Got a taxi to the airport around 4:00am. Got checked in and waited.
Nothing exciting happened today. All I really have to say is that going through US customs and baggage at Houston was a royal pain the ass. It took soooo long. It's a good thing I had an almost 4 hour layover or I would've missed my flight. It ended up that my flight to Calgary got delayed by couple of hours as well, so didn't get back to Calgary until about 7:15pm.
Tracy picked me up, we went out for supper, and then I went home and crashed!
And that wraps up my 34 day trip to Honduras and Nicaragua.
Monday, June 03, 2013
Sunday, June 02, 2013
Off to Managua - Almost finished. :-(
Tried to sleep in a bit, as there's nothing planned for today. We are catching a shuttle to Managua at 11:30am.
We had breakfast then just hung around the hostel for the morning.
The shuttle was uneventful. It dropped us off at the Tika bus station in Managua, which has a hotel and where dad had a reservation. Our first air conditioning of the whole trip, brrrr was it cold when you're not used to it!
We headed out to find something to eat for lunch. Most of the places were closed, but we did find one place that was selling food "buffet-style", you picked what you wanted, she'd scoop it on a plate. You could then sit down in a open-air table area and they'll bring it to you, and get your drinks for you. We had white rice and another rice dish, kind of like chicken fried rice, then a chicken thing with some sort of creamy alfredo-type sauce that had a bit of kick to it (this was amazingly delicious!) and some beef ribs. It was all very good and very cheap, as it was a local restaurant, not a tourist one.
We walked back to the hotel and did nothing for the rest of the day.
Went to bed kind of early, as I have to get up at 3:30am or so to get to the airport.
We had breakfast then just hung around the hostel for the morning.
The shuttle was uneventful. It dropped us off at the Tika bus station in Managua, which has a hotel and where dad had a reservation. Our first air conditioning of the whole trip, brrrr was it cold when you're not used to it!
We headed out to find something to eat for lunch. Most of the places were closed, but we did find one place that was selling food "buffet-style", you picked what you wanted, she'd scoop it on a plate. You could then sit down in a open-air table area and they'll bring it to you, and get your drinks for you. We had white rice and another rice dish, kind of like chicken fried rice, then a chicken thing with some sort of creamy alfredo-type sauce that had a bit of kick to it (this was amazingly delicious!) and some beef ribs. It was all very good and very cheap, as it was a local restaurant, not a tourist one.
We walked back to the hotel and did nothing for the rest of the day.
Went to bed kind of early, as I have to get up at 3:30am or so to get to the airport.
Saturday, June 01, 2013
Isla de Ometepe
Up early, 5:15 to pack and get ready for our 6:00am pickup for the Isla de Ometepe tour. It was about a one hour drive south through Rivas to San Jorge to catch the ferry to Moyogalpa, about 1-1.5 hours, where our guide, Erik, met us.
First we had some breakfast then we went to La Punta de Jesus Maria, a sand point filled with lots and lots of shells that you wouldn't expect to see in a lake. However, this lake was part of the ocean at one point, but got cut off from the ocean due to volcanic activity. It has slowly lost its salinity, and apparently has a lot of unique fish species because of this, including shark and sawfish. The sand point may have been connected to the mainland at one point as well.
Then to Charco Verde, a natural reserve with a green lagoon (because of the algae) and lots of flora and fauna. It was a very overcast day, so the colors didn't really come out, unfortunately. We saw half a dozen howler monkeys. It was hard to get clear shots of them through the foliage. Also saw plenty of birds.
Then to see petroglyphs, which are up to 5000 years old. Then we headed for lunch at a resort along a huge stretch of beach. Lunch was not good at all, both dad and I agreed.
Then we headed to a natural springs (Ojo de Agua). Our guide told us they were neither hot nor cold, but just right. I jumped and near froze to death! It was cold to me!
The morning started off very cloudy and both volcanoes were completely obscured and it even drizzled a bit on us. As the day wore on, the clouds somewhat cleared from the volcanoes, allowing some decent pictures. The bigger volcano is Concepción and is still active. The smaller one is Maderas and is now extinct.
Back to the ferry about 3:45 and back to our hostel after 6:00pm.
I really liked Ometepe. It would have been awesome to stay a few days and rent a motorbike and explore the island. Lots and lots of backpackers around. This is the first place I've been in either Honduras or Nicaragua that would make me consider another trip to Nicaragua.
