ktwtk

Just a few pictures from the city and the canal :) ... read more

Getting to Puerto Viejo was pretty straightforward, bus to San Jose and then another bus from just around the corner. We arrived to beautiful sunshine and a much more familiar climate (hot!) On our first morning we headed to Bread and Chocolate for breakfast - and it was super delicious! My mocha came deconstructed so I could make it exactly how I wanted, and Sam and I shared eggs on a homemade bagel and French toast. Very homey food. Afterwards we headed to the beach for an afternoon in the sun, stopping on the way to save little fish that were getting washed up (a futile mission!) We chose a good time to visit, as it was their annual chocolate festival, so our evening was spent sampling delicious chocolate, chocolate ice cream and chocolate brownies. The ... read more

It has been incredibly hot for the last few days, and by the time we arrived at the ferry port all I could think about was having a lie down near a fan... The ferry from San Jorge to Moygalpa, Isla De Ometepe takes just an hour, but I'd seriously underestimated how big the island is, and our bus to Merida from there took another two hours! We arrived at Hacienda Merida in the dark, but were welcomed into the loveliest room (with a double bed - my turn as Sam had the double in Tikal). I think they advertise the rooms here as dorm beds to get backpackers in, but they're not - just very nice private rooms! Or maybe the dorms are being refurbished... Not that I've seen anything that looks like it might ... read more

The journey to Surfing Turtle Lodge involved a 2.5km walk in the midday sun with a heavy backpack, to a bar to get the boat across the river, then horse and cart took our bags while we walked behind to the lodge. Once we arrived and we're checked in, we were asked if we'd like to help release today's turtle hatchlings - big YES. Surfing Turtle Lodge works with local people to save turtle eggs from being eaten, buying eggs at above market rate and reburying them in their sanctuary, releasing them into the ocean when they hatch. Since they opened they have released over 15000 turtles (mostly Green Turtles), and by protecting the eggs from poachers and predators, the chance of the turtles hatching and reaching maturity is increased tenfold. On the beach, watching the ... read more

We arrived in El Tunco to a pretty cloudy but hot town, and had to try a couple of hostels before finding our base - as they're full! Not something we've encountered so far, as it's low season. About an hour after we arrived, the heavens opened. Big time. I've never heard thunder and lightening like it!! The next day started sunny and we thought our luck might have changed...But jus as I was about to get in the pool it started again! We spent the afternoon taking sunny pictures in torrential rain haha! Hopefully we will have better luck next time we try a beach... Given the weather forecast (no sun in sight for five days!) we booked ourselves onto a shuttle to Leon, Nicaragua - leaving at 7am Friday morning. We were there early ... read more