The rain saved my day yesterday. Overall I had expected more from the Paraguana peninsula, probably because of the distance to the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, which I had in my mind with beautiful beaches and water. My mind had assumed that just being located opposite these islands that I would encounter similar beauty. I was warned for today and already during my preparations I noticed that I would basically drive through the desert.

I left early and my preparations were correct and it was a hot day in the desert. The desert gave me the time to start thinking again about the situation at the border between Colombia and Venezuela. So far there was no significant progress, actually the opposite as one of the scheduled meetings between the two defense ministers had been cancelled from the Venezuelan side as another signal of unhappiness. At least the meeting had been rescheduled and I had a bit of hope again. I had to think positive and was speculating that there might be an exception for a day, for non-Colombians or for any other reason. I could speculate as well a bit that time could be on my side and bring a solution.

Please click on “View Album” to see pictures in a Google+ Album.

But after almost one month now in Venezuela I also had to consider the worst as I could not or did not want to sit this out and wait until next year. I had to consider going back to Brazil and to Manaus. From Manaus I would have two options, first option to drive to the state of Acre and to the border with Peru or second option to take a ferry on the Amazon and to the border with Peru and to Iquitos. I was preparing myself a bit for the worst case scenario but was positive that within a month there would be progress on this delicate situation. Maybe I would find out in the next days as I was getting closer to the border.

I arrived in Maracaibo and parked the car next to the Cathedral and went for a walk. The Cathedral was connected through a wide promenade with the government buildings. It was a bit more than a kilometer walk on the promenade to reach the Plaza Bolivar of the city at the other end. The Colombians that were waiting to register reminded me of Caracas and that it was Saturday today.

Saturday was market day as well here in Maracaibo and after my walk on the promenade I continued with my walk on the market.

The city was hot and I had seen enough. I started to look for an internet café and entered three different to ask for Wifi or connection via cable. It was Saturday and everybody was closing. The last chance for internet was the airport and at the same time the first chance for tonight’s parking. I found the way to the airport quickly and had to drive for twenty minutes to arrive at 38 degrees at the airport. The airport had Wifi, even a stronger signal than at the airport in Caracas. Now was the time to catch up with the site, the family and friends, time to use the toilet, have a drink and a snack. I had a good parking close to the entrance under a tree but the temperature had not gone down significantly.

Please click on “View Album” to see pictures in a Google+ Album.

For a small understanding of the days travel, I have included a Google Earth map. The red pins mark the locations I have stopped and taken pictures. At the bottom of the page you will find a link for all the pictures I have taken. The link will open in a Google+ Album.

Please click on map to enlarge!!!

See map and distances / Siehe Karte und Entfernungen / Ver mapa e distâncias / Ver mapa y distancias

0 km                     Coro

120 km                 Dabajuro

245 km                 Maracaibo

Please click on “View Album” to see pictures in a Google+ Album.