May 2, Big Corn Island, Nicaragua

Slow relaxing start... trying to get into island life! sitting on deck having coffee.... at least there is coffee... Italian made with Nicaraguan coffee! Very good! But that is it, there is no kitchen at the moment.

Off to a restaurant down the road. I walked back a different way, actually along the airport runway! Hilarious as there is a hole in the fence where people can take a short cut across the runway to get the other side! Saves having to go around!

After breakfast I headed off to walk around the island. It is supposed to take about 4 hours.
I was gone for 6! But I did stop at the dive shop and booked in for the next day.... stopped for several swims... and watched 3 guys as they cleaned a June fish, part of the groper family. Huge... 6 feet long and had to be 6 feet around the middle! He got it with a spear gun! I also stopped and had dinner on Arenas Beach. Beautiful! Lots of white sand, gradually sloping into the water! There is a lot of people in this area. Much busier that where I am.

It was a great day although I did wonder what I had got myself into as I was scrambling over huge rocks around 1 point... that took about 1 1/2 hours!


May 1, Big Corn Island, Nicaragua

A short 1 1/2 hour flight on a plane that seated about 12 people! Very small. I sat behind the pilot and could see most of the instruments. Great views! There was some thunderstorms which he seemed to fly around but the best part was flying over and onto Big Corn Island. Amazing!

There is only 1 runway and the airport is very small.

Got a taxi, 20 cordoba anywhere on the island! 22 cordobas are $1 Cdn!
The hotel is run by an Italian guy and is just across the road from the beach! Very nice.

There are also 3 shipwrecks just down a bit. Seems like a great place.

Spent the afternoon just sitting on the deck and talking to the owner...over a couple of beers. It is a tough life! And of course I had to check the water out! Very warm.
I can sit on the deck and watch people go by, many will smile and say hello!
Interesting as there is a lot of English spoken on the island. Apparently it is the number 2 language here, after Mosquito, the areas indigenous language.

The island is a mix of Mosquito and Creole but like the owner of this hotel there are other foreigners that have businesses on the island, including some Canadians!

I went for dinner at the hotel next door... pizza...shrimp and lobster with pesto! Different but actually very good!


April 30, Managua, Nicaragua

Up at 4 am to catch my flight.....a very long day.
The flight is only about 4 hours so not too bad.
Arrived in Managua and I supposed to have a driver but I could not find him. Apparently he was there, but who knows!
Got to hotel, checked in. It is very near the airport so nice and the hotel itself is only 8 months old. Very nice. Managua is very hot and humid! I may even have to use the AC! i did not do much as i was tired....relaxed at hotel, talked to some other guests and the people at front desk.

I went for dinner at a restaurant down the street. Very good, although basic!
Interesting as the area is a gated area. The houses are very nice on fairly large lots.