Blogs from Northern Highlands, Nicaragua, Central America Caribbean - page 3

Got on the first really crowded bus that came from the airport and ended up in Matagalpa, the chocolate and coffee king of Nicaragua. Due to the elections, not much was open which resulted in not being let into the chocolate castle and going to Germany. Selva Negra is named after the black forest in Germany and has clearly been run by germanic precision for several generations. An extreme contrast to the rest of Nicaragua. As we were in a group we hitch hiked home on the back of a truck to escape a deported american terrorist with columbian friends and a fondness for cockfighting and 20 beers before 4pm. Next stop Esteli´. Home of custom leather, fantastic cheese and beautiful nature reserves. Having discovered a cafe with WHOLEMEAL bread, camembert, hummus, gouda, yogurt cheese and ... read more

I have been slacking with posting but, I have been so busy! Saturday morning was our first day of service. we all sat down and figured out a presentation and I got to use it. So, of course all in Spanish. I am starting to understand some stuff but definetly not talking it yet. The ministry here is AMAZING and such a great experience! Saturday we must have started at least 3 studies that morning. Like nothing i have ever seen. Then we came home and studied our watchtower. They helped me make a comment and then we went to the meeting. So, my first Spanish meeting and my first Spanish comment! It was very exciting! I will have more to say later, but, have to go!... read more

Matagalpa, like Esteli, is a nice relief from the heat and a good base to explore cloud forests, ecolodges, or even the seldom-visited national parks of northeastern Nicaragua. The city sits in a bowl of mountains, all of which apparently Admittedly, I didn't get to see too much of the city, as I was very sick during my stay here. I mostly watched TV in my hotel room and went for short walks around the city. There must be more tourism here during other times of year, but I get more stares and glares here than anywhere else I have visited in Nicaragua. As always, people are very friendly once I smile and talk to them, but I get the feeling that they are not used to tourists at all. I haven't seen another tourist in ... read more

After seeing Rach safely into an airport taxi I left San Pedro Sula for the forth (and hopefully last) time and made the mammoth bus tip across Honduras and south into the highlands of Nicaragua. My first stop just over the border was the small colonial town of Somoto; the town didn't feature on the gringo trail until 2004 when some Czech scientists brought the existence of Cañon de Somoto to the world’s attention. Formed millions of years ago the gorge just outside town is a mere 10m wide but plunges 150m into the granite strata. Along its three km length runs the Nascent River between the high walls. With a local guide I spent a fantastic afternoon swimming, jumping and floating downstream through this extraordinary place, the near vertical granite walls shoot up either side ... read more

Bonnie - We have been visiting Selva Negra for two days, outside of Matagalpa. This place is a preserve run with extremely up-to-date sustainable practices. it's an organic coffee plantation with workers who live here and earn the going rate but with free housing, 3 meals a day, medical care, school, etc. on top of that. The leftovers from the coffee shelling and husking process is composted with red worms, and used on the plantation. There are accommodations for 230 people at various costs, the restaurant serves organic food grown here on site. Lights are all CF's, etc. Outside our door is a lagoon with birds, including rather rambunctious geese. Howler monkeys sound like a pack of alligators. There are hiking trails and the forest is old growth (significant because much of the area around Matagalpa ... read more