My trip out to Angel Falls has been one of the best things I have done in South America and worth every penny. It was breathtaking and not just the falls, but the park aswell.

We flew from Ciudad Bolivar to Canaima in a 5 seat Cessna which took about an hour. Canaima is the entrance to the National Park and the airport is a just a small thatched open sided building. I managed the flight surprisingly well, quite a bit of air which was good. Once we all arrived we headed to our Tour Operator's Hotel where we were given plastic bags for our cameras if we wanted to keep them on us for the boat ride. A 15min walk out of town to where we were to jump into our boat, otherwise known as a former huge tree trunk!!

We were told it would be about a 4hr trip to camp, which included a small walk around some rapids that we weren't allowed to stay in the boat for. Depending on the river level there may also be some time where we would have to get out and push the boat over rocks. It is supposed to be dry season here and normally we wouldn't have this option of the boat trip because of the water levels but with unusually high rain falls, the river level is up. A group got back and told us that we would be fine in the boat as it rained all night and there would be no need to push the boat. That was good news.

So, in we got, trying to get comfy on our seats - not possible and headed up river. We got let off on the island that we had to walk over while the boat took the rapids and then jumped back in the boat, jockeying for position in the hope that we would get a seat where we wouldn't get wet - HA HA. Wasn't going to happen. Apart from the spray of the boat it poured down with rain quite a few times and especially the last hour of the trip but it was worth it. The National Park was stunning, even more beautiful than the Amazon. We headed up the river, surrounded by beautiful trees and scenery and then we started to see the Tepuis, which is the Indian word for 'mountain' but has been adopted for these specific type of table top mountains. Basically, erosion over thousands of years has just left the hard rock at the top and each Tepui has it's own form. Apparently on the tops are unique forms of flora and fauna specific to each Tepui. All I know is they were beautiful, even in the rain. Quite a few of them had waterfalls coming off the sides.

The last 2 hrs of the trip was where we hit quite a few rapids and it was almost like a combination of a jet boat ride and white water rafting trip. Was great fun but very glad to see our campsite. We had been told we were camping right opposite Angel Falls. I asked our guide where it was - he pointed to a bank of clouds and mist. Couldn't quite see it at this moment. We were going to walk up to the viewpoint, but considering the weather and the fact we were all freezing cold and it was getting late, no chance. We were more than happy to change into warm clothes. Our guide put our hammocks up with mosquito nets and also gave us a blanket.

The weather slowly got better and slowly we got our first views of the falls. First the bottom half and slowly further up. For about 10 seconds I got to see the whole thing but that was it. Could only hope the weather would be better tomorrow. We had a lovely dinner of BBQ chicken, rice and potato salad before curling up in the hammock about 8.30pm for our 4.30am wake up.

So, next day up in the dark and we headed out at 5am across the river so we could walk up to the viewpoint. We had to cross one creek and because the river level was up, the stones were under the water. The guide gave a few of us girls a piggy back the last few metres. Was just over an hour to walk up. The walk was beautiful in itself but it was hard to look around as constantly looking at the path because there was lots of tree roots over the path.

We reached the top and there it was, although still with cloud cover. It was a matter of waiting and seeing. The falls are 979m high and the uninterrupted drop of the falls are 807m. At the bottom it just looks like a fine mist but it lands on rocks which collects the waters and then courses down to a mini waterfall. We sat up there for about an hour, only interrupted by the mosquitoes and waited for the weather to clear and clear it did. Wisps of clouds would float by but we got moments of clear waterfalls. We even got a rainbow 3/4 of the way down - I thought to myself 'there is my angel' and even one of the other girls turned around and said the same thing to me. The others slowly made their way down but 4 of us really didn't want to leave. We walked over to another rock and there we were given the best view ever. Not a cloud in site for about 10mins. Just stunning. We just watched it in awe, not wanting to leave but we had to eventually.

Walked back down and at camp had a quick brekky before loading back in the tree trunk for our trip back to town. As we were going with the flow this time, the trip back was much quicker and this time the sun was out. Both times I only wore my swimmers and swim shorts anyway so wasn't bothered about getting wet and we still got wet with the spray of the water and especially when going over the rapids. Even better views with the sun out.

Dropped off in a different place and we walked out across a waterfall - it was safe, before heading down and then we had the chance to view Sapa Falls before walking underneath it. Just fantastic. Nice and drenched. Continued walking till we reached the Laguna de Canaima which also has about 4 different falls flowing into it and we got to go for a swim here. We had flown over this on the flight here as it is right next to the airport. Just an incredible day.

Back to the hotel where we got to change into dry clothes and then out to the airport for our flight home. Little bit hotter this time around and bit more bumpy but survived it OK but glad to get on solid land. Walked back to the hotel and enjoyed the air con. Most of us got a little burnt.

Last night went out to the same restaurant where we had dinner the first night. Some of the others had steak that night and said how good it was, so I was all for that and it was fantastic, just as good as Argentina. We finished it with Chocolate Cheesecake. What a way to end my trip in South America. Today we head up to Caracas and the tour officially ends for me there, tomorrow. I fly out to NYC on Wednesday. Can't believe it is almost over.

Can't attach photos here, will do so in Caracas. Can you believe my camera somehow got sand in it and now I can't open the lens, but luckily it happened at the end of yesterday. Just have to try cleaning it.