Around Georgetown

This is Andy (I can't spell his real name let alone pronounce it) with his partner Rhonda. They met us in the Botanical Gardens about 6am one morning. He is a passionate birder and he loves getting people excited about birding. He succeeded with me at least, Gwynneth and Sandy will be pleased. We saw 50 different species in the space of 90 minutes to 2 hours. Boy were they wonderful and I even spotted two different uncommon species - I was chuffed. It was glorious just walking in th eearly morning and seeing the 4 different types of parents and several different egrets, hummingbirds, tanagers, orioles, red headed cardinal (not like our one at home). I even saw a Peregrine Falcon which my friend in Winnipeg has been trying to save for years and a limpkin and...and.......and.... it was great. Guyana is the place to see birds, such wonderful colours and so many of them actually in the city too. I just need a copy of the Guide to the Birds of Venezuela now - it is the bible of birders here. If you see a second hand one at the book sales do purchase it for me. I'll be eternally grateful!

The Walter Roth museum is really intersting with all the history of the Amerindians and their culture. They were the ones to first make hammocks and here is a picture of the special ones they make. Just about everyone has a hammock here and as well as relaxing in them in the heat of the day they also use them as beds. must say they make great spare beds for guests as you just sling them across the room. As a one time weaver I was interested in their looms too, also pictured here.

I just love this sign. It sits on a corner at a busy intersection with no arrows to guide you. Heaven knows where the concert is!

This little girl is one of the many small children who help their parents with their vending. Here she is standing outside the hospital selling drinks, sweets and food packages. She has a wadful of money in her little hands and is as quick as silver making change and giving as good as she gets to the buyers. As well as the children there are of course the wretched dogs who because they bark non stop and race around in packs at night, tend to sleep in the day. Here's a group from near us sleeping at the mail box at 7 am. Would that they would do the same at midnight!!!!.


Sometimes as in this case a band just sets up and plays like this steel band which we saw as we were cycling home one day. we stood and listened for a long time. they were good and probably practising for the upcoming carnival season......... Just like at home it seems that red and white are the colours for Valentine's day. Even in the market the local ladies wear was colour coded for the big day. Hope you all enjoyed it as well. The plastic coverings are of course to protect against the rain which could come at any time, although at present it is VERY hot, even the Guyanese say it is unusually hot and very little rain....that will come after we leave.