Sabado 25 de julio - Laguna de apoyo
After a great breakfast at the hostel and with me and Julie's washing already done, as a group we now decide to head to Laguna de Apoyo together by bus and not with the shuttle service to a pricier hostel there. After some last minute errands. . atm for money, food etc we are off. I will return to Granada on Friday for my final weekend, making a reservation at the same hostel, before returning to Costa Rica and flying home.
Whilst trying to locate the bus terminal we begin chatting to a driver sat in his empty bus on one of the side roads. He tells us that he can call his son to take us by taxi all the way and for only 2 dollars each.. super cheap.. Perfecto.. Soon we are on our way.
I have searched for possible accommodation and found a hostel linked to community projects called 'Projecto de Paz'.. 'The Peace Project'. When we reach the lake we continue to drive past other possible places until we arrive there. There is space for us, so we check in. A perfect location, just a few steps down to the lake front, another beautiful destination... heightened by the blue skies and sun shining above us.
Nicaragua is certainly proving to be another country to fall in love with. Costa Rica, with much to offer, had felt much more like a tourist trap without the history and authenticity you have here. But of course my time there was different due to my great month volunteering in Mastatal, meeting locals and more interesting and engaging travellers.
In Laguna de Apoyo we spend the afternoon relaxing by the calm waters, taking in some sun rays and swimming in the fresh water. In the evening we eat some tasty food at the hostel... spaghetti and veggies. We share a beer together, with Julie and Lisa heading off to bed, me and Rachel chat together into the night about experiences, Mastatal and the people we have met.
After a great breakfast at the hostel and with me and Julie's washing already done, as a group we now decide to head to Laguna de Apoyo together by bus and not with the shuttle service to a pricier hostel there. After some last minute errands. . atm for money, food etc we are off. I will return to Granada on Friday for my final weekend, making a reservation at the same hostel, before returning to Costa Rica and flying home.
Whilst trying to locate the bus terminal we begin chatting to a driver sat in his empty bus on one of the side roads. He tells us that he can call his son to take us by taxi all the way and for only 2 dollars each.. super cheap.. Perfecto.. Soon we are on our way.
I have searched for possible accommodation and found a hostel linked to community projects called 'Projecto de Paz'.. 'The Peace Project'. When we reach the lake we continue to drive past other possible places until we arrive there. There is space for us, so we check in. A perfect location, just a few steps down to the lake front, another beautiful destination... heightened by the blue skies and sun shining above us.
Nicaragua is certainly proving to be another country to fall in love with. Costa Rica, with much to offer, had felt much more like a tourist trap without the history and authenticity you have here. But of course my time there was different due to my great month volunteering in Mastatal, meeting locals and more interesting and engaging travellers.
In Laguna de Apoyo we spend the afternoon relaxing by the calm waters, taking in some sun rays and swimming in the fresh water. In the evening we eat some tasty food at the hostel... spaghetti and veggies. We share a beer together, with Julie and Lisa heading off to bed, me and Rachel chat together into the night about experiences, Mastatal and the people we have met.
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| Rachel, me, Lisa and Julie |
Domingo 26 de julio - Masaya
This morning we have decided to awake early to watch the sun rise across the lake... a beautiful colourful affair, a refreshing and reaffirming way to start the day.
We head back for a little more sleep with the sun risen, bright light hitting us across the lake. After breakfast... which I seem to wait over an hour for... hunger hitting me hard... finally the pancakes come and are gone within a few minutes! We leave the hostel to take the bus to Masaya, but when we arrive at the bus stop next to the local primary school, the Dutch couple whom Lisa had spoken with and found out were planning a day trip to Masaya, are not there... the bus must have gone! After talking through our options... i.e to continue walking on the road and find a taxi, we decide to head back to the hostel.
Thankfully, we are told the bus has not gone, and the times listed for Sunday on the reception chart are incorrect, meaning the bus will be passing by in 30 minutes time! We are therefore soon back at the bus stop where we meet and begin chatting to a couple... who later on the bus we find out are from Australia and Thailand, and are 6 months into a 2 year journey from Canada to Argentina!
In Masaya, what follows is an hour or so walking around trying to locate accommodation for the night! A review I've seen mentioning bed bugs puts us off one seemingly nice place... plus the white powder Rachel spots is a give away for dealing with them... by the time we check into Hostel Santa Marta (no wifi! ), we are all hungry and tired, but thankfully we have bread and avocado to eat for lunch.
