Venezuela's Orinoco is one big beautiful river, particularly at the point between Cabruta and Caicara. There's plenty of time to take photos, but the sun sets rapidly on the river.
Written Mar 31, 2006
Given the ample time of perhaps an hour or two, waiting ferry passengers easily strike up a conversation. While Belinda learned a little more about the road from Caicara to Puerto Ayacucho, I sought the opportunity to take photographs of children playing in the water. These images also provide the viewer an idea of what the traffic looks like for the last ferry crossing. Then, when we loaded up, Belinda almost immediately sought out the bathroom, which was a seat that dumped directly into the river below. I took images of the Cabruta landing as we departed.
Written Mar 31, 2006
Cowboys of the Americas share a lot in common, in that riding horses and roping cattle, is a highly skilled but low paying job. However, there are also some big differences, most of them explainable by climate. In Los Llanos, the cowboys, or Llaneros as they are referred to locally, are typically barefoot or perhaps wearing leather sandles in the stirrups. Also, the Brahma breed of cattle appear to be more lazy and easier to herd than their cousins of the colder climate. The quality of beef is generally of equal quality, as is the leather, although certainly the Venezuelan leather shoemaking industry, mostly centered in Caracas, produces a wealth and variety of quality 100% leather shoes and boots from Llanos leather that American consumers can only dream about. In any case, as one drives from Chaguaramas to Cabruta, there are plenty of opportunities to see the Llaneros in action. Occasionally, the driver will come across tha situation where the herd is being driven across the highway.
Written Mar 31, 2006
There's a ferry that comes and goes during the day between Cabruta and Caicara. As I recall the last one leaves Cabruta around 3pm, but the actual departure time may have been later. For those driving from Chaguaramas to Cabruta, hoping to catch the ferry to Caicara, it's highly recommended that arrival be earlier rather than later. There were no places to stay in Cabruta that I saw while Caicara has plenty of hotels. It may be possible to rent a launch to cross the river, but it won't take your car. The image of the Cabruta landing shows a multiple of ferries, but normally I would expect only one in port at a time. Note also that the ferry is essentially a barge towed by a tugboat, to which it is tied by ropes. When reversing direction, the ropes are undone and the tugboat moves to the other side of the barge ferry.
Updated Mar 31, 2006
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