I spent a week with friends in the rain forest who work with the Wayana Indians. Then we flew out to the city where we spent 4 days.
by Dee Dee on March 13, 2001
The 150 mile trip flying over the rain forest was memorable. The sense of isolation, the vastness of the jungle and the beauty will stay in my mind. The traffic in Paramaribo is quite an experience, especially if you are used to straight roads, lights, and sane drivers. From a botanical viewpoint, the city very much resembles South Florida. If you like tropical fruit, you will love Suriname. The flowers are gorgeous, birds plentiful, (unfortunately so are the barking dogs), and you can really find some good bargains. There is a power smoothie shop (sells wraps and subs) downtown; also Lee's Korean restaurant and an Indonesian one in the tourist section that had great food. There are at least 5 main nationalities that live in Paramaribo which gives a rich cultural mix.${QuickSuggestions} Mosquito repellant with Deet. Need to be on malaria medicine if you are going to the jungle. There are survival tours you can take into the jungle; gives you a taste of how the Indians live.${BestWay} Let a local drive.
I stayed with my friends in their home in the jungle on the edge of the river. We bathed in the river, swam in it and washed our clothes in it. Though there are piranha in all the water in Suriname, because of the current and coolness of the water, they were not a problem in this section. If anyone wants to engage in water activities in the jungle, ask one of the Indians for advice or you may pay a high price.
http://www.igougo.com/journal-j5583-Paramaribo-A_taste_of_the_rain_forest.html
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