The historic Ciudad Bolívar

Following our trip to the jungle and Angel Falls, next stop was Ciudad Bolívar – the capital of Venezuela’s South Eastern bolivar state.

To get there we took a 4 seated Cessna over the 30,000 km² Canaima National Park that borders Brazil and Guyana. It was a journey that would last over an hour.

This photo was taken from inside the plane. Given there was only JD, myself and a pilot on board I was nervous to say the least. Noticeable perhaps from the lopsided smile! The pilot didn’t help quash my fears by spending too much time foraging instead of looking where he was going. Perhaps he’d done the journey so many times he longer needed to concentrate.

Ciudad Bolívar was originally founded as Angostura but renamed in 1846. The name comes from the Angostura trees that grow in the area. Angostura bitters were invented there and it’s also where the first Venezuelan newspaper was printed.

Despite the fear, the views from the Cessna were incredible and the pilot landed the plane perfectly.

We were met at the airstrip by a guide who took us to Plaza Bolívar located in the heart of the old city. There we found a statue of the Liberator Simón Bolívar who had declared Ciudad Bolívar the interim capital of the newly formed republic in 1818.

It was incredibly hot, not helped by our jungle attire – it really wasn’t trouser weather!

There is a cathedral located on the eastern side of Plaza Bolívar – music can be heard in the Plaza if the doors are open. A plaque marks the spot where General Manuel Piar was executed.

Whilst we were in Ciudad Bolívar we visited the Angostura Congress House where I tried and failed to make a guard laugh. I thought leaning over his shoulder would do it but alas I was wrong!

We also saw the San Osrido Museum, where Simón Bolívar stayed for a time, and the San Isidro house where he wrote the Angostura Speech. Now a museum, it was a great opportunity to glimpse into the colonial lifestyle and have a nose around some rather pretty gardens. Casa Piar is where General Manuel Piar stayed before his execution.

The Angostura Bridge over the Orinoco River was a wonderful sight. It links the Bolívar State to the rest of the Venezuela. We traveled over it on the way to Ciudad Bolívar and when we returned to the airport bound for Margarita…

We’re linking this post up with What’s The Story? here on PODcast and Magic Moments at The Oliver’s Madhouse.



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  • chantelle hazelden November 11, 2013 at 9:16 am

    Sounds like you had an amazing time!!! x #whatsthestory

    • Charly Dove November 11, 2013 at 6:58 pm

      Thank you we did although this flight was absolutely terrifying. I think I was half looking out of the window when this was taken!

  • Louise November 11, 2013 at 9:19 am

    I hate small planes – made it easier jumping out of one tho!

    • Charly Dove November 11, 2013 at 6:59 pm

      That’s a good point Louise, I am yet to do a jump. That terrifies me too although I would like to try one day 🙂

  • LauraCYMFT November 11, 2013 at 10:33 am

    Not sure I’d get on a small plane like that, I hate flying at the best of times LOL. But how fab to be able to explore the world together.

    • Charly Dove November 11, 2013 at 7:01 pm

      We didn’t know we were getting on such a teeny tiny plane. It was super scary but the views were absolutely amazing 🙂

  • MummyTries November 11, 2013 at 11:03 am

    I am so impressed with your vivid descriptions of pre-children travels, and you always paint such a beautiful picture! Sounds like a fab trip and most definitely #MagicMoments!

    • Charly Dove November 11, 2013 at 10:35 pm

      Thank you, that’s so kind of you. Venezuela was a fabulous trip albeit a little scary at times, memorable though 🙂

  • sarahhillwheeler November 11, 2013 at 11:31 am

    Great #magicomoment, “enjoyed” similar flight in Guatemala, amazing views but much nervous rubbing of my St Christophers.

    • Charly Dove November 11, 2013 at 7:03 pm

      Bless you! Amazing what we put ourselves through isn’t it. Annoyed I was so scared the views were just fabulous 🙂

  • Iona@redpeffer November 11, 2013 at 12:23 pm

    An amazing experience, and I’m so impressed you managed to focus on the scenery whilst in the plane-I may have struggled a little on that score!

    • Charly Dove November 11, 2013 at 7:03 pm

      Thank you Iona although it took me quite some time I seem to remember! Quite possibly most of the flight. The pilot really didn’t help with his rummaging!

