More historical information of the Commewijne district
Suriname had a plantation economy during the colonial times. Products of the plantations, mainly sugar, cacao, coffee and cotton were the pillars of the economy. The oldest plantations were located along the upper stream of the Suriname river. But when Paramaribo began to grow, increasing use was made of the land closer to town. During the 17th and 19th century the plantations of the Commewijne District were in their full glory. At the end of the eighteenth century the plantations started to decline. Because of absence and nonchalance of the owners, together with a stock-exchange, diseases which affected the cacao and coffee and the lack of cheap workers, the plantations were hit very hard. After the abolition of slavery in 1863, immigration of contract laborers from India and the East Indies could not prevent the decline of the plantations.

Around 1700, the two most important strongholds of the country were the well-known Fort Zeelandia serving for the defence of Paramaribo and Fort Sommelsdijck, situated on the tributary of the Cottica and the Commewijne river. To protect the hinterland while also serving as outposts of the fortress Zeelandia, a number of smaller defensive works were constructed forming a defensive unit with Fort New Amsterdam in the mouth of the Suriname river.

The history proper to New Amsterdam starts in December 1734 with the laying of the first stone. It took fifteen years to complete. The fort New Amsterdam is a pentagonal earthen structure, with five bastions. The slow and relentless deterioration started shortly after 1828 and stopped functioning as a defensive stronghold in 1907. The buildings were turned into an administrative center and in 1968 part of it acquired the additional function of an open air museum.
The historical buildings that are still seen today are the powder houses of 1740 and 1778, the former eighteenth century commander's residence, the sluice of 1781, the former barracks· ( erected in 1740 and improved in 1782 and for a long period the state prison until 1982 ) and a few eighteenth and nineteenth century guns.
Local fishery, a fish nursery, cattle farm and some small plantations are the main activities nowadays of the Javanese and Hindus, descendants of the contract laborers, in Commewijne.

The important sand beaches (for nesting sea turtles, including the Giant Leatherback ), mudflats ,lagoons and other types of wetlands, make the Surinam coast an international significant breeding area for waterfowl. Herons, the Scarlet Ibis, and even some North American migrating waterbirds as the endangered Knot, use the Surinam coast as their staging and overwintering area. The canals, picturesque floodgates and the remains of old plantation houses, some of which are still inhabited, are the silent witnesses of the dynamic history of the Commewijne District.

CARDY Adventures will take you through the polders of the Commewijne district, where in fascinating surroundings you can experience the age-old plantation atmosphere of the 18th and 19th century, and the village activities of the different cultures in Suriname,on a unique guided bicycle-or boat tour.

1) Bike tour   08.00 - 13/14.00 h  ( ~ 25 km)   (on request for groups)
    Price p/p :  Euro 25.-  incl OB 8 %

2 )  Bike tour   08.00 – 17/18.00 h   ( ~ 50 Km )

      Price p/p  :  Euro 40.-   Incl OB 8%
 

Self guided Bike tour 2 days . P/p :  Euro 50.- (included 3-5 speed bike, Bike bags, route map,

Overnight at Fredericks dorp & breakfast.

3 )  Bike tour  2 Days  ( ~ 70 Km )       (on request for groups )

     Price p/p   : Euro  100.- incl. OB 8 %

4 )  Commewijne Boat tour from 08.30 ~ 14.00 u  (on request for groups)

     Price p/p   :  Euro 35.-        incl. OB 8%   
 

5 )  Commewijne Boat tour from 08.30  ~  18/19.00 u

      Price p/p  :  Euro 50.-  incl OB 8%