Palumeu, Suriname

Jack and I booked several tours in different parts of Suriname during our stay. (We booked through Access Suriname Travel www.surinametravel.com). Our first and favorite trip was to a native Indian village called Palumeu. However, in order to get there, I had to accept to take a tiny plane with only 10 seats... (Click on photos to enlarge).

Palumeu is located in the south of Suriname along the Tapanahoney River. The flight took one hour and was somewhat bumpy-- but it was worth it. Two tribes, the Wayana and the Trio, have united to create eco-lodges for tourists. Here's where we stayed:

Our Indian guide took us on walks through the rain forest. He explained how his tribe uses the various plants and also which ones to avoid. Here, he's using a palm leaf that he's scraping against his machetti; incredibly, it sounds just like a bird call and it's used as a lure when hunting.

We also did a lot of canoe trips down the river to discover rapids and waterfalls.

When we visited the Indian village, we were welcomed with a traditional bitter soup and Cassava bread. It's the custom for visitors to dip a piece of Cassava bread into the bitter soup. We later learned that the bitter soup is made from roots that are cooked for 8 hours to destroy their poison... I am glad to say that the cook followed the recipe correctly as we're all still alive!

The Wayana and Trio always look very serious or sad. We learned that smiling is reserved for intimate relations.

The tribes also live in very rudimentary shacks and survive from farming, fishing, and hunting. To improve the development of the tribes' living conditions, the elders decided to create lodges for tourists. This, in turn, is creating new jobs like making traditional jewelry for the tourists.

Lastly, take a good look at this plant. Can you identify what it is? Clue: it's the staple food for the Wayana and Trio.

It's the Cassava plant (or Manioc) from which they make flour, bread, and potato-like cubes which are used in soups. It's basically the only vegetable the Indians eat...