Blogs from Leon, Northern Pacific Coast, Nicaragua, Central America Caribbean

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” - Helen Keller I may have alluded on a number of occasions on this Central America trip that I have been not as excited by some of the experiences compared with past travels. It’s difficult to explain without sounding like a total ponce or namedropper but I have lived to travel these past few years and have covered a lot of ground (whilst noting this choice is not for everyone). From Antarctica to Zambia….. From 21,486 feet above sea level (on the Bolivian Altiplano) to 131 feet below the surface of the ocean (diving off the coast of Easter Island), from leaping out of a plane over the Namibian desert to cage diving with Great White Sharks in South Africa, from eating guinea pig (Peru), dog (Vietnam), and ... read more

Our first taste of Nicaragua was sitting on a corner in the middle of nowhere waiting for the next chicken bus to Leon. Our Tica bus was headed to Managua and this drop off point would help save us some time. We tossed around hitchhiking but before we got a chance to stick our thumbs out the bus came around the corner, off we went to Leon. We arrived just as it was getting dark, something we try to avoid and had to catch a cab to get ourselves into the center. Especially so soon after our little mishap, we weren’t about to stand around in the dark and try to find the bus to take us to the center. The cab was a few dollars well spent! Luckily, the place we were hoping to crash ... read more

My 3 hour journey from Granada to Leon, Nicaragua cost me $3.00. It was a 13 seater bus with 24 people in it. Everyone but the driver and I had a baby in their lap. I have never seen happier people. If you thought money brings happiness, visit Nicaragua. More smiles here than any "first" world country. Love can and does exist over decades and some don’t fully appreciate the significance until it has historical context. A very good friend of mine’s lover passed away over the holidays. It was a passionate on and off love affair that lasted decades. They found love letters he never sent her that expressed his true feelings. Life is too short friends, speak your mind. ... read more

Just a quick note. Came to Leon today and stopped in to an internet cafe to use a real computer. Only have a few minutes on this as I have to catch a tour of the History and Revolution in a few minutes. It is in English. I thought it is better to do that than wonder around the city not knowing anything as not many speak English at all and definately no signage in English. I really think that they have not seen to many red-headed blue eyed people here as I feel like I am being constantly started at. Another traveller mentioned to wear a hat keep my sunglasses on. I do know how to say Espousea es Canada now. (sp?) But I think the most dangerous thing around here is still the crossing ... read more

Last night at the island the night guard didn't show up until late (around 8:30) The sun goes down early so it's dark around 6:30 and you need electricity ie: power, lights They have solar panels and have power all the time from the panels, however it has been broken and the part coming from Miami has not yet arrived. So the night guard starts up the diesel generator when he shows up and we have power for a few hours. Anyhow dinner was no problem. I had ordered earlier and only ordered cabbage salad. I can only take so much grease, which all of what the food is, good but prepared in grease. The cook doesn't get in until after I get up in the morning so I usually just go in the kitchen house ... read more

Well I wanted beach, hot, sun and all alone. Ask and you shall receive. I can't describe how beautiful this country is so far. Landed in Managua the capital city. Nicaragua is the safest country in central America. However they say the roads are dangerous. Yes I can see why, not because of speed and congestion like I thought. It was slow driving, dogs, bikes, cows, horse drawn wagons with loads of all sorts of thing, trucks with people piled up on top, and even horses roaming randomly about. I can't believe all the horses roaming everywhere like they belong to no one. So strange. Eden's mouth would drop open. Saw Mombotombo from the air as we came in as well as on the way to Poneloya, however you can't really not see it. It's huge ... read more

January 26th Erin My days so far at Surfing Turtle can be summed up in just one word: relaxed. It definitely has taken some getting used to. Quite different from my life back in KC, and very different from Leon where we spent our first two days. The Spanish speaking only staff has requested someone is up in the mornings by 6:30 a.m. because that is when the night security guard leaves. Thanks to a neighboring local rooster, I don’t even have to use the travel alarm clock we packed! Being the morning person that I am, I have really enjoyed the tranquility and cool temperatures, as well as the hot cup of instant coffee during these mornings! Jeff has also taken to getting up with me since he has been working away on a shed ... read more

1/20/2012 & 1/21/2012 Jeff After narrowly making our connecting flight from Houston to Managua (we had to be taken by airport transportation to our gate and were the last to board the plane) we were finally bound for Nicaragua. We landed and got through immigration without a hitch; we hopped in a cab to take us to the bus station. The look on Erin's face was priceless as we drove through the capital city for about 20 minutes. It was obvious we were not in Kansas anymore. We both smiled and held it together for the cab ride until we arrived at our "bus station" which was nothing more than a back alley garage with a lemonade stand sized ticket counter. We were the only two nonlocal passengers crammed inside a microbus with 15 or 16 ... read more

So Nicaragua, this is one country I had heard loads about from other backpackers travelling the other way. It seemed to be one of these countries that people either love or hate.....for myself I loved it. The country itself is beautiful with a different volcano around every corner and despite poverty levels that I haven’t seen anywhere else in the world the people were so friendly. So the first stop in Nicaragua was Leon, it’s a colonial town in the North of the country and as cities go it was pretty but there wasn’t really that much to see. After a day wandering around the city with the highlight being a really bizarre fairytale museum that was solely made up of manikins dressed up as the fairytale creatures, they kind of all looked the same. It’s ... read more