Around 7:30, we headed to O'Shea's Irish Pub again, as we really liked the food we had last night. Danielle and Alice showed up randomly, so sat with us.
Back to the hostel about 10:00, did some journal stuff and then to bed.
First we had some breakfast then we went to La Punta de Jesus Maria, a sand point filled with lots and lots of shells that you wouldn't expect to see in a lake. However, this lake was part of the ocean at one point, but got cut off from the ocean due to volcanic activity. It has slowly lost its salinity, and apparently has a lot of unique fish species because of this, including shark and sawfish. The sand point may have been connected to the mainland at one point as well.
Then to Charco Verde, a natural reserve with a green lagoon (because of the algae) and lots of flora and fauna. It was a very overcast day, so the colors didn't really come out, unfortunately. We saw half a dozen howler monkeys. It was hard to get clear shots of them through the foliage. Also saw plenty of birds.
Then to see petroglyphs, which are up to 5000 years old. Then we headed for lunch at a resort along a huge stretch of beach. Lunch was not good at all, both dad and I agreed.
Then we headed to a natural springs (Ojo de Agua). Our guide told us they were neither hot nor cold, but just right. I jumped and near froze to death! It was cold to me!
The morning started off very cloudy and both volcanoes were completely obscured and it even drizzled a bit on us. As the day wore on, the clouds somewhat cleared from the volcanoes, allowing some decent pictures. The bigger volcano is Concepción and is still active. The smaller one is Maderas and is now extinct.
Back to the ferry about 3:45 and back to our hostel after 6:00pm.
I really liked Ometepe. It would have been awesome to stay a few days and rent a motorbike and explore the island. Lots and lots of backpackers around. This is the first place I've been in either Honduras or Nicaragua that would make me consider another trip to Nicaragua.
Around 7:30, we headed to O'Shea's Irish Pub again, as we really liked the food we had last night. Danielle and Alice showed up randomly, so sat with us.
Back to the hostel about 10:00, did some journal stuff and then to bed.
Friday, May 31, 2013
The Tourist
Dad got up early, as usual, as we were going to go kayaking early this morning to see the lake, but they locked up all the kayaks last night and there was no one around to unlock them. So much for that idea!
When the kitchen opened, we ordered breakfast, paid our stay and hung out until the shuttle came, about 10:45.
Back to Oasis Hostel in Granada, got our old room back. We hit an ATM to grab a bit more cash, as we don't have enough to last us. Then we booked a day tour of Isla de Ometepe, walked to an artisan market, then walked through a huge local market.
About 7:30pm, we headed to O'Shea's Irish Pub to meet up with Danielle and Alice, who we had met in Leon. Very nice evening, we sat outdoors. I had a great tasting filet mignon.
Headed home around 9:00pm, when it started to spit a bit.
I normally don't post pictures during my regular blog updates, but I need to for this. When we got back to Granada, dad did laundry, so pulled out a bunch of new clothes to put on for the day. This is what I had to walk around with today:
When the kitchen opened, we ordered breakfast, paid our stay and hung out until the shuttle came, about 10:45.
Back to Oasis Hostel in Granada, got our old room back. We hit an ATM to grab a bit more cash, as we don't have enough to last us. Then we booked a day tour of Isla de Ometepe, walked to an artisan market, then walked through a huge local market.
About 7:30pm, we headed to O'Shea's Irish Pub to meet up with Danielle and Alice, who we had met in Leon. Very nice evening, we sat outdoors. I had a great tasting filet mignon.
Headed home around 9:00pm, when it started to spit a bit.
I normally don't post pictures during my regular blog updates, but I need to for this. When we got back to Granada, dad did laundry, so pulled out a bunch of new clothes to put on for the day. This is what I had to walk around with today:
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Laguna de Apoyo
Got up and had breakfast. Packed and checked out and got the shuttle to Laguna de Apoyo, Paradiso Hostal. A crater lake, Laguna de Apoyo is clean and a very comfortable temperature. Paradiso Hostel is a nice place too.
I went for a swim in the lake, had a beer at the lakefront lounge and had lunch. We talked with a German girl for a while.
