‘Clipper Adventurer' leaves today after ecotourism expedition
- Guyana described as absolutely unbelievable
Kaieteur News
March 31, 2007
The Guyana tourism sector is attracting more foreigners who have displayed an interest in ecotourism. On Thursday more than 100 ecotourists, among them bird-watchers arrived aboard the expedition cruising vessel, M/S Clipper Adventurer that is currently on the Guyana leg of the five-country nature tour.
The Guyana leg has been facilitated by Evergreen Adventures, which has been organising tours for clients from more than 80 countries around the world, ever since it was founded in 1989 by the Correia family.
The vessel leaves for Venezuela today, but not before a visit to Saxakalli in the Essequibo River
Yesterday the visitors were taken to the Baganara Island resort before being flown to Kaieteur Falls and Nature Park.
“Absolutely spectacular...The colours and wildlife are unimaginable,” articulated one tourist
“I am amazed to see such vast undisturbed rainforest covering so much of the country...Guyana is absolutely unbelievable,” said another.
While at Baganara the visitors feasted on a buffet lunch which was highlighted by a touch of Garde Manger (Vegetable and fruit sculpting) by Baganara's head chef, Trevor Marks.
Garde Manger was recently introduced to local chefs by Trinidadian Selwyn Wickham, a consultant from the Caribbean Hotel Association .
Some of the bird watching enthusiasts used the opportunity to tour the island's nature trail in pursuit of the different species of birds.
One of the visitors related, “To see the cock-of-the-rock at any time during the trip would be the climax of my vacation.”
The visitors also embarked on a river expedition on the Essequibo and its tributaries and visited some of the islands including Fort Island where they visited Fort Zeelandia, and the recently rehabilitated Court of Policy that is now the Dutch museum.
The voyage also included visits to Bartica and Fort Kyk-over-al.
Yesterday cruise ship captain, Phillip Dieckmann, opened his vessel to the local media.
During the tour, the captain explained that the ship could accommodate120 passengers and 75 staff members, including crew.
It caters for hi-end tourism such as eco-tourism and birding.
The captain noted that the main attraction of the voyages on which the vessel embarks is the educational aspect.
“The Clipper Cruise Line is recommended for experienced travelers who like the cozy ambiance of a country inn where people are recognized by name… those with inquisitive minds who travel to learn,” said Dieckmann
He said, “The experience is enhanced by an onboard country historian and bio-life expert who would conduct lectures related to the different counties they would visit… add to the passenger's enrichment, informal talks during shore excursions and over cocktails at the end of the day”.
Because the ship carries just over 100 passengers, everyone meets everyone very soon and a natural camaraderie occurs swiftly. That is abetted by the young American crew, a frequently lauded asset of this cruise line, he added.
The Clipper Adventurer undertakes a wide variety of voyages in Europe, the Canadian Arctic, the U.S., South America, and Antarctica.
There are two lounges, the Main Lounge and Bar on Promenade Deck. There is also a library a small workout room, a gift shop, and a hair salon.
Coordinator of the Guyana leg of the trip, Abdoul Ba, Sales and Marketing Manager of Evergreen Adventures, said that eco-tourism is the future of tourism in Guyana.
This is the third voyage to Guyana for the M/S Clipper Adventurer facilitated by Evergreen Adventures.