French Guiana, November 2012

7th November

View across the Maroni river on the border between Suriname and French Guiana. A row of boats moored along the bank.View across the Maroni river on the border between Suriname and French Guiana. A row of boats moored along the bank.

Cayenne, capital and largest city of French Guiana. Overseas Region of France, located on the north coast of South America, bordered by Brazil to the east and south, and by Suriname to the west, the Atlantic Ocean is to the north.

8th November

Close-up of a butterfly (or maybe a moth) on a window blind.Close-up of a butterfly (or maybe a moth) on a window blind. This is at the home of French couple Claire and Pierre with whom Tony stayed.

Inside Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur de Cayenne looking towards the altar. This is Cayenne's cathedral, which was built between 1825 and 1833.Inside Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur de Cayenne looking towards the altar. This is Cayenne’s cathedral, which was built between 1825 and 1833.

Looking to the side of the main altar. Plain design with white painted walls, but colourful stained glass in the windows.Looking to the side of the main altar. Plain design with white painted walls, but colourful stained glass in the windows.

A small statue of St Benoît (Benedict) mounted on a wall inside the cathedral.A small statue of St Benoît (Benedict) mounted on a wall inside the cathedral.

Small statue of the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus on a side altar.Small statue of the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus on a side altar.

A stained glass window above a doorway inside the cathedral.A stained glass window above a doorway inside the cathedral.

Tony in front of a doorway outside the cathedral.Tony in front of a doorway outside the cathedral.

View from the ruins of 17th-century Fort Cépérou looking towards the mouth of the Cayenne River as it joins the Atlantic Ocean.View from the ruins of 17th-century Fort Cépérou looking towards the mouth of the Cayenne River as it joins the Atlantic Ocean.

Tony at Fort Cépérou. Again a view of the river.Tony at Fort Cépérou. Again a view of the river.

Tony in front of a wooden lookout tower at Fort Cépérou. Buildings and streets of the town can be seen below.Tony in front of a wooden lookout tower at Fort Cépérou. Buildings and streets of the town can be seen below.

Tony standing at the gate into the fort.Tony standing at the gate into the fort.

A sloth sitting on a wooden beam inside a cage. Taken at Chou Aï's Sloth Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, just outside Cayenne.A sloth sitting on a wooden beam inside a cage. Taken at Chou Aï’s Sloth Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, just outside Cayenne.

Close-up view of the sloth.Close-up view of the sloth.

Another sloth dangling from the roof of its cage.Another sloth dangling from the roof of its cage.

Tony holding a sloth. The sloth resting its arm on Tony's shoulder.Tony holding a sloth. The sloth resting its arm on Tony’s shoulder.

Close-up of Tony and the sloth. Very cute!Close-up of Tony and the sloth. Very cute!

Again Tony holding the sloth.Again Tony holding the sloth.

Claire holding the sloth.Claire holding the sloth.

Another shot of Claire and the sloth.Another shot of Claire and the sloth.

9th November

Tony on a wooden jetty overlooking the Cayenne River.Tony on a wooden jetty overlooking the Cayenne River.

Pierre and Tony on the jetty.Pierre and Tony on the jetty.

Tony and Claire - the sun reflecting on the river behind.Tony and Claire – the sun reflecting on the river behind.

Tall trees and vegetation lining the river bank near the jetty.Tall trees and vegetation lining the river bank near the jetty.

Three scarlet ibis flying high-up overhead. These are large bright red birds with long beaks.Three scarlet ibis flying high-up overhead. These are large bright red birds with long beaks.

Tony and Pierre standing on the jetty looking across the river. View of the sun going down on the horizon away on the far side of the river.Tony and Pierre standing on the jetty looking across the river. View of the sun going down on the horizon away on the far side of the river.

The setting sun reflecting on the river.The setting sun reflecting on the river.

Another scarlet ibis flying overhead.Another scarlet ibis flying overhead.

A man cutting up a flat fish on a tree trunk by the river.A man cutting up a flat fish on a tree trunk by the river.

View across a street to Les Palmistes restaurant. Evening.View across a street to Les Palmistes restaurant.

10th-11th November

Near St Laurent du Maroni, French Guiana just across the river from Albina, Suriname. Tony stayed at a simple wooden work shop/hut with a hammock.

Tony sitting at a table on the verandaeating breakfast.Tony sitting at a table on the veranda eating breakfast.

Tony outdoors sitting on a chair with a sun shade. Quite long grass under-foot and denser vegetation behind.Tony outdoors sitting on a chair with a sun shade. Quite long grass under-foot and denser vegetation behind.

A narrow muddy river. Tall grasses/reeds on the far bank. Taken during a river trip.A narrow muddy river. Tall grasses/reeds on the far bank. Taken during a river trip.