Part 9: Venezuela - The Caribbean Coast to the Orinoco River
Sunday, 8 September 2013 9:54 am
Saturday 7th September:
Our thoughts of a nice quite beach camp spot have been somewhat shattered.
We drive past numerous beaches all crowded to the max. Loud speakers beating out music, sellers of food and everything else juggling for space.
It’s getting close to dusk and we have to find camp. Near Playa (beach) San Luis and the town of Cumana, there is the normal into town police check and we stop and ask where to camp and are offered the gravel patch opposite...that is Ok by us.
With the vehicles being looked after we walk and join the masses and noise on the beach.
A few beers and Pina Coladas and we are oblivious to all around us.
Interesting fact: Cumana is the oldest existing European settlement in South America and dates back to 1521
Camp 322: Police stop into Playa San Luis just outside Cumana.
Cost: Nil
N10* 25.083 W064* 12.838
Today : 304 Kms.
Trip Total: 102,844 Km
Height: ‘0‘metres
Sunday 8th September:
Early this morning we drive to the beach and see the mess left by yesterday’s crowd.
The locals start to arrive at 7am with bottles of beer and whisky, these they drink in the water and just drop the bottles. Shame !!
By 8am the cleaners have picked up most of the rubbish so it can all start again.
The need to find our beach on the Caribbean drives us to the eastern end of the Peninsula de Araya. At the end of a potholed and mountainous road is Playa Pui Puy.
Paradise Found!
Here we stayed for 3 nights.
Interesting we met one lady who was our first Chavez supporter. She told us how he helps the poor, provides free education to all, and every month you get your government payment from the bank. She also said that he encourages farming and working, however since the mountainous regions in the west we can not say we have seen this. Most people seem to do a lot of sitting around.
Venezuela imports 50% of it food requirements and for such a tropical country there is obviously too much sitting around!
We had a cigar left in the vehicle from Central America...and some port so tonight was the night.
Camp 323: On the Beach - Playa Pui Puy
Cost: Nil
N10* 42.038 W062* 58.175
Today : 305 Kms.
Trip Total: 103,149 Km
Height: ‘0‘metres
Wednesday 11th September:
Our vehicles are now heading South - our direction of travel for the next 6-8 weeks.
So we say farewell to the Caribbean, but - never say never!
This is supposed to be the most beautiful beach in Venezuela. Yes it is, except for the mass of vendors, and everybody with their hand out for something.
We lasted less than 10 minutes.
Heading south to Maturin the road is lined with fresh fruit and vegetables
Camp 324: In the car park of Hotel Stauffer - Maturin
Cost: Nil
N09* 47.788 W063* 12.274
Today : 237 Kms.
Trip Total: 103,386 Km
Height: 62 metres
Thursday 12th September:
It is cattle country across the vast flood planes of the Orinoco River - number 3 of the worlds great rivers.
We cross by the old vehicular ferry rather than drive the extra 50kms to use the new bridge.
Filled up with Diesel fuel 195 Lts - Total Cost Bsf 9.40 (US$3.15)
It took all afternoon but finally we have made a booking for Angle Falls on Saturday and decided to stay in Hotel Venetur because they also offered to look after the vehicles whilst we were away for the 3 days.
Camp 325: Hotel Venetur - Pueto Ordaz
Cost: BsF1625/double - approx US$50/night
N08* 18.875 W062* 41.368
Today : 223 Kms.
Trip Total: 103,609 Km