Volcan Maderas Hike

Hi everyone!
Thank you so much for the sweet comments and positive feedback about my entries. They feel good when I´m in need of something familiar.

Well, i just returned from the isla de Ometepe. For those who aren´t familiar, it is the island of circles and spirals located in Lake Nicaragua. The indigenous ancestors of Nicaragua, called the Nahualts, referred to this island of two volcanoes as the promised land and as the geographic heart of their country. This location was believed to be where their gods existed and no one was allowed to walk the island back in the day.

Myself and 5 other people i met along the way, took the cheapest way possible to get there. A chicken bus from San Juan to Rivas ($1), then a microbus to the San Jorge Ferry ($.50), then a 1 hour launch boat road over lake nicaragua ($1.50), and finally a taxi to where we were staying at Finca Magdalena found at the base of Volcan Maderas. The journey was hot, sweatie, comical, and not the best place to endure a hangover. But, the price was right!

The finca Magdalena is an organic coffee farm that had banana, mango, and coffee plants on site. The coffee in the morning was by far the best i´ve had since arriving here. The hike was supposed to take about 8 hours round trip, but we were an ambitious bunch and finished it in about 6 hours. We also took about an hour on top of the crater to swim in the lagoon and eat lunch. The lagoon was crisp and supposedly had cleansing properties. I was hesitant at first due to the fact that fresh water freaks me out. Not to mention that when you step into it, you sink up to your knees in mud, ahhhh! I howled like rooster, but went for it anyway. Come on, when will i have the chance to swim in a volcano crater again any time soon?

We all woke sore and feeling content. I felt good about the hike, but just had about enough time away from the ocean. So, now i´m back on San juan del sur for 2 more days. Tomorrow ill surf playa Remanso and monday i´m off to Costa Rica to meet my friend, Darcie. I´m sure i´ll have some good story to write about my border crossing experience via the chicken bus way! Love you all, Ton

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Part of trip: Nica/Tica Spanish & Surf Solo Viaje

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