Las Americas Caracas

... as we moved up the by then swift-flowing stream we realized that a strange, unidentifiable noise was growing progressively louder and louder. After what seemed several hundred yards the noise became a roar as we entered a place where the small canyon expanded magically into a circular room-like opening perhaps fifty feet across. Except for the slot canyon itself, the space was totally enclosed by vertical, reddish-brown rock walls. The noise was generated by an incredible ...

... yet, as the slum extends away from the center of town and closer to the airport. The slums are always on the way to the airport. They are there to greet you when you arrive, and they are there to bid you a farewell, one last glimpse of this land before you jet yourself out of it. The slums are really hard to miss. They go for miles and miles, squeezed tightly ...

... a few sites.. the plaza Altamira was gorgeous, and the scenery was beautiful. Being a tourist in the city did make us feel a bit uncomfortable as everyone was staring at the "gringos". But still a very good experience. Venezuela is like no other country Iīve ever been to. At night.. red lights become merely stop signs and in traffic.. really.. anything goes.. the shoulder is just another lane. Cabs requirments are working brakes, and engine. Jean and his family lived in an upscale ...

... clear that there is a lot of polarisation - you are either a hardcore Si or No...This is understandable because you either believe in socialist and egalitarian ends or not. So far, the reforms look like they would enhance democracy. In fact some of the local councils that have already been established look like they are here to stay, and they not only serve the Chavistas - there are many people from the opposition gaining power and mobilizing people through these democratic councils.

... kidnap capital of the world. Got checked in and went to the gate and met with as arranged with fellow travelers. The onward plan to El-Tigre was late in, in fact it turned out, it had not left due to storms. It then left, then it arrived, now at least 3-4 hours late. Never mind we would get there anyway. Actually no. We could not depart for El-Tigre at this time due to the same storms. So we wait, it is now ...

... next 3 days. We had to choose whether or not to go to another company or the station or just find a hostel, not really wanting to stay in Caracas we decided to head to the bus terminal for greater options. We had to take another grossly overpriced taxi (Caracas at night is no place for lost folk!!) who pulled up to a mob of people all wanting to take us to various companies. Our taxi driver got the attention of a man he knew and told him we wanted to ...

... before our next flight on to Ecuador. Off to explore. Picture attached is classic Venezuela Car. This was our taxi to the hotel and the guy asked if I would like to drive. Brilliant. Arriving in South America gave us our first chance to practice our spanish. Spent a good day walking around the city checking it out. Itīs rubbish, donīt bother. Decided to take a taxi back to the hotel and stood on the pavement ...

... days. it had a fridge, but no tv or aircon. not cool when it so so damn hot! El Agua was sooo expensive. it was the main tourist area for lots of European countries looking to get some caribian sun on there old leather-like backs. We hung out on the beach alot and did a heap of "suduku" which gets old after about a week. At one stage i decided to walk a few towns south to find the nearest ATm (who the hell doesnt have an ATM in a big tourist area!!!) and my ...

... of the group took the opportunity to go rafting and we ended up staying a extra night there and just chilling before setting off to Merida which apparently has the highest cable car in the world.... Unfortunately while we were there it was out of action due to maintainence. There were plenty of activities on offer canyonning, bridge jumping and paragliding of which I did the paragliding and that was absolutely amazing off the side of a mountain at about 1000m as soon ...

... too. I had an arepa con asado y aquacate (it's kind of like a steak and avocado sandwich). After lunch we left Sambil. We continued walking eventually reaching El Parque del Este. It was closed...I did not know a park could close...but it was. It was open on Mondays from 5am-9am. There are museums in the park that we knew were closed on Monday but we did not know the whole park could close. Oh well. Greg and I consulted the Lonely Planet and decided to take a cab to ...