My Journey Into Mandarin at the Confucius Institute Suriname Dajia hao! (Hello everyone! 👋) Shachem Lieuw here, back with another Story Time Productions update! 🎥 Last year, I was a bit quiet on the blog, but if you’ve been following my journey, you know I don't just "sit still." Between my entrepreneurial ventures , tech developments , and various social projects across Suriname, my plate has been overflowing! 🏗️💻 But today, I want to share a very personal project: Learning Mandarin Chinese. 🏮 Reclaiming the Legacy of the Lieuw Name 🧬 For those who see me, I’m a super mixed Surinamese "brown baby," but I carry a Chinese family name with a lot of history. My grandfather and my ancestors all spoke Chinese. My dad is fluent in both Mandarin and Hakka . In fact, Hakka is our true family language—the one my dad learned directly from his grandfather. I realized recently that I didn't want to be the first Lieuw generation to let the language stop with...
Exploring Carolina Kreek Suriname: Planes, Nature, and Fietjeball Wins!
Exploring Carolina Kreek Suriname: Planes, Nature, and Fietjeball Wins!
Hey everyone, Shachem Lieuw here from Story Time Productions! 🎥
If you’ve been following my journey, you know I’ve officially checked off all 10 districts of Suriname. But even after roaming the entire country, there’s something special about returning to a classic spot. Recently, a good friend of mine was celebrating his birthday and invited me along for a trip to Carolina Kreek.
I used to visit Carolina frequently, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been back—not since before the COVID-19 pandemic. It felt great to leave the city noise behind and get back into the "busi."
The Journey: Districts & Plane Spotting ✈️☁️
The drive from Paramaribo takes you through the heart of Wanica and deep into the lush Para District. It’s about a 1 to 1.5-hour trip, and the scenery changes beautifully as the buildings get replaced by towering mahogany trees.
As we passed through Zanderij, I had my camera ready. I managed to catch some epic footage of planes for my Carolina Kreek vlog. There’s something powerful about seeing those massive wings cutting through our tropical sky right above the jungle canopy.
What exactly is a "Kreek"? 🌊
For my international readers, a "kreek" (creek) in Suriname is a natural blackwater stream. Because of the fallen leaves and minerals from the forest floor, the water has a dark, tea-like color. Don't let the color fool you—it’s incredibly clean, naturally cool, and the best way to handle Suriname’s tropical climate.
Surprises at the Resort: The New Fountain Pool 🏊♂️⛲️
Since I hadn’t been to Carolina in a few years, I was surprised to see how much they’ve upgraded the place! They now have a cool swimming pool with fountain features.
The best part? They actually use the natural creek water for the pool! You get the structure and fun of a pool while swimming in the refreshing, mineral-rich water of the creek. It’s the perfect blend of man-made comfort and nature.
Game On: Fietjeball Domination ⚽🏆
When we weren't in the water, we were hanging out in the recreation area. They have pool tables, but the real action was at the Fietjeball board.
What is Fietjeball?
In English, you’d call it a "Soccer Board Game" or "Table Football." It’s played on a large board with metal rods sticking out of the sides that you use to spin and slide your players. A set number of balls are kept in the board, and you throw one in at a time, racing to see who can score the most goals against their opponent.
It takes fast reflexes and a lot of coordination. I’ll be honest—I didn't let the birthday vibes slow me down. I kicked the guys' asses several times! 🥇
The Soul of the Journey 🌿🦋
Even though I’ve traveled all 10 districts, I never get tired of the details. I spent a lot of time just admiring the massive trees, the vibrant birds, and the butterflies dancing through the air.
Suriname is a hidden gem—a unique mix of South American geography and Caribbean soul. There is so much peace to be found when you step outside the city.
Want to see more of my roadtrips across the districts? Make sure to subscribe to the blog for more adventures, travel tips, and behind-the-scenes looks at my vlogs! 🎒🇸🇷 For now, my dearest friends, enjoy this vlog. You can even find the prices for Carolina Creek in my video.
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