ABOUT GUYANA

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Travelling as a major factor in personal development.

Have you ever wondered why you want to travel? Some people travel for making new acquaintances, some just want to lie by the sea and do nothing, others actively explore new cities and streets from morning till night with a list of sights, some explore culture, others do shopping. But if we combine all these goals, we understand that the main reason for travelling is to get new emotions and inspiration.

Travelling can have more than just a revitalising effect, it can be a total reboot of your outlook, a change of mentality, habits and even personality, a description that perfectly suits the city of Horsens in Denmark Check Out This Article. In the last 5 years I've visited over 15 countries and 70 cities, made friends in different parts of the world, lived in different places, slept on the common room floor in India and in a luxury apartment in Dubai, changed thousands of minds through seeing different people and cultures. And today I want to share my thoughts on why it is so useful to travel, how to make a holiday was an impetus to self-development, what questions to answer yourself after a vacation.

Why is it important to travel?

Travelling helps you to discover what is hidden behind the greyness of everyday life, to expand your consciousness, to realise your dreams. Travel should become an integral part of everyone's life. Every trip allows you to make new acquaintances, new friends, business partners. Through travel, you grow, reach a new level of personal development.

The main benefit of travel is that when a person leaves his habitual environment, he loses those factors and their power that affect him daily. While on holiday, he starts his life with a clean slate:

- wakes up and goes to bed at a different time.
- eats differently
- regularly updated with new information from brochures, excursions, conversations with strangers, learning a map, geography, another language.
- begins to enjoy the aesthetic beauty of architecture, nature, listens to new music.

Observe yourself when you find yourself in a new place. You're bound to notice that your thoughts flow differently. You are relaxed, and you think about things other than what you are used to thinking about in the hustle and bustle of the weekday. When you rest, you gain invaluable experience that translates into opportunities for development in every area of your life. We think differently and let in a new image of ourselves.

They say you only need 3 things for happiness:

- love
- interesting work
- opportunity to travel

Also, the sense of beauty we get when we travel encourages us to work better and harder.

The role of travel in child development.

Travel is especially important for children, because it is at an early age when the child's character is formed, when he or she is most inquisitive and learns from their parents. When travelling, a child gets to know the world, he/she develops tolerance towards other nations, cultures, races. Responsible parents understand that, and they plan their holidays in such a way that the child is directly involved. Do you agree that it is stupid to take a child with you on a long journey and give him to a children's club with animators where he will be entertained all day long, but he won't get any information about the country where he is and won't interact with another culture, language etc. If the child and his parents agree on a route and choose from the proposed programme what would be more interesting for him to see, this way he develops responsibility for his choice and attentiveness during the excursion. He is more likely to take an interest in the place he is going to, learn about the geography, ask questions about the country. Such a trip will become a conscious, memorable and most useful for him.

After a holiday and a trip to another country or city, answer the following questions for yourself:

1) What do you remember most from your trip to another city and country? What made the biggest impression on you?
2) What did you think about during the trip, what thoughts, ideas did you have?
3) What ideas would you like to implement at home, in your life?
4) What did you learn about yourself? What experiences did you have?
5) What of all the things you have seen and learned are you ready to make part of your life?

And most importantly, write it all down, analyse it and draw conclusions. Over time, you will notice that your thoughts become more qualitative, you will better understand yourself and what you really want. You will get rid of the influence of imposed needs by society, massmedia and your habitual environment.

I wish you to travel with meaning and benefit yourself! Be inspired and reach new heights!

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Guyana Past & Present

Pre-Columbian History

Original settlers of Guyana, the Indigenous Peoples (also known as the Amerindians), trace their roots to 9000BC, when they arrived in search of a thriving land of abundance. They kept up with their nomadic lifestyle – sustaining their communities by hunting and gathering, and much later farming – for thousands of years. Permanent village communities came about much later, where agriculture took precedence, especially cassava. The focus on cassava and indigenous means for making baskets, weaving and the use of clay to make pots, can be seen in their communities in the Rupununi region. Several mysterious petroglyphs around the country provide a glimpse into the hunting themes and life in the ancient wild.

