Flights from Puerto Ordaz to Margarita Island (with a change of plane in Caracas) are straightforward – perhaps one of the few things that are in this country. During the layover in Caracas I try to exchange the Brazilian Reals I acquired in Santa Elena de Uarien for Venezuelan Bolivars, but no black market money changer wants them. And the official exchange rate is 1 Brazilian Real = 0.65 … [Read more...]
New Year’s Eve, Margarita Island, Day 156
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Margarita Island, located just off the Venezuelan coast in the Caribbean Sea, is where Venezuelans (and sun worshipers from Europe) come to party over Christmas and New Year. According to our by now tattered copy of the LP guide to South America, it is an urbanized and highly developed beach vacation experience replete with fancy restaurants, high-rise international hotel chains, and plenty … [Read more...]
New Year’s Day, Margarita Island, Day 157
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It's New Year's Day - Happy New Year Everyone! Today Christi, Kelvin, Ashley, and I finally indulge in the classic Caribbean beach experience. Remarkably all the trash and used fireworks from last night has been removed by the time we arrive (mid-morning). It's also Kelvin and Ashley’s last full day; tomorrow they head back to San Francisco. In truth, Playa El Agua is much more how I … [Read more...]
Paradise, Margarita-style, Day 158
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Christi and I get up early to say goodbye to Ashley and Kelvin and never really get back to sleep again. Both Christi and I wish that we too were leaving, but our onward flight from Caracas to Bogota, Colombia, departs in two days so there seems little point moving on. Still we are leaving the Residencia Vacacional today - and I for one will not be sad to leave the mosquitoes behind. At … [Read more...]
Playa El Agua, Margarita Island, Day 159
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Our room at the Costa Linda Beach Hotel in Playa El Agua comes with a free breakfast - if you can drag yourself out of bed by 10:30 am. And as Christi and I are feeling rather becalmed in this island paradise, 10.30 am seems awfully early. Lassitude is seeping into our bones, which is not a good thing when you consider our next destination is Colombia. We're a little nervous about visiting … [Read more...]
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