Hi Weekenders...

It's been a while since in participated in a weekend engagement topic (since the format changed) but they're always topics that make you think... Things you can write about if you take the time to collect your thoughts.
Check out this weekend's prompt here:
@galenkp/we78-post-topics-nature-and-you

Since I'm a nature lover, this one comes easy. This post is actually going to be mix of all 3 options 😁😁😁 but let's officially call it option one: "Tell us about one of your most favoured, enjoyable, beautiful or idyllic moments spent in nature - Where and when was it, what did you do there. Your garden, the woods, the seaside, tropical paradise or desert, a park in the city or the wide open plains; anywhere counts as long as it was a moment spent with nature."

Lobi Lafu - Suriname

So Suriname is about 93% rainforest and it's one of the greenest countries there is. And with that being the case trips to the interior can open your world up to some amazing experiences. I traditionally take one of these trips once a year (in the time I was living there) and now whenever I get the chance when I visit.
It usually takes a couple of hours of driving and 30 minutes to 2 hours in a small boat, depending on where you go you can also take a flight (haven't done that yet).
You want to spend a few days there, just because of the travel time but also because it's beautiful!
You see most of the camps, vacation spots, and bungalows are close to the rapids. It's a perfect mixture between the green rainforest and the rivers that flow through the heart of Suriname.

Sidenote: The water has this Coca Cola color 😁. It's clean water but the vegetation makes for a dark color. That my friends is an experience in itself because you really can't see anything when swimming.

Back to the rainforest!
The trip in itself is an adventure and has lots of photo-moments. You just have to make sure you bring enough snacks and drinks (and sunblock or a cap because you will be toast after an hour in a boat).
On the a you'll see wildlife, huge trees, and some villages (of Maroon people). Enough to keep you busy.
Check the video here:

When you finally get there, it's just peaceful. You hear birds and their songs. You hear the sound of the rapids down below (it kind of gets therapeutic at some point). And you hear the chatter of your friends and family.
It's serenity (check the drone video all the way at the end to really know what I mean!)

And that brings me to the real reason why this is "option 1", I never take these trips alone. I'm always there with family and we've gone of a lot of these trips over the years. I don't know if you feel the same way but that makes it all just a bit more special. I have so many memories over the years.. And this trip to Lobi Lafu (translation: Love to Laugh) was the last one we took. It's been a couple of years since so this one holds a special place for now.

I'm going to share some pics so you can see what I'm talking about. I have shared some of these before but the Weekend Community deserves all the pics 😎😁!