| s/v Nine of Cups Venezuela to Bonaire |
Our plan had been to visit as much of inland
Venezuela as possible. However, on 2 December
2002, a national strike to oust President Chavez
began and continued beyond our stay in
Venezuela. Shortages of food, fuel and beer were
most noticeable. The value of the Bolivar
plummeted from $1=1200 Bs to $1=1800 Bs and
inland travel was inadvisable.
The U.S. and Canadian embassies issued
traveler's warnings and advised Americans in
Venezuela to leave. For our part, we never
experienced any violence, only inconvenience.
What a disappointment to be in such a beautiful
country and miss all of its wonder.
Venezuela as possible. However, on 2 December
2002, a national strike to oust President Chavez
began and continued beyond our stay in
Venezuela. Shortages of food, fuel and beer were
most noticeable. The value of the Bolivar
plummeted from $1=1200 Bs to $1=1800 Bs and
inland travel was inadvisable.
The U.S. and Canadian embassies issued
traveler's warnings and advised Americans in
Venezuela to leave. For our part, we never
experienced any violence, only inconvenience.
What a disappointment to be in such a beautiful
country and miss all of its wonder.
Isla Paraiso Resort & Yacht Club was our home in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela. Exclusive high rise
condos on a little peninusla jutting out into the lagoon seemed rather extravagant, but since construction
wasn't quite finished, the price was a steal. We spent the holidays here before heading out in mid-January
condos on a little peninusla jutting out into the lagoon seemed rather extravagant, but since construction
wasn't quite finished, the price was a steal. We spent the holidays here before heading out in mid-January
Archiepelago Los Roques (the Rocks) is comprised of
about 40 named islands and another 250 unnamed
islets, sandbars and cays. In 1972, it was established as
a Venezuelan national park. Huge coral reefs and
mangrove islands provide lots of spots to explore and
tuck into.
El Gran Roque is the largest settlement in the Roques
with a population of about 1200. It is very distinctive
upon approach with its large 380' hills.
Gran Roque is a colorful town and very tourist oriented
with lots of shops and restaurants lining its sand streets.
There are no vehicles other than golf carts. Electricity is
produced via diesel-driven generators.
about 40 named islands and another 250 unnamed
islets, sandbars and cays. In 1972, it was established as
a Venezuelan national park. Huge coral reefs and
mangrove islands provide lots of spots to explore and
tuck into.
El Gran Roque is the largest settlement in the Roques
with a population of about 1200. It is very distinctive
upon approach with its large 380' hills.
Gran Roque is a colorful town and very tourist oriented
with lots of shops and restaurants lining its sand streets.
There are no vehicles other than golf carts. Electricity is
produced via diesel-driven generators.
Catch of the Day!
The starfish are huge and clearly visible
under several feet of clear, aquarmarine
water. The one David is holding washed
up on the beach.
Beachcombing and shelling have become
pleasant pasttimes. We identify and
catalog some of the more unusual shells
and others we use for decoration around
the boat.
The starfish are huge and clearly visible
under several feet of clear, aquarmarine
water. The one David is holding washed
up on the beach.
Beachcombing and shelling have become
pleasant pasttimes. We identify and
catalog some of the more unusual shells
and others we use for decoration around
the boat.
Oh, my! We're in the process of redoing all of our old webpages and enhancing
them with more photos and text. Be patient while we plod along and please do
check back frequently to see the new updates!
them with more photos and text. Be patient while we plod along and please do
check back frequently to see the new updates!