Galibi, Suriname

We started out by driving the same road that takes people to French Guiana. After three hours, we found ourselves on the river that separates the two countries. We the hopped into a traditional Surinamese long boat and headed north on the river for one hour. Unfortunately, it rained for most of the ride. After an hour, we were in Galibi.
Galibi is another village, but larger than the one I saw in Bakaaboto. The village was actually fairly modernized, they had electricity and even a few stores. Apparently there is a big party in Galibi every summer. So many people go that a helicopter brings some people in!
We got to Galibi on a Thursday. We spent that day touring the village and looking at some of the local crafts. Just like Bakaaboto, we had to sleep in hammocks. We were in a building that had only two rooms and a patio area. The roof was made of dried palm leaves, just like where we slept in Bakaaboto. Later Thursday night (10:00) we got into the boat and drove for 20 minutes to another beach, where we were looking for turtles. Galibi is known for its large sea turtles, and the good chance of visitors being able to see them lay their eggs. Our trip was no exception.
Each year turtles hit the shore and lay their eggs. Their tracks are about 4-5 feet wide. Since the turtles use their flippers to walk up the beach, the tracks look like tractor tire marks that go in a straight line to the beach. As soon as we got out of the boat we followed some tracks up the beach and encountered a turtle on her way back to the sea. I think we were both pretty startled! We left her alone and went to find another. We didn't have to wait much longer. We saw another green turtle (these are giant turtles) come out of the sea. We waited until she began to lay her eggs, at which point the turtle is so involved in laying the eggs that humans can come right up to it and watch. We did just that. We were able to pet the turtle and even hold an egg in our hand. I found the egg to be about the size of a ping pong ball, and about as hard (a little softer). It dented easily. We were not allowed to take pictures because it bothers the turtles.
The next day, Friday, we went on a jungle hike. We really didn't see much, but it was neat to be able to compare the forest in Galibi (jungle) to the forest in Bakaaboto (rain forest). I was hoping to see monkeys or other wild creatures, but we only heard a few birds. In the afternoon I went swimming. The water was extremely warm, and felt fantastic! That night we attended a Good Friday church service that was held in the local language. It was fun to try to figure out the words to the songs! Some pastors from Paramaribo were there to lead the service, and were staying all through the Easter weekend.
On Saturday it was my birthday! The tour guide wanted to celebrate, so he bought me a necklace that was made in Galibi (colored beads with a "fire stone" on the end, a nut that burns when opened and touched to the skin). He also gave me some flowers. He invited his family (who live in Galibi) as well as the guest pastors to come over and have lunch with us. He served some cookies and soda, and a fellow teacher said a blessing for me. After that, we packed up our stuff and headed home!