It is true that on any given day you never know where your life will take you–all you have to do is wake up. This truth was proven to me when a 24-hour notice for a trip to discover Guyana changed my life, forever.
With much apprehension and an exercise in trusting my gut, I boarded a flight for an eco-tourism excursion that I’ll never forget. The adventure began from the moment I touched down in Guyana’s capital city of Georgetown.
I arrived at Cara Lodge where I was later greeted by threde other ladies I’d grow to cherish, along with the helpful and informative Wilderness Explorers team.
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We were off.
What started off as a calm, introspective ride through the capital quickly took quite the turn. We arrived at Ogle International Airport where we boarded a plane (this term is used loosely as I’m not certain that a seven-passenger aircraft can be considered much of a plane at all) headed for the jaw-dropping views of Guyana’s own Kaieteur Falls–recognized as the world’s widest single drop waterfall. Here is where things got interesting. I needed help–tons of it. Nothing in me said that boarding this ‘flight’ was okay. Flight anxiety took over and tears began to well.
Here’s when I knew I was in the best hands with Wilderness Explorers as our tour guide swiftly stepped in with comforting  words to hang on, a shoulder to lean on, and arms to grab on to, if need be. I boarded.The view–my goodness, the view. Taking in the pristine, untouched, and undisturbed virgin rainforest of Guyana from hundreds of feet above allowed for one of those moments when you wish to pause time and take it all in as best you can.
We landed on a remote airstrip and hiked through the Amazon rainforest to the falls. The stillness and  aesthetic of the falls was enough to render you breathless. We hiked, spotted birds, and learned of the countless trees, leaves, flowers, and sounds native to Kaeituer. This was also around the time that we all realized that our digital devices were out of service. We were completely disconnected from the world all while connecting so deeply with it.
I took pictures–lots of pictures at the falls, but that was the extent of what my technological abilities would allow. Take your photo, then put your phone down and take it in.
We reluctantly left the falls and headed to Karanambu, a 110-square mile former cattle ranch located in North Rupunini, where we would stay for the
night. Here we got our first glimpse of the savannahs of Guyana. Here is where we flowed lazily down the Rupunini River as we looked for giant river otters, Black Caimans, jumping fish, and hyperactive  monkeys. We saw it all. We arrived back at Karanambu and this is when the absence of technology began to set in. Without the constant distraction of visual stimulation that comes with discovering new terrain, what was left? With no Instagram or Twitter to scroll through, emails to check, or texts to send, what should I, like, do?For the first time since I could remember, I held uninterrupted conversations–several of them–with the people around me. I made eye contact and I actively listened. I learned, bonded, and engaged. I was right there–in that very space for that very moment in time and I wanted to be nowhere else. I stumbled onto a digital detox.
The next day, while steadily grabbing my phone by the minute out of habit, we left Karanumbu by boat to board a 4×4 on the way to Iwokrama Canopy Walkway for our stay at the Atta Rainforest Lodge, located in the middle of the rainforest. We hiked through Iwokrama Forest and up Canopy Walkway for a closer look at native birds, aerial monkeys we’d hear far before we could see them, and other creatures of the Amazon. After a stimulating hike we returned to the lodge.
At this moment–and I can admit this–I was beginning to miss my technology, my access. I wasn’t missing anything in particular, just missing the thing altogether. Perhaps I missed the on-the-spot updates on happenings, people, the world. Perhaps it was the frequent posts of meals and deals and life that I missed. I was missing pseudo-connecting. Then Charades happened.
In a dimly lit hub in the middle of the rainforest, while under attack from large, un-namable bugs, we had the most ridiculous and entertaining time of our lives, starting with a game of Charades. My longing for technology ceased there.
I got it. I got that in that particular moment in time, all that mattered was right in front of me. I got that the buzzing of an iPhone can hardly compare to nature’s buzz. I got that the happenings, the people, the world, was right there with me if only I allowed myself to see and feel it. I did.
Throughout this trip there were constant reminders of why I was there–to be still, to open my senses, to appreciate the present, to re-assess priorities. I was reminded when we found the Guianan cock-of-the-rock sitting proudly in the rainforest that he
so obviously commanded. I was reminded when we arrived at a primary school in Surama where wide-eyed kids sang and stumped me with their math skills. I was reminded while commuting for hours by 4×4 through forests and savannahs. I was reminded of the necessity of simplicity and what it does for peace of mind and spirit while flowing down Burro Burro river.I was reminded that just days ago everything seemed so different. I seemed so different.
By Day 4, as we headed by 4×4 to Rock View Lodge in Annai, prepping for our return to Georgetown, it all made sense. The last-minute request to drop everything and head to Guyana, on many levels, was a necessity for me. I honestly can’t tell you all that the experience has done for and to me–maybe in due time. Â Perhaps you can experience it yourself and let me know what it does for you.
Experience Guyana. For an all-encompassing experience it’s recommended to go through a local tour guide for access to the inlands, indigenous communities, villages, and local expertise. Guyana is also located along the Caribbean coast and travel is mostly by regional airline, and Caribbean Airlines is one of the largest carriers to the destination with frequent flights between major U.S. cities.
Visit Guyana-Tourism.com to learn more.