How many men & years does it take to fix a cable car in Venezuela?How many men & years does it take to fix a cable car in Venezuela?
We have cut a gentle arc across Venezuela, some great highways and many hectic, narrow truck filled roads. Pot holes and washouts are ever present so total vigilance is needed, and the use of blinkers and ¨emergency flashers¨ is as variable and unpredictable as the driving. A truck head-on collision that we could skirt around is a reminder …. stay alert.
The north of this country is in a state of civil emergency due to floods and mud slips, we have skirted around the edge of this until the trip into the Andes. The steep mountain roads are badly eroded in places and no barriers and huge drop-offs make for a tense ride.
Gareth was in front on one corner that had eroded (half of it in the valley below) and become ¨one lane¨ when an oncoming truck raced through forcing him into a quick stop. Foot down he glanced to the drop-off and stalls, I watch and hope he can sort himself without thinking of the 1000m drop less than a metre away, no barrier. Safe to our destination passing huge queues at slips as only bikes can do.
Pretty place Merida surrounded by mountains and cooler than the planes— so nice. A spectacular cable car to a 4000+ metre peak hasn´t been going for the last few years but repairs are happening. A local cynic said it won’t b ready for another 3 yet. Also this is the first Venezuelan town we have been told we can leave the hotel after dark to stroll to a local restaurant or just to view the amazing Catholic churches.
Lots of security here, can’t wait to see what Colombia brings tomorrow.
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