Day 469 Wednesday 16th December 2015
The next stop Nicaraguan immigration and customs, this was much quicker and I was out of there within an hour.
I then headed for Leon which is a Spanish styled town. These Spanish towns are very common in the Americas and I’m starting to get a bit blasé about them now. There was a nice view of some volcanoes on the way.
The next stop Nicaraguan immigration and customs, this was much quicker and I was out of there within an hour.
I then headed for Leon which is a Spanish styled town. These Spanish towns are very common in the Americas and I’m starting to get a bit blasé about them now. There was a nice view of some volcanoes on the way.
Day 470 Thursday 17th December
Today was my last full day in Nicaragua. I headed south east on fairly straight and very smooth roads to the old town of Granada. Granada is probably the best preserved Spanish styled town in Nicaragua. From there I continued south past many agricultural fields. There is a mix of new and old farming. In many instances bullocks or horse and carts are used alongside large modern tractors, which often can be seen holding traffic up on the main roads.
Today was my last full day in Nicaragua. I headed south east on fairly straight and very smooth roads to the old town of Granada. Granada is probably the best preserved Spanish styled town in Nicaragua. From there I continued south past many agricultural fields. There is a mix of new and old farming. In many instances bullocks or horse and carts are used alongside large modern tractors, which often can be seen holding traffic up on the main roads.
I'm not sure what these crops are but they were everywhere.
As I approached a town the police who were parked on motorcycles on the side of the road blew a whistle and pulled me over. They starting speaking to me in Spanish, I said to them no espaniol , English. The officer that was doing the talking motioned that I was travelling in the left lane when I should have been in the right on a dual carriageway because I was riding a motorcycle. He said something about registration so I showed him the registration ticket by my number plate. He wanted me to remove my helmet which I did. Then he said 100 dollars. I said no comprende
It was clear he wanted a bribe. I pointed to other motorcycles that were riding in the left-hand lane and started to laugh. He said 100 dollars; I said I have no money nodding my head side to side laughing and putting my helmet back on. He started to laugh and then the other officers waved me on.
As the roads were so straight and smooth, I made good time today. I stopped off at Lake Nicaragua and peered at the volcanoes in the middle. There was also an abundance of bird life; it was interesting watching them catch small fish. As I was watching the bird life unbeknown to me, I was being watched. A motorcycle enthusiast had seen my bike and came down for a chat. He spoke great English.
It was clear he wanted a bribe. I pointed to other motorcycles that were riding in the left-hand lane and started to laugh. He said 100 dollars; I said I have no money nodding my head side to side laughing and putting my helmet back on. He started to laugh and then the other officers waved me on.
As the roads were so straight and smooth, I made good time today. I stopped off at Lake Nicaragua and peered at the volcanoes in the middle. There was also an abundance of bird life; it was interesting watching them catch small fish. As I was watching the bird life unbeknown to me, I was being watched. A motorcycle enthusiast had seen my bike and came down for a chat. He spoke great English.
A prominent reminder of the power of nature.
I then headed to Player Maderas by the beach. I pitched my tent and went for a swim in the sea. It was tepid and refreshing.
After a swim I sat in a chair and watched the waves lap the beach. I watched the young people attempt to surf on their hired boards. I watched a young woman throw a coconut to a young frisky dog into the surf and I contemplated. I contemplated how quickly time passes. Today is my birthday, I’m 51. This time last year I had my wife and children with me in Thailand celebrating my 50th.
If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s to make every day count. It’s too easy to be trapped in a hum drum existence. One day it will be all over and there’s no chance to do anything different.
To celebrate my birthday, I had dinner and a beer next to the beach, just after the sun had set. It was a nice location, but life is really about the people you share your time with.
After a swim I sat in a chair and watched the waves lap the beach. I watched the young people attempt to surf on their hired boards. I watched a young woman throw a coconut to a young frisky dog into the surf and I contemplated. I contemplated how quickly time passes. Today is my birthday, I’m 51. This time last year I had my wife and children with me in Thailand celebrating my 50th.
If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s to make every day count. It’s too easy to be trapped in a hum drum existence. One day it will be all over and there’s no chance to do anything different.
To celebrate my birthday, I had dinner and a beer next to the beach, just after the sun had set. It was a nice location, but life is really about the people you share your time with.
A nice view for a quiet birthday dinner.
A cold local beer.
Cheers all!
The wind had dropped and the night was warm. In my tent it was hot, so I decided to get up and go for a walk on the beach. The surf was calm and the beach was alive with hundreds of hermit crabs. There were small ones, medium ones and a few large ones. I made sure I didn’t squash any as I walked by. When I shone a light on them and stood near them, they shot back into their shells. It was an interesting site.
Day 471 Friday 18th December 2015
I awoke at 5:40am to the sound of Latino music. The bar near where I was staying had obviously opened. It was a good opportunity to get up early and pack up. While taking the tent down I noticed I‘d had a few visitors. There were a few 30mm crabs scurrying away.
After a coffee and breakfast, I headed off down the dusty dirt road that let back to the main road.
As I’m heading further south the border crossings seem to be taking longer and longer. Today it took 4 hours to exit Nicaragua and enter Costa Rica.
Day 471 Friday 18th December 2015
I awoke at 5:40am to the sound of Latino music. The bar near where I was staying had obviously opened. It was a good opportunity to get up early and pack up. While taking the tent down I noticed I‘d had a few visitors. There were a few 30mm crabs scurrying away.
After a coffee and breakfast, I headed off down the dusty dirt road that let back to the main road.
As I’m heading further south the border crossings seem to be taking longer and longer. Today it took 4 hours to exit Nicaragua and enter Costa Rica.
RSS Feed
