Caracas as a Place of Resort. 



By W, J. Smith, Commander, Royal Mail Steamer " Eden. 



JR5*S1HE travelling community and my friends in the 

 gSt 353 West Indies have frequently asked informa- 

 w«[f *VT p tion about Caracas and its desirability gene- 

 rally as a place of resort. The following few pages are 

 intended to furnish concisely what might be interesting 

 to those who are in search of change and rest within a 

 convenient distance. 



Our geographies tell us that Caracas, the capital of 

 the province and the seat of Government of the Republic 

 of Venezuela, is situated at the western end of the plain 

 of Chacao, 2,880 feet above the sea level. It is seven 

 miles from the coast as the crow flies, but the road to 

 reach it is twenty-two miles in length. In 1883 it was 

 said to contain a population of over 70,000. 



After numerous visits to this capital I maintain that 

 no more suitable or enjoyable place could be selected by 

 residents in the West Indies in search of a change near 

 at hand. The facilities which are now offered by the 

 R.M.S.P. Co. to reach it and spend a few days should 

 not be missed by those who are in need of rest, change 

 of air, and complete separation from the ordinary rou- 

 tine of colonial life. The sea voyage from Demerara 

 via Barbados and Trinidad en route to La Guayra, the 

 seaport of Caracas, is in itself much to be commended. 

 After leaving Barbados the passage need not be dreaded 

 for the sea is always smooth, and the change of scenery 

 from day to day breaks all monotony. 



