To Base Camp

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Fri 9 Oct 2009 20:50

Flight from Ciudad Bolivar to Cainama, canoe to Base Camp

 

The following morning we went to the airport and divided into 3 groups for the hour and a quarter hour flight to Canaima in the Canaima National Park. The little Cessna planes were six seater including the pilot, we got in with Connie and Fred, a local and our pilot. The advantage of the Cessna is everyone has a window seat. Flying at a maximum of six thousand, five hundred feet for the one hundred and nineteen miles we had wonderful views of our first tepuys, some of the many waterfalls, rivers and the dense rain forest as we approached Canaima.

 

   

 

Beds had a stiff coffee for breakfast, we repacked (yet again), minibus the short distance across the road and off we went. Connie held Beds

 

 

 

Beds enjoyed the views and was excited as the pilot when we overtook one of the other groups.

 

  

   
 

After a bit of wing walking and testing out the "hot seat" we were ready to explore.

 
  
 
 
Leona and the hat may end up with their own blog as it suffered for it's art. Time for a bit of "Retail Therapy" at the airport where the rum was 180 Bolivars to the 35 we paid in the Guiria. A little local chap.
 
 
  
 
 
Pat "testing" the merchandise and Connie getting her bearings.
 
 
  
 
 
Just a short walk from the airport to the waters edge. The sign, the group and Fred as Backstop Sweeper of the Gang.
 
Canaima sits on one side of Canaima Lagoon which is fed by four spectacular waterfalls on the Rio Carrao.  After landing, we walked a short way and were then transported by canoe to Camp Bernal (www.bernaltours.com) on Isla Anatoliy which is situated in the lagoon between two of the waterfalls. Native people here are the Pemon and guides must be native. We met our river guide Danielle at the camp. Danielle spoke English like a first language – it turns out all of the guides here must speak English, we spoke to a few who were from British Guiana. Tomas Bernal who founded the business was originally from Peru.
 
 
   
 
 
Loading onto our canoe, the colour of the water, our first look at waterfalls with Tepuy in the background
 
 
 
 
 
Danielle pointing, we were to learn the fall names later
 
 
 
 
 
First look at base camp, hammocks and dining area. Baggage in rooms (we shared with Connie and Fred) then welcome drink and gifts.
 
 
  
 
 
Welcome drink was quite tart but very refreshing, coffee and biscuit with local fish pate. Gifts of bracelets and necklaces. Our hostess and her children.
 
 
 
ALL IN ALL AN INCREDIBLE VIEWS ON THE FLIGHT, ARRIVING IN THIS FRIENDLY AND WELCOMING CAMP.
                     TRULY SPECTACULAR AREA OF WATERFALLS, FELT VERY SAFE HERE