Angels Off

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Wed 7 Oct 2009 22:10
ANGEL FALLS TRIP

7th - 14th OCTOBER 2009

 

We got back from the UK and heard a group on Ch 68 - The Cruisers Net - talking about a trip to The Angel Falls. We asked if there was space and became the sixth vessel to be included. Anne of Freya of Clyde did loads of research, organised meetings, checked out anti-malarials, yellow fever jab need, costings, timings and ferries. By the final Saturday before the off a last meeting and a cunning plan confirmed. 

Travel Agent in Venezuela would be Branko Stojanovic (of Turistico SurAmericaTravel) who spoke passable English and his Fluent girlfriend Beata - aka Betty. They would meet us in Guiria off the

ferry.

 

The Plan:

 

1.         Wednesday, 7th October - Ferry to Guiria, meet Branko and Betty, stay overnight and again on the night of the 13th of October prior to our return ferry.                  

2.         Thursday 8th October - Bus to Ciudad Bolivar. 330 miles and could take up to 15 hours including the stop for lunch and comfort stops. Safe hotel opposite the airport. 

3.         Friday 9th October - Fly to Cainama, trip on an indigenous boat to Laguna de Canaima "Canaima lagoon", where you can see Ucaima, Golondrinas, Wadima and Hacha falls.    

4.         Saturday 10th October -  Trip on the indigenous boat to Laguna de Canaima "Canaima lagoon", walk to Puerto Ucaima, and el Mirador "Viewpoint" where you can enjoy the

            view over the falls.

            Trip on the indigenous boat to Isla Raton including 30 min walk to los Rapidos de Mayupa "Mayupa rafting" and visit el Pozo de la felicidad "The lucky well"

            On the way you will see Isla Orquidea "Orchid Island" and than you arrive at Refugio rustico- (overnight camping in hammocks) which is located in Isla Raton

5.         Sunday 11th October - 1 to 2 hour hike through the rain forest towards el Mirador  "Viewpoint" - to see Salto Angel "Angel Falls". If the weather conditions are good you can

            bathe at the base of the highest falls in the world. Back in the canoes to return to base camp.

6.         Monday 12th October - Flight back to stay overnight in Ciudad Bolivar.

7.         Tuesday 13th October - Bus back to Guiria and overnight.

8.         Wednesday 14th October - Ferry back to Chaguaramas 

            MONEY: White market 1 $ = Bs.F 2.15 (price controlled)  Black Market 1 $ = Bs.F 5 (this price varies)

 

We had been told to pack as if we had to carry everything, everywhere. Beds was distraught in case there was no room for him. Bernie was fine about staying as long as he could sit in the

lounge and chill with the gang. I decided for the first time in my life to travel without my pillow. The risk of it getting soaked was too much, "OK Beds you can come and be my stand in pillow"

 
 
 
 
 
 
Neither of us had been to South America. On a clear day we can see Venezuela from just down the road from here in Chaguaramus (top right of right map).
 
 
 
 
 
We paid Sterling of Jesse James Maxi Taxi the 50p to leave here at 06:45 to arrive at the ferry dock for 07:00, ferry departure spot on at 09:00. Farewell to Trinidad.
 
 
 
 
Farewell to Chaguaramus. The ferry provides soft drinks, tea and milo en route. Sandwiches, rolls and cake for a small cost.
 
 
 
 
It felt good to be out on the water in the blazing sun.
 
 
    
 
 
Connie and Fred of Tashtego (named after a character in Moby Dick) out of Boston, USA. Connie catching some zeds. Leona and Bill of Voyageur C out of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
 
 
 
 
We watched a vessel being tugged.
 
 
 
   
 
 
Traudl and Jochen (Austrian) of Blue Song out of Frankfurt, Germany. Mike - pointing to a vessel called 'Mike Tide' and Pat of El Lobo out of Sunderland County Durham
 
 
 
 
 
Pat who had a thing against Beds "he's got to leave the Wuss Hut you know" and Mike with Alan and Anne of Freya of Clyde out of Irvine, Scotland. Bear waiting quietly as we circled in Guiria.
 
