Hosting Our First Tour In The Village Foetoenakaba

 Hosting Our First Tour In Foetoenakaba

Welcome back my Story Time friends! I am excited to take you guys on another travel adventure. We're going to Sipaliwini again. I instantly miss the place whenever I sit behind my laptop and create content about the villages. Sipaliwini is the largest and greenest district in Suriname. When I was 15 years old I visited Sipaliwini for the first time and arrived in Foetoenakaba. It was the first time I visited a maroon village in this part of the country. Years later, life brought me back to Foetoenakaba. We headed there a day earlier before our guests arrived. It was the first tour we organized and the first time my boat would have passengers. A special moment, that has become a fond memory. Getting there was hectic. It involved a lot of preparations and we left late from the city. Thanks to our friends in Paramaribo and Sipaliwini we arrived to catch the last boat at Atjonie. The boat was loaded with barrels since this boat was initially meant to transport goods. We just lifted along to get to our destination. Because of the dry season, the water in the river was low. It took us longer to arrive. When we landed in the village it was already dark. Back then they had problems with their generator. Without a generator to provide electricity, we were left in the dark. Thankfully one of our hosts showed up with a small generator. We planned our tour schedule for the next day and decided to give our guests a tour of Foetoenakaba. We would show them how Maripa oil is made in the village and how the locals farm and produce rice. They would also see the school and the only tiled road in all the villages up the river. I didn't film anything of our experience there during the night because we were busy. The next morning we had to wake up early and go to Botopasi. There we picked up our international guests who arrived with the plane. Botopasi is not far from Foetoenakaba. It has a small field that is supposed to resemble an airstrip. These small airstrips are spread all over the interior of Suriname. The airplane that landed was piloted by a woman. Our guests were transported and accommodated by Surinamese women. All the boys on our team were impressed when they saw that a woman was the pilot. We welcomed our guests and after a short walk through Botopasi, we ended up at our boat. After a few minutes on the river, we set foot in Foetoenakaba. They enjoyed their tour and even admired the pet turtles the locals kept. I didn't have the heart to tell them the turtles were not kept as pets. Some villagers raise turtles to slaughter and cook. 

Just like how some people keep chickens in their backyard. When we were done in Foetoenakaba we went to Masia. They got the chance to meet the female farmers of Masia.  Our guests were short on time. So we left Masia and headed towards Tap A Watra.  The Village Chief of Foetoenakaba. Chief Petrusi, introduced us to the Granmang. He is like the King in this area. All the Maroon villages on this part of the Suriname River fall under his leadership. Once we said goodbye to the Granmang, our guests dipped in the water at Tap A Watra Falls. We climbed up the hill behind Tap A Watra Falls and found another airstrip. 

The pilot was already waiting on the field to pick up our guests. We waved them off and returned to Foetoenakaba. The next morning we took a boat to return to Paramaribo.  I was proud of the way my boat performed. After all the struggles I had been through to get my boat, this moment made me feel like it was worth it! I kissed my sexy 48-foot chunk of wood goodbye and I promised to return. Because a beauty like that deserves to sail the river. That's when I decided to call her Queen Honey Bee. I can't wait to experience many more adventures in my magical vessel. It cost me blood, sweat, and tears. That's why for me this vessel has become priceless. I made a vlog of our trip to Foetoenakaba. I hope you guys enjoy it. Do you want to sail off into the ocean or draft in rivers? Allow Expedia to be your travel buddy. Expedia can help you find the best deals for your destination. As an affiliate partner, I earn a commission when you book through the link.