Nicaragua by the sea

We were so relieved when we arrived into Nicaragua after our 5 day whiz through Costa Rica. The people were more genuine, they spoke Spanish(!) and after only half an hour upon entering the country we were greeted by a massive lake containing two volcanoes.


This guy was staying in our hostel, before heading out for the day he picked up his parrot, put it on his bike, lit a cigar and off he went
We headed straight to San Juan Del Sur, a cute bay close to some great surf beaches. Along the way we met a guy from Texas who reminded us that the following day was Australia Day, so we made a pledge that we'd celebrate together, in true Aussie style, on the beach with a beer in hand. We hired bikes the next morning, and rode off slightly shakily as the wheels were a little wonky and the brakes had very slow reaction speeds. Nonetheless we rode along bumpy dirt roads for an hour before hitting the beautiful beach - Playa Madera. We spent the day thrashing about in the waves and drinking far too many beers before riding back to town with probably a bit more confidence than sense.





We'd been recommended a surf retreat hostel 30 miles up the coast, so the following day (with slightly sore heads) the three of us headed to Playa Popoya, renowned for its great breaks. It was a bit of a mission to get to along dirt roads, however it was worth it for the sweeping views across the sea as the hostel was perched on a cliff looking out on the ocean. Unfortunately though it was frightfully expensive for us backpackers, so we could only afford a one night stay. In the evening we took some bevvies down to the beach to watch the stars and we came across literally thousands of hermit crabs knocking their shells together as they scuttled across the beach. It was an amazing sight as the sand was alive with a sea of colour.




Leaving Popoyo was quite an adventure, after waiting for a local bus for half an hour, we decided to try our luck at hitching a ride. The first truck that came our way stopped upon reaching us and we all jumped in nestled between giant eskys filled with fish. Clinging onto our bags and also to the eskys due to lack of secure railings (!) we bumped and jumped along dirt roads at crazy speeds for an hour whist consuming copious amounts of dust. At one point, our driver stopped to reveal a huge bright green lizard, 'a friend of his' he told us, though what he proceeded to do was not something that you would normally do to your amigo - hit him and then place him in a bag. But then this is Latin America.

Reasonably fresh before the ride

Caked in an inch of dust after the ride