Back on Ednbal Sasha came down with a cold and spent a couple of days convalescing. We had wanted to see Angel Falls, another inland trip to the highest waterfall in the world so as soon as Sasha came good, just a week before Christmas we departed on the 4 day 3 night trip. By road F hours to Ciuadad Bolivar for an overnight stay in Don Carlos posada,

this time no hot water, the hot and cold taps were connected to the same pipe, but a lot of character, beautiful big timbers, wooden staircase, wooden ceilings and shutters. Cleanliness left a little to be desired but we survived! Ciuadad Bolivar is on the shore of the Oronoco River, about 400km from the river mouth and even here it is almost a mile wide with swift flowing water.

At the airport the next morning we waited for our names to be called to climb into one of the many 6 seater single engine aircraft on the tarmac. Through the security check the buzzer went off but no one seemed too fussed and into the "departure lounge". Our names were called along with many others, we were disappointed o find our flight to Canaima National Park was a 19 seat prop jet, not much fun in that and not much to see. Would have to organise better for the trip back. The posada at Canaima was a little more basic but still with ensuite bathroom and even hot water.

We found ourselves in a tour group of 10 people, an Englishman, an Italian, around our age group, and 6 young Venezuelans. Our first adventure was a walk under, behind, El Sapo Falls, a 100m long 10m high waterfall. What a buzz to say the least, bathers only, you get absolutely drenched.

Once on the other side a chance to swim in pools and take in the spectacular scenery of the Tepuis.

Tepuis are flat topped, vertical sided mountain that rise 1000m above the surrounding land. It is the heavy rains on the Tepuis' that create the abundance of waterfalls, although Sapo was one in a river.  After dinner we all got together at the bar to become a little better acquainted.

With interpretation by one of the girls and a lot sign language we had a fun evening. The morning was an early start for the 80km journey, part by boat, part trekking, to the base of Angel Falls. The boat was fairly basic. A dugout log about 12m long, 1m wide with a plank of wood on top of each side to provide some additional freeboard and a 48 horsepower outboard. We were put down the back, dumb Aussies, we got drowned going through the rapids later. Off we went. Half hour or so to the first stop, we all had to get out and walk a couple of miles while the skipper took the boat through the worst rapids, not safe enough for passengers.

Back in the boat it was soon time for the first drowning, in seconds we were completely drenched in water and spay came over the side, but of a worry as the bilge pump came into action, man with a bucket. As we travelled further the biggest Tepuis with many small waterfalls, hundreds of metres high, came into view.

More rapids as the current increased out ground speed reduced and the skipper weaved all over the place for deepest and smoothest water.

By early afternoon, after a sandwich lunch underway, we arrived to our overnight camp site with Angel falls in the background and the raging river right in front.

On with the hiking boots and off for the climb to the base of the falls. A narrow path, muddy with a base of interwoven tree roots. An hour and a half of brisk climbing through rain forest bought us to the spectacular views of Angel falls, plenty of photo opportunities and a swim in the pool.

On the way back our Italian friend was leading when he suddenly started yelling and carrying on about a serpent. He had almost trodden on a large, deadly poisonous snake. It was so well camouflaged against the ground and tree routes, he was very lucky to see it move.

By the time we were back in the camp it was almost dark and had started to rain. We were served roasted "vulture" pieces, having been promised some local game for dinner. Of course it was chicken.

Our camp was big open shed, sand floor, with hammocks for a good nights sleep. A couple of people cooked with big cast iron pans and pots over open wood fires and food was served a long rough wooden table. This was real back packing!

The return trip in the boat took have the time, with the current, so we were ready to catch the plane back to Cuidad Bolivar by midday, this time a single engine 6 seater, much better view, much more fun. Straight onto the bus and by 8pm, 22 December 2008 back on Ednbal.