Venezuela: Kavak

After a good night’s sleep, we awoke early to head out to our next destination: Kavak. Taking the boat past the bottom of the lagoon falls, we could see the majesty and power of them all before heading to the other side of the lagoon to disembark and walk up to the airport.

Fortunately, there’s no possibility of us missing this flight because we’re the only ones on the plane. Yep, it’s a six-seater plane with just enough room for our stuff in the back

Piling into the plan I look up to the pilot’s area and notice that amidst the instruments (generally in a decent state) the pilot has attached what seems to be a garmin GPS system to the steering wheel, which he seems to be using as his primary navigation system. At this point I’m deciding between two thoughts: 1) wow, the fate of whether we end up flying into the side of a mountain is now in the hands of a company that regularly sends me on the wrong road, or 2) At least he’s got navigation equipment! For the sake of my sanity, I chose the latter. After an amazingly scenic ride beside several tepuy’s and across the plains, we approach our destination, a dirt landing strip with a couple of huts next to it (Kavak). Landing was flawless, and we hopped out and were immediately thrust into the imposing beauty of Kavak. Kavak is a study in contrasts: the flatness of the plains is pitted against the towering verticality of the adjacent tepuy and the green of the savannah is contrasted against the beautiful blue sky. There’s really just amazing beauty all around.

(Laundry with a view!)

Feeling the fatigue of the previous days, we took some time to hang out some laundry, relax in the hammocks, and grab some lunch before embarking on our next adventure.

(Kavak from above)

Well rested and fed, we soon followed our local guide out of camp and toward the looming tepuy. Soon we were in its shadow and walking beside a creek that seemed to be flowing off of it. Walking beside the creek soon became walking in and swimming through the creek. We were immersed in secret canyon swimming holes perfect for jumping into and eventually up a slot canyon to an incredible waterfall. With the light cutting down the top of the slot canyon and the water reflecting, it was truly a magical sight.

(Slot canyon)

Again the waterfall at the end of the canyon had a little perilous ledge that allowed me to slip under the edge and be enveloped by the sound and the percussion of the falls. Coming in waves, I could feel when there was a surge of water over the falls and took small gasps of breathe because the air was so saturated with water it was hard to take full breaths. But closing my eyes my whole being was enveloped with the sound of the falls crashing around me: a truly surreal experience.

(under the falls at Kavak)

Winding our way back out of the canyon and taking  another quick dip in the swimming area, we soon retreated back to the creature comforts of Kavak. Showering off (in the amazing outdoor shower) and changing clothes, we were again treated to an amazing dinner that put our grumbling stomachs at ease. And after a wonderful meal we were treated to an incredible array of stars, where after watching for a couple of minutes marveling at the clearness of the sky, we were treated to an incredible shooting star that capped another amazing day.

The next morning (beautifully clear), before our plane arrived to take us back to Ciudad Bolivar, we decided to rent some bikes and ride around the countryside and were treated to incredible views across the savannah. Cresting one of the hills and getting a 360 degree view of the surrounding area, it felt like we were the only people for miles, like we had this tiny slice of heaven all to ourselves.

(road to Kavak & us biking)

Time slipped by and soon it was time to head back and board the same six-seater that had dropped us off the day before. The flight back to Ciudad Bolivar, and eventually to Caracas went fairly smoothly (minus a small airport blackout and standing in line for over an hour to check in…), but soon enough we were back to Caracas and relaxing in Tracey’s apartment.