Hi all,
Took a boat trip up from Bluefields to Pearl Laguna yesterday, through the backwaters.
There's only 2 or 3 actual streets in town, the rest is cement paths.
There's not much going on here, but people are incredibly friendly, as they have been throughout Nicaragua.
I'm surprised there's wifi here in this cafe/pub we are sitting in. The only other place in town with wifi is the central parque, but wifi is not working there today!
Sun is finally out this afternoon,, for the last few hours. Would be nice if it stayed like this.
We had planned to head back to Bluefields tomorrow, then start heading west, but it's a holiday tomorrow, so no boats! So we have another day to chill out here, which isn't so bad.. Maybe we can finally get to snorkel if the weather stays good.
Hi, Hasi here,
Just had a look at the cricket, and WOW, a result - never thought that would happen. Exciting stuff. Happy New Year to all, we still have eight hours to go till midnite, see if we're still awake - way past our bedtime...
Apparently the Inuit (formerly known as Eskimos) have twenty three words for 'snow'. I would like to know how many words for 'rain' the local languages have. Probably even more... Details about the different rain experiences will be given at a later time, over a beer back in Oz.
Travelling is about experiencing different things, eg weather conditions... Yep. Done that.
Our newest theory is that we are in some kind of hidden camera show, where the producers put on some rain whereever we go, or whenever we leave the house... Woteffa.
All the best again, see youse soon. Hasi
And love from me
Zak
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Welsh Greetings
Hi All and Happy New Year. Wishing you all you wish for yourselves in 2017. Thinking of you all and sending lots of love and hugs.
Had a quiet Christmas. Took a drive around Gower and had a walk along the Mumbles front. Ran into a few people we know. Stopped into a couple of pubs for a swift half. On our return home we called in to see Cynthia - no change.
My friend Louise had plated up dinners for us so we just had to warm them up, heat the gravy and enjoy - and we did. Yummy!
Didn't get any work during the silly payment season but have done a night this week.
Prediction for snow on The Brecon Beacons tomorrow so we may see some white stuff when we "do the triangle".
Going to brave some shopping later. Jules is still looking for a Christmas gift for Marty. May get it for his birthday if he's lucky!
Not much news from here so will sign off. Enjoying the holiday updates from Kate & Hasi. Thanks both.
Anyone want to let me know what people got for Christmas?
Thinking of you all. Blwyddyn Newydd Dda. xxxx
Had a quiet Christmas. Took a drive around Gower and had a walk along the Mumbles front. Ran into a few people we know. Stopped into a couple of pubs for a swift half. On our return home we called in to see Cynthia - no change.
My friend Louise had plated up dinners for us so we just had to warm them up, heat the gravy and enjoy - and we did. Yummy!
Didn't get any work during the silly payment season but have done a night this week.
Prediction for snow on The Brecon Beacons tomorrow so we may see some white stuff when we "do the triangle".
Going to brave some shopping later. Jules is still looking for a Christmas gift for Marty. May get it for his birthday if he's lucky!
Not much news from here so will sign off. Enjoying the holiday updates from Kate & Hasi. Thanks both.
Anyone want to let me know what people got for Christmas?
Thinking of you all. Blwyddyn Newydd Dda. xxxx
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Greetings from Bluefields
Hi, Hasi here with the latest updates on the weather and woteffa else happened.
Very multicultural here in 'Blewfield', with six main ethnic groups, the Garifuna, Creole, Mestizos, Rama, and I forgot the other two. Mostly descendants from West Indian slaves and British colonisers, and they speak some kind of "English". I know people say that I got an accent, but try to understand THEM! Wow. Bluefields itself is SOME WEIRD PLACE! Hard to describe, but somehow a mix between weird, crazy, normal (?), sleazy, scary, exciting, interesting, and certainly not a place anyone's mother would want their child to hang out in... But I think a few more days here and it'll grow on us.
But that's not gonna happen as we leave tomorrow for Laguna des Perlas (gotta show off my amazing Spanish ability)or Pearl Lagoon, as the locals call it, where, in an ideal world, the water would be cristal clear and turquoise and still, and the sun would shine, and we would be snorkelling and lazing on the beach... AS IF!!! The water will be choppy and brown, the beach full of seaweed and rubbish and it will be overcast and RAINING RAINING RAINING, just as it has every day since the beginning of time! (or at least since our arrival...)
I'm very surprised the place isn't overrun by Welsh expats! I'm sure they would LOVE the place! A dry season that lasts for five weeks (and even in that time it can rain!), (just like the Welsh summer, apparently), good beer, a nice coastline and the people love to sing and spend their time in pubs getting pissed.
Orrright, that's it from me, have a great new year, hasta la vista, baby,
Hasi.
He has basically said it all, so I will leave it to him for today.
Love to all
Zak
Very multicultural here in 'Blewfield', with six main ethnic groups, the Garifuna, Creole, Mestizos, Rama, and I forgot the other two. Mostly descendants from West Indian slaves and British colonisers, and they speak some kind of "English". I know people say that I got an accent, but try to understand THEM! Wow. Bluefields itself is SOME WEIRD PLACE! Hard to describe, but somehow a mix between weird, crazy, normal (?), sleazy, scary, exciting, interesting, and certainly not a place anyone's mother would want their child to hang out in... But I think a few more days here and it'll grow on us.
But that's not gonna happen as we leave tomorrow for Laguna des Perlas (gotta show off my amazing Spanish ability)or Pearl Lagoon, as the locals call it, where, in an ideal world, the water would be cristal clear and turquoise and still, and the sun would shine, and we would be snorkelling and lazing on the beach... AS IF!!! The water will be choppy and brown, the beach full of seaweed and rubbish and it will be overcast and RAINING RAINING RAINING, just as it has every day since the beginning of time! (or at least since our arrival...)
I'm very surprised the place isn't overrun by Welsh expats! I'm sure they would LOVE the place! A dry season that lasts for five weeks (and even in that time it can rain!), (just like the Welsh summer, apparently), good beer, a nice coastline and the people love to sing and spend their time in pubs getting pissed.
Orrright, that's it from me, have a great new year, hasta la vista, baby,
Hasi.
He has basically said it all, so I will leave it to him for today.
Love to all
Zak
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Greetings from Bluefields
Hi All
Best thing today was we got our laundry done, so all our stinky salty clothes are clean and dry!
You know when the salt gets in to things, they are always damp, that's how all our stuff was after a week on the island.
We pay $10, give them our smelly stuff and it comes back clean and folded. Bloody amazing.
We flew from Big Corn Island to Bluefields this afternoon on our 20 minute plane ride!
Bluefields is a city of about 40,000 people. Named after a Dutch pirate, Blewfeldt.
Hurricane Joan destroyed the town in 1988, but it's been rebuilt, although some of the derelict buildings seem like they have been there well before this.
We roamed around for a few hours down town, then found somewhere to eat.
It was 6pm when we left the eating place, and the streets that were completely hectic with people an hour before, were almost empty, with all the shops locked up.
It was so weird, almost a bit creepy. Everyone had disappeared.
We sat out on the front verandah of the hotel to 'watch the world go by' on the street below, but there was just one crazy guy yelling, and that was about it.
And believe it or not, it's still raining. I think yesterday was the only full day of sun we have had on the Carribean coast. Apparently it gets about 6000mm of rain a year, which does not surprise us at all.
Hasi says when we retire we will come back March to May time, as this (3months!) is the dry season.
They say it even rains in the dry season, so you can't even be sure then.
They (the locals) also say that it usually doesn't rain like this in December!
That's all for now
Greetings from Hasi, and love from me
Zak
Best thing today was we got our laundry done, so all our stinky salty clothes are clean and dry!
You know when the salt gets in to things, they are always damp, that's how all our stuff was after a week on the island.
We pay $10, give them our smelly stuff and it comes back clean and folded. Bloody amazing.
We flew from Big Corn Island to Bluefields this afternoon on our 20 minute plane ride!
Bluefields is a city of about 40,000 people. Named after a Dutch pirate, Blewfeldt.
Hurricane Joan destroyed the town in 1988, but it's been rebuilt, although some of the derelict buildings seem like they have been there well before this.
We roamed around for a few hours down town, then found somewhere to eat.
It was 6pm when we left the eating place, and the streets that were completely hectic with people an hour before, were almost empty, with all the shops locked up.
It was so weird, almost a bit creepy. Everyone had disappeared.
We sat out on the front verandah of the hotel to 'watch the world go by' on the street below, but there was just one crazy guy yelling, and that was about it.
And believe it or not, it's still raining. I think yesterday was the only full day of sun we have had on the Carribean coast. Apparently it gets about 6000mm of rain a year, which does not surprise us at all.
