Ometepe, Nicaragua

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So the computers here in the ¨big city¨of Moyogalpa are actually sorta decent. Slow, but everything is in working order.

We left San Carlos for a ten hour boat ride to Isla de Ometepe. We splurged for first class (an extra fifty cents per hour) and got to see some slasher movies and bad 80's videos for the ride. We arrived in Altagracia at 12:30am Tuesday night/Wednesday morning and walked a few kilometers to a three dollar a night hotel which is really more of a hostel. Our first real destination the next morning was a placed called Finca Magdalina just outside the town of Belgue. A very sweet place with ultra cheap lodging. Climbed volcano Maderas one of the days there, but the weather wasn´t the best for the hike. Tons of slippery mud and everyone was wet by the end. Also, when we arrived in the cone to see the lagoon, it was so clouded over that we could only see four to five meters infront of our faces. So the picures are less than spactacular. The hike is wicked hard coming down and everyone fell at least once.

After some time there mainly just relaxing and talking with other travelers we decided to catch a few busses over to the back side of Maderas. A very mellow area that I don´t really think would be considered a town really. More like a few houses and churches along the road. I made my first phone call since leaving to Rachel on Valentines Day. Miss her so much. Hiked up the side of Maderas to see a pretty good looking waterfall, but sadly not much room to swim under it. If you look from the right spot on the road you can see the waterfall, but it is a good walk to get there. Myogalpa is just a small town with few things to do. I want to hike Conception, but I am a bit hiked out for now. Maybe on the way back South I will stop in again and give it a go. I really want to go up the both of them.

Tomorrow we will take the boat back to mainland and try to make it to Granada where Martin and I are thinking of doing a homestay to learn some Spanish and spend some time with a family. Haven´t got anything set up yet though. Figure it when we get there. I hope all is well and no one has lost any jobs since I have left.

Some of these pictures are going to be from some of the other places I have been to, but wasn´t able to post. The order is pretty random and some of the photos are from Miriam´s or Martin´s cameras.

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Photos

Waterfall
on Volcan Maderas.

Conception
from the Maderas side of the island.

Moyogalpa
view from the big city.

Moyogalpa
eatery

cemetary
Costa Rica

hiking
Costa Rica

Arienal
Climbing the volcano in La Fortuna. No view, just rain.

Isla de Ometepe
From the boat.

petroglyphs
at the church

Altagracia
The big church

Another bus ride
Martin and I

Maderas
The lagoon in the crater. Reminds me of home.

Conception
From Finca Magdalina

Maderas
Merida side

Comments

[rachel]

great pics
amazing to hear your voice again. i'm glad i didn't crash my car too...

[the bro]

hey hey, glad to see your haven the time of your life. the pics are cool. cant even imagine what it must be like to be there. have fun man. good vibes and love your bro

[Ashley]

Sweet!
The pictures you posted look awesome! You're so lucky! Glad you're having a good time!

[Don]

Yo. Glad you're having fun. Thanks for offering to help move when you get back. Free room and board for your labor.

[Katie]

Hi Ho!
Hi Jack, Looks like you've met up with some nice friends. Incredible scenery. Same-o same-o here except lots of rain that we desperately needed. Obama gave a great speech last night. Know that we think of you often and send lots of love your way. Travelin' mercies, Katie and yer Dad

[Mom]

Hola
You are way behind on this-hope you made it to Guatamala! Pictures are great, can't wait to see the rest. Just moved Susan to her new home, keep your fingers crosses for our turn- Love from both of us!