2 week excursion to Venezuela.

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Arrived in Caracas airport on the 28th Jan. at night. Once in the lobby
was surrounded by a couple of hustlers trying to buy dollars. First i
thought they are selling counterfeit money, but eventurally came to trust
them and changed few hundred
dollars because they offered a higher rate of and amazing 2.8k. than the
official exchange rate which is 2.1 k Bolivares. Later i found that i
could have exchanged for much higher rate of 3.4. The dollar is in high
demand due to Chavez´s reform measures, which has induced some panic and
so there is a big demand for the dollar. This is so despite the fact
official market rate is 2.1, indicating markets are not officially effected.
One of the hustlers was also a cab driver
and took me for 1.5 times the cost, i later found out, to what he called a very safe hotel in
the barrios of the main airport located in city in Maiquitia. The city
has bad reputation for crime. As the main freeway to caracass is closed due to a
previous hurricane, the closest way to the main city is by roaed thru the hills
which can take 3 to 6 hours depending on time of day. Therefore had to settle for
an event less night in a well barricaded hotel for 30 dollars.

Day 2_7

Los Roques Islands: Small island chain in the Caribbean 120 km north of
the Venezuelan coast. It has mostly shadeless beaches, with white sands
and sparkling clear/ blue waters. You have to travel to small islands by
small taxi boats or use the boat from your bed and breakfast. The place is a
national park so development is restricted to small posadas or bed and and
breakfast homes. It is possible to spend a whole day in small island just
by yourself. Favorite activity among most travellers is to go to the beaches all day, sit under the shades provided by the boat taxi drivers and do absolutely nothing. The place is filled with Italians and many posadas are owned by them. Few of the locals speak English; the only to wordsthe posada manager spoke in English was NO and BEACH which he pronounced as bich.

Came Venezuela to kite surf, and dive, but did neither. Unfortunately
caught a nasty bug on the way from Seattle (my second cold for the month) which eventually got me bed
ridden on the third day. However, did spend two full days before that on
the beach which made matters worse. The disco tech next door blasting
music all night also did not allow any real rest. The posada parrot named Camila
constantly called her owner Mario and a big Labrador named Jack
barked at every passer-by, while the rest of the guests
went to the beach. Finally visited the clinic on the 4th day and the
young doc diagnosed middle ear infection, and treated it with antibiotics,
compliments of the Bolivarian Government. As you would imagine this was
quite disappointing so decided to try my luck in the mountains

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Photos

Trip to an island
Approacing an island on boat.

Dinner in the Posada
Friendly and boisterous Italian Tourists.

Los roques
Typical street in los roques

Beach
Nice view of the white sand and the clear water.

Borther and sister team
The chef and her sister