YEAR OF SLAVE
REBELLION

1000

GUYANA GAINED INDEPENDENCE

GUYANA BECOMES A
REPUBLIC NATION

GUYANA RECEIVES 6
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

Searching for El Dorado

How did Guyana find a place on the ancient world map? It was the fabled city of El Dorado that was the hook for many early explorers to set foot on this land. It was believed that a King covered in gold lived in a magnificent city by the side of Lake Parima. This long-standing legend urged an Englishman, Sir Walter Raleigh, to organise expeditions between the 16th and 17th centuries to map the country to make his big discovery. Some believed that El Dorado lay in the Guiana Highlands of the Pakaraima Mountains, between the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers. Others leaned towards advice from the Indigenous Peoples that El Dorado could be reached by travelling up the Essequibo River. Though the exact location was never found, Alexander Humboldt and others believed the flooded Lake Amucu in the Rupununi is the fabled Lake Parima. The El Dorado name is now popularly known for the world’s best rum produced here in Guyana from local sugar cane.

Sugarcane Movements

Since the 16^th century, the sugar plantations along the coast of Guyana caught the eye of the Dutch, French and British troops. What started as temporary footholds for trade with the Indigenous Peoples soon turned into more firm settlements to cultivate their own sugarcane, coffee, cotton and tobacco. To sustain the workforce, the Europeans brought over African nationals to serve on the plantations. Barbaric terms of work led to the first rebellion in 1763 in Berbice. A memorial in Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, highlights Cuffy, a prominent slave hero who is known for initiating the rebellion. The British made a weak attempt at the abolition of the slave trade in 1806, but it was in 1834 that the Emancipation Bill took effect. Slavery was slowly and finally abolished in 1838. With the end of that era, sustenance of plantations became an issue. It was then that indentured immigrants from East India, and workers from China and Portugal arrived from across the world to work on the plantations.

Guyana Now

The foundation of independent Guyana was laid in 1950 by an Indo and African Guyanese duo, Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham. In 1966, Guyana gained its independence and started to build the country we know today. They formed the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), which paved the way of modern politics in the country. In 1955, an ideological split led to the formation of People’s National Congress – creating two opposing sides and the only veritable oppositions to each other. As a country facing a significant economic undertaking to truly become independent, Guyana had several shining examples of its progressive nature. The conservation of its extensive virgin rainforests is a source of national pride. In 1997, and ahead of most other countries, Janet Jagan, became the first female Prime Minister of the country. With its tremendous natural resources like bauxite, rice, gold, diamonds, rich soil for agriculture, and the new discoveries of oil and gas, Guyana is now able to wield its economic muscle and is on its way toward developing a robust economy. Guyana today is a wonderful mélange of multi-cultural communities living in big cities like Georgetown and Lethem, and far-flung villages occupied by Indigenous Peoples. It is culturally robust and has committed to a Green State agenda that is designed to maximise socio-economic benefits to local people and protect its wealth of natural and cultural heritage. We are closer than you think and can not wait for you to come and explore.

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People Of Guyana

People

Feel naturally at home, with warm and friendly people, happy to give you an insider view as you travel the country. Meet people from the nine Indigenous groups (Wapishanas, Arecunas, Makushis, Warraus, Arawaks, Caribs, Akawaios, Patamonas, and Wai-Wais) in addition to East Indians, Africans, Chinese, Portuguese and other Europeans. Only 16% of the landscape is occupied by the majority of the country’s population – leaving the rest – a vast wilderness – ready for exploration. The Guyanese lifestyle is known for its relaxing and easy-going vibe with a very distinctive Caribbean culture found on the coastland. Travel south deep into the heart of the country, and you will meet the Indigenous Peoples and have an opportunity to experience their traditional way of life. Travel further south into the Guiana Shield, part of Amazonia, where daily life and culture has been influenced by neighbouring Brazil. This incredible melting pot of peoples is the soul of Guyana and the reason for its amazing cuisine, music and art.

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OF THE POPULATION LIVES
ON THE COASTLINE

ETHNIC GROUPS

GROUPS OF
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

MAIN RELIGIONS

Languages

English Creolese is the most commonly spoken language in Guyana, along with separate dialects of the Indigenous Peoples. First-timers might find it hard to get a grasp immediately. Give yourself a couple of days talking with friendly locals and a read of the ‘A Plate – a Guyana Cook Up’, and you will feel like an insider. As you move south, you will find the locals speaking some amount of Portuguese just as well as their Brazilian neighbours.

