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Canaima National Park

By on 6. August 2007 in Venezuela
Canaima Lagoon, Canaima National Park, Venezuela, South America

Canaima Lagoon, Canaima National Park, Venezuela, South America

After the three days in the Orinoco Delta and the long travel back to Ciudad Bolivar via Ciudad Guyana, we longed for a little rest and comfort … Unfortunately the comfortable and most pleasant Posadas such as Don Carlos or the more expensive Angostura were all booked out. So we had to take what was available, which was Posada Dona Carol. Considering we would not find any pleasant rest, we decided to book a tour into Canaima the next day. We followed the recommendation of other fellow travellers and went to Total Adventura. Continue Reading →

The Orinoco Delta

By on 4. August 2007 in Venezuela

 

Boat Tour in the Orinoco Delta - Warao People on a boat, Orinoco Delta, East Venezuela

Boat Tour in the Orinoco Delta – Warao People on a boat, Orinoco Delta, East Venezuela

We truly enjoyed watching the activities in the Warao village from sunrise to sunset and sleeping in hammocks overlooking the river, even though this is not the most comfortable way to spend the night. The dwellings of the Waraos are perfectly adjusted to the climate, a wooden platform with four pillars that carry a thatched roof, so there is always a nice breeze and almost no mosquitoes. This is due to the fact that the many rivers that feed the Delta are so called “Rios Negros”, which carry an acid that is obviously not a habitat that mosquitoes prefer. Continue Reading →

Tucupíta & Going To The Orinoco Delta

By on 2. August 2007 in Venezuela
Boat Tour in the Orinoco Delta - Warao Village, Orinoco Delta, East Venezuela

Boat Tour in the Orinoco Delta – Warao Village, Orinoco Delta, East Venezuela

From Ciudad Bolivar we took a bus to Ciudad Guayana and then a “Por Puesto”, a collective taxi to Tucupíta, the only major settlement in the Orinoco Delta. At our hotel, the Amacuro Hotel, we arranged a trip into the Delta with a local “Pirata”. These are independent guides not working for an official agency, which were almost all closed due the city celebrating its 159 anniversary the day we arrived. Another reason was the major price difference between the two: we negotiated 500.000 Bolivares per person for a classical 3 days / 2 nights tour, while an official agency offered us 900.000 Bolivares. Continue Reading →

Ciudad Bolivar

By on 31. July 2007 in Venezuela
Colonial historic center, with colourful houses and tall window behind beautiful iron-works, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela

Colonial historic center, with colourful houses and tall window behind beautiful iron-works, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela

A one-hour flight from Caracas brought us to Ciudad Bolivar, the second largest town in Venezuela; though a dwarf compared to Caracas, the sprawling megalopolis with its 5 million inhabitants. Though we couldn’t get a room in so very popular “Posada Don Carlos”, we definitely enjoyed “Posada de Angustura”, a bit pricier but VERY comfortable. Nevertheless we used Posada Don Carlos for socializing with other travelers and seeking advice in various matters. This is the best place to stay in the whole city, a tastefully decorated posada with simple but clean rooms. The big asset though is its courtyard, quiet and airy, no other place in town offers this kind of atmosphere. We came here every evening to have a beer, gossip with fellow travelers or write down our impressions. Continue Reading →

Easy Arrival In South America

By on 29. July 2007 in Venezuela
Arriving at Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela - A major hub for trips in the Guyana Region (Orinoco Delta, Canaima & Angels Falls, Gran Sabana)

Arriving at Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela – A major hub for trips in the Guyana Region (Orinoco Delta, Canaima & Angels Falls, Gran Sabana)

While preparing the travel, we were surprised how many warning we would read or hear about traveling in South America. It has been sometimes so bad that we might have turned a little paranoiac! What a surprise considering how easy everything has been until now … Continue Reading →

17 Days in Mali

By on 10. January 2006 in Mali
The biggest mud building in the world: the Mosque of Djenne at dawn on a market day, Mali

The biggest mud building in the world: the Mosque of Djenne at dawn on a market day, Mali

We spent 17 days in Mali during Christmas 2005 & New Year 2006. Although we had only a bit more than two weeks to visit this huge country, we managed to see most of Mali’s major attractions. Continue Reading →

A Safari In The Serengeti

By on 20. February 2005 in Tanzania
Lion (Panthera Leo), Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, Africa

Lion (Panthera Leo), Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, Africa

To do a Safari through some of the most known National Parks in the world is the experience of a life time! After arriving in Arusha, near the Kilimanjaro, we toured the northern national parks of Tanzania for one week: Lake Manyara, the Serengeti, the N´gorongoro Crater and Tarangire. Continue Reading →

Saint Louis & North Senegal

By on 30. April 2004 in Senegal
Streets of St. Louis ... Where else would you see a banged up Renault 18 or Peugeot 505?

Streets of St. Louis … Where else would you see a banged up Renault 18 or Peugeot 505?

Since our first trip to Senegal left such a strong impression on us, we decided to discover more of this country, this time heading north for 12 days over Easter in April 2004. We only stayed one night in Dakar, at the Hotel Al Afifa, in our opinion the best deal in town. Then we immediately headed for St. Louis, the old colonial center of the very first French administration, with a Taxi Brousse. There we treated ourselves to the Hotel Cap St. Louis, a very pleasant place and a heaven of quietness on the Langue de Barbarie for an absolutely acceptable price. Continue Reading →