Sign in with Facebook- Join for free
- Sign In
Sign in with Facebook
easy trip from surinam by boat over to st.laurent du maroni..you can feel the french architecture, french language, french cuisine, french atmosphere in middle of the guyanas
Written Jan 18, 2007
Helpfulness
About 20km outside of Cayenne is the National Reserve of Roura, which is situated in the 'Mountains' of Roura, there is a little vilage, a big river and some fairly well known waterfalls, well, more like cascades really. Quite a few people turn up here to bathe in the stream in the forest or to sit under the cascades and get refreshed in the clear cold water.
There is also a place to stay down by the water so you can drift off to sleep accompanied by the sound of the flowing water. Not too sure of the prices as we were only there for the day.
If you end up going definitely take a cooler with some drinks, there is a little shop in the village where you can get everything you need. I'm not too sure if fires are prohibited, there were some people there with a barbecue, very nice setting.
Written Jun 25, 2006
Helpfulness
One of the best things to experience whilst in Cayenne is the bustling market that takes place every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. All sorts of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish and spices can be bought there but the atmosphere is what really makes the day.
There is a healthy mixture of cultures, from the Hmongs (that account for 1% of the population of Guiane, but 70% of agricultural produce), to the Creole fishermen and Brazilians all selling their wears, you can also buy locally made fruit juices and rum punches and also buy paintings and sculptures from local artists.
However, one thing you HAVE to try whilst there is the Vietnamese Poh served inside the main market building, its a noodle soup that alone is worth the trip to Cayenne, it consists of pork, prawns, beef, lots of noodles and then you have the option of adding various amounts of extras as you want, very very very nice. There is also a good juice bar there that comes highly recommended.
Written Feb 9, 2006
14 Opinions
17 Opinions
Helpfulness
This place is an INSTITUTION by itself!!!
Open only during Carnaval, on saturday night only, it is where Touloulou (women dressed in the Touloulou fashion) and men dance, while other women, not dressed as touloulou can watch from a platform, but won't be alow to dance.
The Touloulou invites men to dance, the man cannot refuse. She will not speak to him, or will try to change her voice, so that her identity remains a mistery!
A live band plays all night three kind of music, on which you can dance three kinds of dances:
- mazurka
- biguine
- piqué
In these dances, the partners are dancing extremely close to one another, in a manner that is very sexual, especially the piqué, which basically consist in rubbibg each other crutches! But beware gentleman, if the Touloulou feels that you are getting somewhat a bit excited, she can leave you in the mddle of the dance. The other Touloulou will see that, and will probably never invites you.
It is also custommary, if you feel that the Touloulou that has invited you danced particularly well, to say "Touloulou à soif?" (Touloulou is thirsty?), if she says yes, or nod, than you can invite her for a drink
Dress Code: Ladies:
- As a Touloulou, not an inch of your skin will appear!
You'll be wearing a long dress, with long sleeves, gloves, soks, a hood to cover you head and neck, a wig, a hat or a scarf over the wig, and one, or even two mask with a piece of cloth to cover your mouth! You'll be hot, very hot, but it is part of the game!
- other ladies can come dressed as they wish, but they'll only be sitting, or standing, watching. You are not aloud to dance!
-Men: in trousers and shirt or T-shirt! Be prepared to be very hot!!!!
Updated Feb 9, 2007
Address: Polina, P.K. 5.8, RN2, 9735 Matoury
Helpfulness
Every saturday night during the build up to Carnaval, the Touloulou takes place, and as far as I'm aware, its the only place in the world where it happens..
Its basically a masked ball, but instead of just a mask, the women are covered from head to toe so there is no way of knowing who she is, even husbands don't know their wives costumes. The men stand to the side of the dancefloor and the ladies take whoever they want by the hand to dance, the men can't refuse. The women only speak in a very high pitched voice and its usually to tell the guy that they're thirsty.
Towards the end of the night, the famous Pica dance starts, this is a raunchy, sexy dance which generally consists of rubbing crotches together, guys could do with a cricket 'box', cuz after a while, the 'little general' takes a bit of a battering!!!
Dress Code: Women don't have to wear a costume, but if they don't, they can't dance!
You can rent a costume for about 20 Euros, or get one made specifically for you, which is a lot more expensive.
Guys, no real dress code, but you can't wear open-toed shoes.
Written Feb 20, 2006
Address: Levant Soleil in Cayenne, the Matado in Kourou
A good place to buy fresh fish is to go to the "jetee" (sort of bridge that ends in the middle of the water), where you will find the fishermen with their catch of the day...
What to buy: Fish - cheap
Written Nov 9, 2004
Helpfulness
Generally speaking Cayenne is a pretty safe place during the day, if you stay away from the dodgy areas and don't wear lots of jewellrey etc etc.
At night time it can be quite a different story, there are gangs that operate in Cayenne and quite a bit of 'clandestine' goings on, if you're going to go out at night to one of the many (and good) restaurants that are in Cayenne, look them up on a map first and ask the hotel staff for the best way to get there.
Its all common sense stuff really, just be on your guard as violent crime does happen.
Written Feb 9, 2006
Favorite thing: If you need to get hold of the British consul in Cayenne whilst your there, for either passport renewal or one of your friends has been naughty, you could have a bit of a drama finding it.
The address is 16 Rue Monerville, Cayenne, its quite close to the market but is in the back of a clothing material shop, and there is no sign outside to say where it is.
I had to ask about 3 people where Rue Monerville was because a lot of the roads change their names after running 1 block, so it gets kind of confusing. If you start off at the market, facing the little garden with the monument, you need to turn left for a block, then right and keep going, you should find it, if not, ask about 3 people!!
Basically you have to go into the shop, ask the checkout lady if the consul is in and then you'll get led through. The chap is really nice, and is also the Barbados consul too.
Phone number +594 594 311034
Written May 23, 2006
Sponsored Links
First of all, Cayenne is the city situated on the ?le de Cayenne, its not two separate places, wanted to clear that up to avoid confusion..... The city (large town), itself is quite diverse, it has...
The Amazonian jungle in Europe
Being in Guyana is simply incredible: you are in France, in Europe, and yet, in the Amazonian jungle!!! The idea is crazy but it is true... Okay, okay, technicaly it is true, but in reality, Guyana is...
Cayenne, or when europe mix with south america... Funny to see the french cars, flags and euro money mix with jungle, wild animals and indians...
Cayenne is the capital of French Guiana, an overseas région and département of France located in South America. The city stands on a former island at the mouth of the Cayenne River on the Atlantic...
Build your own Cayenne page
Sponsored Links
Comments