Traveling In Style
The past week we have been in Ometepe, which is the largest island in the largest lake in the world. There are 35,000 people that call the island home. It is a very cool island with two volcanoes. There once was one volcano on each side but the lava eventually connected them into one island. We stayed on the isthmus. Our hospedaje was very expensive, $10 a night. But check it out! It was clean, beautiful, and right on the lake.
While we were there, Sean hiked Volcan Maderas (I was still sick). We rented bikes, hiked, and went horseback riding (my butt is still sore). It was really a nice week.
At the horse rental stables across from our hotel, they would dump all their old bananas and plantains into a pit every day. And the cara blanca (white faced) monkeys would come down and eat the bananas. We were walking back from breakfast one morning and discovered this. The locals thought we were funny taking pictures of the monkeys, because it would be like if you went to Central Park and were like “oh my god! Squirrels! Take pictures!” So in my horrible Spanish I told them (I think) we just don’t have them in the US. So they let me feed one! Her name is Fredericka, and she was the only one that would take a banana by hand.
Our ferry back to the mainland was very expensive as well at $3. But look what three bucks will get you! Yes we were on a barge with fruit and grains and Hello Kitty. Look at the safety railings. Oh wait, there aren’t any! Your gear, as well as you, the produce, and everything else on the deck slides back and forth with the waves. Thank you motion sickness pills!
And after two hours on the ferry we took a mini bus to San Juan del Sur. All for $1! And what will one dollar get you? It will get you on a mini bus -like a mini van with 2 seats on each side and an “aisle” in the middle. With 30 people. I am not kidding. Sean was a row in front of me and I did not see him for one hour. I am actually proud of myself for not jumping out the window during the trip. Or at least out the side door, which you may be able to see someone hanging out of it the whole trip.
But we made it to San Juan del Sur in one piece. It is a town right on the Pacific coast, very close to Costa Rica. A very large community of expats live here as well. Right now it is kind of rainy and gray, but we hope to do some exploring today. Although if it is as exciting as our travel day yesterday, I am not sure I can handle it!
