Chris trying his hand at the BBQ
tonight we had our last night with Rene and Doris. This photo was not a spectacular sunset but, it was our last night together. Rene got word his father was very ill. They needed to head back to Zurich and see him and the family. It was a sad night. Some tears were shed. But, we all knew it was not the end of our friendship just the end of this trip. We will all meet again. Chris and I look forward to a trip to Zurich.
dancing with the local men
more dancing. always time for dancing
the local kids had to have a picture. they wanted to show off how cool they are.

We had been driving a ton so we needed a few days at one place. Again with no reservation and being Carnival weekend we were pushing our luck a little bit. We headed to Chinea Arriba in Calabozo. We arrived to locked gates. A tree lined driveway gave us hope that this was a very nice place to hang our hats for a few nights. Well, with the gates locked we grabbed a cold beer and started walking. Not long until a man arrives on a horse to welcome us to the ranch. They were a very nice group of people. We asked to just pay for one room and no food. As we had our own. However about a half hour after we started to unpack came cold drinks. Then later a terrific free dinner. What a way to be welcomed.
Chris coming out of our room. A modest room with 4 beds, cold water, and frogs.
Here we are at sunset.
doris dancing to her favorite song.
We just had to lie down and check out all the stars in the sky.

Chris on a horse
luis and me
doris
we had some clothes to wash
This is the first time I ever cut anyones hair. It was hard to get started. I was laughing so much at first. Thanks rene!

After sunrise. The lagoon

Here you see the band. They are playing the music of the Los Llanos. Joropo. A fast pasted harp led rhythm. By day they work on the ranch and at night they sing. Well, this weekend anyway as it is Carnival.
Dancing with the owner
hooping it up to a tune. They made me by the way...
Doris and Rene
Luis, we miss you...

Sometimes the kindness of strangers can really surprise you. We are in Los Llanos in a tiny town called Apurito. It would be night soon and we had no place to sleep. No hotels no campgrounds. Doris and I simple suggested we ask a nice family if we can stay one night on their land. We asked this guy he said yes! This is Gelner a proud friendly family man. American Love songs were blaring from his truck radio. His friends and family all around. Dogs, roosters, chickens and his kids ran around as the sun was setting. Here are his kids
I think he must be proud of all he has accomplished in his 33 years of life. His ranch at first glance is modest and well kept. The second look shows a happy working ranch with many first grade cattle, a small lake, birds everywhere. Fruit trees, fresh herbs and so much love.
Sunset across his lake
they brought the music the chairs we brought out the rum.

Cattle out on a morning walk
for breakfast not only did they invite us for eggs and coffee but fresh cow cheese. Here you see this gentleman making more.
He is so sweet. that smile tells everything.
The three amigos.
At 6:30am I tried my hand at milking a cow. It is much harder then it looked. The female cow would knock over the bucket sometimes. Her baby wants the milk really bad. it fusses and makes so much noise.

This is a capybara the world's largest rodent. It has webed feet and likes the water as much as land.
a pretty little iguana
The Los Llanos Cowboys. an estimated 130,000 head of cattle roam the enormous ranches.
the cattle going home

Los Llanos is one of thoses places you whip your head around as fast as you can to take a glimse of something beautiful.
Look at them all. Each pond that had these birds had this many all together.
This is what I mean. see the crocodile, cow and yes another bird. Many lagoons we drove by had this scene.
Venezuela's Los Llanos has more bird species then the United States and Great Britain Combined

walking through the tall grass fields. the sun is getting hot.
A bird in a tree
I love this picture of the Howler Monkey

Our eco lodge guide. He shows us a large snail shell. Darn the French beat us to them.
Here the guys are going deeper into the Bamboo. Looking for an anaconda
Chris wading in the swamp water.
Rene ready for any danger.

Some men traveling
On our way to Los Llanos. A part of Venezuela that is very different. It takes up a third of the country's land mass.
We found our eco lodge Rio Caiman
The owners wife made us a tuna pasta for dinner.