter, kite flying is a very popular tradition along the sea wall. BOTANICAL GARDENS & ZOOLOGICAL PARK The Botanical Gardens is one of Georgetown’s popular recreation parks. In 1877, Government voted $72,000 to establish the Gardens, and John Frederick Waby, the first gardener, arrived in Georgetown in December 1878. He spent 35 years

in Guyana landscaping one of the ﬁnest tropical gardens in our region. An expansive garden style site that is perfect for weekend picnics or a trip to see the interesting variety of animals, both popular as well as those that are unique to Guyana, showcased in their fenced-in habitats, or to absorb some of our history by stopping at the place of the Seven Ponds (tombs of former Presidents) & Mausoleum which houses the remains of the late President Forbes Burnham (the ﬁrst elected president of Guyana). These gardens have a huge variety

Kissing Bridge The Seven Ponds

PROMENADE GARDENS The Promenade Gardens is located on a portion of what was once a field known as Parade Ground, where slaves convicted of being involved in the 1823 East Coast ReTHE ZOOLOGICAL PARK bellion were hanged. Originally, the This park exhibits a variety of the entire area was used for military flora and fauna of Guyana. The first parades and training. attempt to establish a Zoo dates The grisly history of the area had back to 1880, but the members of long moved some members of the the Royal Agricultural Society were public to suggest it be made into a opposed to the idea. However in public garden, perhaps as a way of honouring those victims of an inhuman system. In 1851, after funding was obtained, steps began to transform the site into a garden which was completed in 1853; seats were constructed for the public in 1859. 1952, the Zoological Park was declared open. THE MAUSOLEUM Located at the Place of the Seven Ponds, this imposing monument is constructed of reinforced concrete and local materials. This monument is the final resting place of the former President of Guyana, Mr. Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, was erected in 1986. It was

RECREATIONAL SPOTS

of tropical flowers and one of the finest collection of palms, as well as lovely lilies. An example of the gardens vast collection are the lotus and the immense Victoria ReThe Mausoleum gia Lily, Guyana’s national flower, which was first discovered in the designed by architect Mr. George Henry. Berbice River.

Ghandi Monument in the Promenade Gardens

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Occupying one city block, with its main entrance located on Middle Street in Cummingsburg, the Promenade Gardens was designed by a Trinidadian botanist. The garden was constructed to oﬀer a pleasant view for the Governor from his verandah in Carmichael Street. The Bandstand situated within the Gardens was erected in commemoration of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Completed in 1897, it is considered the oldest bandstand of three in the city. A well-known monument in the Garden is the Mahatma Ghandi monument in honour of the international icon of peace and advocator of non-violence. Along with several fountains and an arched walkway, a recent construction in the Gardens, is the Arya Samaj Monument erected in 2011. It has been suggested that the Promenade Gardens at one time boasted the largest range of wild orchids in the Caribbean before it fell into disrepair during the 80s and 90s.

The site was rehabilitated in 2006 and the Bandstand refurbished by Republic Bank in 2009. In its earlier years the Promenade Gardens was used for several civic functions including entertainment from music bands; today, after refurbishment, it remains the site of many public and private events, including the popular annual Inner Wheel Club’s Easter Hat Show, weddings, and fashion photo shoots to name a few. LUSIGNAN GOLF CLUB For golﬁng, go to the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC). It is a members club and visitors may book tee time by calling the number below and indicate the size of your party, obtain club rules and rent clubs and/or purchase balls if necessary. Guests at the Pegasus Hotel may use the Club’s facility for free or at a reduced cost. Contact the front desk. Opens daily: 8:00am – 8:00pm Saturdays & Sundays: 7:00am – 11:00pm. The Club House is usually open after hours. Club House Tel: 220-5660

Sir Walter Raleigh came to Guyana in search of the fabled “City of Gold”. Guyana ’s tepui (table top-mountain) Roraima, inspired Conan Doyle’s “The Lost World”. Guyana has an irresistible combination of fascinating and breathtaking natural beauty; pristine Amazonian rainforests, immense waterfalls, amazing wildlife, a vibrant indigenous culture, rich cultural heritage and the most hospitable and friendly people in the world. Guyana is a paradise for nature lovers, adventure seeker and the eco tourist alike. As opposed to the sun and sand tourism product oﬀered by many of its Caribbean neighbors, Guyana oﬀers a distinct product—vast open spaces, sprawling savannahs, virgin rainforests, mountains, huge rivers and waterfalls, the most famous of

which is the majestic Kaieteur Falls, known to be the highest single drop waterfall in the world and ﬁve times taller than Niagara Falls. Guyana also boasts an abundance of wildlife that includes more than 800 species of birds and over 1000 tree types in its virgin rainforest, numerous species of ﬂora, a variety of fauna and spectacular birdlife. These sites are accessible by land, air and river and are served by high-quality eco-resorts in the interior. The capital, Georgetown, is well known for its picturesque, treelined avenues, bustling markets, and wooden buildings, including the renowned St. George’s Cathedral, reportedly the world’s tallest wooden building. Visitors can explore the Rupununi Savannahs, the huge rivers and Lakes of the Essequibo, historic