Hasi says when we retire we will come back March to May time, as this (3months!) is the dry season.
They say it even rains in the dry season, so you can't even be sure then.
They (the locals) also say that it usually doesn't rain like this in December!
That's all for now
Greetings from Hasi, and love from me
Zak
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Greetings from Big Corn Island
Hi all,
This morning we were up at 5am to catch the early boat from Little Corn Island to Big Corn Island.
I was quite apprehensive about the return trip, as going over had been pretty scary with waves metres high breaking all around us and the last half of the trip being done after night fall. As the weather had been so bad over the last week, I was expecting the worst.
Luckily it was a pretty good crossing, thank goodness, and we landed safely.
So today we spent the day wandering along the west coast of Big Corn Island. The weather was beautiful, sunny with a great coastal breeze, that made it very comfortable for walking.
We have a great room for tonight, for $15, which is big, clean and has a balcony outside with a cool evening breeze where we are sitting at the moment.
Tomorrow we will have most of the day here, before flying back to the mainland.
We are only flying to Bluefields, On the carribean coast and it's only an 18 minute flight!
Hasi checked the cricket today, and disappointed that the play had to stop due to rain.
It's only 3 weeks today till we leave Mexico City on our flight home. Looks like we will send most of that time in Nicaragua.
Dad, I don't know whether you have been on Facebook, but Jane C, is on her way across the Nullabor. Check it out if you can still get on.
That's it for now. I definitely need to have a early night.
Hope alls well
Love to all
Zak
This morning we were up at 5am to catch the early boat from Little Corn Island to Big Corn Island.
I was quite apprehensive about the return trip, as going over had been pretty scary with waves metres high breaking all around us and the last half of the trip being done after night fall. As the weather had been so bad over the last week, I was expecting the worst.
Luckily it was a pretty good crossing, thank goodness, and we landed safely.
So today we spent the day wandering along the west coast of Big Corn Island. The weather was beautiful, sunny with a great coastal breeze, that made it very comfortable for walking.
We have a great room for tonight, for $15, which is big, clean and has a balcony outside with a cool evening breeze where we are sitting at the moment.
Tomorrow we will have most of the day here, before flying back to the mainland.
We are only flying to Bluefields, On the carribean coast and it's only an 18 minute flight!
Hasi checked the cricket today, and disappointed that the play had to stop due to rain.
It's only 3 weeks today till we leave Mexico City on our flight home. Looks like we will send most of that time in Nicaragua.
Dad, I don't know whether you have been on Facebook, but Jane C, is on her way across the Nullabor. Check it out if you can still get on.
That's it for now. I definitely need to have a early night.
Hope alls well
Love to all
Zak
Monday, December 26, 2016
Happy Boxing Day from Little Corn
Hi all,
Thanks for the fab photos Annie, and email from Jack and Fran.
Montreal White and below freezing. Must be beuatiful but Tom can have it, I'm no good below 5degrees.
While here in Little Corn it has finally stopped raining. Our Christmas Day was wet, wet and wetter, followed then by a blackout at 6pm, so we almost had to go without dinner.
Luckily the electric came back on after about half an hour, so we could eat.
I had lobster for my Christmas dinner meal, which was tasty, but I really don't know what all the fuss is about.
So because of the hardly ever no rain on this island, we haven't even had our snorkel and googles out.
Today it looks like we may get some sun, yes I can see Hasi has a shadow!
Looks like we may head off the little island tomorrow, over to the big one.
Not sure how long we will stay there, suppose it also depends on the weather.
Hasi is swimming in the carribean, as I sit rocking under the palm trees writing this. The cafe with the wifi is closed, but spent enough money there to use their wifi anyway.
My turn for a dip
Love to all,
Zak
Thanks for the fab photos Annie, and email from Jack and Fran.
Montreal White and below freezing. Must be beuatiful but Tom can have it, I'm no good below 5degrees.
While here in Little Corn it has finally stopped raining. Our Christmas Day was wet, wet and wetter, followed then by a blackout at 6pm, so we almost had to go without dinner.
Luckily the electric came back on after about half an hour, so we could eat.
I had lobster for my Christmas dinner meal, which was tasty, but I really don't know what all the fuss is about.
So because of the hardly ever no rain on this island, we haven't even had our snorkel and googles out.
Today it looks like we may get some sun, yes I can see Hasi has a shadow!
Looks like we may head off the little island tomorrow, over to the big one.
Not sure how long we will stay there, suppose it also depends on the weather.
Hasi is swimming in the carribean, as I sit rocking under the palm trees writing this. The cafe with the wifi is closed, but spent enough money there to use their wifi anyway.
My turn for a dip
Love to all,
Zak
Saturday, December 24, 2016
Merry Christmas from Little Corn Island
Hi all,
Merry Christmas to everyone.
Moo 12 -15degrees. Pretty unbelievable for December!
So we have been on Little Corn Island for the last 4 days.
We are having crazy weather here. Massive storms that last for about 15 minutes about 6 times a day, the in between the Suns back out.
Last night there was wild wind and heavy rain for most of the night. Almost a bit scary at times, and hard to sleep with the corrugated roof.
This morning calm and overcast. Humid all the time. Shouldn't really still be the rainy season here, but if definitely is.
Ok I am drinking a local Beetroot and ginger juice while Hasi is back on the coconut lime, and no Christmas pudding here, so we are sharing a hot brownie with chocolate sauce and ice cream! Yum.
Otherwise lots of sea food here, as prior to tourist being the main industry on this little island it was fishing. Local fish is yellowtail snapper, as well as lobster and shrimps.
I have had a bit of seafood, but I was working towards being vegan till I got here, as I truely worry about all the seafood that is being taken out of the seas. Hasi says I should support the local economy, so have I have had a bit.
Hi, greetings from me too... Sitting in the local bar, looking at the sea, one hour to sunset, drinking juice, listening to cooool music, eating all healthy stuff, I think it could be worse... Sometimes the waves and the wind are too dangerous for the little boats to take you away from here, so if we're lucky, we get stuck here for a few days or a week... Could be worse. Enjoy the activities whereever you are, whatever you do, enjoy the cricket (I'll be following it somehow), see youse all next year, hopefully in as good spirits as we are here...
Hasi.
And love to all from me as well, Zak
Merry Christmas to everyone.
Moo 12 -15degrees. Pretty unbelievable for December!
So we have been on Little Corn Island for the last 4 days.
We are having crazy weather here. Massive storms that last for about 15 minutes about 6 times a day, the in between the Suns back out.
Last night there was wild wind and heavy rain for most of the night. Almost a bit scary at times, and hard to sleep with the corrugated roof.
This morning calm and overcast. Humid all the time. Shouldn't really still be the rainy season here, but if definitely is.
Ok I am drinking a local Beetroot and ginger juice while Hasi is back on the coconut lime, and no Christmas pudding here, so we are sharing a hot brownie with chocolate sauce and ice cream! Yum.
Otherwise lots of sea food here, as prior to tourist being the main industry on this little island it was fishing. Local fish is yellowtail snapper, as well as lobster and shrimps.
I have had a bit of seafood, but I was working towards being vegan till I got here, as I truely worry about all the seafood that is being taken out of the seas. Hasi says I should support the local economy, so have I have had a bit.
Hi, greetings from me too... Sitting in the local bar, looking at the sea, one hour to sunset, drinking juice, listening to cooool music, eating all healthy stuff, I think it could be worse... Sometimes the waves and the wind are too dangerous for the little boats to take you away from here, so if we're lucky, we get stuck here for a few days or a week... Could be worse. Enjoy the activities whereever you are, whatever you do, enjoy the cricket (I'll be following it somehow), see youse all next year, hopefully in as good spirits as we are here...
Hasi.
And love to all from me as well, Zak
Welsh Greetings
Hello All,
Just wanted to say "Hi" and wish everyone a very Happy and safe Festive Season.
Not much happening in No 70 to celebrate. They are forecasting 12-15 degrees tomorrow (25th) here, so not a white one.
Connor, your gift is just about ready to post. Have been working nights so don't function as well as I should. You will have it early in the New Year.
Martin, if there is something specific you want (or just some ideas), let us know. Jules is struggling.
I have put myself available to work, not that I'm likely to get any. It would be madness not to be available though with the ridiculous rate of pay for holidays.
Thinking of you all.A bit of feedback on what gifts have been received would be greatly appreciated.
Much love to all.
From Us xxxxxx
Just wanted to say "Hi" and wish everyone a very Happy and safe Festive Season.
