So... almost a trip report, but I'm not riding, so I decided to put this in the Off-Topic folder. Hope you don't mind me sharing my thoughts on my trip with y'all....
I flew home on Christmas day, after not being there and visiting my family for almost three years. The flight departed just past midnight, arriving at almost 7 am local time. The weather was picture perfect: very few clouds, nice cool breeze, and not so humid, even though the airport it's just by the coast. My brother and a friend picked me up, and thankfully, the friend was quite understanding of this photographing fool. I asked him to stop just as we left the airport, as we started climbing up the mountain toward the city. This is the end of the runway, you can't really see the airport, but you can see it's location in reference to the glorious caribbean sea.
Oh look!!! MOUNTAINS!!!!
And...more mountains!!!! As much as I love Texas, the one thing I miss the most from home is the green, lush, mountains that form the coastal mountain range ("cordillera de la costa").
Caracas it's on a valley, nested on this mountain range. So the drive from the coast involves an assortment of tunnels and viaducts to deal with the rugged terrain and change in elevation...From sea level, to 3,000 ft ASL.
One more look at the sea before we get further towards the valley.
...and...more mountains!!!. This highway was built in the late 50s, and baring any congestion, it puts you in the city in 30 minutes.
As we get closer to the city, the harsh reality of the state of our country rears it's ugly head....one of the many shanty towns found around and throughout the city (and all over the country).
Anyone up for a little cup of coffee???
I flew home on Christmas day, after not being there and visiting my family for almost three years. The flight departed just past midnight, arriving at almost 7 am local time. The weather was picture perfect: very few clouds, nice cool breeze, and not so humid, even though the airport it's just by the coast. My brother and a friend picked me up, and thankfully, the friend was quite understanding of this photographing fool. I asked him to stop just as we left the airport, as we started climbing up the mountain toward the city. This is the end of the runway, you can't really see the airport, but you can see it's location in reference to the glorious caribbean sea.
Oh look!!! MOUNTAINS!!!!
And...more mountains!!!! As much as I love Texas, the one thing I miss the most from home is the green, lush, mountains that form the coastal mountain range ("cordillera de la costa").
Caracas it's on a valley, nested on this mountain range. So the drive from the coast involves an assortment of tunnels and viaducts to deal with the rugged terrain and change in elevation...From sea level, to 3,000 ft ASL.
One more look at the sea before we get further towards the valley.
...and...more mountains!!!. This highway was built in the late 50s, and baring any congestion, it puts you in the city in 30 minutes.
As we get closer to the city, the harsh reality of the state of our country rears it's ugly head....one of the many shanty towns found around and throughout the city (and all over the country).
Anyone up for a little cup of coffee???