The most exciting moment for them would be the arrival of Santa Claus who, true to form, would shower them with many gifts.

Overseas visitor Mr. Jim Samuels signing a cheque before making a monetary donation to the Santa Mission Primary School. The cheque was handed over to the school’s Headmaster, Mr. Gordon Cheong (left) in the presence of Santa Claus and Managing Director of Roraima Airways and Arrowpoint Nature Resort Mr. Gerry Gouveia.

But they were not told by what means Santa would arrive at the resort to share the goodies. On one occasion, Santa arrived by Roraima Airways helicopter. Last year, he sped up the creek with a wave runner and the previous year, he rode through the jungle on an all terrain four-wheel motorcycle and brought them gifts.

When the boat arrived with the children two Saturdays ago - about 100 of them - and Santa Mission Primary School Headmaster, Mr. Gordon Cheong, and a few teachers, all disembarked at the resort's beach and began loudly singing Christmas carols.

The children run behind Santa Claus as he makes his way to the main cabin to distribute the gifts.

They were all welcomed by the Resort's Manager, Ms. Joan Sardinah who took them up to the main cabin where Santa would eventually rest. As they assembled there, she requested that that they sing for other visitors a few verses of a carol of their choice, which turned out to be the popular "We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year". Then they went to look for Santa Claus.

That moment began like an athletic event. They sped up the sand slope, almost reaching the entrance to the biking trails, about 100 yards from the main cabin. Perhaps, they thought he would arrive there. He did not.

Santa Claus arrives by canoe.

They ran back down to the other cabins and peeped under them to see if Santa was hiding there. He wasn’t.

They pursued and went further to every door of the different storage compartments under the main cabin, opened them all and looked inside, but the Santa Claus, who they believed was hiding somewhere on the Resort could not be found.

There was no thundering sound of a helicopter above, no roaring of an all-terrain motorcycle through the forest trails nearby, and no sound of a wave runner manoeuvring its way up the creek.

The children taking off in search of Santa Claus.

The children, unsuccessful in the quest to find Santa, assembled on the balcony, which connects the landing port to the Resort's main cabin.

Then there was a sudden chorus as they spied Santa and his `elves’ on the Kamuni Creek. Santa was arriving by a red row boat! Two surf bikes and two peddle boats guided him to a safe landing.

The children arriving at Arrowpoint

It is usually said that Santa comes from the North Pole. Well, Santa and all his out riders came not too far from there. They all were European visitors to Guyana.

The children all had a fantastic time, meeting Santa Claus although a few of them were understandably scared of the bearded one. Others were so brave that they hugged and kissed Santa until his hanging beard dropped off!

Every one seemed to have enjoyed the good food and hospitality during the Christmas party at Arrowpoint.

A section of the interior of the main cabin at Arrowpoint, at night

Overseas visitor to Guyana, Mr. Jim Samuels, who was moved by the proceedings, made the occasion merrier when he made a monetary donation to the Santa Mission Primary School.