Guyana: Georgetown – Historic Old Town (Revisited)

Georgetown is the capital of Guyana and 1/3 of the country’s population of 750,000 people lives here. Founded by the Dutch and later taken over by British, the city preserves both influences – historic Stabroek Market, English churches and Dutch kirks, massive wooden colonial buildings of City Hall, High Court, Parliament, National Museum and Library, and many private mansions. The crown jewel is a standalone St Georges Cathedral. Most of the historic monuments are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, it would be a stretch to say it is an enjoyable city to explore – it’s very dirty, chaotic, and doesn’t feel particularly safe. It doesn’t even feel like South America, and more like Western Africa.