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Sightseeing
Guyana offers the visitors a truly unique experience with nature; the heartland provides an experience with raw,
rugged nature that is an ideal complement to the more traditional tourism fare of the Caribbean. Blue waters
turn to brown as one approaches the Guyanan coastline, and brown waters assume darker hues as you journey
inward along the rivers and creeks. Black waters have their own dark, brooding serenity, even as blue waters
have a gaiety and beauty all their own.
Black waters are an important part of the tourist discovery of Guyana. Kaieteur, Orinduik, Andu and Great Falls
are all part of the majestic chain of cascades that have enchanted and mystified explorers, travelers and
tourists from as early as the nineteenth century. Kaieteur, for example, has generated in travelers feeling akin to
mystic awe and reverence. Its beauty has been described as distant and inaccessible. Orinduik, on the other
hand, has been regarded as the more 'accessible' of the two falls, a natural jacuzzi for the adventurous traveler.
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Georgetown |
Guyana's capital city and chief port, is situated on the right bank of the estuary of the Demerara
River. This site was originally chosen as a Fort to guard the early Dutch settlements of the Demerara River.
The city of Georgetown was designed largely by the Dutch and is laid out in a rectangular pattern with wide
tree-lined avenues and irrigation canals, that crisscross the city. Most of the city's historical buildings are
wooden in construction, reflecting the unique 18th and 19th century architecture. A leisurely walk around
Georgetown will provide several excellent examples of Guyana's colonial architecture.
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Parliament Building |
Designed by Joseph Hadfield and constructed in 1833. At this site Guyana's emancipated slaves
purchased for the first time, their own land. To this day, Parliament still meets at this historic site, and most
recently was addressed by Queen Elizabeth the Second during her four-day state visit to Guyana in February
1994.
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Stabroek |
Guyana's largest and busiest market. It is housed both on land and water. The name Stabroek is derived from the Guyana's Dutch ancestry and the building was originally built of wood. The new market was designed and built by two American firms. Once
described as a "Bizarre Bazaar" anything from gold jewelry to fruits and vegetables can be found.
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The Law Courts |
Designed by C. Castellani and opened on May 24th, 1887. In front of the courts stands a statue of Queen Victoria, a tribute to
Guyana's British ancestry. Obliquely opposite the Law Courts is St. Andrew's Kirk, the oldest surviving structure
of any church in Guyana, which was built in 1829. Travelling north up Avenue of the Republic and adjacent to the
Law Courts is City Hall, which houses the administrative offices of the City of Georgetown. This building is a
splendid example of Gothic architecture, designed by the Very Reverend Father Ignatius Scoles S.J. The
foundation stone was laid on December 23, 1887 and the building was opened on July 1, 1889.
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St. George's Cathedral |
One of the tallest free-standing wooden buildings in the world. Located a few yards up the promenade from
City Hall, St. George's was designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield and the foundation stone was laid on
November 21, 1189. A glimpse of the Cathedral's interior is highly recommended as the story of the building is
told on its interior walls on tablets and memorials of a historical and sentimental nature. It is the tale of the
history of Guyana and of the Diocese in particular. In front of St. George's Cathedral is Company Path Gardens,
a tribute to the founding leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement. Guyana hosted the historic 1972 Non-Aligned
Heads of Government Conference.
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Guyana National Museum |
Contains a broad selection of our animal life and heritage. Leaving the museum by the same route brings you
back onto the Avenue which leads into Main Street and the principal shopping area. A walk along Main Street's
tree-lined Avenue will take you past shops and some of Georgetown's most beautiful historical buildings and
fine examples of classic 18th and 19th century architecture made of wood. Many buildings have Demerara
Shutters (louvered wooden shutters with window boxes enclosed in fret work). Begin at the Park Hotel,
continuing to the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology and of course "State House." Originally the home of the
British Governor, it is now the official residence of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, the President of Guyana. Further along
Main Street is The Prime Minister's Residence. Formerly owned by Booker Brothers, it was said that the
Director of Bookers would watch the ships come in from this house and that the captains were aware of this
and would ensure that the port side of their ships were always painted.
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Umana Yana
or
"meeting place of the people" |
A thatched benab built by the Wai Wai Indians for the Heads of the Non-Aligned Movement Conference in 1972. The final
stop along your walk is the sea wall, which was built to protect the city from the sea, as the coast land is seven feet below sea level.
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