Mighty Kaieteur

Today we were able to see why the national anthem sings, "Oh, beautiful Guyana", as we took a trip to the mighty Kaieteur falls.  While our final destination was the highlight of the trip, we enjoyed the 55 minute flight to the falls in a 13 passenger cessna where we watched the geography go from the low costal plain of Georgetown, past rice and sugarcane fields, up the demerarra and essequibo rivers to the potaro river and the highland region with dense rain forest canopy to Kaieteur falls.  We passed bauxite and gold mines in route to the river, which was difficult for me to see as a preservationist, thought I know it brings in much needed money to the country as 2 of Guyana's biggest exports.  

As the mountain peeks rose up out of the forest, so did the falls, which we passed by twice before landing in Kaieteur national park.  Our tour guide lead us to 3 spots at the falls to take pictures, pointing out flora and fauna along the way.  Enjoy the pictures and this poem by Alex Morritt.  

"Mighty Kaieteur"

Gentle meanderings a little way upstream.

The Potaro River, tranquil and unassuming, 

Head down river, have cause to wonder,

The booming tremor of approaching thunder,

Draw closer still, a deafening roar,

Hints at the imminence of the mighty Kaieteur,

A rising crescendo of earth trembling rumbles,

As a mammoth cascade in freefall tumbles. 

Thousands of gallons form a giant aqueous wall,

Rendering this the world's premier waterfall,

Descending several hundred metres in height,

A colossus with an awesome display of might,

Guiness couloured torrents of frothy tan and cream, 

Crashing down on boulders, billowing clouds of steam,

Showering mossy banks with a fine mist spray,

Caught in the crossfire of the sun's dazzling rays.

Behold the bright arc, a perfect rainbow,

A befitting crown, a majestic halo,

Adorning rocky outcrops perched all around,

Jaw dropping vistas with true surround sound,

Gaze at that deluge and be mesmerised,

Humbled by Nature, her sheer power and size,

Soon to reassume a far gentler pace,

Vanilla swirls atop a dark chocolate surace.

Snaking her way down beneath jungle clad peaks, 

As the rainforest echoes with all manner of speech,

One last glimpse of the mighty Kaieteur Falls,

now a faint murmur that perpetually enthrals.