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Hi all, hope you're all doing ok. As most of you know we are in Barbados, and making our was slowly through the Caribbean to South America. Our original plan is to make our first stop in Venezuela, however we have had severe warnings from other travelers we've met about the state of the country and have been told NOT to go there. I have been looking at some travel advisory websites that say the same thing. I was quite surprised to hear any of this as I was not aware at all that Venezuela was in such a bad way. I can't really find much positive info on it, but I am reluctant to write the whole country off just yet. I just thought I would ask if you guys knew anything more about it, or had any connections with Venezuela who may be able to give me some more solid advice about whether to go there or not. I know Caracas and surrounding areas are pretty bad, but we were not planning to fly in anyway, we were planning to get a ferry from Trinindad. If you know anything I don't, I would be grateful for the info. Many thanks!
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Jess Robins Hi Hunny One of my good friends in Bristol is Venezulean and has been home recently, you can find her on my facebook - Maria Alejandra Lujan Escalante (Male for short) she should be able to give you some advice although it might be to avoid the country, I know things are pretty bad there at the mo esp. around the boarder with colombia... Good luck though my sweet I hope you are having an ace time, loving the blog and photos but its making me so jealous! xx
Badge badge Hey badges, I'm loving the blog too! Great photos! I just found this, on the fco website, you've prob seen it.... Sea Travel There have been incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships and small vessels in and around Venezuela's waters, especially east of Puerto La Cruz and in waters between Venezuela and Trinidad. Mariners are advised to take appropriate precautions and avoid these areas if possible. For more general information see our River and Sea Safety page. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/south-america/venezuela Also really interesting video of Chavez ...http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2009/feb/02/hugo-chavez-venezuela xx
Michael F My advice is definitely to go to Venezuela. A little political instability is part of the charm of South America. I remember Peru under the generals, running around Lima collecting supplies before the 8:00 nightly curfew went into effect: take-out chinese, liquor store, drug store...Then up onto the roof of the hotel to follow the action in the streets below, shouting, chants, torches, scattered gunfire....those were the days. My Venezuelan students say the streets are still safe, and the country is still very welcoming to tourists (they need the money). Tourist areas may feature pick-pockets, but with reasonable precautions you should have a great time. The government, as you may know, is very leftist, most of the people who are protesting are rightist, rich or business class. I hope one or more of my students may write you directly. Don't lose hope I know you have roots around there and it is a very cool place.
Paul Hi Elena Naomi and I visited Barbados in 1985. I'd love to go back. Do they still serve "Corn 'n Oil" in the bars? It's a mix of Bajan rum, falernum and lime squeezes. Paul