Best Western El Paseo Maracaibo

... brute,<br>traffic all over hard to compute.<br><br>Fresh fruits wonderful cheeses,<br>warm air little breezes,<br>queueing for an eternity,<br>narrow minded in mentallity<br><br>Colourful slums named barrio,<br>seeing the people working around the law,<br>beach parties sun and women,<br>coconut kisses sold on the ...

Yo tome un helicóptero y visitar Salto Ángel. Yo jugué en la laguna y la playa de Canaima. Saque muchas fotos de Golodrina Salto, Hacha Salto, y el agua de rojo. Come en La Churuata Restaurante. La comida es bien, pero poco caliente. Llegue a Tapuya Hotel a dormir.

Maracaibo was a hot, bustling and gigantic city located next to the country's largest lake. We only stayed here for one night so we could leave for Colombia early in the morning, and allow us to get to our destination during daylight. So goodbye, Venezuela. The last signs we saw as we left the country stated ¨Socialism, Patriotism or Death.¨ Oh, Venezuela. Just in case we had any doubts that Chavez is just a wee bit crazy.

... card. If there was going to be a problem it would happen now, but no our passports were routinely stamped the tourist card taken and we were ushered on. The Lonely Planet said that you are given a copy of the tourist card to keep during your stay, but we weren't and neither was anyone else, just a stamp, yet considering the misonformation we have gotten from that book in the past we weren't too suprised. It claims to be the 'travellers bible ...

... police report which was too easy. As soon as I walked in it was like they already knew what I was going to say. Apart from that Quito seemed nice. I liked the idea of the electric buses too, despite their problems with pickpockets and bag slashers. I'm so sick of walking the streets of South America and choking every time an old diesel truck or bus goes by. Unlike trams, if one breaks down it ...

... and went back to the bus stop to find our first (and ironically last) cheap venezuelan meal of steak and rice for just(!) 18BF. On leaving the restaurant saw one of the only sights of Maracaibo that is truly amazing, the silent lightening show, catatumbo. This isn`t just because its far away - its right over head, but with no following thunder and an eerie purpleish glow. Arrived back to the posada just as the rain began, finding our room to be leaking ...

... Gricht zauberet und ich han soviel gaesse wie scho lang nueme. Am Abig simmer is Historische Zentrum vode Stadt und haend oeppis trunke und am noechschte Tag hani sogar no chli vode Stadt choenne aluege, waenni noed gad am aesse gsi bin hahaha Au d-Ziit z-Maracaibo hani sehr gnosse. Und au Maracaibo, wo suscht amel e unglaublich heissi stadt isch (45Grad) haets guet gmeint mit mir und s-Klima chli abegschruubet.

... got the boarder the taxi driver said it was his wife (a blatent lie) and they were found out, we saw them count out 2,000,000 Bolivars - about $300 and they had to pay it all to the customs - Sarah and I were gob smacked!! Its loads of money for us rich English/Americans but to these people it must be so much more! We finally got accross the boarder without too many hastles (other than the nasty mud) next is a bus trip to Cartagena.

This was my first visit to Venezuela in ten years. My aunt Carol was getting married so my parents allowed me to go. Venezuela isn't exactly that safe anymore, especially for "tourists." I got to spend time with my family which was absolutely awesome.<br><br>My aunts wedding was absolutely amazing. Words cannot describe how gorgeous everything was. As soon as I can, I will upload pictures because that's the only way to get the full effect.<br>

... involves eating and drinking plenty, although the emphasis seems to be mainly on drinking. On the 24th, we started drinking in the evening and then everyone got dressed up quite smart. We had a typical Venezuelan Christmas meal just before midnight, which consists of pork, hallacas (meat and veg wrapped in a maize flour dough and a banana leaf), pan de jamon and chicken salad. Then at midnight the kids get their presents and everyone just carries on drinking and dancing till dawn ...