Taking advantage of my brother’s visit, who lives in a distant city, we decided to spend some time at the beach. After all, it’s close to Caracas, and in less than an hour, you can reach a beach that’s not too crowded—or at least that’s what we hoped for.

This photographic sequence was captured very early in the morning, around 6:30 a.m., from the terrace of the hotel where I was staying in Ciudad Bolívar. At that hour, the atmosphere was fresh and tranquil, and the terrace became an attractive spot to take in the landscape and listen to the morning birds, as it received numerous visits from curious and lively birds.

Walking through the streets of the historic center of Ciudad Bolívar was a truly satisfying experience during the few days I spent in this iconic Venezuelan city. Caminar por las calles del centro histórico de Ciudad Bolívar fue una experiencia realmente satisfactoria durante los pocos días que estuve en esta emblemática ciudad venezolana.

The Paseo Orinoco is a wide riverside walkway that runs along the majestic Orinoco River in the area known as the Angostura Strait, one of the narrowest sections of this immense river. El paseo Orinoco es un amplio malecón que bordea el majestuoso río Orinoco en la zona conocida como el estrecho de Angostura, una de las partes más angostas de este inmenso caudal fluvial.

Last year, I had the opportunity to visit this city, whose historical importance in our country is undeniable. El año pasado tuve la oportunidad de visitar esta ciudad, cuya importancia histórica en nuestro país es innegable.

Caracas always has surprises in store, and this year I had the chance to immerse myself in a celebration that bridges continents: Chinese New Year, dedicated to the enigmatic snake. The best part? The festivities took place just steps away from my home, in a bustling new plaza.