RESORTS, LODGES & TOUR OPERATORS

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Dutch Forts, the Demerara River and creeks or fish for peacock bass up the Abary. There are resorts in all the various locations suitably outfitted for your comfort and safety. Lake Mainstay Resort on the Essequibo Coast, Adel’s on the Pomeroon River, Baganara Island Resort, Hurakabra River Resort, and Sloth Island Nature Resort in the Essequibo River, Cortours on the Corentyne River, Rockview Lodge in the Rupununi, Arrowpoint Nature Resort and Timberhead Rainforest Resort in the Kamuni Creek. For short and overnight visits, a short drive from the Capital city is Jubilee Fun Park, Splashmins Fun Park, Marudi Creek and Umbrella Resort all offering something different to suit your needs. These resorts or fun parks are ideal if you are on a low budget or do not want to travel long distances. You can get to one of them from

the Capital within 90 minutes. Just pack your own picnic baskets and for a small entrance fee (US$2.00 approx.) per person, spend a relaxing day in a hammock under a tree or an indigenous benab, swimming, indulging in various water sports like kayaks, pedal boats , water slides, jet skis or simply communing with nature In the past these creeks, like Long Creek, Dakara Creek, Madewini Creek, and Red Water Creek were frequented by Guyanese, especially on weekends or holidays for swimming and picnicking, at no entrance fee The only diﬀerence today is that most of these creeks have been developed, some into modern Fun Parks like Splashmins and Jubilee while others retain their rustic and natural setting with modern conveniences like Umbrella Resort and Marudi Creek.

Hurakabra River Resort Essequibo River Tel: (592) 225-3557 / 624-8694 www.hurakabra.com Email:gemmadhoo@gmail.com fb: hurakabra river resort or Hurakabra Eco Resort

ESSEQUIBO RIVER & COAST

Lake Mainstay Resort Essequibo Coast Tel: (592) 226-2975, 771-4959 info@lakemainstayresort.biz wwwLakemainstayresort.biz

Cortours Inc. Orealla, Corentyne River Tel./Fax: (592) 339-2430 / 626-4605 / 648-1941 Email: cortoursinc@yahoo.com cortoursinc@yahoo.com Baganara Island Resort Essequibo River. Tel:(592) 222-2525 Email:reservations@evergreenadventuresgy.com www.evergreenadventuresgy.com

RESORTS, LODGES & TOUR OPERATORS

CORENTYNE RIVER

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Splashminâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fun Park Soesdyke, Linden Highway Tel: (592) 223-7301-3 info@splashmins.com www.splashmins.com

LINDEN HIGHWAY & TIMEHRI

Umbrella Resort Soesdyke, Linden Highway Tel: 610-5722

Jubilee Fun Park Tel: (592) 225-4020 reservations@jubileeresort.com www.jubileeresort.com Marudi Creek Resort Soesdyke, Linden Highway Tel: (592) 624-6011 marudicreek@yahoo.com Madewini Villas Splashmins Fun Park Soesdyke / Linden Highway Tel: (592) 223-7301 www.madewini.com

Shiba Kalicko Resort 17 Mile, Rockstone Tel: (592) 618-4499 / 220-3630 KAMUNI CREEK Arrowpoint Nature Resort Kamununi Creek, Demerara River R8 Eping Avenue, Bel Air Park Tel: (592) 225-9648 ral@roraimaairways.com www.roraimaairways.com

RESORTS, LODGES & TOUR OPERATORS

Sloth Island Nature Resort Essequibo River Tel: (592) 223-7921 / 227-1166-74 dagron@solutions2000.net www.dagron-tours.com

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POMEROON RIVER Adels Rainforest Resort Pomeroon River Tel: (592)771-5391 adelrest@earthlink.net www.adelrest.com RUPUNUNI AREAS Iwokrama Eco Lodge Tel: (592) 225-1504 / 225-7144 iwokrama-general@iwokrama.org www.iwokrama.org Karanambu Ranch Rupununi Tel: (592) 226-5180 Fax: (592) 226-2085 karanambu.lodge@gmail.com www.karanambu.com

Rockview Lodge Annai, North Rupununi Savannahs Tel: (592) 645-9675 info@rockviewlodge.com www.rockviewlodge.com Surama Lodge c/o Wilderness Explorers

141 Fourth St. Campbellville, G/town

Tel: 227-7698 | Fax: 226-2085 info@suramaecolodge.com www.suramaecolodge.com Baracara Falls located up the Mazaruni Riverr

Dagron Tours 91 Middle Street, Georgetown Tel: (592) 223-7921 / 227-1166 / 74 dagron@solutions2000.net www.dagron-tours.com

Hurakabra Tours 168 Century Palm Gardens Durban Backlands, Lodge Tel: (592) 225-3557 / 624-8694 E: gemmadhoo@gmail.com W: www.hurakabra.com fb: hurakabra river resort or Hurakabra Eco Resort

RESORTS, LODGES & TOUR OPERATORS

TOUR OPERATORS

Evergreen Adventures Ogle Airport, Ogle Tel: (592) 222-2525 reservations@evergreenadven- Wilderness Explorers 141 Fourth St. Campbellville, G/town turesgy.com www.evergreenadventuresgy.com Tel: 227-7698 | Fax: 226-2085 E: info@wilderness-explorers.com W: www.wilderness-explorers.com Santac Tours and Travel skype:wildernessguyana Tel: (592)219-0460/643-2622 Email: Reservations@santacgy.com www.santacgy.com FB:www.facebook.com/santactours

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South Rupununi Safari Now in its second year and attracting participants from Trinidad, Jamaica, Canada and Suriname along with many Guyanese. It is mainly on flat savannah land with opportunities to experience the different Amerindian cultures in 14 villages. Ashalton and Shea villages can be explored en route. A visit to the Dadanawa Ranch, Bottle Mountain, Kanuku Mountain, Shea Village and the Shea Rock are among some of the highlights. Dadanawa, with its long and rich history, held the claim of being the world’s largest cattle ranch. It was used as a home base for the filming of several episodes of “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom”, one of the television’s first wildlife shows. Dadanawa itself is known for over 400 bird species including Jabiru Storks, Guiana Cock-of-the-Rock and the rare Red Siskin.

