Domburg

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Revision as of 17:23, 8 July 2010

Domburg, Suriname

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	05°41.90′N, 55°05.07′W
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

Caption
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Background

Domburg is a former coffee, cocoa and citrus plantation but still the inhabitants grow lots of citrus and vegetables. The square in the centre on the waterfront is a popular place where local people come to relax in the shadow of the huge almond and mahogany trees (planted by Princess Juliana) and "tak tori" (which means small talk in Sranan Tongo). Round the square you'll find lots of small restaurants and cafes, where mostly Javanese food is served. Especially on Sundays Domburg is quite crowded, as it is very popular with city people who come here to enjoy a lazy afternoon. Obviously in the weekends the menu is also more extensive than on weekdays. A special treat is "petjil" (Javanese vegetables topped with a peanut sauce and served in a banana leaf), but of course there is also barbecue chicken and if you're lucky you'll find even barbecue caiman!!

Charts

• BA 99 Entrances to Rivers in Guyana and Suriname

Approach and Navigation

The river is well buoyed, coming from Paramaribo keep red to starboard (IALA-B).

Check-in facilities

The small pontoon is reserved for the ferries to Laarwijk on the other side of the river. Pick up a mooring or anchor in 10 m deep water. The bottom is soft mud so the holding is rather poor and semi-floating tree trunks can be a hazard. The moorings are property of Holsu NV, the fishing company you passed on your right side just before arriving in the anchorage. Mooring fees depend on how long you are staying, €3,00 or €3,50 per night.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

There are currently no marinas in Surinam.

Anchorages

• Domburg. This is the only relatively safe anchorage in the area, as local traffic gives the place a wide berth, passing Domburg on the left hand side of the river. An anchor light is obligatory at night.

Tourism & things to do ashore

• A nice walk is going into La Rencontre (the plantation next to Domburg). Walk from the main square to the left right into the first dirt road (La Rencontre 1e straat). Notice in the curve the small cemetary, cross the bridge over the lock and go left. Follow the road to the next lock and walk right into the forrest. Wear boots in the wet season and bring mosquito repellent as there might be some troubling you there. But this can't ever spoil your walk as it is a beauty spot and it feels as if you are right in the middle of the jungle! Enjoy the lush green, the sunlight filtering through the leaves, see the flowers (there are lots of "palulu", huge red jungle flowers), hear and see the birds, the sapacaras (giant lizards), etc etc. Wildlife right on your doorstep.
• Visit "Litte Paradise", botanical garden and guesthouse (they also serve meals on request and the food they serve here is much better than on average in Surinam and surely the best in the area). Litte Paradise is located on the Para-Boxelweg, on about 30 minutes walking distance from Domburg. From the main square, go to the right in the direction of Paramaribo and follow the road. Right after the S-curve walk into the Para-Boxelweg on your left. After appr. 500 m you'll see a sign. Walk into the road on your right and you have arrived. Neeta and Erik will welcome you and are happy to show you around. There is no fixed price, but they will ask you for a small donation. Be sure they are home and call in advance +597 370111. Most probably you can also arrange that they pick you up in Domburg.
• Visit Laarwijk (check the timetables for the ferry at Rita's) and enjoy country life in Surinam at its best! Have your camera standby when the ferry arrives at the creek, as especially near LW this spot seems to be something right out of a fairy-tale.

Fuel, Water & Electricity

• Fuel at the service station next to the main square.
• Fresh water is available at Holsu, but arrange with the manager before you go there.
• Electricity only in case of emergency and on special request at Holsu.

Laundry

• Ask at "Rita's Eethuisje", the sailor's pub on the main square.

Grocery & Supply Stores

• There are many small supermarkets in Domburg. Most nearby are Cheng Xin on the main square and just over the bridge on your left hand is Tamara. Open from 0700 until 2100.
• Fruit and vegetables on Domburg's market, which is actually part of the main square.

Eateries

• "Rita's Eethuisje" is the sailor's pub and here they serve good food at very reasonable prices. Try "teloh", deep-fried cassave served with "batjauw" (salted fish in a pepper sauce) or "terie" (very small dried fishes, fried in a pepper sauce). All dishes come with some vegetables. Prices around 8 SRD per plate.
• "Yin Dai Yang" is a small Chinese restaurant next to Tamara's supermarket. Try "moksi miti" (several kinds of roasted meat and Chinese sausage) or one of the rice and noodle dishes. The portions are large so you might want to share; just ask for two plates. Communication with the staff might be difficult as they only speak Chinese and Sranan Tongo, but there are always other customers who will help you.

Internet/WiFi

Internet in Domburg On-Line, on the main road just left of the main square (next to the supermarket).

Motorbike & Car Rentals

In Paramaribo.

Marine Stores & Facilities

• NV Propellor, Industrieweg 18c, tel. +597 481348, e-mail: [email protected]. This is the one and only chandler in Surinam, don't expect too much but still they might surprise you with what they actually have in stock. Go by bus as the store is near Paramaribo.

Repairs

In case of emergency, Holsu may want to help you out or arrange a mechanic for you. Also there are many mechanics, welders, electricians etc in town and around Cevihas, the only place where you might be able to have your boat lifted. Talk about your problem in the sailor's pub and surely everybody wants to be of assistance.

Garbage Disposal

Just leave your garbage bags in one of the bins on the main square.

Transportation

• The PDP bus is the local bus to town. Fare 3 SRD. No schedule, they leave from town when full and pick you up when they return. Be aware that they are used by people who work in the city, so from 5.30 to 9 AM they arrive frequently. The last bus might leave from Paramaribo around 5 PM; ask the driver.
• International flights from "Zanderij" (Johan Adolf Pengel Airport) to Amsterdam (daily), Trinidad (almost every day), Curacao, Belem (Brazil) and Miami. Ask Rita to arrange a cab.

Routes/Passages To/From

You can take your boat through the Commewijne River up to the Cottica River. On the way you'll pass some small villages and you just anchor in the middle of the river in the forrest. But be aware that sometimes big freighters on their way to or from Moengo will want to pass.

References & Publications

Publications, Guides, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

• Petra & Jan Willem Versol, sy Witte Raaf, Email, http://www.witteraaf.info

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on the Cruiser Log Forum

External Links

• http://www.witteraaf.info

Personal Notes

• Petra & Jan Willem Versol (sy Witte Raaf): We arrived in Suriname in February 2006 and liked the country and especially its people so much that we bought ourselves a home here. We sailed twice to the Caribbean and back to Suriname (5 or 6 days against wind and current) and recently keep our boat on the hard in Trinidad during the hurricane season and sail in the Caribbean from December until May.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

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