Very relaxing here. They have kayaks, but dad and me are going to take them out early tomorrow morning instead, when most of the animals will be active. Lots of bird life here!
Did lots of reading. I think dad may have been a bit bored, as he had nothing to waste away his time, except his computer. But I think he still enjoyed the quiet and solitude.
There was a small shower this afternoon.
We had burgers for supper, very good burgers. I love the third world french fries as well, Canadian french fry makers don't hold a candle to them. In third world countries, they don't try to do anything special or fancy with them (i.e. spices).
With nothing to do and the rest of the guests having appeard to disappear from the hostel, dad went to bed early, like 8:00 or 8:30 I think. I stayed up reading until after 10:00pm before going to bed.
I went for a swim in the lake, had a beer at the lakefront lounge and had lunch. We talked with a German girl for a while.
Very relaxing here. They have kayaks, but dad and me are going to take them out early tomorrow morning instead, when most of the animals will be active. Lots of bird life here!
Did lots of reading. I think dad may have been a bit bored, as he had nothing to waste away his time, except his computer. But I think he still enjoyed the quiet and solitude.
There was a small shower this afternoon.
We had burgers for supper, very good burgers. I love the third world french fries as well, Canadian french fry makers don't hold a candle to them. In third world countries, they don't try to do anything special or fancy with them (i.e. spices).
With nothing to do and the rest of the guests having appeard to disappear from the hostel, dad went to bed early, like 8:00 or 8:30 I think. I stayed up reading until after 10:00pm before going to bed.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Dad Waves at Prostitutes
Got up about 8:00am after being awake for a few hours laying in bed. It's a free all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast (with bananas and coffee/tea) at the hostel.
The city tour guide picked us up about 9:00 for our city tour, which wasn't as interesting as the one in Leon.
Back to the hostel around noon, when we went to a ABM (for dad) and I bought some dresses for Tracy. It's hard, I have to try and size the dress based on mannequins that look about Tracy's size. Hehe.
Sent an email to Paradiso Hostel at Laguna de Apoyo, a hostel at a deep, clean, volcanic crater lake near Granada. I tried to do some laundry by hand. Had a dip in the pool, then journal stuff and relaxing.
Dad got an email from Danielle, one of the Dutch girls from Leon, inviting us to an Irish pub for trivia night and a beer tonight at 7:30. We said yes.
A big storm hit about 5:00pm, massive downpour and lightning and thunder. By 7:30, it was still raining a bit, but we decided to go to the pub anyway, as we needed to eat. We assumed they wouldn't go out in the rain, and I further assumed the rain would ruin the outdoor seating at the pub and the trivia wouldn't happen anyway. I was correct, there were a few people braving the rain, but the pub was not busy. Remember the three prostitutes hanging around outside, under umbrella's, waving in at us, and dad waving back at them.
Back to the hostel around 9:00, still raining. At least the power hasn't gone out yet.
To bed around 11:00, and BAM, the power went out! We both groaned and complained to each other. Fortunately, it came back on about 20 minutes later. The power did go out periodically throughout the night, but only for a few minutes at a time, so it wasn't bad. The room was pleasant with the door open and the fans going.
The city tour guide picked us up about 9:00 for our city tour, which wasn't as interesting as the one in Leon.
Back to the hostel around noon, when we went to a ABM (for dad) and I bought some dresses for Tracy. It's hard, I have to try and size the dress based on mannequins that look about Tracy's size. Hehe.
Sent an email to Paradiso Hostel at Laguna de Apoyo, a hostel at a deep, clean, volcanic crater lake near Granada. I tried to do some laundry by hand. Had a dip in the pool, then journal stuff and relaxing.
Dad got an email from Danielle, one of the Dutch girls from Leon, inviting us to an Irish pub for trivia night and a beer tonight at 7:30. We said yes.
A big storm hit about 5:00pm, massive downpour and lightning and thunder. By 7:30, it was still raining a bit, but we decided to go to the pub anyway, as we needed to eat. We assumed they wouldn't go out in the rain, and I further assumed the rain would ruin the outdoor seating at the pub and the trivia wouldn't happen anyway. I was correct, there were a few people braving the rain, but the pub was not busy. Remember the three prostitutes hanging around outside, under umbrella's, waving in at us, and dad waving back at them.
Back to the hostel around 9:00, still raining. At least the power hasn't gone out yet.