SHOPPING

Normal shopping hours are between 8:00am and 5:00pm; however, some stores at the various Malls in Robb Street & Regent Street remain open until 7:00pm. In Georgetown some stores close from lunch time on Wednesdays but open all day on Saturdays, while others open all day on Wednesdays and close from lunch time on Saturdays. Shopping Malls are quickly taking over the small stores so you can ďŹ nd quite a number of them around the city and in the countryside. In rural towns and country areas most businesses have a siesta from noon to 3.00pm and open until 7.00pm. 08:30hrs - 16:00hrs on weekdays (17:00hrs Fridays). 08:30hrs - 12:00hrs on Saturdays.

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Most Supermarkets are opened from 08:30hrs - 18:00hrs on Weekdays, 08:30hrs - 19:00hrs on Saturdays 10:00hrs - 14:00hrs on Sundays COMPUTER NT Computeac 175 Middle Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown email: sales@ntcomputeac.com Tel: (592) 223-7442 / Fax: (592) 223-7443 www.ntcomputeac.com CRAFT & GIFT ITEMS Natural Touches Kiosk#13HibiscusCraftPlaza NorthRoad(OppositetheMuseum) Georgetown,Guyana Tel#: 592-225-2755 Email: carrie6@networksgy.com

JEWELLERY STORES Kings Jewellery World 141 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel:(592) 226-0704 / 226-0984 176 Middle Street,Georgetown Tel: (592) 225-8570 / 225-8575 Cheddi Jagan Int. Airport Tel: (592) 261-3026 / 261-3027 Rose Hall, Corentyne,Berbice Tel:(592)337-4376 www.kingsjewelleryworld.com

Sanjay’s Jewellery 26 Sheriﬀ Street, Campbellville Tel:592-225-4537/223-5263 www.sanjaysjewellery.com Sunflower Jewellery and Dental Technician 92 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme Tel:(592) 223-4982 or 625-9444

SHOPPING

ELECTRICAL Kanhai’s Guyana Electrical Agency 146 Regent Street, Lacytown Tel: (592) 227-2200 Fax: (592) 227-8652 kamkan@bbgy.com

FLOWERS: Nesha’s Flowerland 78 Church Street, Cummingsburg Tel: 592-227-3553; 225—3315 Samara101@hotmail.com

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City Hall This majestic building of ‘Disneylike feature’ is an exquisite ex-

ample of colonial architecture. Of special attraction is the tower at the front of the building. The African Liberation Monuarchitect is Dr. Father Scholes, a ment Is located in the foreground of Jesuit Priest. Since it’s complewhere the Umana Yana once stood tion in 1889, it has been the seat (burnt down in 2014) . It consists of of the city’s administration. The 5 polished greenheart logs encased original site of a coﬀee parlour and in a jasper stand on a granite boul- dance hall, the City Hall remained der. This monument was unveiled a place of entertainment. The top by former President Linden Forbes ﬂoor housed the country’s premier Sampson Burn- Concert Hall up until recent times. ham on ‘Na- The Engineers occupy the smaller mibia Day’, building. 26th August, 1974 in hon- Russell Memorial our of all the Gracing the spathousands who cious lawns of have struggled City Hall this marfor freedom ble sculpture was from human erected in honour of William Russell bondage.

SIGHTSEEING

Guyana’s history offers the visitor an interesting mixture that is reflective of European architecture. It is advisable to take some time off and drive around our ‘garden city’ to experience some of our old colonial buildings that were constructed in wood, standing elegantly alongside new and modern cemented structures. In some cases they are being dwarfed by these new edifices. Take a visit inside some of them, if time and access is permissible.

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for his outstanding works in the city. In the 19th century this monument was erected in a small garden in the Stabroek Market Square. Monument Of The NonAligned Movement: Located at Company Path, along the Avenue of the Republic. The four busts on the concrete plinth represent the four founders of

the movement Naseer, Nkrumah, Nehru and Tito. Three are made of bronze and the other of a plastic material. Just in front of the monument is a pool from which rise four jasper rocks, which were taken from the Ireng River in the interior. This area is called the Company Path Gardens, derivative from the pathway used by the plantations to gain access to the river.

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Stabroek Market: Built in 1881, The Stabroek Market, popularly known as “Big market” can justifiably claim to encapsulate the spirit of Georgetown. Although not the original site of vending activities, because produce was originally sold by Amerindians and slaves near to the Brandwagt, a small fortification constructed by the Dutch at the mouth of the Demerara River. The market covers an area of 76,728 sq.ft and is possibly the largest public market in the Caribbean, ranking also among the world’s largest all-metal markets. It’s accessibility to the Demerara River provided easy ‘farm to market’ of produce by boats. The Tudor and Gothic characteristics, the ambience and architecture reflect the diversified cultures that combine to define the dynamics of the unique persona of Guyana especially that of the city of Georgetown and New Amsterdam. Stabroek Market’s four dialed clock, towers 61 feet above the main entrance and has not lost its majesty even though it has long since ceased to function as an accurate timekeeping instrument.