Feeling slightly better we head to the park where we enquire about tours to Volcan Masaya. Here we meet Nuno, a tour guide. It is already mid afternoon so we have to make a quick decision whether to take the tour or not. We don't want to stay in Masaya tomorrow so confirm... we'll be leaving in the next half hour. At a café/bar opposite we find wifi and I manage to skype briefly with Iris.
Soon we are jumping into a small taxi, who will be our driver for the afternoon, along with Nuno and are on route to Volcan Masaya. Nuno is a friendly and engaging guy, who speaks very good English. At the entrance to the national park we briefly see inside the small musuem, and are given a quick introduction... due to timing we have to rush and so are quickly back in the car and driven all the way to the active volcano!
We drive to the opposite side where only tours can be taken and here we get impressive up close views of the crater, sulphur spurring out. The views away from the volcano are also impressive, seeing far into the distance due to the clear days weather. Next Nuno leads us into a bat cave, a slightly spooky experience... using our phones to light the way! We see bats flying above us, although it is not as many as Nuno had hoped, due to the time of day.
Next we drive back around the active crater and climb further up for even better views. We have made a great decision coming on this tour after a frustrating start to the day! We explore more of the area, again impressive views, but are in a rush due to the sun setting in the distance. Our plan is to get to the fortress a short drive away in order to see the sun set.
At the service station we buy beer, and just make it in time to see the sun slowly setting behind the distance mountains. The fortress which was in fact a prison during the 20th century, is an uneasy experience with gruesome and unpleasant stories to hear about the conditions and treatment of the prisoners.
When we arrive back in Masaya, Nuno takes us to a cheap place with good traditional food for dinner... it is basically a restaurant at a home. Great food and great company. After eating we head to a bar buying a bottle of rum to share between us, mixed with coke and ice. Nuno tells us more about himself, an interesting and funny guy, although at times is slightly over indulgent in his own affairs! I continue drinking with him at a different bar after the girls decide to call it a night.
Lunes 27 de julio - León
This morning we walk up to the bus terminal to meet Julie. Today me, Lisa and Julie will be heading to León. Rachel will be heading to Granada and Ometepe before returning to Costa Rica to volunteer again at Villasmastatal. Her original plan had been to stay in Costa Rica, so coming to Nicaragua was an added trip! We buy some fruit for breakfast and then head to the park to say goodbye to Nuno, however he hasn't arrived for work yet so we leave a message with another worker there. It is then time to say our goodbyes to Rachel, who has been a great companian and new found friend, and head in our separate directions..
Our bus is a minibus style shuttle to the outskirts of Managua where we then board another similar style transportation to León. There is no room for our bags on the bus to León so we therefore have to have them on our laps... an uncomfortable tiring two hour journey!
In León we take a taxi together but one at a time go our separate ways... for now. Lisa wishes, after 3 weeks constantly travelling with various people from Villasmastal, that she wants to go to a new place alone and have that experience. Together, me, Julie and Lisa have made plans to meet up again in Las Peñitas, on the nearby coast sometime in the next few days.
I depart first at a hostel recommended by Julie called Hostal Albergue. It is great, with a chilled out atmosphere and very few people. After getting settled and making contact with home.. I am now into my final week travelling. . I head out to change more dollars into Cordabas, and then have lunch at a recommended place from the money changer called Comedor Lucia, which proves to have great food at a great price.
I return to the hostel to relax and rest before heading to the Cathedral in time to climb to the roof and take in the fantastic views surrounding León. On my route back I spot a French Bakery further down one of the streets where, after ordering a coffee and raisin bun, I spend the rest of my afternoon writing my diary and creating more collages of my incredible years travel... reminiscing about all I have done, seen and the vast number of great people I have come across throughout.
In the evening I cook a simple pasta dish and end up chatting with other guests about world politics, differences in societies between here and our developed countries.
I am now into my final week...
This morning we walk up to the bus terminal to meet Julie. Today me, Lisa and Julie will be heading to León. Rachel will be heading to Granada and Ometepe before returning to Costa Rica to volunteer again at Villasmastatal. Her original plan had been to stay in Costa Rica, so coming to Nicaragua was an added trip! We buy some fruit for breakfast and then head to the park to say goodbye to Nuno, however he hasn't arrived for work yet so we leave a message with another worker there. It is then time to say our goodbyes to Rachel, who has been a great companian and new found friend, and head in our separate directions..
Our bus is a minibus style shuttle to the outskirts of Managua where we then board another similar style transportation to León. There is no room for our bags on the bus to León so we therefore have to have them on our laps... an uncomfortable tiring two hour journey!
