An Asian Mermaid Lost In Transition
Good news for Filipinos! It is visa-free to go to Brazil.
HOW TO GET THERE: We took a flight from Suriname to Brazil that costs us about 350 US to 400 US per person (return). It includes a connecting flight of about 1 to 2 hours to Belem and another one-hour flight to Brasilia.
December 31 is the time of the year where people all over Suriname gathered in the center of the city to celebrate Owru Yari (old year) or literally the blasting away of evil spirits by lighting up a really long string of fireworks called the pagara estafette.
Bequia is the second largest island in the Grenadines. Described by the press as “the perfect Caribbean Island”, it used to be a volcanic island. It has a yacht-filled harbor and is bordered by excellent beaches both the windward (east and south-east) and leeward (west) sides. Its capital is Port Elizabeth.
Fort Charlotte is one of the most interesting historical site in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and is situated at 600 ft above the bay.
On our way to the Buccament Bay Resort, we decided to pass by the huge fortress. The taxi driver was really informative about its history. While driving to the ridge part of the Fort, he talked about how
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is located in the southern part of the Caribbean. It is composed of 32 beautiful islands including Bequia, Mustique, Tobago Cays, Young Island, Union Island, Palm Island, Petit St. Vincent, Canouan and Mayreau.
Also known as Ingi Dei, is a national holiday celebrated every August 9 to acknowledge the indigenous people living in Suriname. The indigenous tribes include the Arawaks and Caribs, considered to be the largest group, followed by the Akurio, Trió, Warrau and Wayana.
One of the most unforgettable experiences I had in Brasilia was dining at Porcão, known as one of the top restaurants in Brazil.
LA SOUFRIÈRE FAST FACTS:
Suriname is located at the northeast part of South America. It was colonized by the Netherlands in the 17th century and became independent in 1975.
It is a multicultural country with strong African and Asian influences. The inhabitants of Suriname include the indigenous people (Amer-Indians), African, Hindustani, Javanese, Chinese, Dutch, Brazilians and now, Filipinos.
