The Monitor-register., 1896-05-22
A Tropical Winter Cruise.

A description by a friend of a trip taken
last winter by w. II. Harker, of Mullica
Hill.
At moor we left for La Bria, 20 miles
south, to see the great natural phenome-
non, called Pith lake, from where the
asphaltum comes which is used to make
streets in our large cities. We landed, at
2 O'Clock, by the ships boat, under q
broiling sun. We walked three. quarters
of a mile up q hill, and then took a ride
around the lake in little cars, inhaling
the disagreeable odoo of the asphaltum,
which is now and then dispelled by the
fresh breezes from the sea. We were now
and then walking over the oozy surface,
and sinking slowly in while resting. The
asphaltum is easily dug and is taken by
a wire cable, a mile long, in large buck
cts, down to the sea shore, and is dump
ed directly into the ship. The laborers
get only sixty cents a day. No shells
were found on the shore. We left at 4
o'clock, turned to the north, passed from
Gulf Paria, through the Dragons mouth,
into the Caribbean sea again, turned
westward, steamed along the Spanish
coast, for Caracas, the capital of Venezu,
ella. a distance to the seaport La Guayra
of BAG miles. The weather was splendid.
Saw many flying fish and porpoises. We
anchored on February 9th, at 9 O'Clock
p. M, at La Guayra, the port of Caracas,
viewing the great mountains, 5000 feet
in height, by the beautiful moonlight.
On February 20 at Z p. m. the Their
mometer registered 80 degrees in the har-
Dor. After some delay, caused by ex-
horbitant charges in the harbor which
cost six million dollars, we were ready
for the cars at 8 O'Clock. The railroad
between La Guayra and Caracas is con-
sidered one of the most remarkable
examples of ingenious skill, engineering
and construction in the world. Between
| the two cities is the mountain La Silla,
surrounded by lesser peaks on either side
and broken by deep gorges and ravines.
| The lowest pass between the coast and
the valley where Caracas is situated is
4, ZOO feet above the tide water. The
direct distance through the centre of the
mountain is six miles, by railroad twenty.
two miles and by the old Indian pass,
trodden many centuries before the dis.
oovery of this world by Columbus, only
twelve miles. Upward and upward VIZ
went by the side of immense precipices,
deep gorges, through many tunnels and
over few bridges. For more than one
half of the distance the ocean was in sigh
and all along the road there ia the
picturesque scenery Of the tropics.
The city of Caracas is laid u in regu
lar squares and even frontage. divided BY
narrow streets paved with small cobble
stones. The population is estimated a
10000 and including the suburban
towns there are probably 90, 900 souls in
the valley. The Plaza Bolivar is q beau
tiful park in the middle of the city. Tn,
large cathedral, which fronts on tn,
Plaza, Is really the focus. The university
the yellow house (residence of the presi
dent), the capitolio and the pantheon
are we'll worth a visit. Among the OLE
relics are two very heavy brass cannons
twelve feet in length. Both are splen
didly engraved and on one is marked tn,
year 1923. the other 1887. There are hors
cars In any direction and the fare is low
The view from the hill Ell Calverco owe
the city surrounded by the high mountain
and the livid green over the entire valley
cannot be surpassed for beauty and grand
eur in any part of the West Indies. o.
March 1, at 7 a. m, the thermomete
registered 76 degrees.
The small town of La Guayra is a YER
insignificant place. The markets are 0
no account and the place is only noted 70
its harbor and railroad. There Is a fol-
tress like structure which is now used a
the custom house. The walls are five fee
thick, it is earthquake proof and ha
many times resisted these disturbances
All the business houses as we'll as resi-
dences are built in the old Spanish style
Iron barred windows surrounded By O
yards, which are reached by an arch O
gateway, which is the only entrance t,
the buildings.
The heat in La Guayra is fearful and
am told that it is the hottest place il
Sonth America. l found this out Will
on the shore hunting shells. and couit
God only a few. We left at moor TO
Jamaica, a distance of 736 miles. 10 th,
afternoon we saw long yellow streaks OF
the water. The captain informed us tina
they we're fish eggs. 1t was q curious
sight. Flying fish were plenty all along
the trip. On March Sd, after delightful
sailing, we saw the island looming UP fal
away in the distance. At 9 p. m. vi