Caracas to Playa Puy-Puy
Well at least that is the plan. Not sure how far I´ll get through that part of the trip in this entry but need to make the effort. Left Caracas on the morning of the 30th, so am almost two weeks behind already. Not getting much free time in places where there is in Internet access, so have to make the most of the few opportunities.
Anyway got introduced to Cameron in the morning (tour is so friendly, even the truck has a name). From Caracas we headed east after a poor start. Dave and Darryl our drivers and guides took wrong turning in Caracas and we ended up just down the road from the hotel after 20 minutes driving. After that inauspicious start, things improved. We had pretty much a full days driving ahead of us with just a couple of breaks. First roadside lunch and team moved into an operation almost military in style.
Another break in Puerta la Cruz to buy in essentials (namely alcohol) and an opportunity to get some more Bolivars after contributing my 50000 to the beer kitty. And then on to Playa Colorada passing some beautiful coastal scenery and reaching our home for the next 3 nights: the Posada Jakera.
One of many firsts on the trip followed - a night in a hammock. Think the group of 7 of us in our room got the best deal. Lovely mesh all around the walls to stop the mozzies getting in and a fan as well. Made it very comfortable. Amazingly had no trouble sleeping but maybe that was due to the amount of alcohol consumed before going to bed.
Up early on New Year´s Eve for a day of sea kayaking (another first) out to and around some of the islands just offshore. Beautiful sunny calm morning. Made for a nice paddle even if the rudder on my kayak was causing problems. Spottd quite a bit of wildlife on the way as well: pelicans, boobies, dolphins. Stopped on one of the islands for lunch, some snorkelling (again a first for me), swimming, and sunbathing. Local iguanas provided some entertainment. First of all they come crashing down the hill to the beach (no way would they be able to creep up on anything), and then proceed to pose for photos, and eat bread from our lunch. Anyway then it was onto another island and some more swimming, and finally back to shore. Some of the group got to the see the dolphins right up close but I was too far away :-(
Then on to New Year´s Eve celebrations at the Posada. Had some locals and another group of travellers join us (mostly European). Had great fun celebrating each countries New Year in turn (except Australia - far too early Venezuela time to be drinking or maybe we just forgot!). Bottle of Glenlivet I purchased at Caracas airport got opened and we had a long drunken night, finishing with a celebration of New Year in British Columbia and California. By this time I think there were only 3 of our group still standing, although I could be wrong on that. Memories are a little hazy but as I recall Nas from California and Sue & myself were there to celebrate. At that point Sue and me called it a night but apparently Nas kept the party going all night before rolling into her hammock at lunchtime the following day.
After all that New Year´s Day was spent fairly quietly, though some of us did stroll down to the beach for lunch. Back o nthe beer again in the evening but a bit more controlled this time - we knew we had to be early the following day to get back on the truck for our next day of travel.
Driving a truck the size of Cameron around Venezuela can be quite interesting. Many of the cables overhead are very low. Hence every so often, one of the drivers needs to climb up out of the cab window to check clearance (as demonstrated by Darryl here). This was the first day plans went wrong. We were due to stay at a hacienda on a cocoa plantation for a couple of nights with a tour of the plantation and a talk on how chocolate is made. However when we reached the place, the owner wasn´t there and our reservation wasn´t honoured. They suggested a nearby beach, Playa Puy-Puy as a good place to camp. So off we headed. There were more and lower cables than ever down the unmade road leading to the beach. Think we only took one with us! Beach was worth the effort though. Also gave me a chance to practice my Spanish skills. We picked up group of hikers on the way - most were European (Italian, Austrian) but the girl who sat next to me on the truck was Venezuelan. Managed to keep a conversation going for twenty minutes until we arrived at the beach. Don´t think it was the most stimulating disussion ever but was very pleasing to have been able to do (and only a few pauses whilst my brain frantically tried to think of Spanish words or how to re-phrase what I was saying to fit my knowledge of the language). Beach was a lovely site to wake up in the morning. Who needs a shower when you can throw yourself straight in the Caribbean at 7 in the morning.