SIGHTSEEING

St. Andrews Kirk: This site is believed to be the first landmark of European civilisationthe old brandwagt which stood here as early as 1748 and served as a signal station for incoming and outgoing ships. The church is the oldest building in the city as well as the oldest church in Guyana. The corner stone was laid in 1811 during the Dutch rule with the hope of State House: erecting a first class building. Beformerly known as Governor cause of lack of funds a mere skelHouse, is the official residence of etal was built in 1813 and opened the President of Guyana, located in for service but due to debt it was Main Street, between New market seized and sold to members of the and Middle Streets. The building was formerly the official residence of the Governors of British Guyana and served as their office and entertainment centre. Since Independence, Guyana’s first President, Mr. Arthur Chung, resided there. When Mr. LFS Burnham became the Country’s Executive President he continued to occupy the present Castellani House on Vlissengen Dutch Constituency. It was later reRoad. However, when Dr. Cheddi sold to a large Scottish community Jagan was elected President in and by 1819; the church was com1992, he occupied it and this has pleted and re-opened for worship. been carried on for all succeeding Although the building underwent Presidents. It was erected in 1854 a massive renovation scheme alduring the administration of Gover- most a century later for the centenor Henry Barkly with continuous nary laying of the Dutch Reformed additions. The building’s interior Church, at least the original section is beautifully decorated. Exqui- remains. sitely carved furniture, survivors of the Elizabethan era, lend to its St. George’s Cathedral: grandeur. More-over, past and pre- Once considered one of the tallest sent are combined with a mixture wooden structures in the world, of contemporary and indigenous and the second tallest wooden pieces church, at a height of 43.5 metres

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(132 feet). This is the fourth St. Georges. The first was completed in 1811 and located northeast of the present site, where the present St. Georges School is located. The second built in the 1840’s to accommodate the growing church, was quickly dismantled, in 1877, because of architectural weaknesses. A temporary Pro-Cathedral was erected the same year which housed the church. St. George’s was designed by Sir Arthur Bloomfield. The corner stone was laid 1899 and the cathedral was consecrated on 8th November, 1894. It is located on Church Street in Georgetown, and has been designated a National Monument. The history of the Anglican Church in Guyana can be traced from as early as 1781, when the Reverend William Baggs, Chaplin to Sir George Rodney, came to this country. The interior is breathtakingly beautiful, characterised mainly by Gothic arches, clustered columns and flying buttresses. Items of interest include a stunning array of stained glass windows and a chandelier or corona; over the central alter which was presented to the church by Queen Victoria. Original baptism, marriage and funeral records, dating back to 1796 are carefully preserved in the Deanery nearby.

The Walter Roth Museum Of Anthropology: This building which was originally constructed for private use 1880’s houses a signiﬁcant anthropological and archaeological collection. The only museum of its kind in

English–speaking Caribbean and contains a large collection of preColumbian relics. The Museum was named in honour of Dr. Walter Roth-medical doctor, geologist, magistrate and benefactor of Guyana’s indigenous peoples. The Cenotaph: Many Guyanese soldiers sacriﬁced their lives in both world warsWorld War 1:1914-18 and World War 11: 1939-1945. Located, opposite the Bank of Guyana on the Southern end of Main Street is a memorial to those fallen soldiers. It was unveiled on 14th August, 1923 the 9th anniversary of the declaration of war against Germany by British Colonial Governor, Graeme Thompson. The Enmore Martyrs Monument Designed by Dennis Williams this

SIGHTSEEING

The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (Red House) Is a19th century 3-storey colonial style building famous for its brght red wallaba shingles. Dr. Cheddi Jagan lived in this building when he was Premier of British Guiana,1961-4. The buildmonument, which was erected ing is temporarily the centre housby Zenith Industrial and Construc- ing information into the life and tion Co-operative Society at a cost philosophies of this freedom-fightof $10,000 was unveiled by Prime er, hero and late President, Dr. C.B. Minister Linden Forbes Sampson Jagan, in a way that best typifies his Burnham on June 16, 1977 on the persona- the pursuit of scholarship. occasion of the 29th anniversary of the death of the five martyrs who The High Court: were killed during a strike at Planta- Previously called the Victoria Law tion Enmore on 16 June 1948. Court, in honour of Queen Victoria (her statue stands in the forecourt The Lighthouse: of the compound). An L-shaped The first lighthouse was constructed of wood by the Dutch and illuminated with an oil lamp in 1817. In the 1830’s the British constructed a 103 ft. high brick structure onshore and installed, in the wrought- iron gallery, a floating light, which was subsequently replaced by a 1000 watt bulb, visible from sea at a distance of between 30-40 miles. The structure, with one wing East and administrative office, located be- eleven court rooms on both wings low the gallery, once housed a 24” while the ground floors house long telescope, which is currently the Registries of the High Courts, on display in the Na- Deeds etc. tional Museum of This structure, designed in the Guyana. The gallery Public Works Department by the of the lighthouse is Colonial Engineer-in Chief, Baron accessed by a flight Harcohora Siccama and Ceasar Casof 138 steps. This tellani, shows evidence of two arclimb is compen- chitectural styles, the ground floor sated by the breath- with it’s several decorated arched taking view that windows conforms to the classical building style and the upper floor awaits you.

