Post 64: Arrival to Puerto Colombia

F.A,

We were picked up yesterday at our airport hotel in Puerto Viejo, outside of Caracas.  Gustavo, our cab driver, was very friendly and sociable.  He told us we could listen to Led Zepplin, Deep Purple, Santana, BB King & Eric Clapton for our 3+ hour ride to Choroni/Puerto Columbia. It helped make the journey more enjoyable.  He asked where we were from and when we said "Estados Unidas", he was surprised as he said he's only met one American in his life, "Bill Hammonton".  That seems to be the response from the Venezuelans we have talked to.  We have not met any nor anticipate meeting any Americans for the remainder of our time in VE.  Along the way we saw many 'movimiento al socialismo' propaganda billboards.  It can be a sensitive subject here to speak of, so understandably we have not brought up Chavez or politics in general.  Our cab driver stated to us that he thinks Chavez is a crazy, no good communist; that there has been no progress during his 13 year rule, that things have only gotten worse.  The posado owner showed disdain for him as well, stating he was taking private property from her neighbors.  We sincerely empathized with them.  On a lighter note, Gustavo stopped at a roadside restauraunt where Gavin and I tried our first Arepas.  It is what you'd get if you made grits into a pancake, and pan fried it.  Next, you'd cut it like you would pita bread and fill it. We had the pulled chicken and chorizo.  The pulled chicken was delicious, but we did not enjoy the chorizo.  It's not spicy like the mexican chorizo we're used to, just salty.   The final hour of our drive was made through the tiny, windy mountain roads in the lush rainforests of Henri Pittier National Park.  That part of the drive normally would have put us on edge, but due to previous travels, we have gotten used to scary roads and realize it's just apart of the adventure.

We knew we would love Choroni and PC as soon as we began to drive down the mountain out of the forests into town towards the Caribbean.  Small streets lined with brightly colored, colonial like posados, residences, and restaurants.   Very charming indeed!  Our lovely posado, La Bokaina, is off the main street.  We crossed a gate, proceeded down a path lined with sun ripened mangos that fell from the towering tree, then walked on a bamboo bridge over a rushing stream.  The well maintained grounds at our posada are gorgeous!  Soft grass, tropical flowers and many fruit trees.  I've collected many mangos (my favorite fruit) from the ground that are warm from the sun and sweet on the tongue.  Our Posado owner, Evelynn, is very nice and welcoming. They prepared our room with a bottle of wine, and fresh flowers.  Muy romantico!  The bed, air conditioning, and hot shower is just what we needed after a few days of roughing it.

We spent the rest of the day walking the streets, sitting by the sea and drinking guaraipita.  Guarapita is a drink made of rum and passion fruit juice, or rum and local cocoa.  It's very strong but easy to go down, so it can be a dangerous drink.  We had a suprisingly excellent dinner, as we've had mostly bad tasting or fried foods.  During our walk back to the posada in the evening, we felt very safe. The people are very friendly and warm.  Something we like about VE is that you don't get people hassling you to buy something, with the exception of the taxi drivers at the airport.  That is unlike many other places we've been.

After a much needed good sleep, we awoke and had breakfast in the back garden on the patio.  Fresh fruit, coffee, freshly squeezed passion fruit juice, and egg arepas.  This beautiful posado is a steal at $35 night p/p, with breakfast included.  Today we're going to the Playa Grande, a tropical beach 10 minutes walking distance away, and just taking it easy.  This evening we will be posting pictures.  Stay tuned!

June