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Land Of The Giants

Guyana’s Giants

The thick forests and river systems are home to iconic animals and birds. 820 plus birds, 228 species of mammals, 900 species of fish and more than 6500 plants have given Guyana its deserved reputation as a serious wildlife and birding destination. Travellers often come with extensive checklists when visiting the many protected areas and pristine rainforest – hoping for glimpses of jaguars, arapaima (world’s largest freshwater fish), giant anteaters, Harpy eagles, capybaras, giant river otters, black caimans and the world’s largest lily, Victoria Amazonica. Other heart-stoppers include puma, leatherback turtles, bird-eating spiders, several species of monkeys and a host of snakes – bushmasters, anacondas, rattlesnakes, labarias and corals.

Jaguar-King of the Jungle

One of the more popular ‘giants’ and most famous animal in South America, the jaguar plays a vital role in its habitat by regulating other species’ populations and contributing to the maintenance of a healthy ecosystem. The best places to spot these beautiful creatures are in Guyana’s Protected Areas and along remote rivers in the early mornings or late afternoons. While there is no guarantee that you may spot a jaguar on your first visit, excursions can be arranged to take travellers to the areas where the jaguars are most frequently seen.

Arapaima – World’s Largest Scaled Freshwater Fish

The network of Essequibo, Rupununi and the Rewa Rivers are home to oxbow lakes and ponds which house a healthy population of arapaima, the world’s largest scaled freshwater fish. Fishing enthusiasts from all over the world visit Guyana to try their luck at sustainable catch and release fly fishing for the species. As a protected species, this freshwater giant has to be constantly monitored by the village of Rewa and its partner organisations. This conservation effort has helped to restore the arapaima population to well over 4,000 in the area.

Harpy Eagle-The Most Majestic Bird Of Guyana

Often on the wish list of many birdwatchers, the Harpy Eagle can be found in the untouched canopies of the Kanuku Mountains and Iwokrama Rainforest. Pristine tropical rainforest is the perfect home for this majestic beauty as it offers them ample prey to feed. The Iwokrama River Lodge, Atta Rainforest Lodge, Rewa Eco-Lodge and Surama Eco-lodge make the ideal launch pads to spot this species in the North Rupununi. Along the coast, the magnificent bird can often be spotted near the village of Warapoka.

Giant Anteater – World’s Largest Anteate

With small eyes and ears that contrast its large snout, body and tail, the world’s largest anteater is truly an extraordinary animal to see. They are found in the Iwokrama Forest and the Rupununi Savannahs. It takes a trained eye to spot these unique animals, but your chances increase if you stay at Karanambu Lodge, Waikin Ranch or Caiman House in the North Rupununi, or Wichabai and Saddle Mountain Ranch in the South Rupununi. They are known to have been spotted near these establishments more frequently than other sites.

Giant River Otter – World’s Largest and Rarest Otter

Guyana’s giant river otters are a surprise – the largest in the world. They were first documented at the Karanambu Lodge in the North Rupununi in 1988. World famous conservationist, Diane McTurk, worked tirelessly on rehabilitating otters in this region. Since then, a stable population has been present in the area, providing wildlife enthusiasts an opportunity to observe these rare and extraordinary creatures. Nowadays giant river otters can be seen along expansive stretches of the Rupununi River and tributaries like the Rewa River.

Black Caiman – World’s Largest Alligator

The black caiman is the largest member of the alligatoridae family. It is a carnivorous reptile that lives along slow-moving rivers, lakes and other freshwater habitats of South America. In Guyana, they are found in abundance in the waters of the Rewa and Rupununi Rivers. These species are monitored and protected by Caiman House Field Station and Guest House in the village of Yupukari. Guests staying at the lodge can opt to join the research crew at nights for caiman spotting and tagging activities. This ongoing study is run entirely by locals.

Victoria Amazonica —World’s Largest Lily

Guyana’s national flower and the world’s largest lily can be found in lakes and the shallow waters of the Amazon Basin. The leaves extend up to three metres in diameter – which are, surprisingly big and strong enough to withstand some say the weight of a baby. The flowers are white on the night that they bloom and turn pink on the second night.

ABOUT GUYANA

Travelling as a major factor in personal development.

Pre-Columbian History

Get Inspired

Get Inspired

People

Jaguar-King of the Jungle

Arapaima – World’s Largest Scaled Freshwater Fish

Harpy Eagle-The Most Majestic Bird Of Guyana

Giant Anteater – World’s Largest Anteate

Giant River Otter – World’s Largest and Rarest Otter

Black Caiman – World’s Largest Alligator

Victoria Amazonica —World’s Largest Lily

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