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Llanos Travel Blogs

Background: Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Ecuador). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Current concerns include: an embattled president, a divided military, drug-related conflicts along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples.

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By We three travellers
August 27th 2007

Hato Cedral - DAY 3

South America » Venezuela » Llanos

The bloody mosquitos! I have been eaten alive - and in fact its not just mosquitos its ants as well, depite the deet..... For some reason they seem to have much larger appetites for me than for either Ida or Emma - especially the soles of my feet - nightmare! Its not bad during the day but I can't sleep at night... We have our breakfast and head off for a leisurely stroll, the heat is intense, a bit too intense and our planned 3 hour walk is cut short because Emma is not feeling great.... We all got a bit [View Full Entry]

By We three travellers
August 26th 2007

Hato Cedral - DAY 2

South America » Venezuela » Llanos

On the ranch we wake up relatively early - breakfast is at 8.00 am - The food is great here, basic, fresh juices are delicious, melon, papaya, oranges. Also served is a traditional type of corn, circular, ciabatta type bread known as "arepas" - appropriately named in fact because its like a meal in itself - cheese, ham and eggs..... First excursion in the morning is at 9.00 and we get back into the trailer and head off unsteadily down one of the dirt tracks that disappears into the horizon of these vast plains. Not 10 minutes into our journey we [View Full Entry]

By We three travellers
August 25th 2007

Los Llanos - Hato Cedral DAY 1

South America » Venezuela » Llanos

Arrived at Barinas picked up by Freddy our transport person - just to take us from the airport to Hato Cedral.... Not the most talkative of people, although we tried... well mostly Emma in fact prompted by us now and then... we gave up and basically took in the scenery for the next three hours... Some of the houses lining the sides of the road appeared to be pretty makeshift as though they were put together by anything that came to hand. There is a lot of colour not from the landscape necessarily which is surprisingly green (wet season), but the [View Full Entry]

By LobsterCheeks
June 24th 2007

Cowboys and Caimans

South America » Venezuela » Llanos

smile for the camera!
wouldn´t like to meet this fella down a dark alley. Click to enlarge, and check out the blood on the teeth!

It was time to head deeper into Venezuela, and we had a happy reunion to kick things off. Dave "The Hat" and Cameron had finally caught up with us. Dave "The Hat" is so called because no-one has ever seen him without a hat, and he has a collection of SEVENTY hats. It is entirely possible that he showers in a hat. Cameron is our overland truck, named after Cameron Diaz. (all the Dragoman fleet are named after supermodels and actresses). When she turned up, half our group ran over and gave her a big hug and a kiss. Dave did [View Full Entry]

By draak
June 21st 2007

Wildlife and thrills in Los Llanos

South America » Venezuela » Llanos

En route
On the way to Los Llanos

The original plan was to go rafting first at the Arassari Trek campsite in Aguas Blancas near Barinas but with all the recent rain it was decided to go do the wildlife bit of the trip first. We had Alan as our guide. A Barbados-born naturalist, he knows everything about the wildlife in Los Llanos. And he is particularly keen on butterflies and brought his butterfly net along on the trip. We were reunited with Cameron who had been driven over the border from Colombia by Dave. He was stopped 17 times by the National Guard who all figure [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » South America » Venezuela » Llanos