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TodorovRules
11:18 Wed Oct 14
Re: Venezuela. Who's been?
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Mrs is Venezuelan so go out there once or twice a year. Luckily she's from the part you're advised not to travel to, Tachira, right on the border with Columbia! It's actually not that bad but I've heard all the horror stories. She's been held at gunpoint whilst in a restaurant and her sister had the same once pulling up outside her house.
I've only ever been to the airport and hotel in Caracas, I've always been warned never to venture any further than that. Coincidentally i was with someone born and bred in Caracas this afternoon who took his family back for a holiday and left after 2 days as he didnt feel comfortable and booked flights to Margarita. Margarita is nice, there's some all inclusive type resorts which are quite safe. I did witness a carjacking/kidnapping late one night at a set of trafic lights though!
The people are some of the nicest you'll meet and the whole country really is quite amazing but also very unstable at the moment and crime etc is out of control. Most bars and restaurants have an armed guard outside, most of the gated housing complexes and hotels have the same.
I'm pretty much used to it now but you have to be alert at all times and everywhere you go. If you're just staying in a resort on the beach then I doubt you'd see any trouble or much of the locals from the barrios and have a great time.
Your money will also go a long way out there, everything is dirt cheap. Food and local booze is almost laughably cheap. You need to be extremely careful when changing your dollars or euros on the black market though.
I may be back out there in December for a quick visit before jumping across to Aruba/Curacao/Cuba.
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On The Ball
10:59 Wed Oct 14
Re: Venezuela. Who's been?
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Go there then! Fly to Vilnius on the cheap, then get the train to Minsk for £12.
I had to decline an invite to meet the President on Monday. Gutted. Ate some lovely horse though.
Really wanted to squeeze Venezuela into my Central(ish) America trip next year but couldn't make it work. Hope you love it. Must say that I've lost my bottle when it comes to black market currency exchange though - did it around Africa a few years ago but it scares me now!
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Joke Royal
10:36 Wed Oct 14
Re: Venezuela. Who's been?
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Belarus is the only country in Europe I've not been to
And Iceland
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Far Cough
10:35 Wed Oct 14
Re: Venezuela. Who's been?
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Ball, not many beaches in Minsk are there?
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On The Ball
10:34 Wed Oct 14
Re: Venezuela. Who's been?
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Go to Minsk in the Summer. Just spent about £50 in three days there.
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Joke Royal
10:32 Wed Oct 14
Re: Venezuela. Who's been?
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All I'm after is sun and cheap beer
The corruption thing shouldn't affect me.
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casual hammer
10:27 Wed Oct 14
Re: Venezuela. Who's been?
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Yeah
Mrs C H is from there. Got married on margherita island.
Been about four times, did the copa America in 2007, travelled through jungles, met indigenous people. Saw angel falls.
But bent and corrupt like no ones business...
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bruuuno
9:46 Wed Oct 14
Re: Venezuela. Who's been?
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It's a shithole
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Your mum
9:41 Wed Oct 14
Re: Venezuela. Who's been?
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I've been to isla margarita, an island off of the main land in the Caribbean, so not typical Venezuela & I'm sure more expensive.
Any way, was lovely, had a rum and coke on the go for 2 weeks straight. Anviersario Ron, thank me later!
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Driz
3:22 Wed Oct 14
Re: Venezuela. Who's been?
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I am a four time visitor of Venezuela. It's fucking knarley and disorderly. Corrupt to the core.
Every night across Caracas you hear sirens, gun shots and reports of police beating the living fuck out of those who don't buy in to the dictatorship. Kidnapping, ransoms, muggery is all part and parcel of the experience.
That being said it has the most beautiful and spiritual landscapes... and the women. Holy shit smoking. Until they hit 30 and look 60!
On my last trip I befriended a trio of students and we went 'dancing' in some underground club out in the suburbs. Despite the sinister goings on, I had the fucking time of my life and didn't feel threatened once. Just keep your wits about you at all times.
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Far Cough
3:08 Wed Oct 14
Re: Venezuela. Who's been?
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Yes La Guaira and Caracas, also Aruba and Curacao are not far away, the beaches on Aruba are sublime
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