(these pics are not our usual quality, both cameras broke in Isla Margarita :( so we grabbed these examples from the net, better pics will come soon if we can get a new camera in Bogota!)
After a sweltering 2 weeks on Isla Margarita we desperately needed some cool UK style weather so a trip to the Andes and the town of Merida was organised.
We got the bus from Caracas, 20 hours - very comfy flat bed seats, and stayed in a lovely little Posada (hostel/hotel) called Suiza. After 2 solid days of sleep we got up and explored.
Fortunately for us that same weekend, April 20th 2010, the Venezuelans were celebrating 200 years of independence. Simon Bolivar is the man they all thank for uniting central and south America and defeating the Spanish. So for these national celebrations they got a public holiday and huge parades in every major town. Merida had a huge march featuring all the local public servants - firemen, police, army, mountain rescue, teachers, road sweepers - you name it they marched! Here is an article about the one in Caracas which the President Chavez attended http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/5295.
Merida is a jumping point for people looking for hardcore outdoor action in the mountains, just 20 minutes away are the highest mountain glaciers in Venezuela, Pico Bolivar being the tallest at over 5000m. Another reason to visit is the worlds longest and highest cable car system - unfortunately it's indefinitely closed for repairs - I was gutted as I thought Maudie may ask me to walk up the 4900m peak with her... thankfully she was too tired!
We really enjoyed Merida and it helped us to develop a more rounded view of Venezuela.
We left Venezuela on the 27th April for the Colombian border town of Cacuta and then an 18 hour bus trip to Bogota...
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