Venezuela - by Kate

Venezuela is truly remarkable. It is a vast country with incredible diversity: the sprawling plains of the Gran Sabana , broken only by the incredible tepuis (table top mountains) that make Table Mountain in Cape Town, look like a mere molehill, the rich dense jungle and the unbelievable crystal clear waters of Los Roques Archipelago.

I saw so much - sights and experiences that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Here are just a few:

A two hour helicopter ride to Kukenan-Tepui and Mount Roraima. The scenery en route was spectacular but nothing prepared me for Kukenan -Tepui rising out of the cloud or what we found at the top. Landing skilfully on a small flat area - the only flat area on the tepui - we stepped out of the helicopter onto another planet. The cloud sat below us just gripping the edges of the mountain leaving us a clear view of extraordinary statues rising out of the rock creating weird, wonderful and sometimes formidable shapes. The maze of black formations, some standing 40 ft high, stretched out before us sheltering extraordinary plant and animal life that make this table top their home. This is indeed The Lost World.

Flying past Angel Falls watching the water tumble a kilometre to the jungle floor below was breathtaking. I was especially fortunate to have a beautifully clear day and the canyon was free of all cloud.

Sailing in Los Roques was simply dreamy. The waters are the most crystal blue clear waters I have ever seen. The sand was whiter than I could have possibly imagined. Under a parasol on my own little bit of heaven, I watched the jet-black lizards against the bright white sands and the turtles gliding to the surface for a breath of air before flipping back down to their underwater paradise. The quiet and stillness - the sea was so still that I couldn't even hear it lapping against the shore - were calming and relaxing.

Back on dry land, there was no sense of urgency. The pace of life was slow and languid and all I could do was to enjoy a cold beer (this job is not all bad) while watching the pelicans bob about on the glassy waters.

Los Roques archipelago was made a National Park in 1999 and has, as a result, remained wonderfully unspoilt. I met people on this trip who last visited Los Roques some twenty-five years ago and were frightened of what they would find today. I am pleased to say that they were relieved to find it just as they had last seen it and they were as enchanted on this, their second visit, as on their first. I hope that I am lucky enough to return in twenty-five years and feel a similar renewed enchantment.