Looks like this blog entry has reached its conclusion. Still a week behind seeing as all this happened by 2nd January but getting closer to be up to date. Maybe more will follow today, maybe sometime later. Who knows?
Anyway got introduced to Cameron in the morning (tour is so friendly, even the truck has a name). From Caracas we headed east after a poor start. Dave and Darryl our drivers and guides took wrong turning in Caracas and we ended up just down the road from the hotel after 20 minutes driving. After that inauspicious start, things improved. We had pretty much a full days driving ahead of us with just a couple of breaks. First roadside lunch and team moved into an operation almost military in style. Another break in Puerta la Cruz to buy in essentials (namely alcohol) and an opportunity to get some more Bolivars after contributing my 50000 to the beer kitty. And then on to Playa Colorada passing some beautiful coastal scenery and reaching our home for the next 3 nights: the Posada Jakera. One of many firsts on the trip followed - a night in a hammock. Think the group of 7 of us in our room got the best deal. Lovely mesh all around the walls to stop the mozzies getting in and a fan as well. Made it very comfortable. Amazingly had no trouble sleeping but maybe that was due to the amount of alcohol consumed before going to bed.
Up early on New Year´s Eve for a day of sea kayaking (another first) out to and around some of the islands just offshore. Beautiful sunny calm morning. Made for a nice paddle even if the rudder on my kayak was causing problems. Spottd quite a bit of wildlife on the way as well: pelicans, boobies, dolphins. Stopped on one of the islands for lunch, some snorkelling (again a first for me), swimming, and sunbathing. Local iguanas provided some entertainment. First of all they come crashing down the hill to the beach (no way would they be able to creep up on anything), and then proceed to pose for photos, and eat bread from our lunch. Anyway then it was onto another island and some more swimming, and finally back to shore. Some of the group got to the see the dolphins right up close but I was too far away :-( Then on to New Year´s Eve celebrations at the Posada. Had some locals and another group of travellers join us (mostly European). Had great fun celebrating each countries New Year in turn (except Australia - far too early Venezuela time to be drinking or maybe we just forgot!). Bottle of Glenlivet I purchased at Caracas airport got opened and we had a long drunken night, finishing with a celebration of New Year in British Columbia and California. By this time I think there were only 3 of our group still standing, although I could be wrong on that. Memories are a little hazy but as I recall Nas from California and Sue & myself were there to celebrate. At that point Sue and me called it a night but apparently Nas kept the party going all night before rolling into her hammock at lunchtime the following day. After all that New Year´s Day was spent fairly quietly, though some of us did stroll down to the beach for lunch. Back o nthe beer again in the evening but a bit more controlled this time - we knew we had to be early the following day to get back on the truck for our next day of travel.
Driving a truck the size of Cameron around Venezuela can be quite interesting. Many of the cables overhead are very low. Hence every so often, one of the drivers needs to climb up out of the cab window to check clearance (as demonstrated by Darryl here). This was the first day plans went wrong. We were due to stay at a hacienda on a cocoa plantation for a couple of nights with a tour of the plantation and a talk on how chocolate is made. However when we reached the place, the owner wasn´t there and our reservation wasn´t honoured. They suggested a nearby beach, Playa Puy-Puy as a good place to camp. So off we headed. There were more and lower cables than ever down the unmade road leading to the beach. Think we only took one with us! Beach was worth the effort though. Also gave me a chance to practice my Spanish skills. We picked up group of hikers on the way - most were European (Italian, Austrian) but the girl who sat next to me on the truck was Venezuelan. Managed to keep a conversation going for twenty minutes until we arrived at the beach. Don´t think it was the most stimulating disussion ever but was very pleasing to have been able to do (and only a few pauses whilst my brain frantically tried to think of Spanish words or how to re-phrase what I was saying to fit my knowledge of the language). Beach was a lovely site to wake up in the morning. Who needs a shower when you can throw yourself straight in the Caribbean at 7 in the morning.Looks like this blog entry has reached its conclusion. Still a week behind seeing as all this happened by 2nd January but getting closer to be up to date. Maybe more will follow today, maybe sometime later. Who knows?
posted by Alan at 4:32 pm
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