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is Elizabethian or English Tudor, styled with an external skeletal structure where the studding and braces are exposed. It was opened on 24th May 1887 commemorating the birthday of Queen Victoria. The Independence were presented to Court was originally housed in the our firs prime Minister by the Duke Parliament Buildings. of Kent on behalf of Queen Elizabeth in 1966. Today the country’s Queen Victoria Monument Parliament convenes here. Prime Minister’s Residence -erected in the late19th or early 20th Century, this structure shows clear evidence of Italian architecture with the square cupola at the top and its Georgian styled 12 –paned sashed windows. It was bought from a private owner, Booker Bros, by the British GovernThis imposing marble sculpture of ment in 1962. The building served Her Majesty Queen Victoria was as the official Residence of the Britunveiled and mounted in the com- ish High Commissioners until 1987. pound of the High Court (formerly It was then purchased by the Govthe Victoria Law Courts) on 4 Sep- ernment of Guyana and designated tember 1894 by the Governor of the Prime Minister’s Residence. British Guiana Sir Charles Cameron The current Prime Minister has Lees. This monument was sculpted been the only Prime Minister to ocby H. R. Hope Porter of London. cupy it. Original roof is traditionally Dutch The Parlaiment Buildings and constructed of greenheart This landmark, designed by Jo- wood, which has been retained. seph Hadfield was completed and handed over to the committee for The Georgetown Seawall: the prestigious Court of Policy on Originally ‘earth dams’ were built August 5th, 1834. The intricately to keep the sea from the coastline beautiful ceiling of the Parliament and these were replaced by conchamber was originally designed crete walls, constructed between by Caesar Castellani and is a fine ex- 1858 to 1982 by convict labour, ample of Renaissance architecture. with granite from the Penal SetThis was redone a few years ago. tlement at Mazaruni (Mazaruni The Constitutional instruments of Prison).

advertisement, it also attracts crowds on Sunday who come here to relax, picnic, play music and dance, runners use the wall for their training, cyclists ride the top, and people come to pray or just go for a stroll. Thanks to an initiative of UNICEF, Children’s Art Mural brings the seawall to life, spanning over 400 metres long, between Sheriﬀ Street and Conversation Tree; children from across Guyana unleash their creativity and imagination with art.

SIGHTSEEING

Much of the land here is below sea level. The Kierﬁeld and Sandy Point Estates, known to exist up until 1792, north of the wall were washed away by 1804. In 1903 the Georgetown Seawall Bandstand was built with funds subscribed by the public as a memorial to Queen Victoria. The shelter north of the bandstand, called the Koh-i-noor Shelter, was erected in 1903. (does not exist today) The seawall has not always been able to protect Georgetown against high tides: even after its completion, the city has had severe ﬂoods. On the other hand, when there is excessive rainfall, the water has to be directed to the ocean. For this reason, the seawall has so-called ‘kokers’ or sluices, which control inand outflow of water through the seawall. Currently, it is being debated whether the capital should be moved more inland as a safer place for its inhabitants. It would mean reversing the decision of the French in 1782 to move the capital from a location upstream the Demerara river. The Georgetown seawall has acquired many more functions. Not only used as an obvious place for

The 1763 Monument: Philip Moore is the sculptor of this impressive work of art. The monument is 10.1 meters (33 feet) high and is built on a concrete plinth designed by Albert Rodrigues. It was unveiled by former President Burnham on 23 May 1976.

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It commemorates the 1763 slave rebellion on Plantation Magdalenenburg in Berbice the first revolt that came close to success. Cuffy, leader of this insurrection has been declared to be one of our national heroes. The monument represents the dauntless courage of Guyanese ancestors who fought relentlessly for liberation, especially the leadership of our national hero Cuffy. . It is situated at the eastern end of Brickdam. 1823 MONUMENT This monument was erected in memory of the slaves who fought for their freedom from the sugar plantations along the East Coast Demerara. It is referred to as the East Coast Insurrection. After the passage of the 1807 abolition of slavery act, nothing was being done to free the slaves. John Gladstone (slaves took their names from their masters) moved freely among the estates. His father was

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Quamina and they were stationed in Plantation Success. He gathered information from the house slaves of the other estates-Le Resouvenir, Chateau Margot and Dochfour. The London Missionaries came down to British Guiana and set up Smith’s Chapel at Le Resouvenir and Bethel Chapel at Plantation Success to allow slaves to worship. In spite of that, many of their masters and managers refused to give them time oﬀ to attend church services. Reverand John Smith represented the slaves and wrote about their horrible conditions and ill treatment to his superior in London. He was considered a friend of the slaves. He was subsequently imprisoned and executed. After Jack was convinced that they were being robbed of their freedom, he wrote a letter (signing his father’s name) to the members of Bethel chapel informing them of the “new law” On Monday, 18th August 1823, the unrest begun and spread over 50 sugar plantations from Georgetown to Mahaica, involving 10,000 slaves, armed with cutlasses, poles with bayonets and a small number of stands of riﬂes captured from the plantations. They locked up their owners, managers and families (like they did to them) and promised to release them in 3 days. Joseph Simpson of ‘Le Reduit’ Estate informed his owner Captain Simpson of the plot who alerted all the estates of this to Georgetown, to inform Governor Murray. The

