Our little group made an excursion to Caracolito/Chirimena near Caracas today. The trip entailed renting two taxis for the day (one for the guys / one for the girls) to get a ride to and from the coast (approximately 2 hours away). A pretty good gig for Jesus - a friend of a friend - who I think got a very good price for a day at the beach with some gringos and his friend (the 2nd driver).
Jesus apparently was pretty well known around these parts. As we passed through the small towns between Caracas and the coast with our windows down, locals were waving and hollering at our driver/casanova. It worked out well for us as he picked up one of the ice cream cart men for a ride the last mile to the beach and he gave us all free ice cream. I also got a good chance to talk with him about his family and local politics (hates chavez).
Upon reaching the beach we waited for about 30 minutes for a lancha that would take us to the correct spot (a more secluded section). As usual, we were not clear on exactly where we were going or how we would get there. After waiting for about 30 minutes we learned that the surf was too rough for the small boats to come in and pick people up.
Plan B - Our drivers took us to a second lancha location where we were able to load up and head to the secluded beach. It was a short 30-45 minute boat ride away to what appeared to be an appealling strip of sand nicely situated with a small island (with an abandoned white house) just off the coast. Upon closer inspection the beach was a bit dirtier then you would hope for with a decent amount of litter. However, we were happy to be out in the sun on a beautiful day.
We spent the entire day lounging on the sand, enjoying the water, and having some fun and drinks with Jesus and his buddy. We also got a great lunch of pargo, avocado, chips, and salad right on the beach. A storm passed by on the horizon making for some photo opportunities with the island with the white house in the foreground.
