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DAY 65, Dec. 14, Nicaragua Border and Leon, Temp 19-30C, (450/10,345km)
Awoke from a chilly night, had a crap breakfast which was included and got out of Comayagua after a 5 minute tour. Some construction first then we were welcomed by 50km of beautiful pavement! C8R8T2/3V8, Climbing up and down the mountains to Tegucigalpa, Honduras which was the easiest big city to get through so far was a joy. The road as we closed on the Border was good too, C7R7/8T3V7 through farming country side and foothills.
construction to start the day |
Beautiful views in the distance after leaving Comayagua |
Amazing road and curves before Tegucigalpa, Hond. |
Reminded me of Canada on the way to Tegucigalpa, C8R8T2/3V8
10,000km ON THE TRIP!!! (About 50km after Tegucigalpa) |
More distant views on the way to the Nicaragua border |
Awesome work kid! |
Road close to Los Manos, Nicaragua Border
C7R7/8T3V7
Borders always have Trucks lined up. So happy to be on a Bike! |
Fumigation of the bikes |
Rip off change lady mostly because we didn't have space to think with all the helpers around. |
Helper Porqui for only $1 per bike was well worth it. |
See stats page for Costs of crossing the border, etc.http://thelifeofbrad.blogspot.com/p/tlob-to-argentina-stats-page.html
Another excited Brad border video
Happy to know we were on the best roads in Central America for the rest of our 150km to Leon we dug in and ripped it up. First section from the border was very nice in a canyon. C8R8T2V7. PanAm Estelli to San Isidro C7R8T3V7. Took a lunch stop at Comedor Blanquitas which was very inexpensive and good. Nice service too.
Great Nicaraguan roads just after the border |
Love this Cowboy wrangling his heard through the streets on a bike. Outstanding. |
Tasty lunch on the side of the Pan Am Hwy |
May be a funeral, but not sure as we closed on Leon. |
Dead straight roads on the Pacific Coast, C1R7T2/3V7/8 |
Portion of the PanAm Hwy before the turn West to Leon.
Entering Leon after my GPS took us down a couple of turn around roads I wasn't super impressed. Didn't look like much, but once we got settled at El Hostel Albergue we found tasty Sushi and I found some live music at Olla Quemada and good fun with American travellers (Props to Bigota Ryan a forest fire fighter out of Idaho). Leon is pretty good in my opinion and Nicaragua even though it doesn't seem safe, is considered the safest of Central America. We even left the bikes on the street for the night.
DAY 66, Dec. 15, 2011 Granada, Temp 28 to 31C (140/10,485km)
A quick tour of the Cathedral which is the biggest in Central America. Unfortunately we didn't go the 20km out to the Pacific (Beach time later in Nic). Coordinates in and it was off to Granada stopping on Lake Managua for lunch, but not before a couple police check points. One successfully avoided and one not successfully avoided.
Morning in Leon...
Safe streets of Leon, in front of El Hostel |
Pretty nice spot for $7 a night! |
Blogging Brad in Leon |
Wire braclet making. The guys hands were rough, but he was making $25 a bracelet so worth it for him.
Wire bracelet and/ or necklace depending how much his hands can take that day. |
Cathedral of Leon |
Largest Church in Central America, Leon Cathedral very quick tour
David hanging in the shade while I run around the Cathedral |
Leon local work truck |
On the way out of town my GPS took us through a foot path / town dump. Lucky not to catch a nail. Upon exit the cops waved us over, but I kept going. Probably not supposed to ride on footpaths. |
More big loads with the wife up top |
Momotombo in the distance, Road to Granada along Lake Managua = C2R7T4V5. |
From our lunch on Lake Managua, which was not cheap ($8), you can see Vocano Momotombo |
Impressed with myself catching this insect on camera |
Signs like this in Central America make me think the place is very westernised. |
David with the dodgy little fellow Pedro who was hoping for money for helping us find a place. David paid a couple bucks, but not me. |
Hotel Posada del Sol. A double room with Kitchen and A/C for $40 with a nice pool. |
New Riding Buddy - Guillaume out of Montreal. We were able to catch up to him as he unfortunately got sick. |
Main square in Granada |
Crowded street market |
Granada pier, one of. |
Sad Side Story: Gringos = money was emphasized when the local hotel owner we met early came by with her friend offering us a beer, which was the second time a local did this on my whole trip so far(didn't we learn from Vincent on Roatan?). It was all good and we bought the second round of course. I left David with them and went to meet our new riding buddy Guillaume for dinner. Apparently in the end the girls didn't pay for another drink, but David and also asked him for more money to pay for their dinner they were going to have later. Shame on you Valeria (owner of Hotel Valeria). David told them to get lost.
