Beach paradise wth a twist
Trip Start
Jun 26, 2008
1
5
101
Trip End
Jun 2009
Canaima National Park,
Venezuela
Friday, August 8, 2008
We were up at first light and watched as the sun caught the falls and the surrounding rock, everything glowed. Then breakfast and down river back to main camp. On the way we stopped for a swim under a small waterfall. Beats a morning shower!
We had a free afternoon so we headed to the beach. What a beach... peach sand, orange waves and a view of six mighty waterfalls. The water colour is due to tannin staining so the water although tangarine is clear and clean. After the usual afternoon downpour the birds all came out and we watch a humming bird in the tree outside our room for ages.
The next mornng we were up early again. We walked to the beach and saw loads of birds but the highlight was when we spotted some toucans
Sunrise
. There were four of them and they all flew into a big tree which also has two large red- headed woodpeckers in it. After the toucans I was on a high but Kings manged to get bitten by a large-pincered ant whcih would not let go. Luckily it was harmelss.A boat took us across the lagoon to the island when were walked to Salto Sapo. There is a ledge behind ths waterfall so you can walk behnd it. It was incredible to walk behind the furious water. We then climbed to the top of it and had a stunning view of the savanah across the lagoon. Our lovely guide for the day ,Carlos, decided to give us a bonus tour and took us round in a boat to another, more furious waterfall. There was a good natural path to walk behind the torrents and you could see the steam rising as the water hit the lagoon.
After lunch it was time to depart. This time on a bigger (20 seater) plane. A wonderful excursion.
Travellers tip- if you book to go to Canaima, book for an extra night in the camp, or a flight a day later and book the camp when you arrive. We would have loved to have spent another day there just relaxing. It is beautiful, peaceful and the people are really friendly and lovely. One of the camps on the lagoon is a bit run down and is being done up, but they are builing a nice new camp there and there are others a five minute walk from the lagoon.