The Demerara Harbour Bridge: The Demerara Harbour Bridge is a 6,074 foot long (1.25 miles) ﬂoating toll bridge, with 61 spans and as commissioned on 2 July 1978. The bridge crosses the Demerara River 4 miles south of the capital Georgetown, from Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara to Schoon Ord, West Bank Demerara. There is a pedestrian footwalk. A raised section, with horizontal clearance of 32.0 metres(105 ft) and vertical clearance of 7.9 metres (26ft) allows for small vessels to pass under. A retractor span of horizontal clearance of 77.4 metres(254ft) allows for passing of large vessels. Construction of the Demerara Harbour Bridge began on 29 May 1976. Construction assistance was provided by the British Government. Toll is paid at the Eastern entrance. To get to the West Coast of Demerara, Bartica and Essequibo River and Islands by road land means crossing the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

SIGHTSEEING

Govenor unleashed the 21st Fusileers and the 1st West Indian Regiment, aided by a volunteer battalion, were dispatched to combat the rebels. By late afternoon of August 20th most of the slaves were all rounded up. Between 100 to 250 slaves were killed. Many were shot along the estates and their heads nailed to posts along the roadside. Some were brought to Georgetown to be tried and hung at the parade ground. Their heads were similarly nailed to posts around the ground. Quamina was executed. Jack Gladstone escaped and was captured with his wife on sept. 6th at chateau margo after a 3 hour stand-oﬀ. He was sold and deported. His legacy was to help bring attention to the plight of sugar plantation slaves, accelerating the abolition of slavery. The rebellion took place a few months after the founding of the Anti-Slavery Society, and had a strong impact on Britain. Murray Street in Georgetown, originally named after the Governor, was renamed Quamina Street.

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The Indian Monument Site (Monument Gardens) located at the corner of Church and Camp Street is a very historic Monument. It commemorates the first indentured Indians who arrived in then British Guiana on 5th May 1838. In August 1987 a very influential group headed by Yesu Persaud formed the 150th Anniversary Committee to plan the celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the Arrival of Indians in Guyana which was to be celebrated on 5th May 1988. In May 1988, during the celebrations, the visiting Vice President of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, was approached for assistance to build a Monument to commemorate the arrival of East Indians in Guyana. He honoured his commitment to them. The Mayor, Mr. Compton Young, was approached and gave the committee the site . Nearly 1000 loads of sand and dirt ware used to fill up the site. A national competition was held for the design and one that looked like the “Whitby” was chosen. Local architect, Mr. Albert Rodrigues, worked with an Indian counterpart, mapped out a plan of what the garden should look like and infrastructure work for the ship. The ship was built in India and the architect and ship builder came to Guyana to help in the setting up of the Monument. The Indian Anniversary Committee was later converted into a “Trust”,

The Indian Commemoration Trust. Today the Monument Garden is very beautifully kept and is maintained voluntarily with help from the business community. Fund raising activities are also held from time to time. Every year activities are planned and celebrated at the Garden on May 5 to commemorate Indian Arrival Day. Activities are also held for special occasions such as Diwali, Phagwah, Eid at the Monument Garden. In May 2013, a new stage was built to facilitate concerts and cultural events. A replica of the ‘Kolkota’ monument was unveiled on May 5th for the 175th anniversary of the arrival of Indians to Guyana at the Monument Gardens and at Plantation Highbury in Berbice (where the ﬁrst Indians landed in 1838) by the Global Organisation for people of Indian Origin (GOPIO) President, Ashook Ramsarran. The monuments were funded by the Indian Government through GOPIO.

SPORTS

Guyana National Stadium

SPORTS A wide range of sports are played in Guyana. Cricket is the national sport, followed by football (soccer), athletics, boxing (amateur and professional), table tennis, rugby, field hockey, basketball, volleyball, weight and power lifting, squash, tennis, karate, cycling, swimming, etc. The Athletics Association of Guyana is affiliated to the International Association of Athletics Federation, the South American Athletics Federation and the Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association. Guyana produced a Gold medalist in the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Guyana participated in all Olympic Games from 1948 to present; with the exception of 1976 (Montreal). Over the years several medals were won at the Commonwealth Games in weightlifting, boxing and athletics; the most recent being a silver medal in the Delhi 2010 edition of the Games. The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association is affiliated to the International Swimming Federation

(FINA), the South American Swimming Confederation and the Amateur Swimming Union of the Americas. Guyana participated in the FINA Long and Short Course World Championships and was represented in 2004, 2008 & 2012 Olympics, 2010 Youth Olympics, 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games and 2010 Commonwealth Games The Guyana Boxing Board of Control is aﬃliated to the World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council and Commonwealth Boxing Board. Guyana has produced six professional world champion boxers in the past six years. The Guyana Boxing Association is aﬃliated to the International Boxing Association and has produced an Olympic Bronze medallist in 1980, several medals in boxing through the years in other games; with a Bronze medalist in the 2007 PANAM Games. The Guyana Cricket Board is a member of the West Indies Cricket Board and many of its cricketers are among the most famous of West Indies cricket stars. Dating back

