| 11 ° 15 'N, -86 ° 8' E May 6 2012, 5:10  Getting up early .. although our yeast rene cht was promised that there would be ready at 7 o'clock coffee stand is quiet in the hostel. The owner is a very relaxed surf dude3 that is .. a little too relaxed for my taste as your appointments fails but good, coffee we can get elsewhere. We are looking for a nice tent and start the day with delicious coffee and brownies. On to the dive shop to leave, my patience is not really big in general ... but after starting this morning it is really ... Everything is closed and there is nobody in sight .... Even after the agreed time, the dive instructor. We apply what wetsuits and clean up the stuff in the car. This is quite different than diving KohTao ... we have no papers to sign and he asks us if we disagree geregeistreerde divers. Well, we can dive, so that is no further problem. On a small boat we sail an hour to the dive site. No briefing, check or any info whatsoever. The view would be about 10 meters, unfortunately ... if we in the water, we unfortunately no longer than 3 meters. There is also another phenomenon, the swell of the sea that we have not previously experienced. Before we go down it is still getting used to ... What was it again, breathing through a regulator. It's hard work under water, the swell is quite strong, the zict is not good and I really should get used to optimize my buoyancy. The dive is okay, but in any case, from the head again. We have one hour interval on the boat, as I said there is quite a lot of swell and within no time I am so sick if I can be. Fortunately there is a dip on the program and when I am lying in the water, the nausea away. The visibility at this location a lot better! We are desired to swell and by the improved visibility, we can take more to investigate. There are many scorpionfish here, hard to spot but ultimately we all have one or more found. The other fish are widespread pufferfish, fish that blow themselves up, nice! When we come up we are completely satisfied, great diving, the feeling back again. We're just after lunch on land again, time for a taco, a smoothie and a nice book to sit on the beach. After all the heavy and gefriturrde dinner we recommend our hostel owner for a small tent which serves great salads .... A lovely day, very active and then relax. juutsel | Tags: Diving , Nicaragua , San Juan del Sur
Posted in Honeymoon , Nicaragua , San Juan del Sur | No Comments » 11 ° 25 'N, -86 ° 29' E May 4 2012, 16:35  What do you do on a tropical paradeiland? The whole day in a hammock? Cocktails and some paddling on the beach? We needed something more active, though not too active, because there is a tropical island far too hot for. We opted for a hike to the waterfall alhier. Partly on foot, some on horseback. And it was not a bad idea! The first part of the journey, the journey on foot to the entrance of the park which belongs to the waterfall. On the card a little chicken, but in reality still quite a brisk walk along the coast. While walking we came across groups of cows, bulls and horses against. After an hour, when we almost had given up the courage, we found the entrance to the park. Our reservation was for two horses did not work correctly, but fortunately there were two horses as well. Halen and saddling the horses lasted an hour. My horse was a foreigner, a stately quarter blood, while the horse of Judica was clearly a local: compact and white spots. The way up was pretty tough for the horses. After 3 kilometers, they were literally drenched in sweat. Not surprising, because the walk was largely in the open sun by a degree or 35. The last part of the walk was no longer a road, but only a rocky path. The horses we were still a long way to help, until the path was really narrow and we walked on foot. We climbed over boulders and frequently crossed the river (which in anticipation of the rainy season was very dry). After 20 minutes of brisk steps, we reached the waterfall. Because we at the end of the dry season down, the waterfall was significantly downsized, but still very impressive. The water coming from the lagoon in the crater, is nearly 200 meters straight down. We cooled our eagerly with the cold water beneath the volcano. The way back was easier and we were very happy the help of our dogs to have. On the way to top what we were brave bipeds who come all the way up were coming. Happy were they determined no more, while we waived a wooden butt felt our hearts desire. Fortunately we had arranged the horses back to the Hacienda to be driven, so we especially cozy and comfortable together could go back. Meanwhile it was to become celebrated. For us to cool off we jumped from the pier into the cold lake water to the rest of the afternoon in idleness in a hammock to spend. The good life! In the evening we moved on to the buffet. The kitchen ladies here had a buffet with at least 10 delicious dishes cooked and we enjoyed it very much. Afterwards I went with some people to a small bar outside the compound decreased, while at the Hacienda Judica behind. We were the first guests of the bar and dazzled us on a nice bottle of dark rum and 2 liters of cola to dilute it. A beautiful and tasty end to a fantastic day on this paradeiland! michiel Dewit | Tags: Nicaragua , Ometepe , horse , rum , waterfall
