–as British Royal calls on Region Nine

PRINCE Harry of Wales, born Henry Charles Albert David, was yesterday accorded a heart-warming welcome as he spent the second of his three-day sojourn here, visiting with residents of several indigenous communities in close proximity to the internationally-acclaimed Iwokrama Rainforest Project in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

The welcome party gathered at nearby Surama in their numbers, some since 08:00hrs, braving the sweltering heat as the scenic mountains stood watch in the distance, all waiting to be among the first to witness the arrival of the 32-year-old Briton, fifth in line to the British throne, as he touched down at the Surama airstrip.

Children of the local schools in and around Surama, mothers with their children and even a few tourists made up the welcoming party, many with their Union Jacks and Golden Arrowheads at the ready. Some took shelter in the shade of trees, restless children wandered around, and as the hours went by, the anticipation grew. Some talked of the great benefits the Prince’s visit will bring to tourism in the area.

TOUCHDOWN
Then, just after 10:30hrs, the royal touchdown finally came, and they got their first glimpse of the 6’ 2”-tall Prince as he and his entourage disembarked the Roraima Airways Britten-Norman Trislander aircraft.

Included in the entourage was British High Commissioner, Gregory Quinn. Prince Harry’s party was first greeted by the Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock, who hails from Surama, and was adorned with a breast-plate necklace by an excited schoolchild.
Children from the Surama Nursery and Primary Schools, as well as students from the BINA Hall Institute all lined the pathway waving their flags, seemingly unmindful of having to don their school uniforms on a Saturday.
They excitedly flocked him as he walked down to the Totem Pole that marks the village’s meeting place, where he was adorned with an Amerindian head-dress, and was treated to a number of cultural performances.

SWEET TAMBOURINE MUSIC
It was now the Prince’s turn to brave the sun’s heat, as a small group, led by Cultural Leader Glendon Allicock, performed a dance item to the sounds of a tambourine and rattles, the beads of the dancers’ traditional Amerindian outfits being sweet music unto itself. The Prince took it all in, hands akimbo.

Finally moving out of the sun, the cultural programme moved to the Village Office where Prince Harry is seated and the BINA Hall Institute’s students choir performed “My Rupununi”.

The toshao for the Annai district was on hand to make brief remarks and there was more singing and more dancing. The Prince’s blue eyes silently took in the scene before him, and ever so often he offered an approving smile or a chuckle, as he swayed along to the music.

He focused intently as the minister’s niece, Mae Allicock, performed a spoken piece boasting of the beauty of the interior district. He laughingly declined when a dancer extends an invitation, so she moved her invitation along and Minister Allicock accepted.

GIFTS GALORE
The performances ended, and then it was time for gifts. Lots and lots of gifts. Gifts for the Prince, for the British High Commissioner, and for the minister.
The Prince received a hand-band, a painting, a shirt, and a map of Guyana sculpture. He closely inspected each, asked questions, and thanks them all.
Quinn received a necklace, and for Minister Allicock, it was another shirt.

Prince Harry addressed the residents, thanking them for their warm hospitality, and encourages them to preserve the beauty of their surroundings.

WHISKED AWAY
The Prince was then whisked away for tours of the Surama Primary and Nursery Schools, before another flight took him to nearby Fairview, where he also met the children of the Kurupukari Primary and Nursery Schools, shared out books, and lovingly talked and took pictures with them.

Lunch for the day was at the Iwokrama Nature Resort overlooking the facilities stunning lake. Then it was off on another flight to the Kaieteur Falls Nature Park, as his busy day started to come down to an end. He was taken on a trek to the Falls, where his appreciation of the majestic landmark was evident.

And as the sun began to set, it was time to head back to Georgetown and touched down just after 17:30hrs. More photo opportunities awaited him, and then the dust finally settled as he was bustled away in his diplomatic vehicle.