The day began in Caracas, with the ring of the alarm clock for an early rise. We were warned to get to the airport in Caracas early; guess what? In the case of trafico! As it happens, we got there in half an hour, three hours before the half-hour plane ride. Grrrreat. We were then informed in half-hourly intervals of the next two hours' delay. It was fascinating to 'people watch'; in particular the men with their lovers or secretaries as most Venezuelans would say. Five hours later since our arrival at the airport, we walked to the small plane, carrying about 40 passengers.
Hala tells me: "Hey sis, didn't wanna say this before, but I read in the Lonely Planet book that these small planes have also been known to disappear in the sky; like the Bermuda Triangle." And she laughed.
"Really?!" I exclaimed. "But that's fine. Things like these don't bother me, when our time is up, then so be it. We go."
In half an hour, our noise-polluted experience came to an end. Before landing, beneath us, was the view of all different shades of blue and the small islands scattered all over the place.
We got off the plane in our flip-flops and bikinis under our clothing, into the small outdoor airport which was more like a bus stand and got in to dispose of our valuables in a safe. We were then directed straight into a motor boat to join the Catamaran on an island close by. They told us our luggage shall be in our posada (inn) upon return.
We began taking our clothes off and changing into the pareo on the boat. When we arrived close to our catamaran, I saw one of the attendants on the boat smiling at us and as we boarded, he introduced himself as Captain Javier. Looking at him, I thought... 'Mmm... If Javier works for Penelope Cruz!'
We had lunch onboard and the cat began to move. We watched our approach to the next magical island. To see the various shades of blue, from the transparent water with the colour of white sand to the turquoise blue, turning further into navy was a sight. Then the blue sky. A postcard made into reality.
At about 4 pm, we were dropped off on the sandy island, where no cars or bicycles were in sight. We were shown to our posada by the sea, extremely well located. You could walk the island in a matter of 10 minutes. With about 60 posadas and the area the locals lived, the colourful houses made Los Roques absolutely delightful to walk around.
At night, we were told to meet up at the restaurant, across from where we were staying for dinner. We shared our table with a young Venezuelan couple, married for 4 years, both engineers who were like honeymooners and put our knowledge of Spanish into good use. We seemed to make them laugh.
After dinner, we asked about the two bars on the island and were directed towards the first. We got a grumpy waiter with an attitude getting us a drink. As beautifully as the place was decorated in white and blue, the service was too unfriendly, so we moved on to the next. Now that place was buzzing. The waitress behind the bar spoke English and was extremely welcoming so we got our drinks and sat in the outside bar, while the DJ played some cool Latino tunes. Hala was busy talking to a whole bunch of friendly guys while Captain Javier appeared next to me.
We wanted to get drinks but our cash currency of dolares and bolivares were locked in the safe which was in the main building of the offices and it had shut at 6 pm.
The captain saw me somewhat in distress and asked what was wrong. When I told him our problem, he said: "No worries, I've the key to the safe with me. I can take you there."
Of course, I agreed and we got to our money to buy a couple of Cuba Libres; vodka and rum.
The island being so small, Javier knew our posada and asked: "Have you been to the roof terrace of your posada with the view of the sea?"
"No, we just checked in after the boat showered, changed and came to dinner," I answered rather innocently.
"Come, I'll show you." He eagerly suggested.
I looked at Hala, happily sitting and talking so I told her where we were heading and left with the Latino captain.
This was the view from the roof terrace of our posada in the daytime. That night, looking down, there was no one in sight. The sound of the small waves reaching the beach, the light breeze blowing through my curled-up hair, smelling the aroma the sea gave out mixed with the humidity, the dark blue sky, lit up by the almost full moon and the twinkling stars, made it a heavenly setting, made for lovers.
We smoked and chatted, and laughed when Javier drew me close to his manly chest and kissed me passionately.
I told him to stop. "Let me take in this moment. This is probably normal to you," I said, "I mean the view of the sea, the gentle breeze in the air, the moon shining brightly in the sky and onto the sea ...."
My eyes must have been glowing, like an excited child.
"You've probably not been with a Latino before?" He asked.
"Mmm ... " I cannot lie so I answered: "Well, not with a Venezuelan. No." And I laughed.
He was hot.
I joined Hala at the bar later when she was talking to an eccentric Venezuelan businessman from Caracas. He looked like a character from a cartoon, with fuzzy black and white hair on the sides of his head and none at the top, a slight belly who was talking of his surfing on further islands and how things had changed there from a few years ago when he last visited, with nowhere to go at night.