  • Sara (@mumturnedmom) November 11, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    I am not a huge fan of flying, so well done you for getting on that tiny plane, or wasp as we tend to call them 🙂 Amazing trip, so much history. Wonderful memories x

    • Charly Dove November 11, 2013 at 10:37 pm

      I didn’t realise it was going to be quite so tiny, it was terrifying! As you say though an amazing trip 🙂

  • Coombemill November 11, 2013 at 1:47 pm

    You look so happy and fresh faced there. Clearly happy travels

    • Coombemill November 11, 2013 at 1:48 pm

      Not that you don’t look fab now by the way, that did sound wrong, but there is nothing quite like the look of a young carefree explorer!

      • Charly Dove November 11, 2013 at 10:27 pm

        Hilarious comment Fiona! Amazing how much changes in six years. We were quite irresponsible I guess then 🙂

  • Lou's Lake Views November 11, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    Sounds like such an amazing adventure but the thought of that tiny plane has given me the chills!

    • Charly Dove November 11, 2013 at 10:26 pm

      That plane was way too tiny Lou, it bobbed up and down. Planes should never bob! Incredible views though when I’d finally plucked up the courage to look out of the window 🙂

  • Vaidehi @vaichin November 11, 2013 at 4:48 pm

    Sounds like you had quite an adventure! #MagicMoments

    • Charly Dove November 11, 2013 at 10:38 pm

      We did indeed 🙂

  • The Reading Residence November 11, 2013 at 5:43 pm

    Wow, so amazing, but I just don’t think I could have got on that plane – you’re very brave!

    • Charly Dove November 11, 2013 at 10:39 pm

      Thank you Jocelyn. Had to get on the plane, it was the only way out of the jungle. Scary Mary though!

  • Mumof2.com November 11, 2013 at 6:13 pm

    Sounds like an adventure of a life time! Loving the lob-sided let’s hide the nervousness smile x

    • Charly Dove November 11, 2013 at 10:40 pm

      It was a great adventure albeit scary at times. I think I was looking to check we hadn’t fallen out of the sky when this photo was taken!

  • Mary @over40andamumtoone November 11, 2013 at 6:17 pm

    Sounds amazing – deep envy!

    • Charly Dove November 11, 2013 at 10:41 pm

      Was fabulous Mary but scary too – such a teeny tiny plane!

  • Notmyyearoff November 11, 2013 at 6:26 pm

    Omg, 30km2. That’s a lot of ground to cover and a very brave thing to do. Sounds like such an epic trip though with so many sights to see and so many discoveries.

    • Charly Dove November 11, 2013 at 10:45 pm

      Far too far to be bobbing up and down in a very small plane! There was nothing to it! It was an amazing trip, be wonderful do something like it again one day…!

  • Wicked World of Lucas November 12, 2013 at 7:22 pm

    Every week I look forward to your post – I love hearing about your travels and always learn something as well x

    • Charly Dove November 12, 2013 at 8:17 pm

      Thank you so much Cathie, really kind of you to say. No idea how many travel posts there are though. Not enough!

  • Jaime Oliver November 12, 2013 at 11:08 pm

    What an amazing trip Charly, i do have to say though that in all fairness if this was me i wouldn’t have been puking!! lol

    thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments

    • Charly Dove November 14, 2013 at 1:50 pm

      I’m sure you wouldn’t Jaime! It was rather scary though it must be said!

  • Dragonsfypoppy November 13, 2013 at 4:55 pm

    Oh bless you Charly, your smile does look at little ‘strained’ but then I doubt I’d be able to even crack a smile in that situation *palms sweat with fear of flying*

    I love the idea of you trying to make that guard laugh – has to be done really doesn’t it? 🙂

    • Charly Dove November 14, 2013 at 1:52 pm

      Seriously strained facial expression! I’m sure JD had bruises I was holding onto him so tightly! The guard was like stone, incredible!

  • thereandbackagain November 15, 2013 at 11:32 am

    Wow what an experience, sounds like a trip of a lifetime!

  • Funky Wellies November 15, 2013 at 3:03 pm

    Your posts are always fascinating. A great read! xx

  • older mum in a muddle November 19, 2013 at 9:43 am

    I think being in a tiny plane like that would have given me the heebie jeebies as well… you do look a little nervous! I’ve never been to South America, but you’re taking me there! X

  • PODcast | Los Roques, Venezuela May 27, 2014 at 11:42 pm

    […] Our 2007 trip to Venezuela included staying in the jungle, walking behind a waterfall (yes that one below top right!) and visiting the spectacular Angel Falls. We then left Canaima National Park via a 4 seated Cessna bound for the historic Ciudad Bolívar. […]