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Published: September 28th 2005
Parque Nacional Sierra de La Culata 4,737m
It felt good arriving in the samll town of Mucuchies 2,983m high up in the Andean mountains. We checked into our Posada and went to take a look at the town. In the fresh, evening mist I realised I had left my trousers behind in Merida and that my small dress was going to be useless in 20mins, when night set in. We bargained with several different stalls until I came away with one baggy, blue tracksuit style for $5. Perfect underneath my dress.
We had slightly misjudged how much money we would need to bring and subsequently were restricted to a pasta meal that night and one breakfast costing 1000 bolivares, which is about 25p.
After one bread roll, we set off early the next day to climb to the Agua Termales, which are hot springs at the top of one of the mountains. It was a 3hr trek, and my little heart was beating like crazy to keep me going at that altitude. But wow, the views were stunning, for miles around all you could see were mountains, thick with trees, valleys cut by waterfalls and the odd close-up,
electricity pilon.
The hot springs were pretty bloddy hot. How bizzare to be swimming in a hot pool, held together with bin liners, high up in the cold mountains with a Venezuelan family. Returning back to Mucuchies, starving, we passed several guys selling puppies by the roadside. Unfortunately, the few older dogs you do see, seem a lot less cared for. But sadly, it seems to be an easy way to make money.
Merida
Merida is packed with tour agents and a couple of bars. We have tended not to eat in many of the restaurants, opting for the cheaper option of buying from the supermarket and cooking.
Jason and Gary arrived, so we thought we´d eat out. The night was fuelled by rum, wine, beer and drums.
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Gary Timms
non-member comment
Nice set of drums!!
wouldn´t have missed it for the world. Gx