Berg en dal
Today is THE day: we’re leaving for our three-day-trip to Brownsberg, Berg en Dal and Ston Eiland (pronounced
When we got to Trips (the tour operator) the little bus was already ready to go. But our fellow travellers (the other students) hadn’t arrived yet.
When everyone was there and all backpacks were on the bus, we were ready to go: a three hour drive to our first destination. Our tour guide, Winston, was a very enthusiastic, smart and funny guy.
When we got to Berg en Dal it was noon already, but we decided we wanted to do something active before we ate lunch. So we all went on a 2h hiking trip on the mountain, where Hans (our puppy-cute guide) told us all sorts of things about the history of Berg en Dal. It was all very interesting, especially since most of the buildings were still intact. His “people” and “yes” got a bit annoying after the tenth time we got to hear it, but we coped with it.
A little spooky fact: one entire side of the “mountain” has once been used to bury the slaves that worked on the plantage. So where ever you go, you might step on the remains (or bones, since it’s been a few hundred years since they were buried there) of someone.
After two hours of sweaty walking and climbing, we finally were back to our starting point and ready for the next challenge: kayaking.
Marij and I got a double and Tineke was lucky enough to be “carried” over the water by the guide. The rest of us had to manage on their own. We decided to go upstream first and let the currant carry us back to where we started. And lucky me I got Marij with me, cause a HUGE bee-like insect decided to come over for a free ride. The “insectophobe” that I am, I totally freaked out and got hyperventilating… she calmed me down and when I was ready, we continued our trip peacefully. When we reached the turn of the river where we were supposed to stop and turn back, we took our peddles in the kayak and let us float back. This gave us the opportunity to enjoy all the nature around us. And of course we got another visit from our bee-friend, but Marij splashed it away (which got me all wet too, but it was refreshing rather than annoying). When we eventually arrived back at the starting point, we got the chance to go for a bit of swimming. After that: lunch time!
The third part was the most exciting one: canopying! The group got divided into two, because there were too many of us to go in one turn. I waited for the second round, to give lunch some time to digest first. When it was our turn, we got geared up and got a ‘how to’ and a trial run. This was going to be fun!
Two guides were going to come along: one to go First and catch us and one to stay behind and get us all going. There were 10 platforms, so 9 cables. The first ones were pretty mild ones. The ride from platform 7 to platform 8 was the craziest one: 35m up, 174m long… Right across the
We also got the chance to do some animal spotting: at platform 9a we saw a huge tarantula and when we got to 9b monkeys were all around us, curious to what caused all that turmoil.
The last cable was also a nice experience: this was the one where we could hang upside down. The girls were too chicken to try that, so instead they just let go of the cable, which made the circle around their cords.
To compensate for my freaking out with the bee, I on the other hand DID try it out and I must say it was the most spectacular thing I have ever done! You look down and see the forest shoot by while you go, you can’t see where you’re going, only where you’re coming from. Only sad thing is that none of us had a camera with him :(
When everyone had arrived, it was time to head back to the other side of the river and head to the location at which we would stay for the night: Ston Eiland. Not a minute of boredom on the way there: singing wrong songs, telling jokes and stories, … (as compensation of not having music)
The cabins both smelled weird (manure-like) so Marij and I chose to sleep in the kitchen (with our hammocks of course).
Evi, Tineke and Sharon went to bed early, the rest of us stayed up for some socializing. Around 3am we eventually got tired and went to bed.
For the third time today I got a creepy visitor: a spider this time, who had decided to have a nap on my mosquito net. And yet again Marij came to the rescue. How I love having her around! :p
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Brownsberg
At 6am the nice aromas from Kokki’s (our personal chef) cookings woke us up: scrambled eggs with tomatoes, cucumber and sandwiches with sandwichspread, peanut butter or jam.
When our tummies were filled, we got on the bus again to go to our second stop: Brownsberg.
One hell of a ride up the mountain. Steep, slippery, narrow roads, quite an adventure on its own.