Not much happening in No 70 to celebrate. They are forecasting 12-15 degrees tomorrow (25th) here, so not a white one.
Connor, your gift is just about ready to post. Have been working nights so don't function as well as I should. You will have it early in the New Year.
Martin, if there is something specific you want (or just some ideas), let us know. Jules is struggling.
I have put myself available to work, not that I'm likely to get any. It would be madness not to be available though with the ridiculous rate of pay for holidays.
Thinking of you all.A bit of feedback on what gifts have been received would be greatly appreciated.
Much love to all.
From Us xxxxxx
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Greetings from Little Corn Isalnd
Hi all,
Found a place on the island that has wifi for its customers, so we are both sipping on a coconut and lime juice. Very delicious!
Yesterday we travelled from Masaya to Managau airport for our flight to Big Corn Island.
The plane was small, only about 40 passengers, and was a bit bumpy at times.
From Big Corn airport, caught a cab to the ferry dock. The cab driver packed four tourists and their packs into his little car, as he charges by the persons.
Ferry was supposed to leave at 4.30, but prob didn't leave till about an hour later.
It is 15km from Big Corn to Little Corn, and was dark by the time we got here.
The ride was pretty hairy at times, as there was quite a bit of swell around. The navy monitors the weather and if winds are more than 25km, or swell more than something, the boats are not allowed to make the crossing.
So last night we slept in our beach bungalow, with wild wind and rain outside!
This morning it was clear and sunny, and we have been strolling round the island.
The only problem is, I haven't really found a good spot for swimming. The water is pretty churned up after the wind and rain last night, so will give it a miss for today.
That's it, Hasi is very happy to be on this little tropical island. We will definitely be here till after Christmas.
Love to all,
Zak
Found a place on the island that has wifi for its customers, so we are both sipping on a coconut and lime juice. Very delicious!
Yesterday we travelled from Masaya to Managau airport for our flight to Big Corn Island.
The plane was small, only about 40 passengers, and was a bit bumpy at times.
From Big Corn airport, caught a cab to the ferry dock. The cab driver packed four tourists and their packs into his little car, as he charges by the persons.
Ferry was supposed to leave at 4.30, but prob didn't leave till about an hour later.
It is 15km from Big Corn to Little Corn, and was dark by the time we got here.
The ride was pretty hairy at times, as there was quite a bit of swell around. The navy monitors the weather and if winds are more than 25km, or swell more than something, the boats are not allowed to make the crossing.
So last night we slept in our beach bungalow, with wild wind and rain outside!
This morning it was clear and sunny, and we have been strolling round the island.
The only problem is, I haven't really found a good spot for swimming. The water is pretty churned up after the wind and rain last night, so will give it a miss for today.
That's it, Hasi is very happy to be on this little tropical island. We will definitely be here till after Christmas.
Love to all,
Zak
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Annie, Moo, Mart
Hi guys,
Thanks for the emails.
For some reason now I am not able to send emails, so see if this blog gets to you.
Mum told me about your job Mart. Congratulations, it's really awesome.
I already knew you were going to get it, as I was calling out for you. (Explain that one later)
I look forward to seeing the photos Annie, and even better having dinner on the new set!
Good to hear alls well with you and Jules Moo. Hope it's a white Christmas for you.
Heading to airport.
Merry Christmas
Love Kate and Hasi
Thanks for the emails.
For some reason now I am not able to send emails, so see if this blog gets to you.
Mum told me about your job Mart. Congratulations, it's really awesome.
I already knew you were going to get it, as I was calling out for you. (Explain that one later)
I look forward to seeing the photos Annie, and even better having dinner on the new set!
Good to hear alls well with you and Jules Moo. Hope it's a white Christmas for you.
Heading to airport.
Merry Christmas
Love Kate and Hasi
Monday, December 19, 2016
Greetings from Masaya
Hi all,
Another day in the bustling town of Masaya.
Went to the arts and crafts market today. So many beautiful things to buy!
However we did not buy anything, as are very conscious of not adding weight to our packs till after our flight to the island.
Which means we may have to come back here.
Had a pretty easy day today, sitting in the park, buying a few supplies to take to the island, having an afternoon siesta.
The room we are in, has fly screens for about the last half metre up the top, this joins the shared bathroom, and on the other side of the bathroom is another room with fly screen. Hence it was a pretty noisy night last night, with the old couple talking, snoring, going to the toilet several times, then showering and shitting early hours of the morning. It was the first time I wish I had ear plugs.
Hasi did have ear plugs in, but was still moaning about them this morning.
Looks like no one is in that room tonight, so should have a better sleep.
Hasi is now watching the first Harry Potter movie, in Spanish of course, with the night security guy.
So tomorrow we are off to Big Corn Island, then we take a boat over to Little Corn Island.
Little Corn has no cars on it. Maybe some horse and carts, I'm not sure.
There is no electricity between 6am and 1pm, and only a few places have wifi, and this is via satellite, so costs around $450 a month.
We plan to stay about a week, depending on how we like it and the weather.
It should be very good snorkelling here. We have carried our snorkelling gear this far, so I hope we get to use it.
So I will be in contact when I can.
Merry Christmas to everyone from Hasi and me. Have fun and lots of laughs.
Lots of love, hugs and kisses to all
Love me and Hasi
Another day in the bustling town of Masaya.
Went to the arts and crafts market today. So many beautiful things to buy!
However we did not buy anything, as are very conscious of not adding weight to our packs till after our flight to the island.
Which means we may have to come back here.
Had a pretty easy day today, sitting in the park, buying a few supplies to take to the island, having an afternoon siesta.
The room we are in, has fly screens for about the last half metre up the top, this joins the shared bathroom, and on the other side of the bathroom is another room with fly screen. Hence it was a pretty noisy night last night, with the old couple talking, snoring, going to the toilet several times, then showering and shitting early hours of the morning. It was the first time I wish I had ear plugs.
Hasi did have ear plugs in, but was still moaning about them this morning.
Looks like no one is in that room tonight, so should have a better sleep.
Hasi is now watching the first Harry Potter movie, in Spanish of course, with the night security guy.
So tomorrow we are off to Big Corn Island, then we take a boat over to Little Corn Island.
Little Corn has no cars on it. Maybe some horse and carts, I'm not sure.
There is no electricity between 6am and 1pm, and only a few places have wifi, and this is via satellite, so costs around $450 a month.
We plan to stay about a week, depending on how we like it and the weather.
It should be very good snorkelling here. We have carried our snorkelling gear this far, so I hope we get to use it.
So I will be in contact when I can.
Merry Christmas to everyone from Hasi and me. Have fun and lots of laughs.
Lots of love, hugs and kisses to all
Love me and Hasi
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Greetings from Casa Mi, Masaya
Hi all,
Today we left Granada. We may have stayed a few days longer, but we were unable to stay in our luxury room, as it had been booked, so decided time to head out.
We were on the bus at 11am to travel 16km up the highway to Masaya. We reached Masaya at 12.15.
Longest 16km of my life. I had my backpack on my lap, and the guy sitting next to me, kept falling asleep and leaning on me.
This town is almost the same size as Granada, but with only about half a dozen tourists, as opposed to every second person in Granada being a tourist.
Of course, not being geared for tourists means, no luxury rooms.
Tonight we are in our cheapest room yet, at $14 . It is pretty basic, but clean, so we are happy.
We had a wonderful afternoon roaming around town, and down to the malecon.
The malecon is a promenade with park that looks down onto Masaya crater lake and across to Masaya Volcano, where we went to a few nights ago to see the magma flowing.
Being Sunday afternoon lots of people were out enjoying the space.
And if they weren't strolling the malecon, they were gathering outside their houses, rocking on rocking chairs.
Nicaraguans love rocking chairs and hammocks! Me too, I'm rocking in one as I write this.
Tonight we stopped to eat a a local restaurant, and the owner, Herman, took a photo of us to put on his site on TripAdvisor. He was amazed that we had travelled from Australia, and having a beer at his place.
Masaya is famous for its art and crafts market, which we will check out tomorrow, but probably won't buy anything, as we have a strict baggage limit for our flight to The Corn Islands. We will just browse, and mayb buy stuff on our return, but I really hate adding weight to my pack. I like it under 10kgs, much easier to handle on the buses etc.
Ok, shower and bed, as it's already after 9pm.
Love to all,
Zak
Today we left Granada. We may have stayed a few days longer, but we were unable to stay in our luxury room, as it had been booked, so decided time to head out.
We were on the bus at 11am to travel 16km up the highway to Masaya. We reached Masaya at 12.15.
Longest 16km of my life. I had my backpack on my lap, and the guy sitting next to me, kept falling asleep and leaning on me.