In León we take a taxi together but one at a time go our separate ways... for now. Lisa wishes, after 3 weeks constantly travelling with various people from Villasmastal, that she wants to go to a new place alone and have that experience. Together, me, Julie and Lisa have made plans to meet up again in Las Peñitas, on the nearby coast sometime in the next few days.
I depart first at a hostel recommended by Julie called Hostal Albergue. It is great, with a chilled out atmosphere and very few people. After getting settled and making contact with home.. I am now into my final week travelling. . I head out to change more dollars into Cordabas, and then have lunch at a recommended place from the money changer called Comedor Lucia, which proves to have great food at a great price.
I return to the hostel to relax and rest before heading to the Cathedral in time to climb to the roof and take in the fantastic views surrounding León. On my route back I spot a French Bakery further down one of the streets where, after ordering a coffee and raisin bun, I spend the rest of my afternoon writing my diary and creating more collages of my incredible years travel... reminiscing about all I have done, seen and the vast number of great people I have come across throughout.
In the evening I cook a simple pasta dish and end up chatting with other guests about world politics, differences in societies between here and our developed countries.
I am now into my final week...
Martes 28 de julio - Las Peñitas
I am bitten at times during the night, especially during a mid night toilet break! For breaky the hostel provide coffee and pancake mix, so I make myself a couple of pancakes and sit down to watch various youtube videos, catching up on events in world/U.K... 'Jez we can'...
I spend the rest of the morning updating my blog... another update... only a few more to go now! I have nearly made it through this years travels and the crazy effort updating my time away, however this has brought great satisfaction. I am looking forward to re-reading and looking through my previous updates.
I head off to meet Lisa for lunch but at the location we arrange to meet, I am unable to find her so instead I head back to yesterdays lunch destination.. Comedor Lucia. I sit down, after buying my food from the buffet style set up, and immediately the two girls sat in front of me, who have both also just bought their food, kindly invite me over to sit and eat with them. We eat and chat, the joys of travelling.
Back at my hostel I attempt to get into contact with Lisa and then decide to make my way to the bus terminal to get to Las Peñitas. It is far, far, far away... a long sweaty walk... after a short wait on the bus, the driver jumps on, turns on the engine, and just like that we are off... the norm in these parts.
Barca de Orca, where Julie is staying and previously worked at, is the final stop when I get to Las Peñitas. I find Julie sat at a table near the entrance, she is upset after the disappointing news regarding her parents who have been unable to come to visit her due to an issue with not having the American ESTA, needed when even flying through in transit. I am slightly confused as to the exact details due to the language barrier, it is not good to see Julie so upset.
Lisa later arrives... on the final bus... with Merel, a Dutch girl she has met in her hostel in León. After catching up, I head off to find food, a cheaper alternative to the prices in the hostels restaurant, the girls already have food prepared. Later we have a few beers, and end up dropping any initial ideas to head to one of the bigger hostels in the area for a night out and instead make plans to party tomorrow.
Miercoles 29 de julio - Las Peñitas
This morning we meet our other room mates, Alex and Ludwig (German) and Erik (Filipino). We all walk down to the beach for breakfast together, ending up at Playa Roca.. we chill, eat and get to know each other.
After breakfast we head back to the hostel where we get our stuff together ready for a day at the beach. Having chatted so long during breaky it isn't long before a few of us are hungry again. Soon we are back at the beach, I decide to eat at a local soda type set up... Erik and Lisa head off to find alternatives... as I am tucking into my delicious food, I open my eyes to see they have returned.. they have made the right choice! My food, whilst enjoying it, is quickly gone.
The sea here, similar to the pacific coast in Costa Rica, is rough and at times dangerous to swim in or surf. After eating we reunite with the rest of the group to enjoy beers beach side, and the occasional brief dip, in the violent rough sea. When we return to the hostel we decide to split a bottle of rum, and the drinking begins... continuing into the night. My painful ear however making me less keen to socialise.
This morning we meet our other room mates, Alex and Ludwig (German) and Erik (Filipino). We all walk down to the beach for breakfast together, ending up at Playa Roca.. we chill, eat and get to know each other.
After breakfast we head back to the hostel where we get our stuff together ready for a day at the beach. Having chatted so long during breaky it isn't long before a few of us are hungry again. Soon we are back at the beach, I decide to eat at a local soda type set up... Erik and Lisa head off to find alternatives... as I am tucking into my delicious food, I open my eyes to see they have returned.. they have made the right choice! My food, whilst enjoying it, is quickly gone.
The sea here, similar to the pacific coast in Costa Rica, is rough and at times dangerous to swim in or surf. After eating we reunite with the rest of the group to enjoy beers beach side, and the occasional brief dip, in the violent rough sea. When we return to the hostel we decide to split a bottle of rum, and the drinking begins... continuing into the night. My painful ear however making me less keen to socialise.