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to Rohan Kanhai, Clive Lloyd, Basil Butcher, Joe Solomon, Alvin Kallicharran, Lance Gibbs, Roy Fredericks, Roger Harper to current stars like Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan. Guyana Football Federation, a member of the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA). Guyana competes in the Soccer World Cup. The Guyana Hockey Board is aﬃliated to the Pan American Hockey Federation and the International Hockey Federation. Guyana participates in the Pan American Federation Indoor Championships. The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) is the governing Body for Olympic sports in Guyana with twenty–two constituent members (Rugby and Squash have been recently added) and is a member of the Association of National Olympic Committees. . Most recently the GOA sent a team of twenty three athletes and nine oﬃcials, comprising seven disciplines) to the 1st South American Youth Games (Lima 2013). Contact-K.A Juman Yassin (President) 592-225-3873/610-2766 or

Hector Edwards (Secretary General) 592-612-6800 Olympic House 592-223-6376/77 The Guyana Rugby Football Union is a member of the International Rugby Board (iRB), the North American Rugby Association (NACRA) and competes in the Rugby World Cup Fifteens and Sevens. The Guyana Rugby Football Team gave Guyana its ﬁrst gold medal (team medal) at the CAC Games held in Guyana in July 2010. Later in October, they played against World class teams at the Commonwealth Games held in India. In March 2012 they played in the Hong World Sevens series. Guyana recently received it’s ﬁrst Gold Medal in the World Masters Power Lifting Championships in Japan from Winston Stoby. In August 2013 Gumendra Shewas (having competed in 53kg category at the World Juniors & Sub-Juniors Men’s Championship (Texas) became the Junior Powerlifting World Champion. Guyana’s athletes continue to be outstanding on the international scene with minimal funding and few elite coaches.

SPORTS MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS OF THE GUYANA OLYMPIC ASSOCIATION SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS Athletics Football Aubrey Hutson Christopher Matthias 592-624-0784 592-225-0892 Badminton Golf Gokam Ramdhani Lusignan Golf Club 592-(233) 2462/5784 592- 220-5660 Basketball Hockey Nigel Hinds Phillip Fernandes 592-662-3927 592-620-0185 Body Building Judo Keavon Bess Raoul Archer 592-681-6759 592-610-3536 Boxing Karate Steve Ninvalle Amir Kouri 592-624-6699 592-227-6437 Cricket Lawn Tennis 592-225-4813 / 4106, Grace Mc Calmon 227-7130 Motor Racing Cycling Johnny Carpenter Cheryl Thompson 592-231-5457; 592-644-5229 225-7492 Darts Netball Grantley Culbard Lavern Fraser 592-227-8090/ 592-680-5850 621-3125 Rifle Dominoes Brg. Mark Phillips Gwen McGowan Ryan Sampson 592-226-9972 592- 623-0963; 225-4902

Rugby Peter Green 592-647-5375 Scrabble Colin Chichester 592-621-8176 Soccer Christopher Matthias 592-225-0892; 227-8758 Mabiola Howard 592-225-0892 Squash Andrew Arjoon 592-623-7721 Swimming

Ivan Persaud / Dee George

642-5082 Taekwondo Ramjeet Ramphal 592-225-5521 Table Tennis Godfrey Munroe 592-686-7473 Volleyball Lennox Shuï¬&#x201E;er 592-225-4607 Weightlifting Frank Tucker 592-223-6376

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South Dakota Circuit

SPORTS CLUBS IN GEORGETOWN: Demerara Cricket Club New Garden & Lance Gibbs Sts. Queenstown, Georgetown (592) 226-2006 Everest Cricket Club Camp St. & Seawall Road Georgetown (592) 225-1975/226-6289/2275277 Georgetown Cricket Club Regent St. & Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Bourda, Georgetown (592) 226-3404/226-3130/ 223-9646 www.cricketboard.gy

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Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club Albert St & Thomas Rd. Thomas Lands (592) 231-5457/225-7492 www.gmrscgy.com Lusignan Golf Club Lusignan, East Coast Demerara 592-220-5660 Malteenoes Sports Club Thomas Road, Thomas Lands (592) 225-6509

ebrated in the last week of April. Contact: Ms Dawn Caynes – 444 6590, Mr Winston Smith 592- 4444010, 592- 444- 6030. Moruka Day is May or June, Berbice Expo, Mahdia Day and Bartica Porknocker’s Day are in August, New Amsterdam Town Day in September and GUYEXPO –end of September to early October and Rupununi Expo Day in November. The special ‘Day’ feature for towns and villages are spreading and more towns and villages are getting involved. So if you are in Guyana and there is a town or village day happening, be sure not to miss it. Call The Guyana Tourism Authority on 219-0092 to 4 and ﬁnd out which town or village has their celebration while you’re here.

