Advertisement
Being a whisper away from the Pacific Ocean we thought it would be rude not to pop along to Las Penitas to have a quick paddle. So off we trundled on a quick and easy bus journey to stay at Hostel Oasis, right on the beach.
Land based Las Penitas was VERY sleepy, it turns out that May is it’s quietest month. The sea, however, didn’t disappoint. Renowned for it’s waves and several places offering surfing lessons, it’s obvious why Las Penitas attracts the surfing crowds. Our place hired out boards as well as the half size boogie boards, which we took advantage of. What an experience, the power of the waves often left us washed up on the beach having taken us for a spin as if in a washing machine, gasping for air and full of sand in very strange places.
Well after a couple of days, the combined effect of expensive digs and not many people we decided to make a dash to the other coast to sample some of the delights that Caribbean Nicaragua has to offer. Throughout the trip we’ve heard of lots of people going to the Corn Islands, but all going via
plane. Ha, we thought, why take a plane when you can take a bus, then taxi, then bus, then taxi, then long bus, then a slow boat up a river followed by a fast boat. Turns out the fast boat is a 9 hour journey on a small outboard motor boat slapping against the strong waves caused by the currents at this time of year. Honestly. Well as it turns out, we also decided that that was a little too rough and ready for us and booked a return flight from Managua for the next day.
The flight was on a 12 seater teeny tiny plane where you were basically in the cockpit. AWESOME.
We’re now on Big Corn. First impressions of the main drag is that it’s a little scruffy and run down. However, after a night there, we moved up the coast to a lovely guest house called Hotel Morgan. It’s cheaper, the room has a window (stifling heat require a window in your room) and it’s full of very cool and happy guests. The one amusing thing about our room is the high pitched whining sound that comes from the toilet when you flush. It
must last at least 30 seconds, increasing in pitch as it announces to the rest of the guests that ‘Sheryl and Steve have just used the loo’.
Today we went for a walk and probably covered ¼ of the island. The further away you get from Brig Bay the more magical the island becomes. The coast is lined with wonderful white sands, crystal clear turquoise water and wind swept palms. There’s minimal development beyond ramshackle huts/houses for the locals with only a few interspersed bars.
Last night there was a storm and the seas are still a little choppy, but that’s not going to stop an afternoon splash. Although we’ve only been here for less than a day.. The Corn Islands are one of the nicest places so far.
Wish you were all here.
Lots of love
S&S
xxx
Advertisement
Tot: 0.161s; Tpl: 0.014s; cc: 6; qc: 48; dbt: 0.1284s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
H
non-member comment
Much more like it.
I might start a book on how long you can stay away from the coast :)