River Cruise

Today's activity is to take a "river cruise" It'll be interesting to see what they think is cool.


River cruise is just a large dugout canoe. But with a interesting guide, we went across the Suriname river to Fort Niew Amsterdam (built in 1600's) and then headed up a side river. He took us thru an existing plantation. Met several people who have lived their entire lives there. Products have changed but still run as a large farm/ranch. Some aqua culture (shrimp) cattle veggies etc. The current owner bought the place many years ago. (an old jewish gent who lives in town) First thing he did was sell the land under peoples homes to them for 1 guilder per lot. So many own their own homes and really like the owner. Just interesting to see how people live in little villages in the middle of nowhere. Our guide seemed to know everyone and they all knew him. So we got into see many simple things. People smoking fish. A pet capibara. Monkeys, pets and wild, and much more.

Then we went upstream to another plantation (1789) whicch has been turned into a hotel. But all the old buildings were there, grounds well taken care of and a real feel for an old plantation.

Worthwhile day.