Stars on the wall posada, Puerto Columbia

Also known as the pants ladies hostel this would have been an okay place to stay (its was fairly cheap), but purely based on the fact we were made to feel as we’d invited ourselves to stay round someones house and the owner struted around in her pants i’d give it a wide berth.

Caracas to Puerto Columbia

Day 2

Following the daughter of Casa Luisa owners, Carolina’s advice, we caught  the bus to El Hatillo, a very colorful and pretty suburb of Caracas. Carolina shared a taxi with us to Caracas bus terminal and kindly accompanied us to the right bus which was headed for Maracay (6,000 Bv)

In Maracay we changed to a bus to Puerto Columbia, the road to Puerto Columbia was a bumby ride along a narrow mountain road through the jungle. We were entertained by local teenagers singing and drinking rum at the back of the bus, I was pleased to be able to sing along with them to Rockin in Free World by Neil Young :-).

Once in Puerto Columbia we looked around for the posadas that Carolina had recommended, we ended up at one with no name, its recognisable feature was the stars on the wall at the front. When we entered the posada we caught a glimps of the slightly chubby owner in just in her pants and vest, predending we hadnt seen her, we expected her to run for cover in embarasement, to our suprise she came and spoke to us and this was how she remained for our stay, as the pants lady. We went for a walk to find the beach and had pabellon crillo (the national dish of venezuela) (6,000 Bv) at a restaurant for dinner. After a few beers sitting on the sea wall it was time for bed. Continue reading »

Friday Photo - Venezuela School Bus

Keeping on the Venezuelan theme, another photo from the fantastic country. Old American school buses are the main way to get around in Venezuela, travelling in one is a great experience, each one more elaborately customised and music pumping than the last. This one was photographed just before leaving the fantastic Puerto Columbia.

Friday Photo - Waterfall, Canaima National Park, Venezuela

One of many fantastic waterfalls you’ll see on a boat trip through Canaima National Park to see Angel Falls

Spaghetti and Cheese Ice Cream, Merida, Venezuela

Things to do in Merida - Eat strange flavoured ice cream

Merida has an ice cream parlour that boasts the greatest number of different flavours of ice cream in the world. I tried spaghetti n cheese and the salmon ice cream before some strawberry to take the strange taste away.

On the wall there’s a list of all the different flavours that they have offered over the years, unfortunately the world cup 98 flavour wasn’t available, wonder what that tasted of?

The likeness to the flavours is quite amazing, give it a go!

Take a ride on the world’s longest cable car, Merida, Venezuela

Reaching an altitude of 4765 m. Merida’s cable car is the highest in the world.

The cable car consists of four sections for a total length of 12.5 km. The altitude at the top is higher than any point in Europe and USA excluding Alaska.

The first section starts at Barinitas station (1577m) the corner of the square with the fountain, it ends up at La Montaña station (2577 m.), go for a walk around and gaze upon the beauty of Merida sat far down below. Hopefully you wont be feeling too light headed at this point.

The next two stages reach La Aguada station (3452 m.) and Loma Redonda station (4045 m.), if your unlucky it may leave you feeling altitude sick, but fingers crossed you’ll be alright and be able to warm yourself with a tasty cup of chocolate.

Have a real good rest at this point, walk very slowly, don’t run around and get used to the altitude as much as you can before taking the final assent.

The final stage takes you to Pico Espejo (Mirror Peak - 4765 m.) where you can walk outside amongst the snow. Cross your fingers again and hope you have a clear day and are able to see all around, we didn’t’ but enjoyed watching the Venezuelans (many of them would never have seen snow before) play in the snow as we slowly walked around.

El Hatillo, Caracas

Continue reading »

Casa Luisa Guesthouse, Caracas

Casa Luisa is located near to El Hatillo, an area of nice restaurants and pretty colonial architecture. Located some 10-12km from downtown Caracas in a safe part of the city it seemed like the most sensible choice for our first visit to South America. In the guesthouse you stay in the apartment with Luisa and her husband who are both extremly firendly. Continue reading »

Day 1 - London to Caracas

Arrived at Caracas Airport after a 2hr flight to Madrid then an 8hr flight to Caracas. Got an official taxi to our Guesthouse costing a huge $60! A bridge from the Airport to the city center had collapsed meaning the trip from the airport in to the centre passed through some very dodgy areas. After reading all the dodgy stories about kidnappings from the airport we had no choice but to pay!

It took 2hrs 30mins and passed through a few Shanty towns. Only got a bit scared when the taxi driver started texting someone then wound down the windows when we were stuck in the large traffic jam.

I kept a close eye on the wing mirrors and watched the kids selling tintos (small coffees) to the passersby very closely ready to run at any moment.

Arrived at Casa Luisa at 7pm met by the lovely Luisa, had our first Castellano conversation, we did so well that Luisa had to call in the english speaking daughter to translate.

Went to the supermarket and then made a huge omelette that got stuck on the pan and to be saved by Luisa and her Husband. Got a lot of advice from Carolina (Luisa’s daughter) about Puerto Cloumbia, had a few cheap beers (750bolivars each!) and went to bed, happy to have made alive.