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 |   Theses are my thoughts and ramblings as I forge my way through this thing they call life. |
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These are my thoughts and ramblings as I forge my way through this thing they call Life. I blog with these groups:     "Blogging Circle of Friends "  [E] 
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 Blogging Challenge - Day 2 - Caracaras, Venezuela I did a bit of research.... to get my bearings: Caracas, officially Santiago de LeĂłn de Caracas, is the capital, the center of the Greater Caracas Area, and the largest city of Venezuela. It is located along the Guaire River in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range (Cordillera de la Costa). The valley is close to the Caribbean Sea, separated from the coast by a steep 2,200-metre-high (7,200 ft) mountain range, Cerro El Ăvila; to the south there are more hills and mountains. The Metropolitan District of Caracas is made up of five municipalities: Libertador Municipality which is the only administrative division of the Venezuelan Capital District, and four other municipalities, which are within in Miranda State: Chacao, Baruta, Sucre, and El Hatillo. Libertador holds many of the government buildings and is the Capital District (Distrito Capital). The Metropolitan Region of Caracas has a population estimated at over 5.2 million. Caracas has a largely service-based economy, apart from some industrial activity in its metropolitan area. Caracas is also Venezuela's cultural capital, with many restaurants, theaters, museums, and shopping centers. Some of the tallest skyscrapers in Latin America are located in Caracas. In 2015, Caracas had the highest per capita murder rates in the world.... most murders and other violent crimes go unsolved. This information is from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caracas My Journal: We arrived at the SimĂłn BolĂvar International Airport very early in the morning. I have to remember we don't get a lot of sleep on these virtual trips, but we do have an amazing time. Lyn has booked us into the J. W. Marriot Av Venezuela con Calle Mohedano. It looks really good... and safe. A few more friends have joined the trip and I feel like I am in good company. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g316066-d299826-Reviews-JW_Marriott_Hot... Lyn's a Witchy Woman   had us all signed up for a tour that started at 8 am. We got to learn about El Libertador SimĂłn BolĂvar's life and Venezuelan history as we visited the Caracas' picturesque historic quarter. We admired breathtaking views of the capital while riding the city's famous cable car. Some of the group were wary, and even I was staying well away from the edge... my butt was twitching from the height. Deep breathing and the views helped. For this tour we started in the historic city center, from Plaza Bolivar. It was originally called Plaza de Armas. The square adopted its current name in 1883 on the 100th birthday of El Libertador SimĂłn BolĂvar. The corners surrounding the plaza feature buildings of historic importance: Caracas Cathedral, Government Palace, City Hall, the Yellow House and The Capitol. We were in the heart of Venezuela's history. Something I never even considered before and it was intriguing. I took a lot of pictures. We got to see BolĂvar's birthplace. It is a colonial house that today is filled with period art, including paintings by famous artists like Tito Salas whose work captured highlights of El Libertadorâs life. We also got to visit the Capitolio, Palacio Legislativo and Palacio Federal where the golden keys to Bolivarâs mausoleum are kept. I think the best part was taking the city's famous cable car to the top of the Ăvila Mountain range - though it was very high, and I was a bit nervous, the views were so worth it. Ăvila National Park borders Caracas, separating the sea from the city. We got to breathe in and admire the pureness of the place. It contrasted greatly from the swarming hub hub of the city. The views were amazing - allowing us to see Caracas on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other. It truly was a vision I would never forget.. the pictures I took will never do it justice. The lunch was superb and I was famished by the time we got to eat. A few people were so nervous about the cable car ride that they did not eat too much. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductDetail-g316066-d12465500-Caracas_Si... Later in the evening we went to the Pestana Lounge in Caracas for dinner and a chance to just relax and take in the atmosphere. I was just happy to sit back and take it all in. I decided to avoid anything more than a glass of local wine. I figured the jet lag would be worse if I had any more than that. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g316066-d4378651-Reviews-Pestana_L... A few people headed back to the hotel to take a dip in the pool. I decided that was a great idea and tagged along. By the time I fell into bed, I was exhausted but happy. |
Blogging Challenge - Day 1 Virtual trip to South America--- August f youâre up to some adventure in August than youâre in for a good time, this year weâre going to South America. Grab your swim suits, sun screen, bug spray and good walking shoes for the daytime and dancing shoes for the evening. You know you need a vacation! Stay tuned Iâll be posting more info as it gets closer to Aug 1st. Weâll be meeting in Miami and spending one night there before flying as a group to Venezuela. Donât forget to have a checkup before you go. Please make sure your passport and travel documents are in order, some places may be a bit dangerous if there not. 13 countries in 30 days. Travel alerts we need to be aware. Please donât wander or get involved in any disturbances. Or take public transportation on your own. https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/venezuela-travel-wa... https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/colombia-travel-war... Aug. 1st Miami, Fla. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34438-d85193-Reviews-Hilton_Miami_Airp... We're at the HIlton for convenience. We can't be in Miami without hitting the dance scene. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductDetail-g34438-d11449266-Miami_Dance... Highlights 90-minute Miami dance cruise. Capture the lit-up skyline of Miami as the boat travels through Biscayne Bay. Cut loose to top Billboard hits and favorites from many genres spun by a resident DJ Take the party to Miamiâs waterfront with this 90-minute, evening dance cruise on Biscayne Bay. Admire Miamiâs majestic skyline at night while cruising from the Bayside Marketplace to Miami Beach and back. Dance to the latest club hits and songs from a variety of musical styles â on the open-air deck or take a seat inside the air-conditioned cabin â as the resident-professional DJ spins the tunes. This family friendly party has no age minimum. Full-cash bar with beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks is available on board the boat. Looks like we have another fabulous group going on another virtual adventure.... a fun, safe way to travel - especially where we are going: South America. I felt a bit daunted by the travel alerts, but I know we will be safe so long as we stick together and play nice... like we always do.  Lyn's a Witchy Woman has us booked into a wonderful hotel by the airport for the first night in Miami. I have to agree with kitee when she thinks Lyn might be sweeting us up before we head into the great unknown, but I trust Lyn and know we will be just fine. I doubt many of us have really been to South America before and this way to start will settle many nerves. And for those of us who don't have any trepidation, it will be a chance to get a good night sleep in a nice bed. It was so good to see all my friends again. I have missed them. Life sure has a way of taking you offline and emerged in reality. But for now I appreciate the camaraderie. Lyn's a Witchy Woman andFivesixer  were there early to great everyone and get us on track. It is always great to see them. I also recognized flameblower, Jellyfish  , Prosperous Snow celebrating  , and Sally  . So happy they are along, it just would not be the same without them. There were also some new faces - Apondia  and SandraLynn Team Florent!  . It was great to meet alI of them. I just know we will have a blast of a time. Since we all were arriving at different times and from different places, it was lovely that Lyn had us going on a dance cruise later in the evening. It started around 9 pm and gave a rousing 90 minutes -that was just the right amount of time to chill in before grabbing a good night sleep before our adventure tomorrow. I also love to dance and listen to music so this was great for me.. Since I have been to Miami before I was looking forward to a new way to see the city and this brought it. The last time I was in Miami I had a quieter, more beach-time kind of trip. I was glad to get in to town early and made sure to take a dip in the ocean, as well as get some sun time before heading to my favourite rib place for dinner. All in all, I will admit I was happy to see my bed later that night. I was surprised that sleep came, as I was so excited for what was to come. |
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