This town is almost the same size as Granada, but with only about half a dozen tourists, as opposed to every second person in Granada being a tourist.
Of course, not being geared for tourists means, no luxury rooms.
Tonight we are in our cheapest room yet, at $14 . It is pretty basic, but clean, so we are happy.
We had a wonderful afternoon roaming around town, and down to the malecon.
The malecon is a promenade with park that looks down onto Masaya crater lake and across to Masaya Volcano, where we went to a few nights ago to see the magma flowing.
Being Sunday afternoon lots of people were out enjoying the space.
And if they weren't strolling the malecon, they were gathering outside their houses, rocking on rocking chairs.
Nicaraguans love rocking chairs and hammocks! Me too, I'm rocking in one as I write this.
Tonight we stopped to eat a a local restaurant, and the owner, Herman, took a photo of us to put on his site on TripAdvisor. He was amazed that we had travelled from Australia, and having a beer at his place.
Masaya is famous for its art and crafts market, which we will check out tomorrow, but probably won't buy anything, as we have a strict baggage limit for our flight to The Corn Islands. We will just browse, and mayb buy stuff on our return, but I really hate adding weight to my pack. I like it under 10kgs, much easier to handle on the buses etc.
Ok, shower and bed, as it's already after 9pm.
Love to all,
Zak
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Greetings from Casa del Agua, Granada
Hi all,
Well today we organised our trip out to the Corn Islands, about 70km off the Carribean coast of Nicaragua.
We were hoping to travel tomorrow or Monday, but first available flight is Tuesday.
Of course I wanted to travel overland, which would have taken us at least 2 days. Hasi always wanted to fly, and people were telling us it was a pretty tough overland trip, so in the end, I agreed to fly.
Makes it all a bit too easy I reckon!
Anyway we then spent at least an hour queuing up in the bank to organise money.
We then wandered round the market and Hasi bought a new day pack.
Dad, the masters game backpack you gave us, from the ninth masters games in 2003, has to go to the tip in Granada!! It has had a long life for a backpack and been with us in Central America twice!
Hasi phoned his mum today and I've just spoken with mum, dad and Fran.
Always peace of mind to hear alls well at home.
Not sure about Internet or phone availability on the islands, so may be out of contact for a while. Having said that I have been amazed at the amount of wifi available.
The phone call home today cost the equivalent of $1.20, and Hasi paid the equivalent of $1 to call his mum, but the local call we made to the airline to book our ticket cost the equivalent of $9! That is pretty crazy.
Still haven't worked out how to put photos on the blog, so I have emailed some. I'm sure it's very simple, if I could just work out how.
So lots of love to all,
Zak
Well today we organised our trip out to the Corn Islands, about 70km off the Carribean coast of Nicaragua.
We were hoping to travel tomorrow or Monday, but first available flight is Tuesday.
Of course I wanted to travel overland, which would have taken us at least 2 days. Hasi always wanted to fly, and people were telling us it was a pretty tough overland trip, so in the end, I agreed to fly.
Makes it all a bit too easy I reckon!
Anyway we then spent at least an hour queuing up in the bank to organise money.
We then wandered round the market and Hasi bought a new day pack.
Dad, the masters game backpack you gave us, from the ninth masters games in 2003, has to go to the tip in Granada!! It has had a long life for a backpack and been with us in Central America twice!
Hasi phoned his mum today and I've just spoken with mum, dad and Fran.
Always peace of mind to hear alls well at home.
Not sure about Internet or phone availability on the islands, so may be out of contact for a while. Having said that I have been amazed at the amount of wifi available.
The phone call home today cost the equivalent of $1.20, and Hasi paid the equivalent of $1 to call his mum, but the local call we made to the airline to book our ticket cost the equivalent of $9! That is pretty crazy.
Still haven't worked out how to put photos on the blog, so I have emailed some. I'm sure it's very simple, if I could just work out how.
So lots of love to all,
Zak
Friday, December 16, 2016
Greetings from Granada
Hi all,
Today we travelled about 10 km out of Granada, to Laguna de Apoyo.
This is a volcanic crater lake about 6km in diameter and 175metres deep.
The water was about 23degrees, so you could just stay in it for ages.
We floated around on rubber tyres, swam out to a jetty, and just generally soaked up the amazing place.
The geography of this place is incredible. It is part of the pacific ring of fire.
Today we finally saw a whole volcano, called Mombacho, so yes there are really volcanoes in Nicaragua, and we are basically surrounded by them at present.
It really is a stunning country.
Tomorrow we need to make plans for our next leg, just have to decide what that is.
Friday night, and there's so pretty bad music, blasting through the wall behind my head. Hope it doesn't go for too long!
Hasi is well, and really back to his old self, thank goodness.
Unfortunately his year twelve class didn't do as well in the HSC as he had hoped they would, which wasn't good news for him. I wish his colleague hadn't even emailed him, but of course he needed to know.
Now I really want that music to stop, but it's not even 10pm, so probably no chance of it stopping for quite a while yet.
Hope alls well with everyone,
Lots of love
Zak
Today we travelled about 10 km out of Granada, to Laguna de Apoyo.
This is a volcanic crater lake about 6km in diameter and 175metres deep.
The water was about 23degrees, so you could just stay in it for ages.
We floated around on rubber tyres, swam out to a jetty, and just generally soaked up the amazing place.
The geography of this place is incredible. It is part of the pacific ring of fire.
Today we finally saw a whole volcano, called Mombacho, so yes there are really volcanoes in Nicaragua, and we are basically surrounded by them at present.
It really is a stunning country.
Tomorrow we need to make plans for our next leg, just have to decide what that is.
Friday night, and there's so pretty bad music, blasting through the wall behind my head. Hope it doesn't go for too long!
Hasi is well, and really back to his old self, thank goodness.
Unfortunately his year twelve class didn't do as well in the HSC as he had hoped they would, which wasn't good news for him. I wish his colleague hadn't even emailed him, but of course he needed to know.
Now I really want that music to stop, but it's not even 10pm, so probably no chance of it stopping for quite a while yet.
Hope alls well with everyone,
Lots of love
Zak
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Greetings from Granada
Hi all,
Today we did a boat ride on the Lago de Nicaragua, in an area where there are 365 small islands, and about 4000 people living on them. We swam in a lagoon area where the water was about 25 degrees, I'm not sure why this was, but it was lovely.
Lots of bird life on the water, howler monkeys in the trees, difficult to see, but they make a great sound.
In the evening we went about 20km out of town to Masaya volcano. From the rim of the crater you look down to see flowing magma (lava still in the ground is called magma) which was a totally amazing. You can only see this 3 places in the world at present, here at Masaya, Hawaii and somewhere in the Congo. The wall of the crater looked amazing as well, and I would love to see it again in daylight. We were there after dark as it's the best way to see the magma flow.
There was a explosion on this crater earlier in the year, so the magma has been pretty high up the crater wall, for the past few months, but is slowly receding, so we are lucky to see be able to see it.
Pretty exhausted now, but really want to read at least a chapter of a novel I've just started, before I turn out the light.
Love to all
Zak
Today we did a boat ride on the Lago de Nicaragua, in an area where there are 365 small islands, and about 4000 people living on them. We swam in a lagoon area where the water was about 25 degrees, I'm not sure why this was, but it was lovely.
Lots of bird life on the water, howler monkeys in the trees, difficult to see, but they make a great sound.
In the evening we went about 20km out of town to Masaya volcano. From the rim of the crater you look down to see flowing magma (lava still in the ground is called magma) which was a totally amazing. You can only see this 3 places in the world at present, here at Masaya, Hawaii and somewhere in the Congo. The wall of the crater looked amazing as well, and I would love to see it again in daylight. We were there after dark as it's the best way to see the magma flow.
There was a explosion on this crater earlier in the year, so the magma has been pretty high up the crater wall, for the past few months, but is slowly receding, so we are lucky to see be able to see it.
Pretty exhausted now, but really want to read at least a chapter of a novel I've just started, before I turn out the light.
Love to all
Zak
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Greetings from Casa del Agua Granada
Hi all,
Hasi is definitely on the mend, as we have just returned to our room for the night and it is after 8.30pm!
We had to move from our accommodation we stayed in last night, as they were fully booked for tonight. It didn't bother me too much as I thought the room was hot, and the bathroom had no ventilation and was very dark, but it's always a hassle looking for accommodation I reckon.
Do you take the first you find, because it's hot and you can't be arsed, or do you keep looking.
I think we had looked at 3 others, when we got to this one. As soon as Hasi saw the upstairs room with balcony, he said yes. The others had been a bit too cell like, where as this is open and light.
