Birkendal Resort Saturday 7th January 2012

Birkendahl Hertiage Village, Suriname.

      After a very late night doing emails, baking bread and preparing for today's activities we manage to sleep late.  Awakened by Esther phoning to say that she is on her way we rush to pack all we need for a days relaxation.  Maria is with us so we need two cars for the six people and all the equipment.
  We arrive close on 10 o’clock and unload hammocks, BBQ, cool boxes and so on, during coffee most decide to go ‘ziplinning’ after lunch and some canoeing or hiking after that.  Also at coffee Esther makes a short speech to give Malcolm his birthday present.  Ok it’s a day early but there are six of us so it’s a good opportunity for celebration.
  An early lunch is needed so Otto prepares the BBQ and we girls set the table, just time for a cooling swim in the river.  Wicher has marinaded a huge fish with lime ginger and other spices which is served with Pasta, rice and green salads, BBQ sauces and hot Ciabatta bread.

  The team set off for an introduction to ziplinning and then depart, photos in Picasa.  On their return we have another bite to eat and the next activity is canoeing or hiking.  Otto and I chill out and neatly avoid a downpour in which we manage to keep everything dry-ish.  Maria cuts the hike short and the canoeists return absolutely drowned! More food on the BBQ scallops, chicken, chops etc. Then we realise that the resort closes at six thirty so we make a hasty retreat avoiding what rain we can. 
  The only blip in a fantastic day is that Esther’s car decides it needs more attention. The problem oil leak causes more trouble and the day is ended by towing it home.
That aside I must say here that Suriname is making a great job of tourism, none of the tacky trash which comes with western ideas about travel, a country with pristine nature areas and plenty to offer. It rightly deserves the title ‘Jewel of the Jungle’.
    Monday, we cope  with checking out of Suriname, final shopping care of Robie & his taxi and take Esther lunch now that she is car-less.  Later we are Maria’s guests for dinner at her apartment.  More Celebrations for the birthday boy and we get back to ‘Piano’ late but happy.
  Tuesday all set and off we go.  No I don’t believe it! The auto pilot is not working and Malcolm’s Dell is really competing for first prize, a close run competition since the freezer is back to it’s old trick of only freezing half the food!
We continued on towards Paramibo and calibrate the new log on the way , then drop anchor in front of the Hotel.  After unpacking the hold and testing the electrics, Malcolm decides that the motor is caput.  We have now missed the favourable tide so chill out catching up with Fred & Marianne (Kostad) whom we last saw in Portimao.
  No need to go ashore here, we wake early on Wednesday and begin our sail to St Lucia.
I’ll leave that ‘til the next Blog.