van Blommensteinmeer/Stuwmeer
Van Blommensteinmeer (Stuwmeer)
The Van Blommensteinmeer(Stuwmeer) is situated in the district of Brokopondo. The building of a 54 meter high dam in the Suriname river started in 1959 and six(6) years later electricity delivery started. For the Maroons formerly living in the flooded area (as large as Utrecht), another village called Koffiekamp was build. The wild animals living in that area, also were taken care of.
Generation of electricity: an average of 120 megawatt: 40 megawatt for Suralco, 22 megawatt for Cambior (Company that works up gold). What is left for the city, 58 megawatt, is not enough(the city needs 80 megawatt). So when the water level is low Paranam must start up the generators to deliver more electricity.
Schedule for the tour to Stuwmeer
Day 1
Departure from the city will be 08.00hrs(under reservation). The bustrip will take about 2 hours. On arrival at Stuwmeer we unload the bus together and wait for instructions from the boatswain when to load the boat. We then sail for about one hour and fifteen minutes(1,15 min.) to one of the islands, Libí da wai, on Stuwmeer (under reservation). On arrival we unload the boat together and wait for instructions of the boatswain and the cook. After that you’re free to explore the island or set up your tent and after about one hour it will be time to eat!
When we had our meal we search for some trunks and branches, washed ashore, to use them for the campfire later that day. The fish catchers among us, will now go to catch some little fish with a net. About 16.00 hrs we go to another unoccupied island to catch the Toekoenari’s( the use of ‘trickfish’ is also possible). The Toekoenari is like a Perch. The best time to cath them is in the morning, before the sun gets too hot or in the afternoon when the sun is a little less hot.The participants who stay behind can have a swim or lay down in their hammocks.
Before dark the fish catchers will be back, with the Toekoenari’s of course, and then it’s time for the cook and his helpers to clean the fish(you can always lend a helping hand). The cook will appreciate all the help he can get! Supper will be served sooner than you think! After we had supper it’s time to sit by the campfire( we use the trunks and branches we found earlier) and have some coffee, tea or something else. If you like to have want alcoholic drink you have to bring it yourself or ask your touroperator, before the trip, to take care of that. When we sit by the campfire we listen to jokes and stories. After we all had our laughs we can pay a visit to our tents or hammocks! Sleeping time! Good night everyone!
Day 2
The fish catchers among us will be woken up to have something to eat(bread) and to assist the cook or boatswain to catch some little fish with a net,so the Toekoenari’s could be catched again. The rest of the group can wake up on their own time, have something to eat and drink. After you’ve had breakfast you’re free to fill in your morning (go for a swim, sunbathe or take a walk). The fish catchers will be back by 10.00hrs, with of course, the Toekoenarie’s. A walk in the jungle is on the schedule for the afternoon. We will be walking in shallow rillets, between rocks and little waterfalls(not always) will be back in camp before dark, have a bath in the lake, and start with our supper. After supper it will be time for campfire.
Day 3
When we had our breakfast it will be time to pack the tents and hammocks. For the fanatic fishers among us, there will be time to go fishing. At 12.00hrs we reload the boat and leave the island on 13.00hrs . If time is on our hand we can visit one of the villages around the Stuwmeer. Between 14.00hrs and 15.00 hrs the bus will be waiting for us to take us back to Paramaribo.
Van Blommensteinmeer (Stuwmeer)
The Van Blommensteinmeer(Stuwmeer) is situated in the district of Brokopondo. The building of a 54 meter high dam in the Suriname river started in 1959 and six(6) years later electricity delivery started. For the Maroons formerly living in the flooded area (as large as Utrecht), another village called Koffiekamp was build. The wild animals living in that area, also were taken care of.
Generation of electricity: an average of 120 megawatt: 40 megawatt for Suralco, 22 megawatt for Cambior (Company that works up gold). What is left for the city, 58 megawatt, is not enough(the city needs 80 megawatt). So when the water level is low Paranam must start up the generators to deliver more electricity.
Schedule for the tour to Stuwmeer
Day 1
Departure from the city will be 08.00hrs(under reservation). The bustrip will take about 2 hours. On arrival at Stuwmeer we unload the bus together and wait for instructions from the boatswain when to load the boat. We then sail for about one hour and fifteen minutes(1,15 min.) to one of the islands, Libí da wai, on Stuwmeer (under reservation). On arrival we unload the boat together and wait for instructions of the boatswain and the cook. After that you’re free to explore the island or set up your tent and after about one hour it will be time to eat!
When we had our meal we search for some trunks and branches, washed ashore, to use them for the campfire later that day. The fish catchers among us, will now go to catch some little fish with a net. About 16.00 hrs we go to another unoccupied island to catch the Toekoenari’s( the use of ‘trickfish’ is also possible). The Toekoenari is like a Perch. The best time to cath them is in the morning, before the sun gets too hot or in the afternoon when the sun is a little less hot.The participants who stay behind can have a swim or lay down in their hammocks.
Before dark the fish catchers will be back, with the Toekoenari’s of course, and then it’s time for the cook and his helpers to clean the fish(you can always lend a helping hand). The cook will appreciate all the help he can get! Supper will be served sooner than you think! After we had supper it’s time to sit by the campfire( we use the trunks and branches we found earlier) and have some coffee, tea or something else. If you like to have want alcoholic drink you have to bring it yourself or ask your touroperator, before the trip, to take care of that. When we sit by the campfire we listen to jokes and stories. After we all had our laughs we can pay a visit to our tents or hammocks! Sleeping time! Good night everyone!
Day 2
The fish catchers among us will be woken up to have something to eat(bread) and to assist the cook or boatswain to catch some little fish with a net,so the Toekoenari’s could be catched again. The rest of the group can wake up on their own time, have something to eat and drink. After you’ve had breakfast you’re free to fill in your morning (go for a swim, sunbathe or take a walk). The fish catchers will be back by 10.00hrs, with of course, the Toekoenarie’s. A walk in the jungle is on the schedule for the afternoon. We will be walking in shallow rillets, between rocks and little waterfalls(not always) will be back in camp before dark, have a bath in the lake, and start with our supper. After supper it will be time for campfire.
Day 3
When we had our breakfast it will be time to pack the tents and hammocks. For the fanatic fishers among us, there will be time to go fishing. At 12.00hrs we reload the boat and leave the island on 13.00hrs . If time is on our hand we can visit one of the villages around the Stuwmeer. Between 14.00hrs and 15.00 hrs the bus will be waiting for us to take us back to Paramaribo.
