We went ashore on Tuesday to do some shopping and arriving back at the bar we sat and had a beer with a Swiss couple, Madelyn & Remy who told us that on Thursday they were going to the capital of Suriname (Paramaribo) for a couple of days. They asked if we would like to accompany them as they enjoyed being with us. (We are the only other couple here!!) I looked at Chris and Chris gave me “permission” to agree to this. (LOL) So it was a sudden decision but as Remy & Madelyn are good company and speak pretty good English, we thought it would be a great opportunity to see a bit more of the country around.
As normal here in this marina Davide arranged everything – transport, hotel and diner out – all we had to do was part with some money!
As normal here in this marina Davide arranged everything – transport, hotel and diner out – all we had to do was part with some money!
On Thursday at 9.00am Davide took us to the Suriname Embassy to get a visitor’s visa (22 euros each) which could only be paid by credit card. Whilst we were there, a young chap who had the cash but no credit card. He was very appreciative when we said that we would pay for his visa on our credit card and take his 22 euros cash. The visa lasts for 90 days but is a one-time entry only visa. Davide then took all of us to the official exit port we had our passports stamped out etc and crossed the river to Albina in Suriname, about ¼ mile or so in a pirogue.
After getting our passports stamped in and completing the paperwork, we were met by Deepak, the taxi driver that Davide always uses when travelling in Suriname.
After getting our passports stamped in and completing the paperwork, we were met by Deepak, the taxi driver that Davide always uses when travelling in Suriname.
It’s about 2 ½ hour drive to Paramaribo but we decided to take a detour to the marina at Domburg. Remy had paid a deposit for one of the mooring buoys there as he & Madelyn were going to leave their boat there when they flew home to Switzerland for Christmas. However, they had decided that they would rather leave the boat in the marina here in SLM as they were settled and it was more convenient. The marina has a small restaurant and whilst we were having a meal, our friends Herbert & Monika turned up and it was great to see them again. They are keeping their boat in another marina in Domburg for a while before flying home for Christmas and then moving on to the Caribbean. (Sorry no pics - my camera batteries are getting REALLY useless!)
Back in the taxi and on to the hotel in the centre of Paramaribo – lovely hotel with good air conditioning and SHOWERS with hot water!!! Later on we took a walk along the riverside where there were many stalls and we sampled some chicken kebabs, bumped into R & M and decided to have a couple of beers before heading back to our room.
The next day we went for a wander round the town. As with all the other countries we have seen here nothing is THAT old and the houses and buildings are all very colonial in design. One of the main attractions is the wooden cathedral which was just round the corner from the hotel. I’d really wanted to look round this but I’d not been thinking and was wearing quite short shorts and a strappy top so we decided to return on Saturday.
Round the corner we found a small restaurant “Jossje Roti” that had been recommended by the Lonely Planet Guide but we weren’t very hungry (we had quite a large breakfast) and as we were going out to dinner that evening we just tried a couple of the snacks that were available –umm lovely!
Davide had booked us in to a restaurant, “The Garden of Eden”, that he said was the best in the city; it was a Thai restaurant and when our taxi driver for the evening (Deepak’s brother) picked us up at 6.30 he told us that it was the only Thai one and the best in Suriname. Deservedly so!!! It was brilliant. A Dutch couple, Norman and Sabine, who R & M had met the night before, turned up but they had not booked and could not get a table outside and so we invited them to join us which actually made it a really good party. Most of the tables were outside where the ambience was amazing – subdued coloured lights around the edges with statues of their Gods dotted about and gazebos making private grottos. The pictures really don't do it justice. |
We ordered cocktails to start and decided that we would all pick a dish and then we would share – both for our appetisers and our main courses. This worked really well and we were able therefore to taste about 12 different dishes, all of which were delicious!! While we were waiting for our meal, we were offered a free massage - it was wonderful and I realised the next day that my left arm that had been becoming a bit stiff had really loosened up!
We had asked our driver to return at 10.00 and all too soon the time arrived, we paid our bill, said goodbye to Sabine & Norman and on the way out our waiter for the evening gave the ladies a wonderful flower. So nice! But so it should be, it is known as being too expensive for the local population to go to! It was a lovely treat for us as we don’t usually go to the more expensive restaurants and on reflection it was not actually that dear.
Saturday we went back to the cathedral and I am so glad we did. Obviously I had realised that the building was wood but not that everything inside was wood too. The ceiling, rafters, columns and even the font were all wood. This gave such a warm atmosphere and the various colours of the wood were incredible. I’ll let the pictures tell the tale!
A walk back to the riverside past the old parade ground near the old fort with official building on all sides – bit confusing though when looked at the board but we managed to sort out which building was what in the end. Most of these buildings had originally been private homes when the owners were wealthy and labour and materials were reasonably cheap. Now they are largely owned by the government or large corporations who can afford the maintenance. Many of the buildings were listed as were many of the trees that lined the avenues - the wood from these trees is highly prized. |
We stopped for a couple of beers at an outside stall/bar where many locals of all ages meet up with their friends at any time of day or night as the bar never closes at any time during the year. From there we walked to the Roti restaurant we had visited the day before and had a roti meal. It was superb. After a long chat with the owner, Robbert, we returned to the hotel and spent a relaxing evening in our room.
Sunday morning Deepak picked us up from the hotel and drove us back to Albina where we caught a pirogue back to the port, had our passports stamped back in and were met by Davide who drove us back to the marina where we had ham & cheese roll and a beer before going back to Moontide.
Our conclusion is that Suriname is a clean and friendly country and English is widely spoken.
Sunday morning Deepak picked us up from the hotel and drove us back to Albina where we caught a pirogue back to the port, had our passports stamped back in and were met by Davide who drove us back to the marina where we had ham & cheese roll and a beer before going back to Moontide.
Our conclusion is that Suriname is a clean and friendly country and English is widely spoken.