To bed around 11:00, and BAM, the power went out! We both groaned and complained to each other. Fortunately, it came back on about 20 minutes later. The power did go out periodically throughout the night, but only for a few minutes at a time, so it wasn't bad. The room was pleasant with the door open and the fans going.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Granada
Up early again. Did some research on hostels in Granada on Trip Advisor, decided on Hostal Oasis.
A somewhat small and cramped minivan with 5 others already on board picked us up shortly after 10:00. About 30 minutes outside of Leon, Alexandra realized she left her passport between the mattress and box spring at the hostel. Another guy on the shuttle who was fluent in both Spanish and English called up Colibri and arranged for a private car to race her passport to the airport in Managua so she wouldn't miss her flight. That cost her $65US.
We dropped Alexandra and another girl off at the airport, then on to Granada. The bus dropped us off at the Oasis Hostel. Private rooms with private bath for $28/night. If we want A/C, it's an extra $15/night, but we'll see how the first night goes without A/C.
Went walking around downtown Granada, a very nice downtown. The government is obviously making Granada the home of tourism, all the old colonial buildings are restored and it's all very touristy, with the touts and beggars that go along with it.
Had lunch at a cafe, then to Tierra Tours office to see the tours they offer. Booked a city tour for tomorrow morning, then walked along the promenade that has tons of cafe's and bars and tourist shops, then a whole kilometre of under construction promenade all the way to the lakefront. Including kids begging for money.
Back to the hostel. It's very busy with backpackers, tons of them here. We have a room on the second floor overlooking the pool, hopefully it's not noisy at night.
We actually didn't do much of anything at all. I read all evening plus some journal stuff, jumped in the pool in the afternoon for a bit.
Headed to bed shortly before 11pm, and just as I walked through the room door (dad was already in bed), the power went out. Dad tried to blame me, I think he was in a half sleep state, kept asking me what I'd done to the power. Anyway, without power (and fans), the room got stifling hot pretty quick. I think I fell asleep maybe after two hours of laying awake sweating. At some point in the night the power did come back on. I woke up, I dunno, maybe between 4 and 5 am and the fans were going again. But then the power went of again a short time later and I laid there begging the fans to start swirling again. They finally came back on, maybe 6:30 or 7. I'd be pretty upset if I had paid $15 extra for A/C and the power was out for half the night.
A somewhat small and cramped minivan with 5 others already on board picked us up shortly after 10:00. About 30 minutes outside of Leon, Alexandra realized she left her passport between the mattress and box spring at the hostel. Another guy on the shuttle who was fluent in both Spanish and English called up Colibri and arranged for a private car to race her passport to the airport in Managua so she wouldn't miss her flight. That cost her $65US.
We dropped Alexandra and another girl off at the airport, then on to Granada. The bus dropped us off at the Oasis Hostel. Private rooms with private bath for $28/night. If we want A/C, it's an extra $15/night, but we'll see how the first night goes without A/C.
Went walking around downtown Granada, a very nice downtown. The government is obviously making Granada the home of tourism, all the old colonial buildings are restored and it's all very touristy, with the touts and beggars that go along with it.
Had lunch at a cafe, then to Tierra Tours office to see the tours they offer. Booked a city tour for tomorrow morning, then walked along the promenade that has tons of cafe's and bars and tourist shops, then a whole kilometre of under construction promenade all the way to the lakefront. Including kids begging for money.
Back to the hostel. It's very busy with backpackers, tons of them here. We have a room on the second floor overlooking the pool, hopefully it's not noisy at night.
We actually didn't do much of anything at all. I read all evening plus some journal stuff, jumped in the pool in the afternoon for a bit.
Headed to bed shortly before 11pm, and just as I walked through the room door (dad was already in bed), the power went out. Dad tried to blame me, I think he was in a half sleep state, kept asking me what I'd done to the power. Anyway, without power (and fans), the room got stifling hot pretty quick. I think I fell asleep maybe after two hours of laying awake sweating. At some point in the night the power did come back on. I woke up, I dunno, maybe between 4 and 5 am and the fans were going again. But then the power went of again a short time later and I laid there begging the fans to start swirling again. They finally came back on, maybe 6:30 or 7. I'd be pretty upset if I had paid $15 extra for A/C and the power was out for half the night.
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