Anyway we have truly found the creme de la creme of Granada, the Casa del Agua, the house of water.
It is an amazing old hacienda, with 2 swimming pools in two different courtyards.
We look down from our balcony to the pool and open kitchen.
It is hot and humid here, so is wonderful to come home and jump into the pools.
It is owned by an Irish guy, Gerry, who bought the place in 2010. He is from a small town called Gorey, in the south east of Ireland. He left Ireland in 2009, when hard economic times hit and he was made redundant.
He has done quite a bit to the original hacienda, adding rooms, pools and fences.
He is a very warm and happy guy, and it's always lovely to hear the Irish accent!
We spent the day, strolling around town. The architecture is amazing and of course the buildings so colourful.
Hasi went to the barber for a haircut and shave. His hair is shorter than ever, and his face as smooth as a baby's bottom, as they say. The barber also trimmed his eyebrows, which are usually like a mad scientists, and trimmed hair also from his ears and nose.
I sat and watched and took photos. Great old barber shop!
It's quite a big city of 100,000, and I'm sure most of the population were at the market this morning.
I checked out the second hand shop today. I think most of the people there were quite surprised to see a tourist in there. I came out empty handed, but of course loved rummaging round.
So that today's update.
Love to all,
Zak
Hasi is definitely on the mend, as we have just returned to our room for the night and it is after 8.30pm!
We had to move from our accommodation we stayed in last night, as they were fully booked for tonight. It didn't bother me too much as I thought the room was hot, and the bathroom had no ventilation and was very dark, but it's always a hassle looking for accommodation I reckon.
Do you take the first you find, because it's hot and you can't be arsed, or do you keep looking.
I think we had looked at 3 others, when we got to this one. As soon as Hasi saw the upstairs room with balcony, he said yes. The others had been a bit too cell like, where as this is open and light.
Anyway we have truly found the creme de la creme of Granada, the Casa del Agua, the house of water.
It is an amazing old hacienda, with 2 swimming pools in two different courtyards.
We look down from our balcony to the pool and open kitchen.
It is hot and humid here, so is wonderful to come home and jump into the pools.
It is owned by an Irish guy, Gerry, who bought the place in 2010. He is from a small town called Gorey, in the south east of Ireland. He left Ireland in 2009, when hard economic times hit and he was made redundant.
He has done quite a bit to the original hacienda, adding rooms, pools and fences.
He is a very warm and happy guy, and it's always lovely to hear the Irish accent!
We spent the day, strolling around town. The architecture is amazing and of course the buildings so colourful.
Hasi went to the barber for a haircut and shave. His hair is shorter than ever, and his face as smooth as a baby's bottom, as they say. The barber also trimmed his eyebrows, which are usually like a mad scientists, and trimmed hair also from his ears and nose.
I sat and watched and took photos. Great old barber shop!
It's quite a big city of 100,000, and I'm sure most of the population were at the market this morning.
I checked out the second hand shop today. I think most of the people there were quite surprised to see a tourist in there. I came out empty handed, but of course loved rummaging round.
So that today's update.
Love to all,
Zak
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Greetings from Granada
Hi all,
I was up, showered and packed ready for the 7am bus, however just couldn't bring myself to waking Hasi, who was sleeping so soundly.
However we were on the 8am bus to Moyagawlpa, where we caught the ferry back to the mainland.
We travelled further north round the lake to Granada, an old colonial town, with some amazing architecture.
We had also read it had 'a vibrant nightlife', but we think that may be a myth, as was the volcanoes, as we have roamed the downtown area, and are already back at our hotel at 8pm!
Im a little pissed anyway, as I had 2 beers this evening, which is the most alcohol I have drunk in quite a while.
There seems to be a massive second hand clothes shop just down the street. I'm not sure if I was dreaming, and will check it out properly tomorrow. Not that I need more stuff in my pack, but I am very curious.
I remember from last time we were in Central America, they get loads of clothes from America, and are cheap as chips to buy. Very exciting!
The accommodation tonight is complete luxury, compared to the last few nights, so time to hit the sack, pink and black linen!
I read that it's been pretty hot over there. Keep up the fluids and whack the aircon on!
Hope alls well
Love to all,
Zak
I was up, showered and packed ready for the 7am bus, however just couldn't bring myself to waking Hasi, who was sleeping so soundly.
However we were on the 8am bus to Moyagawlpa, where we caught the ferry back to the mainland.
We travelled further north round the lake to Granada, an old colonial town, with some amazing architecture.
We had also read it had 'a vibrant nightlife', but we think that may be a myth, as was the volcanoes, as we have roamed the downtown area, and are already back at our hotel at 8pm!
Im a little pissed anyway, as I had 2 beers this evening, which is the most alcohol I have drunk in quite a while.
There seems to be a massive second hand clothes shop just down the street. I'm not sure if I was dreaming, and will check it out properly tomorrow. Not that I need more stuff in my pack, but I am very curious.
I remember from last time we were in Central America, they get loads of clothes from America, and are cheap as chips to buy. Very exciting!
The accommodation tonight is complete luxury, compared to the last few nights, so time to hit the sack, pink and black linen!
I read that it's been pretty hot over there. Keep up the fluids and whack the aircon on!
Hope alls well
Love to all,
Zak
Monday, December 12, 2016
Greetings from Altagracia, Isle de Ometepe
Hi all,
Like lots of things in life, travel doesn't always turn out quite as you imagined it would.
This is the case for us on the Isle of Ometepe.
This place was one of the highlights that Hasi had been looking forward to.
Beaches round the lake, where you can swim while watching the volcanoes, swinging in the hammock by the lakeside, cycling through the villages in the sunshine.
Except none of this has eventuated.
We left our cell this morning and caught the local bus to the next town, Altagracia.
We thought this might be a bit more interesting.
This is a rural island, where main crops seem to be bananas, papayas, tobacco. There are pigs and chickens roaming the streets of town, Cowboys on their horses and horse drawn wagons.
The people are poor.
Hasi says it's depressing here.
Unfortunately the weather is not on our side, and after an overcast morning wondering round the town, it poured raining all afternoon. We have now decided there are no volcanoes in Nicaragua,it's a myth.
So tomorrow we will leave the isle and continue on our travels.
We hope the sun is out at our next destination.
Tonight we are staying in another cement cell, just a bit bigger and cleaner than the one last night, and Hasi reminds me, it's half the price of what we paid last night.
Nicaragua is not as cheap as we had expected.
I think we are getting old and unable to cope as well as we did when we were younger! Cement cells would not have phased us, this is the way people live here, so why should we expect anything else?
Having said that I am sending the email crew a photo of the "view" we have from our verandah. It really is pretty bad. Also one of our room here.
Anyway, that's travel, you never know what's around the corner.
So again we should be in bed by 8pm by the looks of it, so we can get up,and on our way, first thing in the morning.
So that's our lot,
Love to all, Zak
Like lots of things in life, travel doesn't always turn out quite as you imagined it would.
This is the case for us on the Isle of Ometepe.
This place was one of the highlights that Hasi had been looking forward to.
Beaches round the lake, where you can swim while watching the volcanoes, swinging in the hammock by the lakeside, cycling through the villages in the sunshine.
Except none of this has eventuated.
We left our cell this morning and caught the local bus to the next town, Altagracia.
We thought this might be a bit more interesting.
This is a rural island, where main crops seem to be bananas, papayas, tobacco. There are pigs and chickens roaming the streets of town, Cowboys on their horses and horse drawn wagons.
The people are poor.
Hasi says it's depressing here.
Unfortunately the weather is not on our side, and after an overcast morning wondering round the town, it poured raining all afternoon. We have now decided there are no volcanoes in Nicaragua,it's a myth.
So tomorrow we will leave the isle and continue on our travels.
We hope the sun is out at our next destination.
Tonight we are staying in another cement cell, just a bit bigger and cleaner than the one last night, and Hasi reminds me, it's half the price of what we paid last night.
Nicaragua is not as cheap as we had expected.
I think we are getting old and unable to cope as well as we did when we were younger! Cement cells would not have phased us, this is the way people live here, so why should we expect anything else?
Having said that I am sending the email crew a photo of the "view" we have from our verandah. It really is pretty bad. Also one of our room here.
Anyway, that's travel, you never know what's around the corner.
So again we should be in bed by 8pm by the looks of it, so we can get up,and on our way, first thing in the morning.
So that's our lot,
Love to all, Zak
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Greetings from Ometepe
Hi all,
So today we left San Juan, and travelled a bit north and west to Ometepe.