He was funny.
The next three days at Los Roques were a dream. On the Catamaran from 8.30 am and being taken to other islands and served fresh lobster caught there and then at sea. One of the best I have had.
The captain changed the next two days and we got talking to other fellow travellers on the catamaran, all South Americans and mainly well-to-do Venezuelans as the island and places to stay do not come cheap in Los Roques. There were quite a few Italians, owning posadas and visitors.
The clear sign at the entrance of the square on the island read as...
Que? No drugs? I had never come across such a sign before. Quite amusing.
On the fourth day, after lunch on the catamaran, we were taken to the 'so-called' airport by a speedboat and got on the plane to leave our magical moments spent on spectacular beaches behind. Had to take photos of the luggage delivery!
Leaving the magnificent memories of Los Roques and coming back to London today... I'm exhauuuuusted!
First things first, I started my boxing sessions with the Colombian trainer again and booked a pilates reformer class. Picked up the forever-loving Ex mother-in-law to lunch, sharing some of my adventurous trip stories. Seeing my beautiful girl in between her hectic life and the week-end beginning on Thursday with a last-minute decision of few friends around for Troy's special pie. Robby arrived, followed by Dylan who came late, hand in hand with a beautiful Africana, with the sweetest of smiles. Troy arrived with the food plates accompanied by the lovely Dori. And of course Shane, one of the very lovely guys I am blessed to have as a friend. We talked and laughed and enjoyed each other's company with the exchange of stories.
Hala tells me: "Hey sis, didn't wanna say this before, but I read in the Lonely Planet book that these small planes have also been known to disappear in the sky; like the Bermuda Triangle." And she laughed.
"Really?!" I exclaimed. "But that's fine. Things like these don't bother me, when our time is up, then so be it. We go."
In half an hour, our noise-polluted experience came to an end. Before landing, beneath us, was the view of all different shades of blue and the small islands scattered all over the place.
We got off the plane in our flip-flops and bikinis under our clothing, into the small outdoor airport which was more like a bus stand and got in to dispose of our valuables in a safe. We were then directed straight into a motor boat to join the Catamaran on an island close by. They told us our luggage shall be in our posada (inn) upon return.
We began taking our clothes off and changing into the pareo on the boat. When we arrived close to our catamaran, I saw one of the attendants on the boat smiling at us and as we boarded, he introduced himself as Captain Javier. Looking at him, I thought... 'Mmm... If Javier works for Penelope Cruz!'
We had lunch onboard and the cat began to move. We watched our approach to the next magical island. To see the various shades of blue, from the transparent water with the colour of white sand to the turquoise blue, turning further into navy was a sight. Then the blue sky. A postcard made into reality.
At about 4 pm, we were dropped off on the sandy island, where no cars or bicycles were in sight. We were shown to our posada by the sea, extremely well located. You could walk the island in a matter of 10 minutes. With about 60 posadas and the area the locals lived, the colourful houses made Los Roques absolutely delightful to walk around.
At night, we were told to meet up at the restaurant, across from where we were staying for dinner. We shared our table with a young Venezuelan couple, married for 4 years, both engineers who were like honeymooners and put our knowledge of Spanish into good use. We seemed to make them laugh.
After dinner, we asked about the two bars on the island and were directed towards the first. We got a grumpy waiter with an attitude getting us a drink. As beautifully as the place was decorated in white and blue, the service was too unfriendly, so we moved on to the next. Now that place was buzzing. The waitress behind the bar spoke English and was extremely welcoming so we got our drinks and sat in the outside bar, while the DJ played some cool Latino tunes. Hala was busy talking to a whole bunch of friendly guys while Captain Javier appeared next to me.
We wanted to get drinks but our cash currency of dolares and bolivares were locked in the safe which was in the main building of the offices and it had shut at 6 pm.
The captain saw me somewhat in distress and asked what was wrong. When I told him our problem, he said: "No worries, I've the key to the safe with me. I can take you there."
Of course, I agreed and we got to our money to buy a couple of Cuba Libres; vodka and rum.
The island being so small, Javier knew our posada and asked: "Have you been to the roof terrace of your posada with the view of the sea?"
"No, we just checked in after the boat showered, changed and came to dinner," I answered rather innocently.
"Come, I'll show you." He eagerly suggested.
I looked at Hala, happily sitting and talking so I told her where we were heading and left with the Latino captain.
