For a whole year I lived almost like a monk 😉 denying myself any pleasures. Every single złoty was sacred. Every unbought kebab brought me closer to my goal.
“It’ll be worth it!” I kept telling myself. I gave up on nights out, subscriptions to whatever, and all temptations that could threaten my grand mission: A TRIP TO VENEZUELA.
Travel and arrival on Isla Margarita
And so the day arrived. I packed my suitcase, full of excitement, but also mild paranoia. Would my butt really survive an almost 12-hour flight?
The airport, check-in, and that wretched flight. I learned new yoga poses in a desperate attempt to fall asleep in a seat designed for people without spines. But none of that mattered – after a bunch of hours, we arrived on Isla Margarita.
It was time to check into our resort paradise – Sunsol Ecoland. It sounded exclusive and indeed, the surroundings were straight out of a catalog: tropical huts, thatched roofs, palm trees, and blue skies.
First days on the beach
On the very first day we decided to check if the island actually looks like the travel brochures. We started by lazily lounging on the Sunsol hotel beach.
The only effort was lifting a cup with yet another colorful drink. The sea murmured, the palms rustled, and we… well, we just tried to keep our balance. We bounced back and forth between the lounge chair, the pool, and the bar.
On the beach we found a swing that said “Isla Margarita,” supposed to be the perfect photo op. In theory, I was going to look like a guy enjoying a heavenly scenery. In practice, I resembled someone who just realized the sand is closer than it seemed. The swing’s stability was questionable. Oh well, it happens.
Confrontation with the ocean
The next item on the day’s agenda was a confrontation with the ocean, which had its own plans for us. The plan was simple: a romantic photo against the backdrop of the waves.
Reality? A sudden attack of the elements out to prove that no one is safe. One second we were standing in ankle-deep water. The next – the ocean decided to wash us away like excess sand on the shore.
Instead of an Instagram-worthy shot, we got something like “Wilderness Survival: Water Edition.”
In the evenings, we went out for dinner. A guy promises himself he won’t stuff his face like crazy, and then leaves stuffed like never before.
A table full of food, great company, and waitresses who had more energy than the entire room put together. During a Mexican-style dinner, an idea popped up to dance.
But after two courses and dessert, the prospect of movement seemed dangerous.
Island tour – La Asuncion
Since man cannot live on lounge chairs alone, we decided to explore the island. The tour was organized by Rainbow – “Margarita in a Nutshell.”
We kicked off our sightseeing with a visit to La Asuncion, the island’s capital. There we learned about the history of Venezuela’s struggles for independence. The monuments of Venezuela’s great heroes really made an impression on me.
Especially the moment when we “unexpectedly” stumbled upon Frédéric Chopin. Can someone explain to me how he ended up here? Because I still have no clue. Of course, we made serious faces for the picture, as if we were just analyzing his impact on classical music.
But the truth was, I only had one thing on my mind: “Can we go to the shade now?”
The cathedral from 1621 impressed us. We don’t know what was more impressive: its history, or the fact that it survived so many years without a renovation.
The next stop on the tour was El Valle. We visited the sanctuary of Margarita’s patron saint – kind of their local equivalent to Czestochowa.
We also saw a statue of Pope JPII, who looked like Harry Potter.
Laguna la Restinga National Park
Next, we headed to Laguna la Restinga National Park. We got into a boat that looked like it remembered the days of Columbus.
It emitted sounds and smells like our good old Polish Syrena 105 car – so eco-friendly 😛
During the 30-minute cruise, we admired pelicans with menacing glares. They looked at us like just another bunch of naive tourists who think they are the attraction here.
We stumbled upon a starfish whose approach to life could be summed up with the words “I just lie here and don’t give a crap.” I admit, I envied its philosophy.
Finally, we visited a seahorse. Judging by its face, it was pondering the deep meaning of existence. It wondered why so many people were taking its picture.
Macanao Peninsula
Driving through the Macanao Peninsula was like time-traveling to a Western. Cacti everywhere.
On Punta Arenas beach we ate a lunch that consisted of a stingray and shark dish. It looked like lasagna, but with sea monsters. I have to admit, it tasted… interesting.
Plus, of course, the spirit of Margarita – meaning rum, rum, and lots of rum.
Juan Griego and the sunset
At the end of the day we reached Juan Griego. We were supposed to admire the most beautiful sunset on Margarita there.
And it was beautiful, indeed. But whether it was thanks to the sun, the rum, or maybe the company, nobody knows 😛
The following days – lounge chair and bar
The following days followed a set routine: lounge chair, bar, lounge chair, pool. Breaks were only for consuming meals.
This time I was very careful not to burn to a crisp. I caught some rays not while sunbathing, but during breaks from sunbathing 😛
Despite all that, my skin peeled off my forehead – that big forehead of mine – several times.
End of the trip
And so the end of our Isla Margarita mission was approaching. We spent our last day on a peaceful walk.
One last look at the Caribbean Sea and a brief reflection: “That was great. We have to come back here.”
On the airplane I still found sand in my pants pockets. It was the ultimate proof that the vacation was a success.
Vacation recap
Because Isla Margarita isn’t just palm trees and blue waters. It’s a paradise where the sea tries to knock you over. Pelicans look at you with pity. And the sand never stops haunting you.
And that, along with the presence of loved ones, is what makes this trip unforgettable! A vacation in Venezuela is something I will definitely repeat.
