Ahhh, this must be paradise?

So off to the Corn Islands in Nicaragua I went, armed with Rian and Katie both Dive Masters from Altons, who were looking for a mini holiday away from their big holiday (well they have both been in Utila for 4+ months “working”!).

It took a ferry to La Ceiba, a bus to San Pedro, overnight in San Pedro, a 12 hour bus to the capital of Nicaragua, Managua, overnight in Managua (in the dodgiest area, and remember this is Central America!), then our little Cessna flight to Big Corn, before the little lancha (fast boat) across to Little Corn - talk about trains, planes and automobiles, but after 2 days of travelling, we arrived - in what can only be described as paradise. Think of an island you can walk around in pretty much 2 hours, palm swept white beaches, crystal clear water the temperature of a luke warm bath and where time is non existent - the only thing missing was Wilson, the Volleyball!

After a 30 minute walk across the island through the jungle (with steamy heavy packs!) we organised our accommodation - 'Enseunos' or in English, Dreams. It was a wooden cabin about 20 metres back from the beach, no electricity, outside bathroom (this was the selling point!), a little kitchenette and more importantly, huge front porch that was to be our home for the next week. It was wonderful walking through the palm trees to swim in our own picturesque beach each day! The only downside - the bugs. If it can suck blood, buzz in my ear, and generally make some sort of imprint on my skin, it found me. Wretched little turds. I was not going to be defeated....you can take the girl out the city......BUT.....can you take the city out the girl?! Yes, 80% DEET can!

The next few days were spent doing two parts of bugger all really. We hot footed into the village each day for supplies, and generally our daily fix of prawns or lobster - the later costing 170 Cordoba = A$10! We cooked most nights at home by candlelight and proceeded to drink our way through our 2 x 1.5 litre bottles of Flor de Cana 7 Year Aged rum - to quote Ron Burgundy, this stuff is goooood, real good. It was fantastic having Rian and Katie to chill with, each night was entertaining and some interesting stories and tales shared, mostly by the big fellas very varied life!

We had a couple of mission trips back to the cabin after our village trips - pitch black at night, for 20 minutes (early on in the picture forgetting to take our torches with us!). Chuck in the tropical storm that happened every other day into the mix, and a couple of VERY muddy journeys back too - I don't think I wore shoes for 4 days cause it was so pointless with all the mud!

We moved into the village for our final night and treated ourselves to a bit nicer place - yes electricity! What a foreign concept! Of course, where proximity is to more amenities, means bars, means booze.....ei, ei, ei! Our final night was spent giving it large, and I mean L.A.R.G.E! Those who know me well know what I'm talking about.

It was really sad to leave to but I have to admit, I actually had enough of the beach! Yes, I know, I sound like I'm taking things for granted, but I came to Central America to experience it all, not just the beach, so I was really keen to get inland for a bit.

Yet of course, getting off the island was not going to be that straight forward - the boat that leaves daily ON TIME, was late getting to us so even though we got to Big Corn with 45 minutes up our sleeve for the flight, they would not let us on and we had to spend the night in Big Corn. A taxi recommend a kick butt place though, so us 3, plus another chick who was in the same boat as us got a room, and kicked back watching cable for the night (well come on, we did have a massive night the night before!) in the air con with a.....wait for it......hot water shower - my first in many many weeks!

We woke up to the most incredible storm, and had serious doubts if the plane would even take off (let alone if we would be on it in these conditions!), but again, this is Central America and these dudes are used to this, so we were back in Managua by 11am, sad good byes to Team Little Corn and onward to Granada I shall travel.......

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