Unfortunately to keep on schedule and get to where we need to go we had to drive all day Xmas Eve and Xmas Day. The drives did not get in the way of everyone having a great time, after all its Xmas time. To get through the day we did a lot drinking, singing, laughing, trivia a bit of sleeping (mainly by me) and yep more (bad) singing. Oh!!! what fun!!!. With Gemma and Kat going in there own direction for Xmas they left behind a few little gifts for the boys. Dave and Glenn have you finished your huge jar of ketchup yet? (What a nice baby!!)Phew!! we finally make it to the ranch in time for a Xmas dinner, gift swapping and dancing. Let the party begin!!
Day 1
With a slow awakening with the rise of sun it was time to head out and look for
anacondas. I wish I had some exciting story about how we walked for hours through mud and water. Instead its a short story and a short walk. Approx 200m from the ranch was a low river perfect for anacondas. As we all watch as the guide walk around the river with a large stick and poking it into the ground, we all were wondering if this was really going to work. Well less then 10 minutes later wallah!! an anaconda was found. This anaconda was approx 3 meters long. Yay! I got to see a anaconda in the wild. Pretty cool huh!!!
After our quick find of the anaconda it was back to the ranch for lunch and short relax before making our way to the flowing rivers of the llanos for an afternoon boat ride and sunset. Its back to the ranch for a Boxing Day dinner of roast pig (OK not for me). This pig has been cooking all afternoon and from what I have been told was the best roast pork of the century.Day 2
Today we are taking a drive around the Llanos lets
see what we animals we can spot. After driving for 20 minutes on some tough road we spotted a family of Capybara. We stop the truck for a closer look. Who would have thought that the largest rodent in the world would be that interesting and in the right light cute? (OK maybe not). Back on the truck as we continue to view the beautiful landscapes and plains full of magnificent birds. Before we head back to the ranch for a spot of lunch we need to catch some dinner, yep! its time for Piranha fishing. Dad you will be proud of me I caught 4 fish. OK so it was not the most thanks to Tim catching 5 but hey I think 4 is a good number. eh!! Maybe I am a natural. I guess you can see for yourself. Back to the ranch for lunch and a relaxing afternoon in the hammocks. Behind the scenes the kitchen is cleaning and cooking up the fish for dinner.After dinner we surprised "Farmer Dave" with a pinata for his birthday. Pinata nickname "Mini Farmer Dave", so I think you can guess what the shape of the pinata was. What a great way to spend our last night on the ranch. PARTY!!
Day 3
Time to make tracks and make our way across Venezula to our next destination. Due to the great weather and the road conditions were were able to open the roof seats again. Lucky for us as we spotted our first Giant Anteater. Yippie!!!!
We continue to make our way to Merida.