Finally arrived at the reception, where we could recover from the ride and stretch our legs a bit. When everyone was ready, we went on a long hiking trip. First stop: the Irene waterfall at about a 2h descending walk through the rainforest. Too bad we couldn’t enjoy nature at its fullest, since we were too busy looking at our feet so we wouldn’t trip over tree roots, step in mud pools or miss a step. All sweaty and tired, we arrived at the fall. And what a beautiful sight! A 10m waterfall, with a small clear creek running away from it. Everyone quickly undressed and hurried to the waterfall for some cooling down. The water was freezing cold (colder than our showers at home), but after a walk like this, no one cared and was happy with the refreshment. We stayed there for a little while longer, just enjoying the cold water and sunshine.
It was past noon already and everyone was getting a bit of an appetite. Too bad no one had thought of bringing something to eat with them… We head back up the mountain, there was another fall we wanted to see: the Leo waterfall. After about half an hour, we reached it. We thought the Irene fall was beautiful, but it was nothing compared to this one! Leo fall was only a bit higher than Irene, but it was a straight drop down and we could feel the difference when, for the second time today, we took our clothes off and had a good shower. Leo was one hell of a masseur and everyone enjoyed it. You couldn’t stand under it for too long, cause the force with which the water came down literally took your breath away.
When everyone had enough of the relaxing water, we head up the mountain again and head back to our starting point. By that time, our stomachs were all completely empty and growling, so we all hurried back up. The food was delicious and satisfying and we all needed a bit of time out after that. Winston had one more thing to show us: the top of the Brownsberg. It was one more climb, but it was so worth it! The view was spectacular, almost 360° around you, nothing but forest. You could also see the Brokopondo lake with Ston Eiland. After a moment of silence, the guide told us it was time to head back, cause we really should be off the mountain before dark.
When we got back to Ston Eiland, Kokki (you know, our chef) was busy getting the BBQ ready. And after dinner: a campfire by the lake, the perfect way to end the day.
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Ston Eiland and the Brokopondo lake
Today we are going for a trip in a korjaal (think: speedboat meets rowboat) over the lake. When everyone had their super sexy life jackets on, we were ready to go. It will be a more relaxing day today, not too much hiking and walking. Even the boat ride was a quiet and serene one. The boatman first took us to a small rapid (not on the lake, but rapids that lead a small river in the lake) which we could climb. The way up wasn’t a problem, only needed to make sure you didn’t step on a slippery rock. The way down was a bit tougher. Tineke slipped and leaned on me for support, which made me loose my balance. I didn’t have anyone to turn to, so my foot slipped and got stuck between two rocks. Hurt like hell, but no big problems. I got my foot out, rested for a little while and was able to get down safely again.
After that, the boat guy took us to a small island. It was first used to dump sand on, when it had been checked for gold. Now, the poorer gold diggers come here to double check it. We used it as a great beach and went for a swim in the warm water. We weren’t allowed to go too far, cause the lake was piranha territory. Luckily (or too bad?) we didn’t come across one.
After about 15 minutes, the korjaal came back to take us back to Ston Eiland. Again, we took our clothes off and went for a swim, while we waited for lunch to be ready. Seems like we stripped a lot this weekend, huh? :p
Before we could eat, we had to pack everything and put it on the bus. After lunch, it was time to head back to the city. We were all exhausted and I tried to nap a bit on the way there, but that wasn’t quite possible: the road was very wobbly and bumpy and shook you awake every time you even though about falling asleep.
Back in town. God, how I hate being here now. The silence of the nature really got to me and I absolutely don’t want to get back in this rushing, busy, stinking city.
We got out, took our stuff and head straight to ‘t Vat for a drink. Winston and Kokki joined us not long after to talk a bit about the weekend. When they had left to go their own ways again, we walked to
We are all completely worn out from this weekend, but thankfully we have a day off tomorrow, so we can recover.
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