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Essequibo Circuit Tour

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Experience the best of Guyana’s resorts

THE Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) on November 16 hosted its Essequibo River Circuit Familiarisation Tour for the media, as part of its Tourism Awareness Month of Activities.

The tour included stops at the THAG member properties and attractions namely: Fort Zeelandia (Fort Island), Saxacalli Reservation, Hurakabra Nature Resort, Municipality of Bartica, Aruwai White H20 Resort, BK Quarries, Sloth Island Nature Resort and Baganara Island Resort.

THAG President Mitra Ramkumar, who was part of the tour, said the purpose of the Familiarisation Tour is to give visibility to the facilities within this region and showcase their varied day tour capabilities, as well as to create awareness of the new product offerings within the Essequibo Circuit.

Aruwai White Water H2O Water Resort

He added that the tour is also geared towards informing on the importance of Heritage protection and the role of the stakeholders and to launch the Essequibo Circuit Tour by Old Fort Tours.

FORT ISLAND
The tour started at Fort Island, Essequibo River where the tour guide, Jamal Thomas of Old Fort Tours was on hand to oversee the group of media operatives during their visit to the Court of Policy.

There, they were enthralled by the well-preserved Dutch artefacts which are secured in glass showcases. The Dutch Heritage Museum, also known as the Court of Policy, provides a meaningful contribution to the country’s cultural heritage sector. It was opened on February 19, 2007, by the National Trust of Guyana. In its collections are Dutch bottles and other pottery unearthed from the colonies of Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara along with a number of maps and informational pull-ups charts; all of which aids in highlighting the relationships the Dutch had with indigenous Indians and the slaves they owned.

BK Quarries

Fort Island is located about 16 kilometres (10 miles) from the mouth of the Essequibo River and is home to about 73 residents, some of whom are farmers and fishermen.

The island has a nursery and primary school housed in one compound, a health centre and an army base (Coast Guard).

Fort Island also has a bird watching site (a trail) where many species of birds can be seen and is rich with flora and fauna.

HURAKABRA RIVER RESORT
This place which is a beautiful getaway for anyone, is outfitted with brightly painted wooden buildings with all modern amenities and is located about three miles from Bartica.

This resort has two cottages for overnight accommodation and bountiful trees compliment the surroundings which is well-kept.

On arrival, visitors are greeted with a cool rag to ‘cool-off’ and iced lemonade accompanied with cassava bread and a sumptuous boulanger dip.

It is one of those places that when you get there, you never want to leave.

Fort Zeelandia, Fort Island

Caretaker, Vidya Gopaul told the media that it is a natural resort which was opened about 15 years ago by the Nascimentos, and that she simply likes her job which entails welcoming guests and cooking.

She is assisted by Ameer, a friendly guy who takes you on the nature trails, jungle walk and also bird watching.

MUNICIPALITY OF BARTICA
The tour then moved on to Bartica, there the visitors were greeted by the Mayor Gifford Marshall, who even broke a meeting to accommodate us.

A tour bus which was arranged for the group since it was raining heavily, took the team around the town. There was a brief stop at the “Green Park” which is a lovely well-maintained garden-like place and the Golden Beach.

It was observed that the town has developed over the years and has many businesses.

Green Park, Bartica

Bartica developed from an Anglican missionary settlement, established in 1842. The name ‘Bartica’ comes from an Indigenous word meaning ‘red earth’, which is abundant in the area.

The Denham Suspension Bridge, also known as the Garraway Stream Bride, links Bartica to Mahdia.

ARUWAI WHITE WATER H2O WATER RESORT
On arrival at Aruwai, the team was welcomed with cool coconut water right out of the shell and by General Manager Lucresha Charles, who ensured there was an array of dishes and drinks available for sampling.

She told the media that the resort is man-made and was built on a sandbank by the owner. The resort stretches about five acres and is accompanied by its natural beauty of the beach.

Charles added that the resort has international chefs and well-trained staff to cater to all your culinary needs, along with very modern facilities including an outdoor jacuzzi, skiing, kayaking and other water activities.

The resort has a bartender service and fine-dining at its fully air-conditioned restaurant, lifeguard on site and it caters to accommodate any function in its spacious events hall.

BK QUARRIES, TEPERU/ITABU
This place is located in the Essequibo River and is about 15 minutes by boat from Bartica.

On hand was Office Manager Rickford Inniss, who led the group on a guided tour to Marshall Falls, a truly beautiful natural wonder.

The property is huge and has 130 workers who are housed in wooden houses named after birds. They benefit from free house-keeping, laundry services and meals.

BK Quarries blasts every two weeks and has a large-scale operation to supply boulders and other quarry products to BK’s construction projects and BK Marine Inc. via its tugs and barges, as well as to various locations in Guyana.

The place has a three-storey building with all modern amenities for overnight visitors. The residents rear their own poultry and even have two pets, a wild cow and a wild hog.

This place is simply breath-taking with an amazing view of the Essequibo River and even has its own police station which stores dynamite for blasting.

SLOTH ISLAND
Sloth Island is a quaint resort of pristine rainforest in the Essequibo River that is ideal for birders and holidaymakers.

According to Claude Benjamin, who welcomed the group, it is a private island getaway, with land and water activities, has hammocks and is like a paradise with comfortable rooms and equally delicious cuisine.

The feature of the island is the sloth, which was rescued and lives in a tree with a monkey in its natural habitat.

The owner, Rafel Adees said the place was just an island; a piece of land and 21 years ago he took on the project to make it habitable.

He related that it took years to build by dredging to prevent erosion. The island now stands on eight feet of sand and while it isn’t financially rewarding, he stated that a few visitors do come.

“It is my island, my legacy; a footprint I leave behind and it is a tranquil, peaceful place to unwind and find your inner self. Come, you may be touched by something here, look at the birds and feel the true serenity of nature at its best,” Adees said.

BAGANARA ISLAND RESORT
Densil Paddy told the group that the resort sits on 189 acres but only 1/3 of the island is being utilised for recreational purposes.

He added that they have several outbuildings which include a-15 room facility with 10 superior rooms and staff accommodations. Baganara House has five rooms, a restaurant area, bar, kitchen and sitting area.

Paddy stated that there are outdoor gazebos, a souvenir shop and a barbeque hut inclusive of a wide range of activities, and off-island tours.

He explained that there is an airstrip on the island, and as part of the Correia Group of Companies they utilise Trans Guyana planes to get visitors on and off the island.

Paddy related too that they prepare all local foods and have adopted the green initiative, in that, in terms of power usage, fuel and solar are also used.

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