Yesterday I learned a lot about the real situation at the border. There was no legal way for me to leave Venezuela at the moment. I needed the stamp in my passport both for me and for the car. I did not learn anything about the formalities to enter in Colombia in case the border would be open again. My plans were to continue to drive close to the border to learn about the other border posts.

On my way to the next border post I would make a stop at the National Park Ciénagas del Catatumbo. I was hoping to spend a night close to the Maracaibo Lake to watch the lightning. First I had to pass Maracaibo again and I had a quick stop close to the center and the market to have breakfast and also to ask for the way out to the south. I had to go towards the airport and then ask again, was the information I could get from here.

I drove towards the airport and asked my way out of the city to enter the green agricultural area of the state of Zulia. Though the area was very green and seemed very fertile and productive there were no cities or villages along the way. After a good two hours’ drive I entered the first and only city and parked the car next to the square in front of the bakery. I had an orange juice and a sweet and sat down outside on the terrace. Suddenly right next to me, peaceful cows entered the city and walked straight to the main square and to the fountain to have a drink. I am sure this is what India must be like but for me this was new and quite amusing.

After I had left the city the only possibility now to ask for the way was at the several military check points and though I obtained information, I missed the turn off that my map had indicated and I had planned. I continued on the main road as all military staff kept telling me to go ahead to get to National Park Ciénagas del Catatumbo. I looked up the way again on my map and the way recommended would also bring me to my destination just with a few kilometers more, I had the time and did not worry.

I arrived after a full day of driving in the small fisher village of Puerto Concha. The village was about eight kilometers away from the lake. Due to the lightning phenomena within the Park there was tourism and the boats would bring tourists to one of the huts in the lake at a place called Congo Mirador to spend the night and hopefully watch the lightning. I asked for the price for the tour which was 5000 Bolivares. That was too much for me considering as well the chance that I would catch one of the few nights without lightning.

I sat down and awaited the sunset and the lightning. At around eight o’clock the sky started to lighten up with every flash that appeared in the sky. Due to the distance you could not see the lightning itself. I think this was the beauty of the tour to see the lightning from a close distance and in its full length from the sky to the surface. I have always loved thunder and lightning but one more time I had to resist the attraction and say no. I watched the sky and the flashes as long as my eyes stayed open.

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                     Sinamaica

65 km                   Maracaibo

160 km                 Villa del Rosario

205 km                 Machiques

305 km                 El Cruce

410 km                 Puente Venezuela

500 km                 Puerto Concha

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