Santa Elana, The Gran Sabana, New Years 2013/2014

The Gran Sabana have some of the most beautiful unique landscapes we've seen in Venezuela.
It is part of the Canaima National Park .

The friendly street BBQ stalls where we had supper almost every evening. 

Johan and Carine's next flight from Manaus, Brazil were booked for 29 December while Jaco and I planned to cross the border to Brazil to get another 3 months stay for Venezuela on the return.

The 4 of us took a small overnight bus from Ciudad Bolivar to Santa Elena de Uairen. Here our paths split. We found a lovely en-suite double room accommodation at the Backpacker @ about U$6/room/night!

Jaco having a Caipirinha in Pacaraima on the border , the Brazilian city northeast of the of Roraima State. 

Reminds us of an African bush meat market!

Santa Elena de Uairén is located in southeastern Bolivar state about 20 km from the border with Brazil and is the capital of the Gran Sabana . It has a small  population of approximately 29 000 inhabitants. It was founded in  1923 by Lucas Fernández Peña, attracted by the diamond boom. The name originates from his daughter "Elena" and "Uairén" which is the name of the river that crosses the city. 

Jaco on New Years with Dutch Gert and Bart. 

We celebrated New Years with French, Dutch and Spanish travellers.
The backpackers bar was closed for the evening, but us well organised Namibians supplied Caipirinha and rum for the night!
... everyone now knows about Namibia!

The map indicates a few indigenous villages and water falls to visit.

"Babbelas" (hang-over) or no "babbelas", we started early morning on the 1st of January on rented bicycles to visit the surrounding sites in the breathtaking beauty of the Gran Sabana.

All smiles, not knowing what lays ahead!

Leaving another lifeless village with no fresh water in sight !

So where is every one?

Turn around after 25km and still no life or water!

Perfect pic-nic  next to a clear water river enjoying local serrano ham, pecorino cheese, salchichon and more......
 to discover later that the no-see-ums also loved it!  

Now on to the water fall.

At last we found a small camp site 5 km outside Sana Elena. The friendly staff gave us some cold water and information of a water fall and river close by where we can relax for free.

They also said that all the rivers in this area has pure drinking water!! We have been cycling next to drinking water all along!

A perfect way to end the day cycling trip and visit to Gran Sabana
Next time we'll be geared to climb the famous Roraima Tepuy.