Anticipating the great falls

Trip Start Jan 19, 2006
1
150
330
Trip End Jan 19, 2007


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of Venezuela  ,
Saturday, July 15, 2006

Yesterday had a very bumpy and fast boat trip back towards Tucupita although we decided not to stay there another night as planned as we had probably seen the highlights already. We then got on the road for another longish driver through more savannah. Had to stop and get a ferry across the Rio Orinoco in the truck. Locals seem more friendly here and openly say ¨hola gringo¨. After another hour or so we get to Makro (yes the hypermarket) to stock up on supplies for our camping although it is quite pricey and our kitty master is far too strict.

Find our campsite just outside Ciudad Bolivar which again is very nice although we are properly camping this time. Is incredibly humid here despite the intermittent rain. Slept eventually in our tent although cant keep the doors open as there are loads of insects here too.

Today had a mini lie in before lazing by the pool for a while and then getting the shuttle service from our campsite into town to have a look around. Streets are buzzing today as its Saturday and there is a market and loads going on like its a festival or something (it probably is but we are just gringos). The top of the city has old colonial buildings and a church which are all brightly coloured and nice. However, I am happier sitting in this internet place as its very cold (possibly even too cold!).

My cook group is doing a barbie tonight so fingers crossed we will find some cheap meat beforehand otherwise it will be a veggie one.

On way home we stopped to get some meat for the barbie in a small shop. It started to absolutely bucket down like you have never seen it before. After about 10 minutes of it we were paddling in water in the shop and they were handing out beer crates for us to stand on! Leaving the shop and walking to the minibus I was actually scared while I was paddling (virtually to my knees) in the water that I was going to be swept away. Needless to say I was very wet indeed. Stopped for some charcoal on the way back and funnily enough the shop owner thought we were completely loony to be doing a barbie.

It did eventually stop though (and our tent was only a bit wet) and we had a good barbie after all!

Are off to Angel Falls for a few days tomorrow which should be good!

Forgot to mention before that Dave´s sis, Jane, was sposed to come to meet us in Brazil for a few weeks with their dad but unfortunately she has suffered a collapsed lung so cant fly for a while. Fingers crossed they may be able to join us later in the trip though.
Print this entry Ciudad Bolivar hotels