This was the view from the roof terrace of our posada in the daytime. That night, looking down, there was no one in sight. The sound of the small waves reaching the beach, the light breeze blowing through my curled-up hair, smelling the aroma the sea gave out mixed with the humidity, the dark blue sky, lit up by the almost full moon and the twinkling stars, made it a heavenly setting, made for lovers.
We smoked and chatted, and laughed when Javier drew me close to his manly chest and kissed me passionately.
I told him to stop. "Let me take in this moment. This is probably normal to you," I said, "I mean the view of the sea, the gentle breeze in the air, the moon shining brightly in the sky and onto the sea ...."
My eyes must have been glowing, like an excited child.
"You've probably not been with a Latino before?" He asked.
"Mmm ... " I cannot lie so I answered: "Well, not with a Venezuelan. No." And I laughed.
He was hot.
I joined Hala at the bar later when she was talking to an eccentric Venezuelan businessman from Caracas. He looked like a character from a cartoon, with fuzzy black and white hair on the sides of his head and none at the top, a slight belly who was talking of his surfing on further islands and how things had changed there from a few years ago when he last visited, with nowhere to go at night.
He was funny.
The next three days at Los Roques were a dream. On the Catamaran from 8.30 am and being taken to other islands and served fresh lobster caught there and then at sea. One of the best I have had.
The captain changed the next two days and we got talking to other fellow travellers on the catamaran, all South Americans and mainly well-to-do Venezuelans as the island and places to stay do not come cheap in Los Roques. There were quite a few Italians, owning posadas and visitors.
The clear sign at the entrance of the square on the island read as...
Que? No drugs? I had never come across such a sign before. Quite amusing.
On the fourth day, after lunch on the catamaran, we were taken to the 'so-called' airport by a speedboat and got on the plane to leave our magical moments spent on spectacular beaches behind. Had to take photos of the luggage delivery!
Leaving the magnificent memories of Los Roques and coming back to London today... I'm exhauuuuusted!
First things first, I started my boxing sessions with the Colombian trainer again and booked a pilates reformer class. Picked up the forever-loving Ex mother-in-law to lunch, sharing some of my adventurous trip stories. Seeing my beautiful girl in between her hectic life and the week-end beginning on Thursday with a last-minute decision of few friends around for Troy's special pie. Robby arrived, followed by Dylan who came late, hand in hand with a beautiful Africana, with the sweetest of smiles. Troy arrived with the food plates accompanied by the lovely Dori. And of course Shane, one of the very lovely guys I am blessed to have as a friend. We talked and laughed and enjoyed each other's company with the exchange of stories.
Friday was dinner at Diba; our amazing older lady friend, who is so full of life and love to give. She is one hell of a Lady and one to learn good lessons of humanity from. Always entertaining with her fun stories of meeting various celebrities and her travels around the globe. She is now happy to stay in her London home and entertain her varied, good friends and family. And she is a great cook.
Her birthday party was fabulous seeing her young and old circle of very warm and worldly entourage and family. I particularly love meeting people with open views, who know better than judge others. At a certain age, they learn what pleases them in life and they keep it simple and always fun. Very frank and open, having nothing to hide.
Driving home at midnight, Hala and I began thinking we were in too much of a good mood to head home when Massimo called. So we headed to his place instead.
From there, Massimo suggested we turn up at this pirate party on a ship on the Thames. And so we did in, as Massimo's gorgeous musician friend commented, gorgeous outfits to a whole crowd of pirates all made up for the occasion. My only upset was I could have easily got dressed up for this party! And still, we had a great time; with or without costume.
And Saturday... Oh! Oh!
Lunch in Notting Hill. I turned up at our favourite Pan-Asian cuisine restaurant E&O, for a very late brunch at 3.30 pm. Dylan and his girlfriend had already arrived with Troy and Dori. During a couple of smoking breaks, I managed to visit one vintage shop and came back with a summer hat. As though the four I had purchased in South America were not enough!
And on the other visit, I went to the next shop and came out with a gold sequined top, covered by a flowing chiffon fabric and a one-sided sleeve. Great top for the night out.
The night out on a Saturday... Mmm... Where else but our beloved Fabric Club. Another night of dancing to great tunes played by amazing DJs, catching up with friends and making new ones. Massimo, Salar and his uncle joined us for a night of 'folie', madness and laughter.
We danced our socks off till morning and left in full daylight to head home ready for our bed.
I haven't quite finished with stories of our trip yet... For now, the bed is calling.
No comments:
Post a Comment