TOWN & VILLAGE DAYS

TOWN AND VILLAGE DAYS

Our Town and Village days have become very popular events in our Calendar year. The specific Regional Office or Village Council would pick a significant day/week of the year and plan a varied range of activities displaying cultural, culinary, sporting, fashion, farming and entertaining events. These town/village days attract large audiences within their own communities and elsewhere. They are very exciting to visit and to indulge in the activities Linden Town Day/Week-was created to commemorate the date Linden became a town, 29th April 1970. The event, now a week long celebration attracts many Guyanese from the Diaspora and is cel-

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TRAIL TO LETHEM

The drive from Georgetown is approximately 376 miles of road that is not tarmac but red sand, loam. The drive can be a bit arduous so ensure you are the adventurous and safari traveller before embarking. You will experience wild life in abundance while being surrounded by our pristine rainforest. The journey from Georgetown to Linden to 58 miles Mabura takes about 4 hours or more depending on weather and conditions of road, for the ﬁrst stop. The restaurant here is opened 24hrs with fresh local food and hammock accommodation for resting, Journey onwards to Central Mabura check point. This process takes about 30 minutes. Another 2-3 hours driving will bring you to the Kurupukari where there is a pontoon crossing the Essequibo River. There is low cost accommodation before the crossing, Nature View hotel and restaurant with self contained rooms and hammocks from US$30.00 to $5.00 per night. They can also arrange tours. Crossing the river you will hear the sound on the left of the Kurupu-

kari rapids. On the Westen Bank, a short distance on your right is the The Iwokrama Rainforest `Conservation. Accommodation, meals and several tours are available here. After the crossing, a further 40 miles will take you to the junction of the Canopy Walkway. About a ¼ mile inland there are cabins and a kitchen for over -nighting at the Canopy Walkway. About 8 miles down is the Surama Eco Lodge, 3 miles oﬀ the main road. Accommodation meals and tours are all available here. Next on the route, another 5 miles is the village of Annai where Rock View Lodge is located. The Oasis bar is well stocked for supplies to journey on. Accommodation, meals and tours are available at Rockview. Drive for another 55 miles and you are in Lethem. You can cross the newly built Takutu bridge and continue into Brazil or enjoy visits to various Amerindian villages, Moco Moco or Kumu Falls. Tours can be arranged to trek up the mountains, the home of the Harpy Eagle or a visit to Schomburg Peak.. Go by river from ‘Genip Landing’ (near Annai) for about 2 hours

Rodeo

Cowboy riding with an anteater

animal and bird life in Guyana along the journey. Departure takes place from Guns Airstrip to Georgetown. For tours in Lethem contact Savannah Inn, Wilderness Explorers or Rockview Lodge. Savannah Inn will arrange tours to Buro Ranch for horseback riding or if you’re feeling energetic to climb the 100 odd steps to the hydro plant at Moco Moco Falls. Trips across the border to Brazil are also on their package tours. Transportation by road, from Georgetown can be done by using a mini-bus (public transportation) #94 from the bus stop behind the Parlaiment buildings or Guybraz Bus tours in Sheriﬀ Street Most Tour Operators in Georgetown can arrange your itinerary and bookings. Check ‘Tour Operators’ page for listing.

TRAIL TO LETHEM

and you are at Karanambu Ranch, located in the North Rupununi Savannahs, near the Pakaraimas Mountains. Famous for its Giant River Otters, Guests may even have an opportunity to swim with them, if there is any being nurtured and protected at the time of your visit by the owner of the Ranch, Diane McTurk. From Lethem, a 3 ½ hours drive will take you to Dadanawa Ranch, in the South Rupununi. It occupies 2000 square miles and is one of the largest and most isolated ranches of the world. This is vacquero territory and visitors are integrated into the daily activities of the Ranch. Join the vacqueos on horse-back to round-up cattle and branding young ones while driving the herd to new pastures. Trips to the Kanuku Mountains, Amerindian petroglyphs can be made from here. There are the ULTIMATE ADVENTURE tours from 9 days to 25 days, ideal for the adventure tourists. This customized tour include a 4 hour drive from Dadanawa to Ishalton, then by small boat and a week later ﬁshing, camping along the way and seeing just about every

Anthill

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YACHTING IN GUYANA 134

Sunset in the Essequibo River, outside Hurakabra River Resort

YACHTING IN GUYANA Guyana’s Essequibo River is the third largest in South America next to Brazil’s Amazon and Venezuela’s Orinoco. Its expansive waters provide a truly magnificent cruising destination and Guyana, located outside of the hurricane belt, is proving to be a safe haven for Cruisers to hang out during the hurricane season. The waters surrounding the small mining town of Bartica, Baganara Island Resort and Hurakabra River Resort provide some of the most exciting, virtually untouched and beautiful river anchorages anywhere in the world. The Town of Bartica is now an Official Port-of-Entry and cruisers making the Essequibo River their destination can sail the 30 miles up river from the ocean to Bartica to clear customs and Immigration with a simplified 2-page form. Clearance takes less than an hour. In September 2013, the first ever

yachting rally ‘Nereid’s Rally’ took place with boats departing Trinidad and Tobago, headed for Guyana, spent 10 days enjoying true Guyanese hospitality, then departed for French Guyana and Suriname. The rally organizer, David Matalecani, will be staging this rally annually. Since then there has been a steady stream of yachts sailing into the Essequibo River. Cruisers can log onto www.doyleguides.com for further information. The Doyle Guide provides full planning and cruising details from the Caribbean and up river to the anchorages oﬀ and around Bartica, Baganara Island Resort or Hurakabra River Resort. Cruisers, once happily anchored in the Essequibo, can explore the wonders of Guyana. For tours to any part of Guyana and caretaking of vessels, visit www.hurakabra.com or email kitnasc@gmail.com

HURAKABRA river resort

Yachts Anchored at Hurakabra River Resort, Essequibo River, Guyana