Angel Falls update

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Well it has been a busy week or so, so there is a lot to catch up with.

Angel Falls was fantastic, there aren´t enough words to express how great the trip was. It started off with a 4 hour bus journey then a 25 minute flight in a Cessna. There were 6 of us (5 tourists and the pilot). It was all OK until the pilot started reading the newspaper! He did manage to put it down though to land the plane. After lunch we then got in a boat to visit the first waterfalls we would see. We then went a bit further downstream and got out of the boat to walk behind another waterfall. Well we thought we were walking behind it but in fact we walked through it and got completetly soaked. The power of the waterfall on your head was amazing and so loud. Luckily our guide helped us through. We then walked to the top of the waterfall and tried to dry off. However we had to walk through the waterfall again to get back to the boat so got soaked for a second time. We then had a longish boat trip to the first camp. We selected our hammocks and had dinner and met the others on the trip. We had taken some rum with us, but there was no coke so we had to drink it neat or in coffee. Got used to it after a glass or two.

In the morning Chris, Miles and I had slight stomach problems (Mandy was OK). We had a light breakfast and set off for Angel Falls feeling very excited. Mandy and I got soaked sitting in the back of the boat but it was great fun. We got to our second camp about 10.30am and after drying off a bit started towards the falls. It took about an hour or so walking up hill. It was very hot but it was worth it. We had got to Angel Falls and it was fantastic. You can´t take in how big the falls are - the scenery is amazing. We then walked for about another 20 minutes to a pool that is fed by the Falls. It was cold to get in but was refreshing after the walk. We all got in for a swim, looking at Angel Falls above us.

When we got back to camp Mandy and I went for a bath, which you have to take in the River Churun. Even though the water was cold I managed to wash my hair, and from where we were in the river you could see the falls towering above us. After dinner we finished the rum and watched a very violent thunderstorm from our hammocks. (Fiona - I thought of you at this point, there was nowhere to escape from the thunder and lightening).

After breakfast the next morning we were back in the boats to Canaima to catch the plane and bus back to Cuidad Bolivar. During the bus journey we had our bags searched for the first time at a military checkpoint. It think it was something for the soldiers to do - they looked a bit bored.

Eventually got back to Cuidad Bolivar and arranged accomodation for a few nights outside of town. We had completed our first trip and it was awesome - time to arrange another one!

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Photos

Waterfall
Us after getting soaked walking through the waterfall

Angel Falls
Chris & I at Angel Falls

Hammock
Me trying to get warm!