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Published: January 14th 2010
We are on our 2010 adventure, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Currently December 29, 2010 sitting in Terminal 3 Phoenix Sky Harbor airport waiting to board the flight to Miami and then on to Managua, Nicaragua. Six weeks of sun warmth and adventure. Warm waters of the Blue Caribean and waves on the Pacific, zip lining and of course the jungle of the Osa Pennisula in Costa Rica. The final stop the big ditch (Panama Canal).
New Years Eve found us in Granada and a French restaurant enjoying the festivities. Fireworks were loud and numerous, no shortage in this country.
Volcano’s in Nicaragua are like Starbucks in Seattle, one on every street corner. So we toured Masaya volcano with its smokey caldron and great views of the area. Also a visit to the colorful Masaya native market place and a local artisans pottery studio/factory/home/warehouse were highlights of this tour. Lake Nicaragua, the largest in Central/South America and the original contender for the canal thru the isthmus (Teddy Roosevelt liked the Panamanians better) was also an area we toured. I should say we toured part of one of the peninsulas on the lake taking in flora/fauna and wildlife as well
as a hot springs compliments of nearby Mambacho Volcano. One on every corner.
A crescent shaped bay on the Pacific, San Juan Del Sur was one of our favorite locations so far on the trip. Framed by bluffs on opposite ends of the crescent this beach was our home for 4 nights. Atop the southern bluff 1800 feet above the water stood the 63 foot tall statue of Jesus. Christ the Redeemer, the famous statue in Rio De Janeiro is only 31 feet taller making San Juan Del Sur the 2nd tallest statue in Central and South America.
We made friends with Ken and Marian, travelers from Dublin Ireland, and went on a night tour searching for sea turtles. After an hour long bumpy ride over the coastal hills of Nicaragua we arrived at the guides beach of choice. Volunteers had collected 7 hour old hatchlings and it was our job to shepherd them for their 100 yard crawl from the beach to the ocean. This was accomplished with the use of red lights so as not to blind the little ones. Our collective goal was achieved when we were informed a mature Olive Ridley turtle had emerged
from the sea. She was advancing up the beach to the soft sand to find a home for the her eggs. We waited for her to dig the nest then watched as she deposited the 50+ eggs in the hole she had dug. Once finished she then covered the eggs and tamped the sand down by rocking her body and slapping her flippers. With her task performed this beautiful exhausted Tortuga crawled back to the sea and the saga was complete.
Our mornings were never complete without a visit to El Gato Negra (black cat) coffee/book store for our daily latte/cappuccino. Strong coffee and all the local characters.
We said goodbye to San Juan Del Sur and with the help of the hotel we were transported to Managua and our 13 person aircraft for our 90 minute flight to Big Corn island in the Caribbean. 13 miles long and 4 miles wide the difficulty was not getting around the island but getting the energy to do anything. This was the layed back Caribbean. Casa Canada, our 3 night domicile, and its infinity pool overlooking the sea made it easy to sit/read and take a dip when you needed
Cross over Masaya Volcano
Erected by the spanish christians to remember the natives who were sacrificed to the volcano gods.to refresh.
We said good bye to the island and back to Managua and a 5 hour wait for our 40 minute flight to San Jose Costa Rica. A short taxi ride delivered us to the center of the city and we realized all we had read was correct, Managua has only an international airport to offer. We say farewell to Nicaragua and move south to our next Central America destination.
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Dee
non-member comment
Good news!
Hi, Just finished reading your blog and very happy to see your review of San Juan del Sur,Nicaragua.Nice pix too!! My husband and I are leaving soon for a six week holiday in SJDS.I have read a lot of reviews,thankfully most are very positive.Have an enjoyable holiday, and stay safe!! D & R Canada