 
   
 
 
Time for the Captain of the Sea Prowler 2 to have a deep drag. One of the more colourful passengers. Arriving.
We arrived on time at 13:00 and had to circle in the port awaiting a "doctor" to board to check us over for Swine Flu. Actually she boarded at 14:30 and just ticked off our passport numbers against her list. Ditto Immigration who boarded as soon as we got alongside. Set foot ashore at 15:10 to be met by Betty and Branko. Tashtego and Beez Neez went with a boot full of baggage with the lid waggling alarmingly to our hotel.
 
 
 
 
 
Hotel Plaza. The proprietor, Branko and Betty, next to Mike (standing behind) The group enjoying a cool beer before we slid away to explore.
 
Just as in any group there becomes 'naturals' for tasks and job titles - and we were to be no different.
Mike became our Beer Kitty Manager. Cacique Rum was 35 Bolivars (about £4.50), Beer 3.50 or 40p. Pat on the journey had been Domino Distribution Manager, she had given each of us a packet with eight dominoes in so we could share the weight of the Mexican Train Domino Set. Double twelve being the highest, we looked forward to learning a new game.
Betty was Currency Exchange Manager and of course Branko was Geographic Support Manager.
Connie with her fluent Spanish became our Language Support Manager. Fred was temporarily Rear Guard Manager, sweeping behind the group.
Bill as he could "be firmly loud" our Discipline Enablement Manager. Leona - Food Procurement Manager, with her first role being to shop for a joint breakfast for the following morning.
Other job titles to be set as the week progressed. Although Jochen was temporarily Smooth Operations Manager as he secured the only double bed in the hotel.
Anne of course was the Managers Management Manager - aka Boss Lady or Head Honcho.
 
 
 
   
 
 
Our room had a TV, a fitted wardrobe, air-con AND an en-suite. Hey what do you expect for $10 per room and security.
 
 
   
 
 
Off to explore. We were told to expect statues of Simon Bolivar everywhere we went. I was chuffed to see a place called 'Don Pepe'. The town church.
 
Guiria in the Doyle Book is described as a port of clearance and a sizeable country town and like many places in Venezuela, Guiria has reached a kind of balance where the rate of deterioration is offset by an equal measure of building and renewal. The buildings are mainly one storey and from the outside look deceptively small. Looking in the are sizeable with inside patios and gardens. We were warned by Betty and Branko to stick together, hide all jewelry and be careful. 
 
 
 
   
 
 
A typical street. The best bus in town and Pat and Leona our Food Procurement Manager securing breakfast.
 
 
   
 
 
We walked for a short while and ate in the road, literally the owner from Syria, of the eaterie Janturi, put chairs and tables out against the curb. All very exciting when the big Mack Trucks came roaring through. We ate delicious Chicken and Beef Shawarma and a bottle of juice. For all fourteen of us the bill came to 311 Bolivars or about £8. Then it was back to our hotel. Tot of rum or two before turning in and a chat to Traudl and Jochen as they had vast knowledge of South America having travelled widely in a four month excursion by bus, boat and foot. Bear fast asleep, no surprises there then.
 
 
   
 
 
Doyle described our dining room as: If after a few beers all you want is a cheap meal then wander to Restaurant Plaza. This family style restaurant at the back of the bar is a large room with plants down one wall. It is owned and run by Clirita and Nanoco. If you don't want to watch the television while you eat, sit at the far end. Food here is family style with good-sized portions at very reasonable prices. We had no food here so wish we could comment but the decor was just as described.
 
 
   
 
 
Betty had been put our breakfast in the hotel cooler. Quite frozen we had to wait for a while for juice, yoghurt, ham and cheese to thaw out. The group tucked in after a while. Fred standing next to the bus.
 
 
 
ALL IN ALL A FUN DAY. REALLY EXCITING.