Life Goes On

I am sure everyone has seen the video of Curaco - if not, the link is just below - so enjoy.  I really do not have a lot to add to the video.  As you can see, we had a fabulous time.  It is a beautiful island in the caribbean located just north of Venezuela and Colombia.  It was settled by the Dutch and many people there speak english. 


Well, if pressed, I can suggest that if you want to feel good about yourself, go on an exotic beach vacation with a lot of people who don't exercise, eat as much as they want, and insist on wearing a bikini.  On the news front, the male bikini bottom seems to have given way to the modified bike short in neon or pastel colors.  The only man in the world who looks good in these is Daniel Craig.  


We arrived home in Caracas on Friday evening and on Saturday decided to hike up the El Avila National Park.  The Avilla is the mountain that separates Caracas from the Caribbean - most of it in an uninhabited national park.  We headed up the trailhead with several local families and encountered some of the steepest climbing I have ever attempted.  We were armed with our hydrations packs and determined to make it to our destination.  About half way up the Avila is a path that runs parallel to the Caracas Valley Floor - we found a hut, bathroom and rest station there.  From there we continued up the valley to a beautiful stream and waterfall.   Lots of families were there taking advantage of the cool water, having picnics, and swimming.  


The following week, the kids were out of school on Thurdsay due to parent/teacher conferences, so my friend Tara and I decided to take the kids up the Teliferico (cable car) to the top of the Avila and see the Caribbean Ocean and the old abandoned hotel on the top.  The ride takes about 20 minutes and provides a spectacular view of Caracas.  


At the top is a musem of sorts, with booths selling fruits, local crafts, and food.  There is also an ice skating rink - but it was closed and full of water.  There was music and some dancing as well at a little park on the top provided by a local DJ.  It was very cloudy at the top that day so we did not get to see much of the views from the top.  We were lucky enough to get a tour of the old Hotel - very swank 60's sort of place.  You cold almost see the ghost of Dean Martin on stage with a cigarette and a silver microphone.   The kids enjoyed it and I loved seeing the hotel I have stared at every day from my bedroom window.  Unfortunately, the tour was entirely in rapid fire Venezuelan spanish - so I could only grab onto about every third word.  I Googled the Hotel Humboldt when I got home but was surprised by the lack of information on the internet - I did find a recent article on the web that has some great pictures of the Hotel.