We are still on the road to Merida but what better way to break up the drive then to stop at a small town called Mucuchies (Mérida, Venezuela). In late December of every year, this small Andean town hosts a two-day festival to celebrate San Benito de Palermo, their patron saint.Every December, on the 29th, the townsmen dress up as their Patron Saint, paint their faces in black and form a colorful army of
men women and children. They go from very early in the morning to late at night carrying an image of the Black Saint, marching and detonating black powder with their toy guns all over town. At midday, the army gathers around at the plaza in front of the church to receive mass. The children, specially, love this festival, you can see many of them dressed up in costumes, dancing and celebrating all day long.Time to get back on the truck and make our way to Merida town centre. We arrive late and only have time for dinner and a shower, as we need to get to bed so we can wake up early for our 2 day tour in the hope to experience the Catatumbo Lightning.
Day 1
The journey begins in Merida, after breakfast. We leave early because it's a very big day with lots to see and lots of kms. By road we travel about 150km and 60km by boat. Our first stop is
about an hour from Merida in a mountain area with a large number of condors fly. We drive a little further to and visit a very old sugar factory, its been told that the process is almost the same as 300 years ago. We drive a little further and stop for lunch. After lunch we leave the Andes and enter the Depression of Maracaibo, a very flat land very much like the Llanos. Its around 2pm when we arrive at Puerto Concha, a fishing village which collects the produce of the Maracaibo Lake. Its at this point we leave the car behind and travel by boat through tropical flooded forest. During our boat journey we see a large number of birds, howler monkeys and 
some iguanas. Suddenly the small river open up into the Maracaibo Lake. The feeling of fresh air and open space is wonderful. With the wind in our hair and great expectations we begin the crossing. The lake is the biggest in South America (13,000 sq km). The distance to our camp is about 50km which we will take about 1hr 30min. During our crossing we were lucky enough to see some fresh water dolphins. At last our final destination, the Ologa Lagoon. This place is one of the most photogenic places I have visited. At last the boat stops at the house where we will be sleeping in hammocks. We arrive in time for sunset and ready to see what the night brings!Day 2 - New Years Eve
Unfortunately the night sky did not light up for us. We wake up with the sun for an amazing
sunrise. We explore the Ologa village and visit a local family before visiting the next water village of Congo. A staggering 500 people live here on the water. As we slowly make our way around the village we stop at the local church/Plaza Bolivar. This is were Zoe and I realise that Australia is celebrating New Years it only seems right that we do the same (OK so it was 15 1/2 hrs before we officially celebrate in Venezuela - but yay!!! I am happy to celebrate twice). We travel back across the lake. Tired but happy! We get back into Merida at about 4pm just in time to get some beer and soft drink for tonight and get ready for a night of New Years celebrations.Time to get ready and head off to a local family to celebrate New Years just like the locals do. As we danced the night way, watched fire works and familys run around the block with bags/luggage in the hope that the new year will give them some happy and safe travels in the new year.
After a big night we get a sleep in, the truck will not leave Merida until lunch time. Excellent a sleep in.
Next stop the beach. Can't wait.
