I quite like Europe. Who doesn't? With some of the most spectacular cities, landmarks, history and food to be found anywhere on Earth, it's easy to see why so many tourists flock there. Of course, you get what you pay for. Europe ain't cheap. Luckily, South America (relatively speaking) is on the cheap side. So what happens when you drop a bit of the E.U. into South America...? South American standards at European prices.
French Guiana is a French territory in South America. It's citizens have French passports,
The thing is, someone needs to tell the locals that while Guyane is technically part of France,
Now it would be one thing if there was something in town to warrant the expensive visit.
I did not like Cayenne. I have no desire to go back to Cayenne. I do not recommend visiting Cayenne. Sure, if you want to check it off some travel list to regale other travellers during bragging competitions, go for it. Otherwise, save your money and go anywhere else on Earth!
French Guiana is a French territory in South America. It's citizens have French passports,
they speak French, they use Euros... this isn't France-like, it is France. Back in the day, Guyane (as it's known locally) was France's attempt at a staging post to settle the region. Thing is, pretty much everyone died due to the horrible conditions. So, France decided, "if it's not good enough for settlers, let's send criminals", and the area became a dumping ground for France's prison bound citizens (more on this in later blogs). Today's capital, Cayenne, is an almost inevitable stop for the handful of tourists that make it to this remote corner of the globe.
The thing is, someone needs to tell the locals that while Guyane is technically part of France,
it is by no means French standards. To my absolute shock (actually i had done my research and expected it) Cayenne was CRAZY expensive. The cheapest room i could find anywhere near the centre was €60! Now if i were visiting Paris, that would be one thing. But in this dump, the shower leaked, the tv only had 6 channels (all French), the WiFi didn't reach the room and there was literally a mushroom growing in the room. €60??? And the ridiculous overpricing didn't stop there. Food, transport, entertainment and any other basics were at or even above European prices. Unbelievable!!
Now it would be one thing if there was something in town to warrant the expensive visit.
But Cayenne is boring as. There are a few colonial buildings, but most are in disarray and the best ones (planned for restoration) are behind tall walls. The people are not particularly friendly. The weather is unbearable. And did i mention it's expensive? There are a couple of beaches in the area, but they're hardly spectacular. On the bright side, if you're there at the right time of year, you can see nesting sea turtles. The one saving grace of the town is the market where you can get a "cheap" bowl of Vietnamese Pho. But it's still not much of a market, especially when compared to Stabroek Market in Georgetown.
I did not like Cayenne. I have no desire to go back to Cayenne. I do not recommend visiting Cayenne. Sure, if you want to check it off some travel list to regale other travellers during bragging competitions, go for it. Otherwise, save your money and go anywhere else on Earth!
