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We crossed tacks
with our friend John
on his Wharram cat Taraipo on the way to Coche.
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There were very
few other yachts
in the Gulf of Carico. The area has
several of its own micro-climates,
varying from stark desert to lush jungle
and rivers. It was very laid-back
and a real pleasure to cruise
this infrequently visited area.
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Chrissi at ease
at on the dock
at Madrigal Village, Gulf of Cariaco,
a place that warmly welcomes cruising boats.
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The north shore
of the Gulf of Cariaco
is very much the backside of nowhere.
Laid back? We waited about 2 hours for a
"bus" at this bus stop near the Madrigal "resort."
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Cariaco
is the "city" in the region.
One of the ladies and her goods at the
bustling large public market. |
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Exploding fireworks
rockets immediately called our attention to this religious
festival.
Bursting bombs, music, religious icons, somekind of
very dangerous local alcohol
and lots of good spirits animated the blessing of the
fishing fleets
while we were there. Just one of many boats above.
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We
fired off a distress flare to add to
the noise and to do our part,
and we were quickly visited by the
happy fleet, complete with
serenades and drinks. |
There's an intriguing
river at the head of the Gulf that runs
deep into the interior of Venezuela.
We started to explore it by kyak but were rained out
in a powerful deluge of sky-born water.
We left the Gulf
and went west to the city of Cumana where we stayed
in the marina for two days. It was there that we picked
up an undesired hitchiker
- a rat! We only discovered it at our next stop in Mochima.
A huge battle ensued for most of a night, but we won
and the rat was GONE!
Our friend Mike
from Scotland, with his friend Suzie,
was cruising in company with us.
Here he is with his lovely Golden Hind cruiser, Malana,
in Mochima.
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Next stop: Puerto
La Cruz
We picked up another
uninvited guest who moved
aboard in the marina here. This one should have
joined us in Mochima (!). While uninvited
this guest was welcome:
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From Puerto La Cruz
we headed to Isla Tortuga and a glorious week there.
Then on to Los Roques which had too much commerce and
too many tourists.
The Aves Islands
were next and were wonderful,
especially this spot in Aves Barlovento:
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Aside
from the crystaline azure waters,
one of Barlovento's great pleasures
were the Boobies. The baby boobies
were hatching all along the shore:
Here's one, and this animated white
fluff-ball was as curious about us
as we were about it. |
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