DAY 67-73, Dec. 16-22, 2011, San Juan del Sur, Temp 26 to 29 (Night rain only) (100/10,585km)
Out of Granada around 11am with a short ride to San Juan we took our time stopping in San Jorge to check the ferry to Ometepe which was to be a one night trip some time during the week when the clouds had lifted. Granada to San Jorge C2/3R7T2/3V6/7.
Cemetery just out of Granada |
Had to take this shot of a bunch of cows getting stuck in to it |
Finally a pineapple! Don't know why, but this was my first pineapple of the trip. We paid for it! $2, she saw my desperation. Check the knife and the fact that she is probably 12 years old. |
Tasty |
What is this guy into? Not pineapple |
More road side transportation |
More over loading |
In to San Juan del Sur around 3pm after a good relaxing ride day. Took a look around for a spot and met a french girl named Silvie who directed us to the Cruise Inn which is a motorbike friendly stop and only 4 min walk to the main bar area. Although no one goes in to the water or stays on the beach in San Juan it's got a good vibe and great restaurants. Plus a great beach only 20 minutes away by bike. Check out the Black Whale for a beer and some foosball, oh and heavy drinking with Aussies if you get there. Damn, let's just say I had a couple hard nights including hanging with an AFLer from Adelaide and his wife (Clinton and Heidi) who introduced me to ball punching on the pool table (don't ask).
Side note: Dutch Jonny is the MAN! Had a great afternoon hanging out with one of the local poker players from the Cruise Inn. This 70 year old Dutch guy had seen a lot and I could have listen to his stories for weeks. I do find it quite sad and difficult about travel, that you never really know when to pick your spot, but 6 days in San Juan was a good choice.
Go to Henry's for a seafood soup, El Timon for 3 medium lobster tails for $12, and Maggies for anything chicken (it's called Pollo something?). Big spend and absolutely amazing go to El Colibri! ($30 per person with lots of wine, starters and main).
Shop next door and this little mini kid that was pretty cool. |
Great views from Henry's |
Cruise Inn, not a visually stunning place, but a good host Joel with a nice breaky and A/C for $15. Make sure you pick your room as some are better than others for the sameprice. |
Shot of the bay by David |
Aussie Dan's nose protector to avoid sun burn. |
The team heading South. Dan, David, Guy and me. Dan will be meeting us later in Panama after he surfs the coast. |
Car trouble little buddy |
Road to Maderas Beach |
Not totally paved, but totally worth it to get to Maderas Beach. In the mud you can go sideways for 3 seconds, which is not ideal. |
Real Beach Volley Ball |
Sunsets at Maderas with a VW bought in Mexico |
Inspired by the corona commercials |
Late night gate climb on a challenge from my Aussie drinking buddies
DAY 72, Dec. 21, 2011, Ometepe, Temp 26C (50/10,635km)
One night out to Ometepe Island which was really good. Definitely rustic with a cool new road that covers half the island (brick laying technology I saw in Europe a couple years back, see photos). Thoughts of swimming in the fresh water waves were dashed when I saw the garbage floating near our water front hostel "Bueno Vista". Boat and bike across to the island was only $7 so much better than Roatan, but of course a different style ferry going a heck of a lot slower. Ometepe is must if you have time.
My Swiss drinking buddies returning from Ometepe ahead of me. Angela, Philipp and Christian. |
Tight fit on the ferry across. |
Take a break buddy, it's an hour to Ometepe |
Docking procedure: A crew member has to jump into the water to secure the line. Interesting, but how do they choose who? |
Streets of Moyogalpa the main city on Ometepe Island |
Volcano Concepcion |
Working man |
My new ride. Trade my bike plus $1000 for this bad boy. Even holds my tank bag. |
No dip for me in this fresh water. May be alright, but Granada feeds pollution into this so I'll pass. |
Attack birds just won't let you eat your lunch with out swooping at your head. |
Hostel Bueno Vista |
Check that brick road out. Very sweet. |
And when there no brick it's nasty. |
Volcano Maderas |
Exciting, feeding the island monkeys |
Not quite to the standard I'm using |
He only has to go from one end of the island to the other so it works. I'm going a bit farther. |
Frederico and I had a good chat as we waited for the rain to stop. |
Ferry Che Guevara |
Rain stop under a tree on Ometepe
|
Elaborate tie down system |
Back on the mainland |
Next, Costa Rica...
Other Stuff
Common for Central American vehicles to have tint all around. Guess this guy needed a piece without to see while driving. Heart shaped. |
Common to see begging kids at Gas station and in the streets. |
Extremely Drunken Swiss Foosballer who could still put the ball in the net. |
More heavy loading |
Awkward lifting |