This is an island in Lake Nicaragua made up of two volcanoes with an isthmus joining the two.
The lake is the biggest in Central America, and the crossing took an hour.
We had an idea of where we wanted to stay, but when we got there it was not at all what we expected, and we moved on.
The next little village we came to had one home stay, which wasn't great either, but as it was pouring rain, and we decided to stay for tonight and explore further tomorrow.
The room is a bit like a cement cell, and could do with a fresh coat of paint and a bit of character.
Anyway, it's clean enough for the night, but we will be up and out early morning.
I will email you a photo of the island, taken as we were approaching.
Thats it for now
Love to all, Zak
So today we left San Juan, and travelled a bit north and west to Ometepe.
This is an island in Lake Nicaragua made up of two volcanoes with an isthmus joining the two.
The lake is the biggest in Central America, and the crossing took an hour.
We had an idea of where we wanted to stay, but when we got there it was not at all what we expected, and we moved on.
The next little village we came to had one home stay, which wasn't great either, but as it was pouring rain, and we decided to stay for tonight and explore further tomorrow.
The room is a bit like a cement cell, and could do with a fresh coat of paint and a bit of character.
Anyway, it's clean enough for the night, but we will be up and out early morning.
I will email you a photo of the island, taken as we were approaching.
Thats it for now
Love to all, Zak
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Greetings from San Juan
Hi all,
What's really amazing about travelling, is even when you are not doing much, there is so much that you are seeing and experiencing.
Breakfast at the market, watching the local vendors organising and selling their wares.
Over to the church, where there was a funeral.
Back at the church later, there was a wedding,
Down at the beach, a massive cruise ship had anchored off shore, and a few thousand people came in to town for the day. I chatted with a couple from Vancover who were doing the 17 day cruise from Los Angeles to Brazil.
Then a guy sat beside me who was selling CDs of Nicaraguan music. While he was on the phone the wind swept through and all his CDs went flying. I ran all over the place chasing them and retrieving them for him, which he was very happy about.
I walked the beach a few times in the late afternoon and watched the most brilliant sunset, and the bride, who we had seen earlier in the day, was now on the beach for photos.
Local life all there right before my eyes. Wonderful.
Hasi thinks he,s up for some travelling tomorrow, so we will leave this cosy town, which I have loved.
Hopefully there is wifi, where we go next, so I can keep you posted on out travels.
Time to pack, so we can make an early start in the morning.
Love to all,
Zak
P.S. Check emails for photos of town.
What's really amazing about travelling, is even when you are not doing much, there is so much that you are seeing and experiencing.
Breakfast at the market, watching the local vendors organising and selling their wares.
Over to the church, where there was a funeral.
Back at the church later, there was a wedding,
Down at the beach, a massive cruise ship had anchored off shore, and a few thousand people came in to town for the day. I chatted with a couple from Vancover who were doing the 17 day cruise from Los Angeles to Brazil.
Then a guy sat beside me who was selling CDs of Nicaraguan music. While he was on the phone the wind swept through and all his CDs went flying. I ran all over the place chasing them and retrieving them for him, which he was very happy about.
I walked the beach a few times in the late afternoon and watched the most brilliant sunset, and the bride, who we had seen earlier in the day, was now on the beach for photos.
Local life all there right before my eyes. Wonderful.
Hasi thinks he,s up for some travelling tomorrow, so we will leave this cosy town, which I have loved.
Hopefully there is wifi, where we go next, so I can keep you posted on out travels.
Time to pack, so we can make an early start in the morning.
Love to all,
Zak
P.S. Check emails for photos of town.
Friday, December 9, 2016
Greetings from San Juan Del Sur
Hi all,
Well we are still hanging out in this colourful little town of San Juan.
Today we found a doctor for Hasi. He was very thorough, listening to his chest and asking heaps of questions.
He asked if I was a doctor, as I seemed to know everything he was talking about.
He says it's a viral infection of his sinuses and throat. Chest seems to be clear.
Prescribed him a few different potions, and told Hasi to rest, drink lots of fluid, and swim in the sea, before 3pm, due to the temperature dropping after this.
Basically what I had been telling him for the past 2 weeks, but hopefully with correct medications, it might help.
Starting to drive Hasi crazy with frustration. I'm being the calm, supportive wife, as always!!
Hasi thought about moving on tomorrow but I have said no to this. We will spend at least another day here.
This afternoon I spent ages on the beach trying to take photos of birds. It really was quite ridiculous, but I was determined to be patient, and some may look OK on the big screen.
Walking and swimming, taking photos, that was my day, while Hasi basically rested in bed.
Hope things improve tomorrow.
Love to all,
Zak
Well we are still hanging out in this colourful little town of San Juan.
Today we found a doctor for Hasi. He was very thorough, listening to his chest and asking heaps of questions.
He asked if I was a doctor, as I seemed to know everything he was talking about.
He says it's a viral infection of his sinuses and throat. Chest seems to be clear.
Prescribed him a few different potions, and told Hasi to rest, drink lots of fluid, and swim in the sea, before 3pm, due to the temperature dropping after this.
Basically what I had been telling him for the past 2 weeks, but hopefully with correct medications, it might help.
Starting to drive Hasi crazy with frustration. I'm being the calm, supportive wife, as always!!
Hasi thought about moving on tomorrow but I have said no to this. We will spend at least another day here.
This afternoon I spent ages on the beach trying to take photos of birds. It really was quite ridiculous, but I was determined to be patient, and some may look OK on the big screen.
Walking and swimming, taking photos, that was my day, while Hasi basically rested in bed.
Hope things improve tomorrow.
Love to all,
Zak
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Greetings from San Juan Del Sur
Hi all,
In the court yard of the hostel and listening to two guys, from France and Sweden talk about all their travels. The Swedish guy is raving about Australia, particularly Cairns and far North Queensland. Lovely to listen to them.
Today was slow and restful. I laid in a hammock and read a book by Janet Frame called A State of Siege. Pretty weird, and The ending was bizarre. I need to talk to someone who has read it!
It was a wonderful day for walking, as it was overcast and milder in temperature than it has been, n the last few days here.
I walked around the beach and over the rocks to the headland, which was great.
MoreMaria celebrations this evening with the young people of the community having a procession through town, carried a big wooden float on their shoulders of Mary. It must have been pretty heavy as, the 10 guys had to rotate with others to carry it through town, and poor Maria was rocking round quite a bit.
Luckily no imaging, DJs or big band, and minimal explosions!
We will stay here at least another day, while Hasi is recuperating.
Great beer here, Victoria Maestro, a fine tasting beer.
Also they make a rum called Floro de Cano, which is quite smooth.
Was thinking of Marty with his interview today.
That's all for now,
Love Zak
In the court yard of the hostel and listening to two guys, from France and Sweden talk about all their travels. The Swedish guy is raving about Australia, particularly Cairns and far North Queensland. Lovely to listen to them.
Today was slow and restful. I laid in a hammock and read a book by Janet Frame called A State of Siege. Pretty weird, and The ending was bizarre. I need to talk to someone who has read it!
It was a wonderful day for walking, as it was overcast and milder in temperature than it has been, n the last few days here.
I walked around the beach and over the rocks to the headland, which was great.
MoreMaria celebrations this evening with the young people of the community having a procession through town, carried a big wooden float on their shoulders of Mary. It must have been pretty heavy as, the 10 guys had to rotate with others to carry it through town, and poor Maria was rocking round quite a bit.
Luckily no imaging, DJs or big band, and minimal explosions!
We will stay here at least another day, while Hasi is recuperating.
Great beer here, Victoria Maestro, a fine tasting beer.
Also they make a rum called Floro de Cano, which is quite smooth.
Was thinking of Marty with his interview today.
That's all for now,
Love Zak
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Hi there
Wot a day... Travel is about experiencing diffrent cultures. Yep. Done that today. Don't know wot Kate wrote, but here's my version...
I've always had probs understanding that religion thing, especially the Catholics, but tonite made everything even weirderer... It was all about Mary, or Maria, the Spanish version/virgin. That's the easy part. And about the poor girls concepcion. Apparently it's all about sex. Or the lack of it. Immaculate. Hmmm. Probably IVF. I didn't know they had that back then. I'll have to google that. So they blow up big fire crackers all day long in Maria's honour- not quite sure how that relates, but it REALLY pissed Kate off! I suggested that it's about her concepcion coming with a Big Bang or sth, and that the Americans made a tv series about it? Not sure, but then it got even weirder.
Big stage, rite in front of our place, next to the beach, massive sound system, and we're like, oh cool, party, and more and more people showing up, just after sunset, and an oompah band, Nicaraguan version, more like a marching band, and they were then constantly trying - unsuccessfully - to compete with the sound system...
