He bursts out laughing when his tourist guides encourage him to take part in the "little train" South American version of the "caterpillar".

"I'm lucky to celebrate my birthday here in Venezuela. It was very unexpected and pleasant," the 31-year-old university professor, who arrived 10 days ago, told AFP.

"Here I love the people, the food, the nature, the climate. I think in another life I had to live here!!"

he laughs.

Dimitri took advantage of the direct connection of the Russian airline Norwind which operates between Moscow and Margarita.

The line was reactivated on October 2 after a seven-month hiatus due to the conflict in Ukraine.

It avoids the overflight of certain airspaces prohibited to the Russians because of the sanctions.

But, at Margarita, a large "Welcome" sign written in Russian welcomes newcomers.

Nearly 3,000 Russian tourists have passed through the international airport in the past two months.

Russian tourists on a beach on Margarita Island, November 25, 2022 in Venezuela © Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Margarita was once a popular seaside resort for European and North American tourists, but the economic and political crisis has made the country disappear from the preferred destinations of tour operators.

Today the Russians are the main foreign contingent.

- "Everything is fine"-

"War is by far the most difficult thing" to experience, says Ekaterina Dolgova, a 39-year-old medical equipment saleswoman.

She agrees that the punitive measures against Russia have caused "difficulties", but "to say that it is a nightmare and a horror, no!"

she assures.

However, the majority of Russian tourists avoid talking about the war.

The staunchest supporters of President Vladimir Putin assure that "everything is fine", before refusing to speak on the subject.

A Russian tourist on a beach on the island of Margarita, November 26, 2022 in Venezuela © Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Ekaterina chose Venezuela on the recommendation of her sister who works in tourism.

"There are not many destinations available for Russia at the moment."

Among her options was Egypt, a country she has already visited twice.

It also indicates that the attitude towards the Russians there "has changed" since the invasion.

Margarita attracts Russians because of its direct connection, but above all because it is inexpensive: it is, for example, "cheaper" than Sochi, the summer resort in southern Russia, underlines Sergei Katch, who paid a little over $3,500 for a 12-day package.

His wife Irina, 50, says she is impressed by the cacti and pelicans as well as the turquoise sea and white sand.

"What vibrant colors!" she said during a jeep ride in a natural area of ​​the island.

Russian tourists get off a bus during a guided tour of Margarita Island on November 25, 2022 in Venezuela © Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Their guide speaks Russian and at each stop tells the story of the hills, mountains and beaches of this area.

Another guide serves them Venezuelan rum.

At will...

-"I love Venezuela"-

Russian tourists usually stay in hotels where everything is included.

Many of them have set out to "Russify" their services, with announcements in Russian and at least one interpreter.

Dimitri learned to say "I love Venezuela" in Spanish.

He also doesn't speak English and communicates mostly through the translator on his cellphone.

Russian tourists on a beach on Margarita Island, November 24, 2022 in Venezuela © Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Nacarid, which sells costume jewelery and beachwear, tries to negotiate with a Russian who, by signs, asks him to cut his price in half.

She prefers to give up the sale: "They haggle too much", she complains, saying she regrets the golden age of the island.

The Russian tourism boom has had a "direct" impact on Margarita's economy, points out Viviana Vethencourt, president of the Nueva Esparta State Chamber of Tourism which includes the island, but says there is no no statistics.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has signed an agreement with Russia, a strong ally, to welcome some 100,000 tourists until December 31.

Packages include options to visit Canaima National Park, home of Salto Angel, the tallest waterfall in the world, Coche Island, also in Nueva Esparta, or Caracas.

Russian tourist Dimitri Bobkov plays football in the January 23 neighborhood during a guided tour in Caracas on November 27, 2022 in Venezuela © Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Dimitri took an option for a day trip to Caracas.

He visited the mausoleum of late former president Hugo Chavez and played football with children in a slum: "it will probably stay in my memory for the rest of my life".

© 2022 AFP