VIII. 26. Caracas, Venezuela (8): Let´s Discover the Capital

When I was writing this blog, it was around 2 pm, march of 5^th 2013 Mexico City´s time, everything was under control. Until…at 4 pm local time, there was big news: Hugo Chávez died. All media gave some reports about this. RIP Hugo Chávez.

Chávez was phenomenal. Not only like a person in his country but also in the world.

Anyway, I had experience to live in Caracas, Venezuela during he was the president of the country. I don´t want to talk about his politic and to talk the bad things. You will never be able to imagine how´s life in Venezuela without living there. All happened for a reason.

Now, here it is my experiences in Caracas and around…

Since I decided to live more than 1 year (from December 2008 to June 2010) in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, I did not see so many interesting places. Or maybe it´s just me, I did not want to take a risk to walk around the city alone by myself, even if It was during the day. Yes, by the local newspapers or international news, Caracas in one of the dangerous cities in the world.

This is Caracas and its traffic.

Located just near the Caribbean Sea and around the mountain, Caracas´s weather was perfect all the year, between 23 to 32 degree Celsius.

The other side of the city.

If I compared Caracas to others cities in South of America that I´ve been visiting like Sao Paolo, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bogota, I felt something different in the capital of Venezuela. I will explain it in my next blog´s story.

The old bus help the majority of citizen to move.

Caracas itself for me, it was like the time got me back to year 80´s in Jakarta when the old buildings were still there, the many old cars on the road, and also the infrastructure of the city. What made it different from Jakarta? 

There is a metro-subway in this capital.

Sometimes during the weekend, I visited some places around the city. These are my 2 favorites places: El Hatillo and Galipan.

I had Indonesian good friends who lived in Caracas at that time with their family. During the weekend, we visited some places together or just had a lunch or dinner together.  

Indonesian girls + an Indonesian-British boy ;)

One Fine Day in El Hatillo

On Saturday afternoon, we visited El Hatillo, a small village was about 15 km from Caracas and we needed less than 30 minutes to get there by a car.

El Hatillo view from Plaza Bolivar.

Started from Plaza Bolivar, we could go around by walking to visit this small village.

THe Statue of Simon Bolivar.

View of the city from Galipan

This small village was the alternative to escape from the city. Located up to the mountain around Caracas, we needed a special car to get there. Don´t worry, we could leave our car in the parking station and then got the jeep to continue until the top of the city.

View Caracas from GAlipan, the top of the hill.

From the top of the hill (or the mountain exactly), we could see the view of the city. A part of that, we could see also the sea and enjoyed the takeoff and landing of the airplanes.

Galipan was a nice place to spend during the day. We could have brunch or lunch or a dinner. It also offered a fresh strawberry and many kinds of fruits that you could consume it directly there.

Have a nice visit around Caracas!

Caracas, from dec 2008 to june 2010.

Photo: LGN, Ita

Photo map: google map

VIII. 25. Hacienda Santa Teresa, Venezuela (7): La dégustation sur Place du Célèbre Rhum du Pays

Une des mes éxpériences géniales quand j´avais vécu au Vénézuela (du dec 2008 au juin 2010) était la visite à la Hacienda Santa Teresa où se trouve la fabrique du rhum connu : Santa Teresa.

A l'entrée de La Hacienda. On a payé le billet d'entrée tout est compris la dégustation :)

Situé dans le sud du Vénézuela, 75 km de la capitale, on a mis 1 heure et 10 minutes en voiture.

La hacienda Santa Teresa nous a offert une visite tout compris avec la dégustation du rhum du pays, également la visite un endroit énorme avec un train qui déroulait autour de la hacienda.

Hacienda Santa Teresa et son entourage. J'ai pris les photos depuis un petit train-voiture aui déroulait autour de la Hacienda.

La fabrique du rhum célèbre du pays : Santa Teresa se situait a la vielle hacienda qui avait construit dans le 19^ème siècle. Cette hacienda nous a offet ´La Ruta del Ron´*

Une visite des étapes du procès du rhum.

Durant la visite, il y avait un guide qui nous a expliqué l'histoire du rhum, les étapes du procès et finalement on est arrivés à faire la dégustation du rhum.

Notre étape préfèrée: la dégustation du rhum :)

Si un jour vous allez visiter Vénézuela, je vous conseille de visiter Santa Teresa. A ne pas manquer !

A visiter la Hacienda entre amis et à faire le brunch ensemble au resto sur place: c'était une bonne idéee à passer un agréable weekend.

La carte de Santa Teresa

*La route du rhum  

Hacienda Santa Teresa, fevrier 2010

Photo carte: google map

Photo la dégustation et celle d'entre amis: Mindy Jordan's (danke Mindy)

VIII. 24. Colonia Tovar, Venezuela (6): German´s Place around the Mountain

When I was living in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela during Dec 2008 until June 2010, I had a good time during a visit to Colonia Tovar. Colonia Tovar is a charming place, about 60 km to the west by driving a car from Caracas.

German architecture. I am taking pictures around this small village.

This place was born in 19^th century when the Independence´s war was over. Thanked to Agustin Codazzi who took the german immigrants to install in this new place and built this place (which is around the montagne) like german architecture.

The church and the statue of Codazzi (right below).

And now, Colonia Tovar becomes one of the tourist places – a must visit – in Venezuela and it still keeps their german´s tradition.

Most of the architectures in this small village built in german´s way. And also the restaurants, cafes and bar. Even more, the waiters and waitrisses are still wearing their costumes traditionals nowdays.

Colonia Tovar during xmas in Dec 2008.

And how about the language? Yes, most of the old generations are still speaking german and the new generations are speaking Spanish.

With cold and fresh temperature around the mountain, it is like we were in Germany.

If one day you will visit Venezuela and you don´t have much time to spend around Venezuela, Colonia Tovar is a good choice to discover another side of this country.

Auf Wiedersehen! ¡Hasta Luego!

Where Colonia Tovar is.

Photo map: google map.

Thank you LGN for a nice visit.