An experience of a lifetime

– A Trinidadian’s 1st visit to the breathtaking Rupununi

Having been transported from the ubiquitous asphalt roads of the highly populated urban areas of Guyana, where everything is done in an accustomed rush and hurry, into a place of such solitude as would enable deep personal reflection and appreciation of the mesmerising beauty of nature – where even his toes were transformed into veritable sifters for the scores of beautiful platelets of sand beneath them — one Trinidadian is now left astonished after making a trip to the far lands of the South Rupununi region of Guyana in South America, where he encountered countless sight he had never previously experienced.

Twenty-year-old Mishael Henry, a Venezuelan-born male who resided in Trinidad and Tobago for 17 years of his life, had set foot on the shores of the Republic of Guyana earlier this year. He had always been intrigued by what he had heard about the fascinating sights that Guyana has to offer, and had long desired to experience Guyana’s hinterland areas, but work and other commitments had hitherto made this desire unachievable.
The situation changed when he was assigned to represent Guyana Times, his place of employment, on a media familiarization trip to the South Rupununi, sponsored by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA). Even after hearing that the journey would be overland, this enthusiastic young man was undaunted.
The journey by minibus lasted for approximately 12 hours, through the night into the morning, and he spent the entire time with his face glued to the window despite the darkness and fog that enveloped the Linden-to-Lethem trail. Reminiscing on
the experience, he admitted to being overawed by the thick fog that enveloped the track to Karturuma on the journey to South Rupununi.
“I was a little hesitant whilst on the track, but the drivers knew what they were doing, because it was a lot of fog,” he stated.

Every detail of these vast savannahs unfolding before his incredulous eyes became indelibly etched on the canvas of his memory although he was seeing it for the first time. According to Henry, the place reminded him of why Africa is called the “cradle of civilization”, and he wished more Guyanese would explore Guyana’s Rupununi Savannahs instead of travelling to other distant lands to experience a “feeling” they could get right within Guyana.
“When we were in the minibus, the terrain just gradually switched up, and I felt as if I went into a portal to Africa or something… Guyana’s savannahs are of international level, and everyone in Guyana should experience this, and not go elsewhere to experience it,” Henry has said.

Henry confessed that even before he had disembarked the bus to immerse himself in ‘the natural mystic’ of the South Rupununi, he felt as if he were on a spider’s web that was being woven into an array of cultures. Deeply impressed by the sandy roads of the Rupununi, Henry is convinced that despite calls being made to improve the roadways, the dusty roads should remain because they are a vital part of Guyana’s peculiar tourism product.
“It adds a greater touch to the experience, that I wouldn’t trade for anything else in the world,” he declared. However, he has humbly requested that more road signs be erected to indicate distances to destinations. Warmly welcomed along the way by Guyana’s Indigenous peoples, he has expressed deep appreciation for their hospitality.
Henry has confessed that his gaze was transfixed to the windows of the minibus throughout the journey, and he had eagerly awaited the opportunity to step out into this whole new world he had discovered. Describing the journey as something out of a movie, he likened the stories people had told him about the area to the trailers (shorts) of a movie, and every part of the trip unfolding was likened to scenes from a film.
Part one of this cinematic adventure began when he visited Morai Morai Ranch in Katoonarib, where he met Village Leader Nicholas Bakes. This was his first encounter with residents of the area, and he was taught how to make a real bow and arrows – weapons used by the Amerindian people for hunting.
“The leaders there were very tactical in how they were making these arrows; and upon firing, the arrows reached great lengths. I was amazed,” he said.
He also confessed to being
conquered by the aroma and taste of the amazingly seasoned chicken, labba, deer and fish that were prepared by residents of the area.
Part two of this cinematic experience was when Henry visited the South Rupununi Ranch that is operated by the South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS) and met an array of environmentalists. Here his knees were tested as he climbed steep hills and huge mountains for the first time in his life. It took a while for the climbing party to reach to the tops of these hills and mountains, he said, but the experience made him forget all of his worries.
“People will pay millions to see this sight. I was blown away and shocked at how big Guyana is,” he remarked, adding that he didn’t think this experience could be replicated anywhere else.
Other journalists on the trip were amazed by Henry’s enthusiasm, as they had constantly heard declaring his love for Guyana. “I love you, Guyana! I love you, Guyana!” he kept saying.
Of those persons in his group, Henry was the one particularly eager to encounter a jaguar, an animal he had never seen before. And
to his surprise, one of the rangers from SRCS, whose camera was set up deep in the woods, captured footage of a jaguar moving about while Henry and his team were sleeping. The next day, they visited the exact spot where the jaguar had been recorded.
“I don’t know if anyone ever had the blessing to experience this coincidence. I always wanted to see a jaguar, and one passed by not too far from us…Guyana is not only beautiful, but holds a treasure of animals for people to witness as well,” Henry has said.
In Part 3 of this cinematic experience, he had to quickly change into tactical gear to venture into the shaded, tree-like lands of the Iwokrama hills. Here he paced upon the 200 steps that allow traverse along the 200-step Canopy. Henry relayed that he would personally encourage his Trinidadian friends to have this experience, because of the safety measures set up in the area.
“The Canopy was so strongly set up and tied to the barks of the stronger trees within the forest (that) it gave all of the journalists a sense of safety. In fact, everything within the South Rupununi was full of safety, and I will encourage even Trinidad friends to come and experience this; because, to my knowledge, there aren’t many activities like this in Trinidad for them to do,” Henry has said.
Henry has described his cinematic experience as deserving a sequel, alluding to his wish to return to the Rupununi soon. Currently on a quest to learn more about Guyana’s other hinterland areas, this Trinidadian enjoys reminiscing on the South Rupununi he has experienced.