After saying goodbye to the ocean we headed North West to the state of Merida. The roads ahead were well paved and easy to drive on. We had a long day of driving to make it as far as we could before looking for a place to stay for the night. Traveling this way is great. You are able to stop when you like or need to.
At a gas station Chris needed to use the phone. These are personal cell phones that are chained up to a plastic table. You pay a small fee to make your call. Standing in the heat on the side of the dusty road trying to connect to your caller.
Just look at the way we drive through the small streets. This was one of my favorite parts of the drive. Coming in and out of each small town.
A needed road stop. A great way to stretch out the legs and see what goodies we can buy to eat. Here is fresh made cheese and cane sugar juice. The juice was so sweet and yummy.

A Venezuela flag

We can share the road

The small town of Puerto Colombia was a wonderful change from Los Roques. The drive was an exciting one with many sharp turns and new landscape around each corner. We saw monkeys, birds, and giant bamboo. Puerto Colombia offers two terrific beaches. It is 2km north of Choroni and 5 hours from Caracas (driving slower and with many police station stops) The town is a tiny fishing village. It offers a handful of cute Posadas and a few more restaurants. We stayed 2 nights at a cute place we paid $42.00 dollars for a great breakfast and dinner. Posada Turpial. The town welcomed us It had everything we wanted. Friendly people and cheap beer.
fish on there way to the markets

Hey is this the fish I ordered? I thought I wanted the big one.

At the airport in Caracas the men had to go to work and get us some money. They did pretty good at 3600 bs (bolivars) to the US dollar
Coco frio. I can still taste my first coco frio.

This is Playa Granda in Choroni. Henri Pittier National Park. A long drive from Caracas to get here but so worth the effort.

You will see a trend here of this handsome man. Chavez.. We saw his face around most cornors. On buildings. On telephone poles. On everything. So I had to keep it going. Come on everyone say it with me. Uh ah Chavez no se va!
We were delighted to see the Super dupper Ford 250. Our Limo for the next three weeks. It was a thrill to drive with Rene and Doris in Venezuela.
Driving around Caracas, this is a typical highway. Men and women sell good from coke cola, to cds, and even car parts.
again chavez

In Venezuela you are never far from a smiling face.

Chris loves being in the middle of two beautiful women.
Setting sun.
In the weeks before carnaval the local people start to party. Here is a group of young boys showing me a good time. The music was very loud and I could not help but dance. How could I say no to such fun kids?
Dance until you can't feel your feet. Dance until your dizzy. Dance because you can. Dance even if you don't know how. but always DANCE.

I can't believe my eyes is this really Chris and Rene drinking a beer? It's about time the let loose and relax a bit.
I felt a little hungry
All hard work and no play makes a very hungry group.
Hold the butter please.

It is a hard day at the office when the work load keeps stacking up. I think a break may be in order.
a natural hot tub. Again why are these two so unhappy?
Art

A view of the streets on Gran Roque. No cars to drive you around. No buses to wait for. Just your flip flops and your friends.
From a hill top you can see the town.
Our little Posada.
Rum will always bring new friends.

The smiles on their faces are not fake. They are such warm easy going people. I love how much they are in love. Each kiss they share, or hand holding they do reminds you of true love and all its glory.
This is a old map of Los Roques
Yeah one hottie to another. They just come out of the water and strut on by.
This is a photo of two people who have found happiness. They can't remember when they started looking for it or why. But, the good news is they have found it. Now, If they could just have a little fun from time to time.

A view from the sand. Not a bad seat in the house. I promise.
Just look at that water. hard to see why any boater would ever drop ankor here.
Water and sand.
" Attention, Attention !! the two on the left please walk away from the locals and return when you can blend in."


Los Roques days are filled with sun, sun, and more sun. Chris and I worked hard to catch a nice tan. It is hard work swimming all day and turning the pages of our books.

Chavez country
The island of Los Roques from the plane
A plane coming in for a landing
Our Pilot catching up with his morning news.

Well I figured I better start recording some of this amazing month long trip to Venezuela.

On February 1 2007 we Chris and I and our friends Rene and Doris all boarded a small plane. We were headed 160km north of Caracas. The plane was full of sun worshippers, divers and general tourist. All with cameras in hand and sunblock near by. Landing on Gran Roque we were kissed by the ocean wind and warmed by the Venezuelan Sun. We walked a short distance to our Posada. We paid $555.00 per person including all meals and our flight. The rooms were modest and simple. The staff was friendly and efficient at Posada Eva. There is nothing much to do on the main island of Gran Roque. Each day you hire a boat taxi and go to a different small island. The islands have maybe one small restaurant and bar. The taxi boat drivers set up an umbrella and chairs for you to enjoy for the day. Once on the island, the day is yours to sip cuba libre's, read a book, snorkle, and just watch the waves. This was a perfect way to ease into Venezuela life.

so tonight i feel a bit nervous as we hit the sack before our 4am departure. I don't know why this trip has me feeling so uneasy. it's not the first time our parents said "why are you going? why did you think you should go there. You really can't possibly be going to there. you know what they think of americans" .........
But, tomorrow we leave our home, our sweet Lexus and Chloe. We are so lucky to have our friends Cristen and Nathan and soon to be born Louis watching over the house but I still wonder as tears run down my face, will everything be okay? I don't know what adventures are ahead of us I just know we are on our way. We planned this trip to Venezuela 9 months ago and here we are. we will meet our friends Rene and Doris soon. And then we will be with them. I don't know what is making me feel so insecure but then again I should say and think hey lisa, damn girl you are flying first class.( due to your miles) your with your honey and what else do you need to worry about? Hmpf? did I remember to pack my sunscreen.............

New Years Eve 2006. This year I really wanted to keep it low key. I must have said a hundred times I don't want to wake up with a hang over. Well, the laws of attraction worked. I woke up with a hang over. Just a little dizzy and a headache. I have had worse. So, last night we went to Contra Costa Country Club. We also went with Nathan and Cristen. Thank god they joined us. A another youthful couple is good to have.Chris and I knew a good hand full of people so that made it a great time. Dixie has such warm inviting friends. We danced, ate a huge meal, and drank. Some funny things from the night were me falling off the chair. I total missed the edge of it. And down I went. I felt a little embarssed but, hey we all fall once in awhile. Nathan dancing to the song footloose. He was rocken it. Chris and all his sea food. I think he had 10 crab legs. We rang in the New Year in good spirit. A good amount of hugs and kissess and good wishes. I know 2007 will be an amazing year!