Posted in Honeymoon , Isla de Ometepe , Nicaragua | No Comments » 11 ° 27 'N, -86 ° 26' E May 3 2012, 16:39  The past two days were dominated by water, from sailing on the water, to be exact. Last Tuesday was our first and only full day in Granada. The city itself is beautiful, but pretty fast by walking. Just outside the city lies a group of (reportedly 365) mini-islands that can only be seen from a boat. A taxi from our hostel so we drove to the Centro Turistico, a kind of urban park just outside the center. The park lies on the water and therefore men swarming with boats that a trip to the 'Isletas' offer. The first man we spoke to wanted to see a lot of money, so we walked a bit further and found a man with reasonable ideas. He left immediately, without waiting for more people. The boat was with some help from bystanders pulled from the beach, while we as passover in the boat could remain seated. Besides the guide, there was also a helmsman aboard the small boat, which continued to about 10 tourists place could offer. In the shadow of the lean seated we enjoyed the cruise. The islands were inhabited for the most part: some were capital Isletas villas, but there were also only a small hut. After 3 minutes we arrived at a field visit where no other boats were in sight: that part was a piece untouched. We saw rare birds (including pelicans and birds that were strange hanging nests) and actually a turtle. All in all a wonderful tour we both experienced a lot of fun. The rest of the day what we have in Granada walked around the pool at our hostel used and in the evening we ate at the local restaurant promenade. Then to bed early ... Wednesday morning we were up early: the big trip to Isla de Ometepe was scheduled. The dual volcano island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua, a huge inland sea in southern Nicaragua. From the Southern bus station in Granada we took a chicken bus (without chicken, incidentally) to Rivas, in order from there along with two other tourists a taxi to the port town of San Jorge to take. With a fairly luxurious ferry we could quickly and comfortably make the crossing to Isla de Ometepe. The cabin below was airconditioned and had very good seats. Through the windows we saw the island and slowly the two volcanoes on it bigger. The larger of the two volcanoes, Concepcion, is still active. A puff of smoke above the crater serves as proof. Once at Moyagalpa, the largest village on the island 42,000 inwonders counting, waiting for us the last leg to our hostel, Hacienda Merida: a taxi van. The roads on the more developed western part of the island (including the active volcano) were excellent. We even came from a runway under construction. Once arrived on the eastern half changed the tight cobbled roads directly bumpy dirt paths. The last part of the journey was but short, but took the only road twice as long. The hacienda was a true idyll at the lake. Our room is on the first floor and has a private veranda (with mega-hammock!). The view is fantastic and the people are friendly. In the evening we finished the evening with some other guests chatting. By 10 o'clock we could no longer resist the tempting idea of a swim and we are still a few laps in the lake will attract. Delicious and beautiful swimming on a moonlit lake full of reflections of the sky above it. michiel Dewit | Tags: Boat , chickenbus , islands , Ometepe , sightseeing , taxi , swimming
Posted in Honeymoon , Isla de Ometepe , Nicaragua | No Comments » 11 ° 56 'N, -86 ° 2' E May 1 2012, 16:02 The birds are chirping, the squirrels are chasing each other and the howler monkeys roar. If I wake up I hear a cacophony of sounds. We are still the di Apoyo lagoon, Hotel El Paradiso  If I put up the wooden rogordijnen I have a beautiful view over the lake. After a delicious breakfast on the terrace in the sun we wait for the shuttle. We have incredible luck. Coincidentally, the hotel is what we have already booked in Granada a sister hotel of the hotel runs a shuttle between the two. So we are one hour later than in Granada at our hotel. A medium sized city with lots of Spanish architecture where many expats live. Our hotel also has a small pool in which some are Dutch. Because language and connect the Queen is finally ve3rtellenz email us from a party in honor of Queen that evening. We settle our room and go to investigate, Granada is beautiful and located on the largest lake in central america (Lago di Nicaragua). Around Granada is a peninsula formed by the eruption of the nearby volcano (Mombacho). Tomorrow we watch these. We walk through the Centro Touristico 'where the beaches are cleaned properly. There are almost only Nicaraguan families to swim. the ladies T shirt and pants and the men in swimming trunks. I think it's a pretty face, all these families together. We take the taxi back (cost just 1 euro) and end at a supermarket where we buy water and snacks. Our hotel is near the market even though we have absolutely nothing, this is always what attracts us. The atmosphere in the pool is inviting and after sweating all day, the cooling is very welcome. With a beer (Michiel) we enjoy a few hours. To ensure t ezijn that we know where the party is we eat before we go let's see, what a great restaurant. The reception is so eurpoeaans / professional that we fear we can not afford this hotel. Fair is fair, as Nica onzettend concepts is not cheap but the daily specials for $ 8 for 3 courses and constant free water we can not refuse. It is the best food I've eaten in times ... I have chicken with a delicious sauce and to be honest, this is competition for the chicken Sandy (and that's saying something!). We enjoy, the great house (with 2 high doors and courtyards so there before the horses were through), the atmosphere, the perfect service, good food and