Sleepy Leguan could be a retirement, tourist destination

IF YOU are seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, or simply seeking a quiet getaway, then the sleepy agricultural island of Leguan is probably a destination to consider. One of the over 300 islands sitting in the mighty Essequibo, with lush green sceneries, bountiful historical treasures, and a people as peaceful and easy going as their isle, this location they say, is one fitting for retirement or the individual wanting to reclaim some calm in their reality.

In fact, the people of Leguan are not eager to label their home as this budding economic and social hub, but prefer to recognise it as the calm retreat that it is. Do not come looking for extravagant parties, a crazy nightlife or the styles of the glamorous, but be sure to bring a bathing suit, your makeshift fishing rod and a basket to place the caught iguanas – which the island is popularly known for and even named in commemoration by the first Dutch settlers.

At the age of 65, Phoenix Village resident Jairam (only name) was born in Leguan and lived there all his life. He and childhood buddy, Ramesh Ramsingh, were at the time uplifting their monthly pension payment from the island’s lone post office when they acknowledged the value of their tranquil existence on the island, and insisted that they would not trade it in for anything else.

SIMPLICITY AND TRANQUILITY

The men said that from their young days to now, Leguan would have changed significantly. Their village, for example, never had paved roads. “Was dutty road. Always been dutty road,” the men said before noting that it was only last year that the government paved their community thoroughfare.

The men said that money doesn’t circulate much in Leguan, and jobs are very limited in the predominately rice-cultivating location. “When rice done wuk, it flat and ordinary again, but you got you lil livestock and you gone plant ya one, one greens,” one of the islanders said.
Ramsingh noted that while Leguan cannot provide the sometimes upbeat atmosphere that tourists and vacationers look for, it is the place for outbackers and retirees. “Me retire, me ah relax,” he said. But for those who love the outdoor and visitors, he said they could be treated to round-the-island trips, crab hunting and other sport for game meats. He said, when his relatives from overseas come home, “the first thing dem want is a ‘guana, nah chicken and dem ordinary thing.”

Leguan resident, Nalini Samaroo, could not help boasting about the beautiful, clean beaches which Leguan is blessed with. Having lived on the island all her life, the young lady said she too is not willing to give up her peaceful life. She and her mother-in-law Dolly Khan sometimes operate a small eatery just off the stelling; said to be the brightest place on the island with the police station, post office, and power station all clumped together and flanked by small shops and stores.

Samaroo was proud to highlight the island’s landmarks such as the over 100-year-old St. Peter’s Anglican Church which she believes would be a bonus for visitors, as well as the 52-foot murti(statue) of Hindu Lord Hanuman,- the tallest in Guyana. She also insisted on the beauty of the island’s beaches. “The beach, oh yes the beach… just beautiful,” she sighed with pleasure.

THE NEED FOR INVESTMENT
Khan said business is slow in Leguan, but noted that things could improve with more investment in the area. She supported ideas like the island’s lone plantain chip factory, for especially young people in need of work. She opined that Leguan could be an island which produces by-products from the items they grow.

She said Leguan has to be made more attractive, but before all that could be done, the access to and from the island must be regularised.

Although Khan operates her business at the stelling, she sells in small quantities since the market for even her eatery is not available. According to her, the biggest problem faced by islanders is getting to and from the island because they have no boat on a regular basis.
It was explained that while the fee is $500, after certain hours, residents pay $1,000 or $2,000 to get off the island. “Sometimes- one time, two time for the week we get the big boat and people who have to carry over dem load, dem find it more hard,” Khan said.
She added that they have to hire a boat for $4,000- $5,000. Persons with heavier loads that might include livestock and such cannot move unless the ferry comes to the island. If they choose to hire a smaller boat, she said, they pay as much as $15,000 to go to Parika.
Schools in Leguan are closed for the Easter vacation. Groups of young people could be seen relaxing under mango trees, hanging out near kokers, flying kites or riding their bicycles. When the question was asked, many of the young people said they were quite satisfied living on their small, but peaceful piece of paradise.