Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua

The photos say it for themselves...stunning...picturesque..and unbelievable!!!!

Lying in the largest lake in Central America, formed by Volcan Concepcion and Madera, is Isla de Ometepe, a hidden treasure of Nicaragua.

I have to warn all it does take a good 12 hours door to door by bus!!! Leaving San Jose at 5am, reaching the border crossing at 11am, you are confronted by queues at customs on both the Costa Rican and Nicaraguan sides and are sandwiched in between hordes of Money changers. Quite an experience and a great test to our Spanish!!

A great moment of giggles when one of us thought the conductor was introducing the film on the bus when he was actually explaining the process of immigration...hehehehe.... no wonder we didn´t realise what was going on...
but a great trick is to hook onto fellow passengers and just follow the sea of tourists...hehehe.

What a pleasure to arrive on an island without violence, fear and just friendly smiley faces who are eager to help.

We stayed at hotel Istiam or more likely a very basic hostel. We know why travellers hardly have showers...hehehe..just kidding... The first place on earth where they serve food for 20 cordobas which is equivalent to $1!!!

Nicaragua is significantly cheaper than Costa Rica and uses Cordobas but accepts US Dollars. Once again, a huge Spanish influence and famous for Gallo Pinto ( Rice and Beans) and coffee!!

But a fabulous location, on the edge of the beach, sleeping to the sounds of the waves, the strong breeze constantly blowing hair onto your face and you just can´t stop catching glimpses of both magnificent volcanoes ...as you sit for breakfast....

The day tour is highly recommended in order to explore the rest of the highland...stopping at the petroglyphs ( indigenous sketches on stones dating back to over 1000 years), bumpy mud roads, palm trees, Nicaraguans lazing on their porches with the sounds of reggaethon blaring from the car radio...

A day to prepare for Panama...tomorrow...before heading to Peru on Saturday!!