Juevea 30 de julio - León
Me, Lisa and Erik have decided that we will do the Volcano Boarding Activitiy today... when's the next time that is going to be an option for us? (Well... Erik in fact works and lives in Managua, Nicaragua so just a few hours drive..!)
Erik has his jeep so he drives us back to León... we leave early in order to attempt to get on the morning trip... (Although having gone to bed late I am tired and would much rather a lie in..!)
In León we try to locate Sonati, an organisation linked to community projects that run tourist trips. The German's took two tours with them so have recommended them to us. We ask around but no locals seem sure so instead we go to the touristy, huge hostel... BigFoot... there are three spaces left to at 9am but in total there are nearly 50 people going... ridiculous! We decide to continue to look elsewhere... and end up changing plans to take the afternoon 1pm tour with Sonati. This gives us time to have breakfast, relax/nap beforehand. We eat at the French Bakery and then find a hostel to stay for the night... again recommended by the German guys. Lisa is feeling unwell so it is good to have some time to rest.
Before heading back to Sonati for the tour we grab some food supplies in the supermarket and then arrive to find 3 more travellers on our trip... perfect! The ride to Cerro Negro (the Volcano we will be boarding down..!) is bumpy after turning off from the main road, but the jeep can cope on this terrain.
After signing in we continue to the base of the volcano where we jump out of the jeep and get geared up. The climb is at times tiring when steep and very windy walking across the top, difficult whilst carrying the board... the views are still impressive, despite the clouds blocking out the sun, which in turn provides a cooler climate. This active volcano has hot steaming rocks close to the crater! We get ourselves into the green jump suits to wear when boarding and our guide explains how to use the board... then we are off...
It is great fun... we are left wishing we could go back up and do it again!
In the evening we meet up with Merel, head off for some food and then spend the evening at a local bar with a great atmosphere for Thursday night Salsa... my favourite!
Viernes 31 de julio - Granada
This morning, after a cooked breakfast included at the hostel, I am saying my goodbyes to Lisa and Erik who are heading onto Ometepe... for me the beginning of the end of my travels are looming...
I make my way via two local shuttle buses to Granada... three hours later arriving back at 'De Boca en Boca', my last stop in Nicaragua. On check in I meet George, a volunteer from Bristol. I soon head out for lunch and find an internet cafe where I write up another update... soon this blog will be over...
In the evening me and George drink beers and chat at the hostel before continuing onto a different hostel in the area where we share a bottle of rum (so cheap out here... it's criminal not buying a bottle..!) finally ended up at a bar with a large group of travellers, where I acquire myself a new questionable hat!
Sabado 1 de agosto - Granada
I awake feeling the affects of the night before... but unlike the case when I return to the U.K, still with money in pocket... the lack of water has been my biggest problem resulting in a day of suffering. I climb the church opposite the hostel, at times making me feel dizzy climbing the windy stair case, the fantastic views are worth it. After enjoying a smoothie at The Garden Cafe, recommended to me by Julie and Phillip, I am starting to feel back on track. I skype with Iris, so much has happened since we both saw each other last so its nice to catch up, Italy will a time for partying and more great weather!
I spend the rest of the afternoon and evening reflecting on the roller coaster of a year I have been on... looking back through pictures from my first few months... which seem like an age ago... was that me... was that everything I have done and seen... an emotional time of happiness. I must now build on this experience..
Domingo 2 de agosto - Alajuela
I am up early... my return home looming closer now on the horizon... my time away is coming to an end...
I decide to wait at the hostel to enjoy the breakfast before embarking on my days travel back into Costa Rica to Alajuela, the nearest town to the international airport.
I walk to the local bus stop, and climb onto a bus waiting to depart... from just the brief 10 minute walk I am covered in sweat due to the humidity, I struggle slightly loading my heavy bag on... encouraged on by onlooking travellers. I chat on route with a German traveller and then at Rivas, two hours later, I change onto my second public bus that will take me the last stretch to the border. I spot Lisa and Merel outside, so I shout and whistle, but only with the help of a young local boy who gets their attention they see me and we briefly chat.
At the border I quickly get a bus sorted that will take me from this point all the way to Alajuela, the direct TransNica Bus. After clearing immigration, I am soon back in Costa Rica... a quicker process... and on my way to my final destination. On the bus I meet and sit next to Abiel. Around five hours later, after a few dodgy movies and a stop on route for food, we arrive outside the airport. Together me and Abiel take a local bus into Alajuela where he helps me locate my hostel for the night.
