Venezuela, Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao Dive Trip Report

[Spratman]

Hello phillyrob,

good first post! Good to see you are still going strong!

 

[phillyrob]

Hello phillyrob,

good first post! Good to see you are still going strong!

Thanks, my good man. Where there's a will, there's a way.

 

[enomisdivemaster]

Margarita Island is a tax free and duty free island, so, like I said before tourist dollars of visitors here do not go into Chavez's pocket. When I bought my brand new 2006 Honda Civic, I did not have to pay any sales tax on the car or the license plates. When you go to restaurants or buy stuff in the stores, you dont have to pay taxes. Besides, when I paid taxes in the USA, those dollars didnt necessarily go into Bush's personal pockets either. Listen, most people I know here, Venezuelans included, dont like Chavez either, but love living on Margarita Island and enjoy the carefree, very inexpensive way of life here. Politics don't reach the island much and the biggest political demonstration (parade) here was when Chavez lost his last memorandum vote. Now I dont usually talk politics on any scuba board, but I will this time. I am the type of guy that makes Rush Limbaugh seem like Obama. I have served my country honorably in time of war. I belief in God, Flag and Country, I abhore liberal, leftist leaning, communist socialism type politicians inside and outside the USA who blame America for everything that goes wrong in the world, I am of the thought that if you attack my country and kill our citizens I will obliterate your country just as fast as I can. Now having said that, I love living on Margarita Island where more people here think more like me, then when I was living in the USA.

 

[phillyrob]

Sounds like a nice place, and I'm up for diving almost anywhere. But I think I'll just wait the goofball out. Hopefully he'll have a fatal 'accident' with a firearm soon. I've got a Soccoro trip planned and I dive often off of New Jersey. That should hold me for a while.

 

[back2deepblue]

Sometimes, we have shortages of milk, chicken or eggs. And the trash pickup, especially in the poor areas such as the barrios where the local poor Venezuelans live, is sometimes very sporadic and the trash accumulates before it is picked up. The people here have absolutely no idea of ecology, they just throw their beer bottles out of the car windows to the side of the road and leave other trash wherever they want. They drive like maniacs. Traffic controls or traffic lights are mere suggestions. You want to stop for the red light, okay. You dont want to stop, okay. The biggest, oldest most beat up vehicle always has the right of way. The biggest crooks on the island are the cops, lawyers and realtors in that order. But, that put aside, this is a little slice of heaven.

I just love the way you describe Margarita, and totally agree with you....actually, I would say it holds true for most of the country. You would think that writing "this is a little slice of heaven" after your very accurate assessment of how things are over there is a total paradox, but I know exactly what you mean, and you can't really explain it unless you've lived there. I was borne and raised there, but left 10 years ago.

I'm glad somebody is enjoying that beautiful place. Helen

 

[enomisdivemaster]

Thanks Helen, and after coming back from today's dive trip I will have a few ice cold Polars..........some for me and a few more for you!

 

[back2deepblue]

Polarsita bien fria....yummmm.....that's mean Lee ...I would pay big bucks for a polar right about now.
Salud compadre

 

[enomisdivemaster]

Awwwww, I am sorry Helen, I didnt mean to be mean! But, if you ever come back to Margarita, look me up at the dive shop in Playa el Agua and I will buy you all the polars you want. Ciao for now and dive safe! Lee

 

[Sveta]

Nice. I am going to Colombia and Venezuela in August and haven't planned anything after my visit to Angel Falls. I guess Caracas can wait till my next trip to South America, i'd rather join you, guys, on Isla Margarita.
I have checked your website, Enomisdivemaster, looks fabulous. Can't wait to dive with you

 

[Arturo]

Sveta:

I live in Caracas and would recommend you go diving to Los Roques archipelago. A national park located at 30 minutes flight from Caracas. The best diving there is in Venezuela. Check it on the web. There are also some interesting diving spots around Caracas, but you have to know your way. Drop me an email if you want some orientation.