Venezuela is a Latin country with a Caribbean beat and a strong ...

64 <strong>Venezuela</strong>Gran Sabana <strong>and</strong> the coastThe ancient sheer-walled tepuys of theGran Sabana are known as the ‘LostWorld’ <strong>with</strong> a nod to Arthur Conan Doyle’sadventure story. Here, the Angel Falls,plunging over a vertical cliff in a singleveil of spray, <strong>is</strong> the centre of attraction.Even some of the towns have a frontierfeel: prospectors gather in hope of richesfrom the vast mineral-rich veins of rock.But for the v<strong>is</strong>itor it <strong>is</strong> the horizon-bendingl<strong>and</strong>scape of sun-swept grassl<strong>and</strong>s,waterfalls <strong>and</strong> black lagoons fringed <strong>with</strong>pink s<strong>and</strong>s which supplies the treasure.DOMINIC HAMILTONArrive at Canaima by air, <strong>and</strong> spend the night ina simple lodge. You can either fly over the Falls bylight aircraft (in good weather) or travel upstreamby dugout motor<strong>is</strong>ed canoe to the foot of thecataract from where it’s an hour’s walk throughrainforest to the viewpoint. After a night spentin hammocks, return to Canaima.Follow your adventure <strong>with</strong> a few days on the<strong>Caribbean</strong> coast. West of Caracas, the capital,there are pretty colonial towns, such as Coro(stay at Granja el Ojito), <strong>and</strong> beaches lappedby deep-turquo<strong>is</strong>e waters. East of the capital,the beautiful Paria peninsula <strong>is</strong> virtuallyund<strong>is</strong>covered by tour<strong>is</strong>m, its secret covesaccessible by boat. If you’d prefer an <strong>is</strong>l<strong>and</strong> stay,Los Roques―42 sun-bleached s<strong>and</strong>y cayes <strong>and</strong>over 300 <strong>is</strong>lets embraced by a coral reef― beckonsnorkellers, divers <strong>and</strong> those looking just to swingin a hammock. There are a number of small <strong>and</strong>homely guesthouses on Gran Roque.CONDOR VERDEl o s t w o r l d p l at e au t r e kBudding Indiana Jones? Thetrek up Roraima <strong>is</strong> consideredone of the most compelling on thecontinent. It’s remote: campingunder a star-brilliant sky <strong>is</strong> theonly option. Hike across rollinggrassl<strong>and</strong>s, fording streams, aidedby ropes as the savannah r<strong>is</strong>essteadily towards the base of thetable-top. Climb through rainforestgripping the mountain walls,picking your way through luxuriantflora, sheltering from waterfallsabove. Explore the surface of theplateau, an otherworldly l<strong>and</strong>of huge rocks, water <strong>and</strong> endemicwildlife.Hato Piñero <strong>is</strong> truly asmall piece of parad<strong>is</strong>e<strong>and</strong>, if heaven <strong>is</strong> not asgood, God please let meascend to Hato Piñero…<strong>with</strong> my partner <strong>and</strong>my dogs.AW, County CorkHATO PINERO