I had included a National Park in the tour for today and was hoping to go for an extensive walk again. I was pretty disappointed about my performance during the mountain walk from the Bay of Patanemo to the Bay of Yapascua. I had to walk more often if I wanted to reach the top of Mount Roraima. I arrived at the military post of the junction just before the entrance to the National Park Guatopo. The staff on duty showed interest in me and asked me to stop. I got out of the car and walked to the desk of the superior while the sergeant took a look at the documents. I started a conversation with the officer and again my opinion about Venezuela, my experiences and impressions was of interest to the officer.

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I was liberated and entered the National Park, actually the only car going this direction. The road was in good condition but the nature had repossessed a good part of the road again. At some parts it was a third of the road, at other parts half of the road and in only three or four occasions it was one hundred percent of the road. I arrived at the first recreation area which also offered a small walk. The office was closed and the gate to the recreation area was closed. I had not passed a single car so far and was also here all alone now. I parked the car at the side of the bridge, passed the gate and walked up to the end of the recreation area. My impression of the National Park was very good; I had the road for myself, the recreation area for myself, actually I felt I had the whole National Park for myself.

The drive through the half repossessed roads was amazing and no tour operator would have found a better way through the National Park than the official abandoned and overgrown road. The drive gave you really the feeling that you are in the nature, everything was growing right next to you, with the window open you could see, smell and touch the grass, the leaves and with a little bit of luck the flies.

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I arrived at the next recreation area which had board with a map with several tracks of different distance. I chose the way to the lake and walked up the steps into the green forest. The forest immediately turned into a jungle and the path disappeared. Nobody had walked this path for a long time. I could just guess where the path had been and walked up the mountain. I continued for half an hour up to the point when I was suddenly standing in front of a green wall and I could not see the slightest bit of path anymore. I had to return with a funny mixed feeling of being disappointed about the short walk but as well a feeling of joy that the nature had conquered easily back its territory. By now it was very obvious that the economic situation of Venezuela had forced the government to cancel all jobs and work within the National Park. The joy gained against the disappointment and I felt very comfortable what I had seen and felt today. I left the National Park and still had half the way to go to my final destination for today.

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I entered the city of Altgracia and somehow ended up in the queue for the gas station. I did not bother. This way I could leave the car always for two or three minutes before the queue moved again. I had time to buy the best fresh and cold orange juice I had in Venezuela. I had noticed that the region after the National Park had become an agricultural region for orange plantations and now I could try the best. I filled up the car and continued to the center.

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I saw a cyber and gave it a try. I was lucky, plug for electricity and Wi-Fi. I went to the hospital and one of the snack bars prepared a delicious ham and cheese sandwich. I had to have another sandwich before they closed to look carefully how he prepared it.

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                     Maracay

40 km                   La Victoria

110 km                 Santa Teresa del Tuy

195 km                 Altagracia de Orituco

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