Hotel Kristoff Maracaibo

Just a quick stop off on the way to Columbia. Would not recommend coming here unless you want to die of fumes. Although the market was quite interesting.

seeing as I am leaving here is a
Poem for Venezuela

Beautiful valley full of lights,
government taken wonderous heights,
trashy cars of American ...

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.

The bus from Santa Marta for some reason stopped after just 40 minutes at a truck stop for a little over an hour, presumably so our over sized driver could get his fill, before heading to the border. Despite what we had heard the crossing was suprisingly fast and straightforward. After stamping out of Colombia we changed a few US dollars into Bolivars with a man with a huge wad. He gave us 3 to the dollar, but we had been told that between 3 and 4 ...

After our brief detour to the Galapagos Islands - which were amazing - it was back to mainland South America, and a far less comfortable kind of travelling. Starting with an overnight bus to Quito, where Dan and Dave were told they couldn't take their bags on board because they posed a security threat. After a bit of complaining and a quick search of both bag and body they were eventually ...

So... arrived to Ciudad Bolivar, wet, tired and no clean clothes. After getting a lift from Almar's cousin to the terminal to buy our tickets for Maracaibo, he dropped us off at a mall to get something to eat. 6 hours later we finally got on our bus for our first long haul bus ride so far. It would leave at 9pm, and take us most of the width of the country for 18hours finally arriving around 5pm the next day. Naturally we were stuck in front of the noisest ...

... 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.

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.

... What to say about Maracaibo ? Nada, in fact... I worked again... Delys and I choosed to do it quickly to have time together... ... Just one thing... For the same room price of the Maruma Hotel, go to Aladdin... yes, it's a motel, but a faboulus place... trust me

... 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 ...