Great PA, massive mixer, all the mod cons, and, for reasons that completely elude me, they hired the worst ever DJ in the history of mankind. He only played ONE song, again and again, turning it down a bit to give some speech about Maria and her concepcion, then turning it up again and again and again, no eggsaturation, twenty, thirty times, interrupted by the oompah marching band, who, to their credit, played sth totally different, with a diffrent tact, and occasionally changed their song, and by the constant bangs and explosions celebrating Maria's lack of sex.
To make it worse, the DJ, with unerring accuracy, managed to get to the stage the worst ever singers in the universe (I mean, I don't sing, and there's a reason for this, but give me three bottles of tequila and rip my tongue out and strangle me at the same time, and I would sound MUCH better than those unfortunate girls, who, after massacring that poor mic for ten seconds always ended SCREEMING 'la concepcion de Maria') and as soon as they finished this, he turned his favourite, and only, song back up, and I mean REALLY up....
After suffering this cultural escapade for hours and hours (OK, probably only half an hour) we went outside, where there was a million people queuing up for reasons unknown, and when we came back out again, the place looked completely thrashed, rubbish everywhere, plastic bags n stuff, lots of the women looked totally stoned, with this weird smile in their face, and the DJ turned his song back on, again, and big bangs everywhere, and then all of a sudden, everyone just left. ...
WOW. Then we went and had some Pina Coladas, and that is that...
Greetings from Nicaragua. Hasi.
I've always had probs understanding that religion thing, especially the Catholics, but tonite made everything even weirderer... It was all about Mary, or Maria, the Spanish version/virgin. That's the easy part. And about the poor girls concepcion. Apparently it's all about sex. Or the lack of it. Immaculate. Hmmm. Probably IVF. I didn't know they had that back then. I'll have to google that. So they blow up big fire crackers all day long in Maria's honour- not quite sure how that relates, but it REALLY pissed Kate off! I suggested that it's about her concepcion coming with a Big Bang or sth, and that the Americans made a tv series about it? Not sure, but then it got even weirder.
Big stage, rite in front of our place, next to the beach, massive sound system, and we're like, oh cool, party, and more and more people showing up, just after sunset, and an oompah band, Nicaraguan version, more like a marching band, and they were then constantly trying - unsuccessfully - to compete with the sound system...
Great PA, massive mixer, all the mod cons, and, for reasons that completely elude me, they hired the worst ever DJ in the history of mankind. He only played ONE song, again and again, turning it down a bit to give some speech about Maria and her concepcion, then turning it up again and again and again, no eggsaturation, twenty, thirty times, interrupted by the oompah marching band, who, to their credit, played sth totally different, with a diffrent tact, and occasionally changed their song, and by the constant bangs and explosions celebrating Maria's lack of sex.
To make it worse, the DJ, with unerring accuracy, managed to get to the stage the worst ever singers in the universe (I mean, I don't sing, and there's a reason for this, but give me three bottles of tequila and rip my tongue out and strangle me at the same time, and I would sound MUCH better than those unfortunate girls, who, after massacring that poor mic for ten seconds always ended SCREEMING 'la concepcion de Maria') and as soon as they finished this, he turned his favourite, and only, song back up, and I mean REALLY up....
After suffering this cultural escapade for hours and hours (OK, probably only half an hour) we went outside, where there was a million people queuing up for reasons unknown, and when we came back out again, the place looked completely thrashed, rubbish everywhere, plastic bags n stuff, lots of the women looked totally stoned, with this weird smile in their face, and the DJ turned his song back on, again, and big bangs everywhere, and then all of a sudden, everyone just left. ...
WOW. Then we went and had some Pina Coladas, and that is that...
Greetings from Nicaragua. Hasi.
Greetings from San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
Hi all,
A slow day in San Juan today.
Hot and sunny, and even now, after 8pm, it still must be in the mid twenties at least.
Changed accommodation this morning from down town, to beach side. Just needed a bit more space, as the room we had last night was clean and colourful but basically just a bit more room than space for the bed. Now we have 2 double beds, one for us and one for all our stuff, plus a shaded central court yard with tables and chairs and hammocks, where I am sitting writing this.
There's a few guys on guitar and mouth organ jamming which is lovely, plus some others folks eating and chilling out.
Unfortunately Hasi is unwell again today. Whatever is happening is not going away. Tomorrow we will look for a doctor as he is just not getting better. He,s got no energy and spent long periods of the day in bed. He did manage a slow stroll on the beach this arvo and another this evening. Now at 8.30 he is ready for bed.
I was happy swimming in the Pacific, but would have liked him to be enjoying with me.
The water must be about 23 degrees, so you can stay in for hours.
This evening was the continuation of the feast of the Mary thing. Most of the town were out, and singing and calling out for Maria! There were some presents given out to the kids, and some really shocking performers singing for Maria. Thank goodness it only went till 8pm. To add to the celebrations they let off crackers, which are loud, and for me, extremely distressing, just heaps of continuos explosions that is just a racket. Hopefully that has stopped for th night as well.
Well I better go in and check on my husband.
Love to all, Zak
Hot and sunny, and even now, after 8pm, it still must be in the mid twenties at least.
Changed accommodation this morning from down town, to beach side. Just needed a bit more space, as the room we had last night was clean and colourful but basically just a bit more room than space for the bed. Now we have 2 double beds, one for us and one for all our stuff, plus a shaded central court yard with tables and chairs and hammocks, where I am sitting writing this.
There's a few guys on guitar and mouth organ jamming which is lovely, plus some others folks eating and chilling out.
Unfortunately Hasi is unwell again today. Whatever is happening is not going away. Tomorrow we will look for a doctor as he is just not getting better. He,s got no energy and spent long periods of the day in bed. He did manage a slow stroll on the beach this arvo and another this evening. Now at 8.30 he is ready for bed.
I was happy swimming in the Pacific, but would have liked him to be enjoying with me.
The water must be about 23 degrees, so you can stay in for hours.
This evening was the continuation of the feast of the Mary thing. Most of the town were out, and singing and calling out for Maria! There were some presents given out to the kids, and some really shocking performers singing for Maria. Thank goodness it only went till 8pm. To add to the celebrations they let off crackers, which are loud, and for me, extremely distressing, just heaps of continuos explosions that is just a racket. Hopefully that has stopped for th night as well.
Well I better go in and check on my husband.
Love to all, Zak
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Greetings from San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua.
Hi all,
Just spoke to mum and dad on the phone. Very happy to hear all is well with them, and lovely to hear their voices.
Mum you will be pleased and maybe surprised to hear that the call only cost $3!
So we were finally on the 6am bus from Santa Elena this morning. It took us down and round the mountains to meet the transamerican highway.
We jumped out there and stood on the side of the highway till a bus came by that was heading to Penas Blancas, the Nicaraguan border.
Borders are always hot, dusty, stressful and a little crazy, but we made it out of Costa Rica and into Nicaragua with out any hassle.
We are now in this beautiful little seaside town, San Juan del Sur, on the Pacific Ocean.
Tonight we watched a brilliant sunset over the Pacific. That sounds weird doesn't it.
Central Americans are mostly Catholics, and they are presently celebrating the immaculate conception of Mary ( without sin?). There has just been a massive float of Mary, accompanied by a band and people following it, down the Main Street.
Along the beach front are altars that people have made to celebrate the feast.
It is hot here and sunny, which is a big change from rain and cool mountain weather.
Swimming in the Pacific tomorrow!
Still can't work out the photo on the blog stuff, so I will email a few photos to mum and dad, Annie and Moo. Sorry I don't have anyone else's email here.
Anyway love to all,
Zak
Just spoke to mum and dad on the phone. Very happy to hear all is well with them, and lovely to hear their voices.
Mum you will be pleased and maybe surprised to hear that the call only cost $3!
So we were finally on the 6am bus from Santa Elena this morning. It took us down and round the mountains to meet the transamerican highway.
We jumped out there and stood on the side of the highway till a bus came by that was heading to Penas Blancas, the Nicaraguan border.
Borders are always hot, dusty, stressful and a little crazy, but we made it out of Costa Rica and into Nicaragua with out any hassle.
We are now in this beautiful little seaside town, San Juan del Sur, on the Pacific Ocean.
Tonight we watched a brilliant sunset over the Pacific. That sounds weird doesn't it.
Central Americans are mostly Catholics, and they are presently celebrating the immaculate conception of Mary ( without sin?). There has just been a massive float of Mary, accompanied by a band and people following it, down the Main Street.
