Speedwell of Hong Kong off Baganara Resort Guyana

After picking up a few essential parts in Trinidad (and a tub of Gorilla Glue), I set sail once more for Guyana. It was time to take a closer look and make tentative arrangements to facilitate the reception of my newly conceived rally.

I was happy to see that not much had changed in the last 6 months.

The first fast food restaurants reach Bartica.. What next?

Other than a newly established fast food outlet.

I’m not sure they’re getting the right message across here….

And the introduction of garbage bins…. Though it might be a while before people realize what those are for.

Did you hear the one about 3 men and a cow?

With the influx of cash from gold mining, Bartica will inevitably change, but for the moment, it’s still the wild west…

Apparently it landed on the wicked witch of the west.

Obviously the sooner people come visit, the more authentic the experience.

Six yachts were visiting Guyana while I was there! An unheard of increase, considering that in 2011 the total number of visiting yachts for an entire year was 11.

Thanks largely to the efforts of Kit Nascimento, formalities for yachts visiting Guyana are are about as simple as they can be. An accomplishment worth applauding… Suriname and Brazil take note….

An enthusiastic Australian crew check in at immigration. Bartica Guyana

I was happy to meet the crew of yachts I’d come across in my previous travels, including Speedwell of Hong Kong, and Sandpiper 2.

I knew Shirley would be found anchored off Baganara Resort (a proposed stop for the rally), because the Gorilla Glue delivery was for her. Well not quite… It was really for Bernhard, who needed it to complete his new dingy.

Boat building materials… Gorilla Glue and a bottle of rum from Martinique.

Bernhard gave me a set of GPS coordinates detailing an alternate route along the Essequibo that should shave several miles off my next visit. Once I’ve checked them I’ll post the new route.

Good company and good food on “do it”. Guyana

I’m reluctant to share them at this point because there are occasional unpleasant surprises along the river as the crew of Do It discovered and I can think of nicer ways than running aground to have an uncharted rock named after your yacht.

“Do it Rock” surfacing at low tide.

Next stop…. Saint Laurent du Maroni to see what the local council thinks of playing host to an annual yacht rally…..