A PUBLIC HOLIDAY :“MAROONS’ DAY”

Fact of the day - Maroon, a word we're all familiar with, is thought to have come from the Spanish cimarron meaning fugitive.  Today is a commemoration of all who were or are enslaved - and, as we saw yesterday in the Palmentuin, an excuse for a party

After coffee and breakfast on the balcony, 

we set off for the cathedral

A long-running service is in full swing: musicians, preaching and some dancing at the edges. 

Everyone is wearing colourful garments; for some, it's Sunday best and, for others, wrap the most garish tablecloth you can get your hands on around your waist or shouldres

Others are getting ready to dance...

Another wander

and it's time for a reviving caipirinha

We hear a lot of noise from Palmentuin opposite,

where, as suspected, kiosks have been set up for food and drink, yet more dancing.