Day   15 -   Upata - Boa Vista:

Fact Sheet:       788 Km

                            Upata - Tumeremo - El Dorado - Km 88 - Gran Sabana - Sta. Elena de Uairen - Pacaraima - Boa Vista

                            Hotel Barrudada (Boa Vista)  - twin std. aprox. USD 15

After a good rest, we prepare for our last stretch in Venezuela, and look forward to seeing the bit between Upata and the Gran Sabana at daylight: on our inbound trip, we hit that stretch like maniacs, hurtling through the dark: it tired us, and took alot of concentration, driving the Caretera 10 at night. So, this time we actually saw something of the countryside - this is one of the poorer regions of the country, and is interspersed with small villages, farms, and natural vegetation - grassy, hilly, sometimes low trees. Nothing worth stopping for, so we make good time, and shortly before noon, we are trying to fill our tanks for the last time before we are in Brazil: there are never guarantees, that the PDV station in the Gran Sabana has fuel. Guess what happened? They were out of "Sin Plumo" (unleaded, which is what all brazilian cars run on), so we had no option, and started to fill up with the normal fuel. However, there was only enough in the station to fill Ramesh's tank, and put Amarildo's car up to the half-marker. We did our calculations, and decided to reduce our average from 120-130Km/h to 110-115Km/h, which we decided would get us from Km88 to Sta. Elena, where we would negotiate some "illegal fuel" for Amarildo's car. Luckily for him, his "mixture" was better, as he only managed 5 litres before the pump ran dry. Ramesh's "mixture" was not that healthy for the engine, but would do. After Km88, we see the green wall, which is the Gran Sabana, and start climbing radically. The temperature quickly drops from +32C to +25C, and the views start to be breathtaking again. The Gran Sabana is definitely an attraction in itself, and for nature, flora and fauna lovers, a paradise. The rise is a winding 35Km, and at the top, we are at approx. 1,140m - most of the way, has to be done in second gear. At arround 13:30h we arrive at Salto Kamoiaran, at the only PDV petrol station inside the Gran Sabana, and in the best brazilian style, manage to convince the guy that both our cars are completely empty, and will break down in the reserve, if he does not sell us some fuel. He is not supposed to sell to Tourists, even less, to Brazilians, but we end up filling both tanks with "Sin Plumo", much to Amarildo's relief! He was starting to get very nervous at the prospect of stopping in the middle of the Gran Sabana due to a dry tank. A quick snack, some pictures, and on we head, past the Tepuis, all covered in clouds, and arrive at Sta. Elena just shy of 16:00h. We change our few remaining B$ back to R$, and cross the border easily, taking a mere couple of minutes at the Venezuelan post, unlike the entry, which took hours. As we cross noman's land, a rainbow seems to bless our visit to Venezuela, and also wellcome us back home. By 19:00h we are in Boa Vista, and resting.

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