Rio Orinoco & Amazon Jungle

I spent only around 3 days in the Puerto Ayacucho area. I took a number of trips with friends into the amazon area. I have to say it is stunning. It seems so untouched and diverse. Never does the same tree seem to be sitting next another of its kind. Whare they have fallen, they remain and rot. It's also seriously hot and humid. If you can't deal with that to some extent, forget it. You will be wet within about 5 minutes. The insect population is also a sight to behold. From ice-blue butterflies to the jet black wasps and jumping fire-ants, you'll never be bored! We also hired a light aircraft ... more

Ciudad Bolívar lies on the bank of the Orinoco, and used to be called "Angostura" (=narrow) because it is at at the narrowest point of the river). When you see just how wide this narrowest point is, you get a feel for the sort of dimensions of the Orinoco! The town still has a colonial "down town" area with some well preserved buildings and streets and the whole place has a rustic feel. The hub of the town is the "paseo orinoco" - the promenade along the river bank. There are lots of market stalls selling everything from sweets to umbrellas to jewellery as well as copies of tapes and CDs ... more