Isla Margarita - Venezuela

Margarita Island (Spanish: Isla Margarita or Isla de Margarita) is the largest island of the Nueva Esparta state in Venezuela, situated in the Caribbean Sea, off the northeastern coast of the country. The state also contains two other smaller islands: Coche and Cubagua. The capital is La Asunci—n, located in a river valley of the same name. Primary industries are tourism, fishing and construction. Its population is about 420,000.

In 1498, Christopher Columbus discovered Margarita Island. The local natives, named Guaiqueries, received the conquering Spaniards with open arms unaware that they later would become slaves of their own wealth. Pearls represented almost a third of all New World tribute to the Spanish Crown. Margarita Island had to be fortified against the increasing threat of pirate attacks, and several of these fortifications remain today. In 1561, the island was seized by Lope de Aguirre, a notoriously violent and rebellious conquistador who held the islanders in a grip of terror until he returned to the mainland in an attempt to take Panama from the Spanish crown.

In 1814, the islanders fought successfully for independence from the Spanish, and Isla Margarita became the first free territory in Venezuela. It was on Margarita Island that Simon Bolivar, later called the Libertador, was confirmed as Commander in Chief of the new republic, la gran Colombia. From there he started to free Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia from the Spanish Crown.

Source: Wikipedia

Experiences from Isla Margarita

La Isla Margarita is a lovely compromise between calm Caribbean and wild South America. Just the local hotties can make you pretty nervous. But that is the point, right? Unfortunately for us we came off season when you can see just mamas with whole families... Otherwise we would have a splendid look at cute little bikinis on the suntanned surfaces. Yes, girls in Venezuela are really hot and nicely shaped. These Latinas, however, are of two types. Most guys are visiting this island to check so called Morenas (we called them chocolates). However, the other type of girls is pretty hot, too. If you are fun of Silicon Valley you gonna love it! South American women wear maybe wonderbra, here, on the contrary, women believe in skillful hands of local plastic surgeons and a nicely made breast is a sign of wealth. D size is an average.

Well, beside breast you will wonder another world anomaly. Cars' and oil prices. While elsewhere in the world oil prices are increasing, the government in Venezuela once considered even leaving oil for free, just for service fee. You can see old Caddies and Chevrolets everywhere. Once you buy a new car, its price even grows. And driving rules are the cherry on the cake. You don't need to have driving license while driving and there is no limit for alcohol in blood Éseems pretty cool andÉ dangerous. As a matter of a fact there is a lower accident rate then in USA or Europe because everybody pays very good attention. That is why nobody needs to be afraid to be stopped by the police (police usually never stop drivers) and people are thus more relaxed and cheerful while driving there old precious.

Everybody on this Island has got a movement and you would better do the same thing because you will feel so good. Just shake your buds with them. The way how locals entertain themselves is amazing. The expressions of cheerful faces is exactly the little something that attracts you to their way of thinking.

Food recommendation is fruit, fruit and again plenty of fruit soaked in rum that is delicious, very sweet and mild. We were quite disappointed from the steaks, next time we will go further to South to Argentina. We also went to check local fishermen's' houses. These lovely colored mini villages with plastic chairs everywhere (which makes you think that plastic chairs must have been invented in South America) are very solid source of fresh yummy seafood. Go ahead and try something there. It always tastes better at a lighthouse.

Don't forget the wild ride in jeeps on the deserted western part of this island or waterfalls on Venezuelan cost seen from helicopter. We chose La Isla del Coche because of the shooting we were about to make. It is known as a kitting and surfing paradise with Salinas in the background, the place where you can stroll around and touch big lizards and parrots (for a change instead of constant admiring of all those sexy bikinis and girls in them.

On this island we found out that the real paradise is hidden in your relaxed mind, not in the tropical surrounding.

Issues from Venezuela

30 Jul 2008 - Stefi - Sexy bikiny
02 Jul 2008 - Stefi - On the road
18 Jun 2008 - Stefi - No pase

Marketa4you.com:
01 Aug 2008 - Marketa Belonoha - Hoochie
05 Jun 2008 - Marketa Belonoha - Desert island
09 Jun 2008 - Marketa Belonoha - Elegant
31 Jul 2008 - Marketa Belonoha - ARSH boat

Special thanks to Hotel Casa Margaritena!