Twelve cruise yachts expected for rally
This weekend, at least twelve cruise yachts are expected to begin arriving in the Essequibo River, sailing south from Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago and up Guyana’s coastline from Saint Laurent du Maroni in French Guiana for the 5th International Nereid’s Rally.
A release from Public Communications Consultants Limited said that the Cruisers, originating from the USA, Canada and Europe are expected to begin clearing Customs and Immigration tomorrow at Bartica and drop anchor to spend the next ten days offshore from Hurakabra River Resort in the Essequibo River. There will be an official luncheon welcome by Minister of Business with responsibility for Tourism, Dominic Gaskin, on Thursday, September 14th.
Bartica’s Regional Chairman, Gordon Bradford, on Tuesday, September 12th will host the yacht crews to a day visit to Bartica and a tour of Baracara Falls.
The release said that during their stay here, the visiting crews will be given the opportunity to visit Guyana’s Kaieteur Falls and other hinterland tourism attractions, as well as a day in Georgetown.
Hurakabra River Resort is organising three Day Trips to the Essequibo River on Sunday 10th, Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th to the Resort during the Rally via Fort Island to visit the Dutch Heritage Museum and including lunch and games at the Resort. The release said that the Day Tour offers the opportunity for a guided tour of one of the yachts at anchor. Bookings can be done through Old Fort Tours: 260-4536 and 662-5502.
The release noted that Nereid’s Rally was the idea of Italian sailor, David Matelicani, who had retired from business in Australia. In sailing up the Essequibo River in 2011, he met with Kit Nascimento, joint owner of Hurakabra River Resort with his wife Gem, who, over many years, has been actively involved in working with the government to promote Guyana as a hurricane free international yachting destination. Matelicani, who had already started a Marina in Saint Laurent, readily saw the potential for developing a Marina in the Essequibo River, the release added.
The Rally will depart Guyana on Friday 22nd to its final destination, via Suriname, at Saint Laurent on the Maroni River in French Guiana for an elaborate welcome by the Mayor of the town.
An Inter Agency Rally Organising Committee was established under the Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Indranauth Haralsingh.