December 29th
Today, students reacquainted themselves with life on land with a trip into Surinameâs capital, Paramaribo. It was a sweltering, sunny day, punctuated by short rain showers. Our guides did warn us that the weather in Suriname is unpredictable. In the city, students ventured off in groups of four or more, taking in the distinctive Dutch colonial architecture of the city and enjoying local culture and food. For many, the wooden church was a highlight; it was once the tallest church in the Caribbean. The palm tree garden was also a standout, with many students unable to resist a turn on the teeter totter in the middle of the garden.
December 30th
Today, we ventured into the jungle. After a two-hour bus ride, we hopped into motorized canoes and enjoyed a refreshing cruise through the jungle to arrive at our welcoming, cozy, and VERY PINK ecolodge, Isadou. A delicious lunch of curry and roti awaited us upon arrival. After lunch, many students headed straight to the river to cool off. Others broke out the fishing rods; it wasnât long before their first catch. Some of the teachers enjoyed a birdwatching tour of the island. After dinner, half of the watches went on a late-night cayman spotting tour. They also spotted a sloth and a snake in the trees.
December 31st
After breakfast, we boarded our canoes for the short jaunt over to Jaw Jaw, a village neighbouring our ecolodge. Our guides led us to a gorgeous treehouse home base, complete with hammocks, cats, parrots, and several much-needed high-powered fans. After a bit of cool-down time, we headed over to a cassava field. We learned about traditional agricultural methods and students got the chance to dig up cassava roots. They replanted the remaining plant material, which will regrow and be harvested next year. Students marvelled at some of the other local flora and faunaâcoconuts, pineapples, lemongrass, and the tarantulas and giant crickets that live among the plants. Many of the students were even brave enough to hold the tarantulas, while Orla looked on in horror! Later, students divided into Watch groups and rotated through several activities: learning about and preparing amala, a fruit used as a local medicine, pounding rice, and processing the cassava they harvested to make bread, all the while mingling with locals. The hollowed-out amala fruits were carved by our students, creating gorgeous pieces of art. In the afternoon, students returned to the ecolodge to rest and recharge before another round of cayman spotting at night. At midnight, sparklers and fireworks lit up the sky as the Class Afloat crew celebrated the end of an adventurous year and the beginning of a brand new one, which is sure to be filled with fun, learning, and plenty of surprises.
January 1st
Our guides treated us to a morning hike through the jungle, highlighting interesting plants and animals along the way. Did you know that there are trees that sound like drums when you hit them, alerting anyone in the area to your location? You should Google âmonkey brushes,â âskeleton spiders,â and âUlysses butterflies,â all of which were spotted by our students on the hike. After one last beautiful lunch at the ecolodge, we headed back to the Alex 2. Next stop: Barbados!
January 2nd
Travel back to the Alex-2