Stage 4

Klaus´mañana attitude meant that possibly the group were not always working as hard as maybe we had expected. Klaus, however was fairly emphatic when he explained that he wanted the group to see and understand what he was doing rather than work till they were exhausted. That said the group took part in a number of activities: visiting a local cacao plantation and purchasing young trees to plant, planting not only the cacao but also mahogany and plantain trees near Kalus´farmhouse, a huge rustic building set in stunning surroundings over looking a very still and almost eerie lake. Slowly paddling around the lake to feed the fishes we were informed that Cayman were often spotted here. Unfortunately we didn´t see any crocs but we did witness herds of buffalo, lizards, and various species of birds, although we were slightly too early in the season for the Scarlet Ibis. As daylight faded the group returned to camp.

At this point the trip took a slight change of direction. The two injured challengers were told they were to be repatriated as soon as possible, and would be able to take no further part in the expedition. Understandably both the girls, and the rest of the group were distraught. After waiting on a phone call, we found out at 5.30am Sunday morning that the plan was in place. Quickly packing our bags we travelled in the trucks to Carupano one last time, leaving the group behind was difficult but we embarked on our own mini adventure leaving the rest of the group to make bowls out of the local ´calabis´pods. After a one hour flight in a tiny air ambulance plane we found ourselves back in Caracas where we had started our Venezuelan adventure. Transferring from the plane to an ambulance we zig zagged through the traffic along the outskirts of Caracas. The shanty towns which had looked so beautiful at night revealed thier true colours in the daylight. Ramshackled buildings with crumbling walls, haphazardly clinging to the steep sides of the hills, reaching higher and higher towards the clouds.
After a night in a hotel, I left the girls at the airport and made my way back to the group. These things always have a habit of working out and after a day long journey I arrived at the bus terminal just 10minutes after the rest of the group.
Roy, the in-country agent for this area of Venezuela, welcomed us into his home where beds and air conditioned rooms awaited us. The luxury continued as not only were the group able to order pizza but also take advantage of the in house washing service.

After the relative isolation of Veulta Larga we found ourselves in the large, bustling town of Ciudad Bolivar which lies on the banks of the river Orinoco. Home to the place of Venezuelan liberation; along with other countries that were under Spanish rule at the time the historic centre is a maze of steep, cobbled streets with brightly painted buildings on either side. The Plaza Bolivar itself is lined with impressive colonial houses which are expertly painted in beautiful, vibrant colours but the beautiful cathedral dominates the scene. Exploring the Casa del Congreso de Angostura (where congress met to discuss plans) we were led out into a small courtyard with views over the rooftops of Ciudad Bolivar and across the expanse of the dark and surging Orinoco river. That evening the group made thier way down to the view point to watch the sun set over the river, with some impressive views of the Puente de Angostura upstream, this bridge was, for almost 30 years, the only bridge over the Orinoco.
After a couple of days here, the group are beginning to prepare themselves physically and mentally for the challenge before them...Roraima. With supplies bought, kit bags packed everyone is excited about the next stage of this amazing adventure.