Relaxing at the Laguna.....again

Well, I just couldn't resist going back to the crater lake near Granada as it is just so beautiful there and it always has a refreshing breeze to cool you down. After staying 5 nights I have now dragged myself away and am wondering why. Ann and Yvonne at Crater's Edge made me feel so welcome and it was great to treat somewhere like home and get yummy home cooked vegetarian food. I also took full advantage of the free internet and contacted the world with my new Skype account. If you're wanting a phone call, then just email me your phone number or skype account name and I'll happily be in touch.

I am now back in Granada but it's hot and sticky and there seems to be problem with the water supply so no running water for a shower. Not sure where I'm heading next, but I'm getting closer to Costa Rica where I'm hoping to spot a Quetzal.

Skype account

I've just set up a Skype account after spending 6 months wondering how people were communicating for free to the otherside of the world. My account name is welshmouse, so add me to your contacts list or sign up yourself at skype.com for free.

Pictures from the Caribbean

Here are a few pics from Little Corn Island, off the east coast of Nicaragua. An absolute must for anyone planning to visit the area.

View from Casa Iguana (breakfast spot)

Little Corn Dive shop

Leena and Keria

FIrst time I have actually seen pineapples growing!

The beach at Sunrise Paradise outside my cabana

The group of us at Casa Iguana

The boat ride from Big Corn Island to Little Corn

The plane from Managua to the Corn Islands

Back from Paradise

At last...made it to paradise. After hurricane Wilma stopped a visit to the Caribbean coast off Mexico and the tropical storm hung over the coast of Honduras last month, it was a huge relief to reach Little Corn island and see the sun shining. The island is about 100km off the east coast of Nicaragua and is only 3 square km with no roads. It was so worth the wait to get the Caribbean holiday of my dreams.

Even though the island was so small, there was lots to see and do for 11 days (originally planned 7 but that just wasn't enough in this tropical paradise). The snorkeling was the best I've ever done as the reef is shallow and visibility excellent. Turtles, nurse sharks, eagle rays, barracuda, sting rays, whole families of parrot fish. Angel fish, and amazing fire coral were just some of the things seen. The only downside was getting a bit see sick from the swell of the water....small price to pay for such beautiful underworld scenery though.

I met a fantastic group of people, mainly from Canada, Denmark and Australia and so time was filled building fires, cooking fish, having a lobster dinner for $8, treks to the north end of the island for a home cooked Italian feast, watching the hermit crabs at night, seeing the moonrise out of the ocean, having a pancake breakfast at Casa Iguana with an amazing view, fishing for red snapper, watching shooting stars, ....oh and sunbathing and reading.

The accommodation was basic and rustic, but had a hut on the beach for $5 a night...not bad at all considering it's the Caribbean. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who is thinking of visiting central America...but sshhhh, don't tell too many people otherwise the tropical paradise may become too overrun with tourist hotels etc.

So now I'm back at the Laguna de Apoyo still chilling out and deciding where the next destination will be. I've become trapped by the sunbathing and reading routine and need to get moving again before I become too lazy. Although 8 books in 2 weeks isn't bad.

Flying through the trees

The photo below was taken by the guide above whilst upside down

Me all rigged up and on my first cable run

Flying upside down...not so elegant, but great fun!

How many more 'Wows' am I going to keep adding? This morning I went 'flying' from tree to tree on the slopes of volcan Mombacho. This was after spending the night in a Biological research station at the top of the volcano. The zip lining was great fun and helped with my small fear of heights. The best was hanging upside down, although each one of the 15 cables was a huge adrenaline rush. It was all over way too quickly and I wanted to do it all again...will wait until Costa Rica though as there are loads of zip line tours there as well.
Yesterday we walked around the craters on top of Mombacho and saw amazing views over Lake Nicaragua. At night, we went in hunt of the nocturnal wildlife, and managed to find slamanders, sloths, amazing leaf insects (the ones that actually look exactly like a leaf), huge crickets, tiny little mice. Luckily we didn't encounter any of the poisonous snakes that live on Mombacho but we also weren't lucky enough to find any frogs.....it was a bit dry for them. Still, can't complain with what was seen. Nicaragua just keeps amazing me with what is on offer..another country to add to that list!

Laguna de Apoyo

The view at Crater's Edge Hostal

Laguna de Apoyo at sunset

Finally found the sun properly and have spent a few days hanging out at a great hostal called Craters Edge (http://www.craters-edge.com/index.htm) on Laguna de Apoyo. The laguna was formed by one of the largest volcanic eruptions in Nicaraguan history over 21,000 years ago. The result is a spectacularly lush crater lake, 6km in diameter and with a depth estimated to be 200m at its centre (supposedly the deepest body of water in all of Central America). There is loads of flora and fauna there, including howler monkeys (although I didn't see any this time). For more information about the laguna, flora and fauna, check out the following site: http://www.abucear.com/apoyo.php

I just took the opportunity to swim in the lake and sunbathe as much as possible before climbing another volcano tomorrow.

Volcano Boarding

The after effects of volcano boarding!!!!

St David's day on the volcano and ........................getting ready for the descent

I'm still laughing from the sight of a group of backpackers wearing safety specs, sitting on a plank of wood (with a little foam attached for comfort) heading straight down the slope of an active volcano. Yes, I was one of them and what fun it was.

The active volcano, Cerro Negro, erupts every 6 years or so and last erupted in 1999, so the fact it has been getting hotter and hotter during the last 2 months indicates that it is probably due to go off again pretty soon. That added to the excitement when climbing up the back of the volcano to reach the crater at the top (all this done with a plank of wood under one arm remember).

After walking about on the steaming crust of the crater for a while, we all sat and watched a beautiful sunset, with the other volanoes in the right of our view. Then it was time to put on the safety specs, sit on the board and head straight down. There was some technique involved to make the board go faster or slower (apparently some guy did it in 30 seconds) but we decided to go for the more tranquil 4 minute option. The goggles were a saviour as there was so much lave dust blowing about it would have been impossible to see. Everyone looked like they had been down a coal mine once they had finished, as every bit of exposed skin was covered in black dust!!

Then an hours ride in the back of a truck watching the stars was a perfect end to the adventure...or maybe the rum and coke waiting for us at the bar once we returned to the hostel was. Anyone heading to Leon in Nicaragua, should definitely head to the Big Foot hostel and go on this trip.