Along the beach front are altars that people have made to celebrate the feast.
It is hot here and sunny, which is a big change from rain and cool mountain weather.
Swimming in the Pacific tomorrow!
Still can't work out the photo on the blog stuff, so I will email a few photos to mum and dad, Annie and Moo. Sorry I don't have anyone else's email here.
Anyway love to all,
Zak
Monday, December 5, 2016
Greetings from Santa Elena Costa Rica
Hi all,
So our plans to move on from Santa Elena today did not happen, due to Hasi being unwell again last night.
It seems there is a virus going round the community here, which may be what it is, I don't know.
Anyway after resting for most of the day today, we have been for a stroll this evening and he seems to be feeling OK.
So we plan for the 6am bus again tomorrow.
So today was a rest day, sudoku, reading, Spanish lesson, diary writing and reading, with a bit of walking and eating.
And I finally got my clothes dry after washing them on Saturday morning. Bit like Wales the weather here. Luckily today was sunny for long enough to get them completely dry, but note to self, no more clothes washing in rain forest areas.
We are restless to be on the move again after 5 nights here in this beautiful place. The people here have been very hospitable and caring.
Hope alls well back home
Love to all
Zak
So our plans to move on from Santa Elena today did not happen, due to Hasi being unwell again last night.
It seems there is a virus going round the community here, which may be what it is, I don't know.
Anyway after resting for most of the day today, we have been for a stroll this evening and he seems to be feeling OK.
So we plan for the 6am bus again tomorrow.
So today was a rest day, sudoku, reading, Spanish lesson, diary writing and reading, with a bit of walking and eating.
And I finally got my clothes dry after washing them on Saturday morning. Bit like Wales the weather here. Luckily today was sunny for long enough to get them completely dry, but note to self, no more clothes washing in rain forest areas.
We are restless to be on the move again after 5 nights here in this beautiful place. The people here have been very hospitable and caring.
Hope alls well back home
Love to all
Zak
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Greetings from Santa Elena
Hi all,
Well it's Sunday afternoon here. We are 17hours behind Sydney time, so I'm thinking you guys are getting up now on Monday morning.
Yesterday Hasi went zip lining. This is where you are in a harness and are clipped on to wires that you fly on over the top of the rainforest canopy.
He was nervous to begin with, but enjoyed the challenge.
I opted not to do it, and instead bought myself a pair of binoculars with the equivalent money, as I had forgotten to bring mine from home.
So many amazing birds in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and I thought there probably wouldn't be too many opportunities to get some in other places.
Of course the only shop that sold binoculars was selling very expensive, top of the range binoculars starting price of $ US 350!!!
I explained to the lovely dread locked guy that I was backpacking and didn't want to travel with something worth so much money, and that was also very heavy.
Luckily he had a pair for $50, the only pair for this price in the shop, so I grabbed them.
So I had a pottering around day yesterday, washing, yoga, reading in the hammock, walking around town.
We had plans to head out of Santa Elena today but Hasi seems not too be very well again, so decided he needed a rest day.
It has been pissing rain all day so a great day for him to rest in bed.
I have been working on my Spanish today. I'm sick of the rain, it seriously hasn't stopped all day.
Made it to the supermarket to buy some supplies for dinner, but that's about it.
Hopefully when we get down from the mountains we will have some fine days.
I hope Hasi is up for travelling tomorrow, as I'm getting itchy feet now. Bus leaves at 6am, so we have to be packed tonight, and up bright and early.
The 6am is the last bus of the day! The earlier ones leaving at 4am and 5am.
So that's all the current news from Central America. We did hear that Fidel Castro died. We met a couple who had been in Cuba when his death was made public, and they said it was a very interesting time, as the Cubans were very sad. They stopped playing music or doing anything of enjoyment for 7-9 days.
So lov to you all,
Zak
Well it's Sunday afternoon here. We are 17hours behind Sydney time, so I'm thinking you guys are getting up now on Monday morning.
Yesterday Hasi went zip lining. This is where you are in a harness and are clipped on to wires that you fly on over the top of the rainforest canopy.
He was nervous to begin with, but enjoyed the challenge.
I opted not to do it, and instead bought myself a pair of binoculars with the equivalent money, as I had forgotten to bring mine from home.
So many amazing birds in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and I thought there probably wouldn't be too many opportunities to get some in other places.
Of course the only shop that sold binoculars was selling very expensive, top of the range binoculars starting price of $ US 350!!!
I explained to the lovely dread locked guy that I was backpacking and didn't want to travel with something worth so much money, and that was also very heavy.
Luckily he had a pair for $50, the only pair for this price in the shop, so I grabbed them.
So I had a pottering around day yesterday, washing, yoga, reading in the hammock, walking around town.
We had plans to head out of Santa Elena today but Hasi seems not too be very well again, so decided he needed a rest day.
It has been pissing rain all day so a great day for him to rest in bed.
I have been working on my Spanish today. I'm sick of the rain, it seriously hasn't stopped all day.
Made it to the supermarket to buy some supplies for dinner, but that's about it.
Hopefully when we get down from the mountains we will have some fine days.
I hope Hasi is up for travelling tomorrow, as I'm getting itchy feet now. Bus leaves at 6am, so we have to be packed tonight, and up bright and early.
The 6am is the last bus of the day! The earlier ones leaving at 4am and 5am.
So that's all the current news from Central America. We did hear that Fidel Castro died. We met a couple who had been in Cuba when his death was made public, and they said it was a very interesting time, as the Cubans were very sad. They stopped playing music or doing anything of enjoyment for 7-9 days.
So lov to you all,
Zak
Friday, December 2, 2016
Greetings from Santa Elena
Hi all, just a quick note as its 9pm and I want to go to bed.
Firstly great to hear Annie got her scholarship. Now the girls are finished studying, they will be able to take of her while she is doing hers.
We had a first day of sunshine, without a drop of rain, for a week. It was wonderful. We spent several hours in the cloud/rainforest which was beautiful and very peaceful.
Actually Santa Elena is a very peaceful little mountain town, and I could really just kick back here for several more days.
Hasi seems to be fully recovered from his illness which is awesome.
We have been spending some time this evening thinking about our next plan of action after leaving here and will probably head into Nicaragua.
Amazing that every place we have stayed has wifi, hence all the blogging, but we have been unable to find a public phone in town for both of us to ring home. My phone also has no reception in Costa Rica. Also not many Internet cafes as it seems everyone has a phone and can access wifi. Anyway I make the oust of it will I can.
Love to all,
Zak
Firstly great to hear Annie got her scholarship. Now the girls are finished studying, they will be able to take of her while she is doing hers.
We had a first day of sunshine, without a drop of rain, for a week. It was wonderful. We spent several hours in the cloud/rainforest which was beautiful and very peaceful.
Actually Santa Elena is a very peaceful little mountain town, and I could really just kick back here for several more days.
Hasi seems to be fully recovered from his illness which is awesome.
We have been spending some time this evening thinking about our next plan of action after leaving here and will probably head into Nicaragua.
Amazing that every place we have stayed has wifi, hence all the blogging, but we have been unable to find a public phone in town for both of us to ring home. My phone also has no reception in Costa Rica. Also not many Internet cafes as it seems everyone has a phone and can access wifi. Anyway I make the oust of it will I can.
Love to all,
Zak
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Greetings from Santa Elena, Costa Rica
Hi all,
Today we travelled by road and water to reach Santa Elena, a mountain village surrounded by cloud forests. A little bit chillier here, I'm not sure how high up we are, but I've got jeans thermal, scarf and hat on. It was a spectacular journey!
Have just been watching a street parade of school bands from all over the region. This is for the beginning of th festive season.
I forgot to mention yesterday that we saw 2 sloths up in the trees sleeping. They were all curled up, which was a bit of a shame as I would have loved to see them moving. Apparently they are like the koalas, they eat the leaves of the tree they live in and sleep up to 18 hours a day.
Also saw a kingfisher, that I spotted gliding across the water and well as herons and egrets.
There is heaps of vultures here as will that hang in the thermals, and they sit with their wings out, like cormorants to dry themselves.
Today I nearly fell out the window, as I saw 3 toucans up in a tree. So amazing. Costa Rica is a bird lovers paradise.
This place is the home of rip lining, which is when you are in a harness and fly along wires through the rainforest. The longest is 1500 metre long and I think about 150metres high, with speed up to 60km!!
Hasi is up for it in the next few days, but I'm a bit freaked out by it.
Tomorrow we will go walking in the cloud forest, with some suspension bridges which might be adrenaline pumping enough for me.
So hope alls well with everyone
Love to you all,
Zak
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