Paradise!?

This past weekend we went on a 12 hour bus ride over night north to the Venezuelan coast.  Even though we are technically studying abroad, it was basically like we were on vacation or a cruise in the Caribbean.  It was my first time in the Caribbean and was absolutely breathtaking and beautiful.  Full of dreamy blue waters and water much saltier than that of Florida.  We went to a couple beaches while staying a hotel there for three nights.  We went on a boat trip to a couple sites and even got to go snorkeling and see coral reefs.  I have never been snorkeling or scuba diving so this life changing to be this close to the fish.  These were scenes straight out of a windows desktop background with sand beaches and palm trees. 

On our drive back we had a big traffic jam and went outside to find out it was caused by a fallen tree on the mountainside.  A large tree fell from rain or a mudslide in the middle of the road so no one could get past.

The other day we went to a local Botanical garden and learned to make Sangria too.

Turtle at gardens

Bamboo tree at gardens

Wild Pineapple!!!

La selva

Partying on our 12 hour bus ride to the beach

Boat ride

The Caribean

Monument we saw exploring

That ocean shore lunch, definitely suspect

Making use of the hammock

When the tree fell in the road 

classic muchismo

Sangria making night

Yes, it was alcoholic.

A cemetery we went to

The most American snacks I could find at a big grocery store