After saying my goodbyes and thanks I begin walking across the street to the hostel.. and suddenly I am grabbed from behind...!!
It's Jared!! Both Jared and Rachel have made the journey from San Jose to Alajuela to see me one last time and share the final night of my 11 month travel adventure with me... how great it is too meet and make new friends, a fantastic feeling. We drink, catch up, laugh and enjoy this final time together. They take a midnight bus back to San Jose and I get a few hours sleep...
Lunes 3 de agosto
I am up at 3.50am, ready to take the free hostel shuttle to the airport. At the airport, the line for departures is queuing outside... all because of the $29 departure tax! After a brief panic... unprepared... with only $20 in cash... my card clears the payment and I am checking in my luggage, collecting my two boarding passes... ready for my three flights home...
Tuesday 4th August - London
And so... After 11 months... 48 weeks... 344 days... I'm back in the U.K... an emotional roller coaster... an incredible year...
The quote of the year...
'Life's not a rehearsal... GET ON WITH IT'
This morning, after a cooked breakfast included at the hostel, I am saying my goodbyes to Lisa and Erik who are heading onto Ometepe... for me the beginning of the end of my travels are looming...
I make my way via two local shuttle buses to Granada... three hours later arriving back at 'De Boca en Boca', my last stop in Nicaragua. On check in I meet George, a volunteer from Bristol. I soon head out for lunch and find an internet cafe where I write up another update... soon this blog will be over...
In the evening me and George drink beers and chat at the hostel before continuing onto a different hostel in the area where we share a bottle of rum (so cheap out here... it's criminal not buying a bottle..!) finally ended up at a bar with a large group of travellers, where I acquire myself a new questionable hat!
Sabado 1 de agosto - Granada
I awake feeling the affects of the night before... but unlike the case when I return to the U.K, still with money in pocket... the lack of water has been my biggest problem resulting in a day of suffering. I climb the church opposite the hostel, at times making me feel dizzy climbing the windy stair case, the fantastic views are worth it. After enjoying a smoothie at The Garden Cafe, recommended to me by Julie and Phillip, I am starting to feel back on track. I skype with Iris, so much has happened since we both saw each other last so its nice to catch up, Italy will a time for partying and more great weather!
I spend the rest of the afternoon and evening reflecting on the roller coaster of a year I have been on... looking back through pictures from my first few months... which seem like an age ago... was that me... was that everything I have done and seen... an emotional time of happiness. I must now build on this experience..
Domingo 2 de agosto - Alajuela
I am up early... my return home looming closer now on the horizon... my time away is coming to an end...
I decide to wait at the hostel to enjoy the breakfast before embarking on my days travel back into Costa Rica to Alajuela, the nearest town to the international airport.
I walk to the local bus stop, and climb onto a bus waiting to depart... from just the brief 10 minute walk I am covered in sweat due to the humidity, I struggle slightly loading my heavy bag on... encouraged on by onlooking travellers. I chat on route with a German traveller and then at Rivas, two hours later, I change onto my second public bus that will take me the last stretch to the border. I spot Lisa and Merel outside, so I shout and whistle, but only with the help of a young local boy who gets their attention they see me and we briefly chat.
At the border I quickly get a bus sorted that will take me from this point all the way to Alajuela, the direct TransNica Bus. After clearing immigration, I am soon back in Costa Rica... a quicker process... and on my way to my final destination. On the bus I meet and sit next to Abiel. Around five hours later, after a few dodgy movies and a stop on route for food, we arrive outside the airport. Together me and Abiel take a local bus into Alajuela where he helps me locate my hostel for the night.
After saying my goodbyes and thanks I begin walking across the street to the hostel.. and suddenly I am grabbed from behind...!!
It's Jared!! Both Jared and Rachel have made the journey from San Jose to Alajuela to see me one last time and share the final night of my 11 month travel adventure with me... how great it is too meet and make new friends, a fantastic feeling. We drink, catch up, laugh and enjoy this final time together. They take a midnight bus back to San Jose and I get a few hours sleep...
Lunes 3 de agosto
I am up at 3.50am, ready to take the free hostel shuttle to the airport. At the airport, the line for departures is queuing outside... all because of the $29 departure tax! After a brief panic... unprepared... with only $20 in cash... my card clears the payment and I am checking in my luggage, collecting my two boarding passes... ready for my three flights home...
Tuesday 4th August - London
And so... After 11 months... 48 weeks... 344 days... I'm back in the U.K... an emotional roller coaster... an incredible year...
The quote of the year...
'Life's not a rehearsal... GET ON WITH IT'
