Sunday
The truck arrives at 8:00 A.M. to take our group to breakfast
at the main posada. We're served a fried egg, pancake with
jelly, and the usual slices of ham and cheese.
After breakfast, eight of us join Carlos for the Sapo Falls
tour. We climb aboard the canoe and motor across the lagoon
below the Canaima Falls. Since it is now wet season, the water
is flowing at full power. A layer of foam covers the lagoon.
It's like riding through a layer of steamed milk in a cup
of cappuccino. We have an easy 30-minute hike to the Sapo
Falls. Here we will walk behind the falls to the other side.
Although we're wearing swimsuits, none of us are prepared
for what we experience. We gingerly pick our way down a narrow
path between the rock wall and the torrential cascade of water
coming over the falls. There's a single rope guard rail between
us and the edge. A misstep could mean disaster. The waterfall
is so powerful it would easily crush anyone who fell onto
the rocks below. In some places, the water curves backwards
across our path making it nearly impossible to see. If you
can imagine standing in front of a fire hose, you'll have
the general idea.
On the other side of the falls, we stop briefly. Nick has
carried the camera in a plastic bag, but even here it is too
wet to bring it out. The only pictures from this part of the
tour are taken by another cruiser who brought her camera in
a clear dry bag. During the drier months, it's possible to
swim in the pool beneath the falls. Today that would be suicide.
After a brief viewing time, we retrace our path under the
blinding cascade of water.
When we arrive back at the posada, we learn that planes are
ready to take us back to Cuidad Bolivar. Rather than wait
on the big plane that brought us here, our group will be divided
among three planes. Nick and I end up on two different single-engine,
five-passenger planes. The sun is shining and the trip is
pleasant.
Back at the airport, Natasha greets us and apologizes for
our problems. Our ride to Puerto La Cruz has not arrived yet,
so she arranges for several taxis to take us to a market area
on the Orinoco River. We have a delicious lunch with a fabulous
view, followed by a quick stop at the shoreside festivities
of the Malicon. Then it's back in the van for the bone-jarring
ride home.
The waterfalls were spectacular and we're glad to have made
the trip. Some of the logistics were botched, but we learned
to be flexible and go with the flow when traveling in remote
areas. Venezuela is a country of unsurpassed natural beauty.
It offers islands with powdery white beaches and pristine
water, lush jungles, majestic mountains, and fertile plains.
We hope to see more of this incredible country before we leave.
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A parrot outside the restaurant.
View of the lagoon below Canaima Falls.
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