delicious fresh juice make sure that my stomach is eaten around a lot. Around the pool at the restaurant (Other courtyard) is located where the club what girls are busy decorating. We just help them and come back so that the theme "proud to be false. Because the hotel is only 5 minutes walk away we dress a little quick. The party is fun, but as often Dutch parties will not really loose, too bad, because the sweltering heat and atmosphere were readily form a crack binge can cause. Around midnight we take the taxi back, safe and cost almost nothing. Nice to Queens to celebrate but to be honest, I can only really good in NL and I feel here the perennial student. Ah, nice to have seen and there is a large group of expats from NL here in Granada. juutsel | Posted in Granada , Honeymoon , Nicaragua | No Comments » 11 ° 59 'N, -87 ° 50' E May 1 2012, 13:27 Yesterday we heard from people in the hostel that the Masaya volcano ready to erupt appears to be. When we were there there was much smoke from the volcano and there was a loud rumbling sound is heard. Apparently there last Sunday ash and rocks from the volcano skyrocketed. Sufficient reason for authorities to the area around the volcano to close the deal and closely monitor. Weird you know! michiel Dewit | Tags: Masaya , volcano
Posted in Honeymoon , Nicaragua , Nicaragua | No Comments » 11 ° 55 'N, -87 ° 58' E 30 April 2012, 17:46  While in the Netherlands looks back on a good flea and the pubs are full ontgetwijfeld really starts 30 april here just recently. Yesterday a busy yet very relaxde day. Our last morning in Mariposa where we would like it wanted to do with the morning activity: a horse ride in the La Mariposa. Long pants, a hat and good shoes we see our friends for the next few hours. The horses are a lot smaller, more ponies so to speak. Ruth told us that the horses the whole week free to graze and they only have to work on Sunday. A relatively luxurious life so. Most horses are 'saved' from malnutrition or enjoy their old age. Because the dry season, the horses are a bit of weight. I wonder what horse Michiel must, if it's not a big horse, he could end up with his feet on the ground we walk along jokes ... a la the Flintstones .. yabadabadooo Time to take off (the horse) and we begin a wonderful journey. The horses know the way and run every week the same round. After we left the village, we can not lose momentum a bit more in it. We gallop through the beautiful landscape and ride higher and higher up the mountain. La Mariposa is a straight line but a few miles from the Masaya volcano off. ... But if you want to travel you need to properly. With the horses we ascend a large hill. We put the horses down and do the final steep climb on foot and see than 2 kilometers from the volcano lie. We have bad luck, because the wind is on our side, and the sulfur air bite into my eyes. Yet the view is stunning. On the way the horses have the momentum heavily in sitting and in no time we are back at la mariposa. A quick shower and then hetmoment yet come to our bags to pack and leave the room. After lunch and a walk in the guestbook brichtje we packed to the road in the hope that ersnel a microbus stop where we and our luggage inpasen. Less than a minute later we sit in the bus and also the transition runs smoothly in San Marcos. For the last few kilometers we take a taxi and within 1.5 hours we are at the paradisiacal "Laguna di Apoyo. An Old vulkan which is flooded with water, an area with few buildings. Our room is great and we jump into our swimsuits to the light salty lake in jumping. Delicious coolness. For the first time as a couple at sunset we enjoy a great evening meal with a delicious pina colada. Early rkuipen together on good solid mattress. What is Nicaragua still a beautiful country! juutsel | Tags: horse riding , pina colada , birthday , swimming
Posted in Honeymoon , La Mariposa , di Laguna Apoyo , Nicaragua | No Comments » 11 ° 41 'N, -87 ° 37' E 29 April 2012, 1:31  The day after Judica's birthday, and the warm reception that we had that evening we had an early start. At eight o'clock, but we would go to La Boquita, a small strans on the west coast of Nicaragua. The group consisted of 8 swimmers, including ourselves. The ride to Boquita was surprisingly short: we had expected for a while on the road, but Nicaragua proves to be smaller than we thought. Pleasant! La Boquita was a true resort, with beach bars and a wide beach. Unlike in the Netherlands, the sand in La Boquita rather dark in color. The sea on the other hand felt very familiar. It was strange to think that the water we saw the Pacific Ocean all the way to Asia. Very quietly, he was indeed not: the surf was quite rough and we have also wonderful to swim in the waves. For the beach bar where we had to lie down all day were a number of horses. Initially we thought that perhaps were used as beasts of burden, but soon we saw driving around on bathers. Judica, the whole afternoon looking at the animals and eventually succumbed. She was a rather spirited horse, which immediately her gallop on the beach oven. On her face she thought it was great: on the beach at a gallop! All in all a delicious, uncomplicated day at the beach, there sandcastles which had been built, football, swimming in the waves, is cantering and is hung in hammocks. Back at La Mariposa revealed that the undersigned had rubbed itself amply sufficient time and despite much shade yet quite burnt back had suffered. Well ... who is on his buttocks, should sit on the blisters ... michiel Dewit | Tags: golf , horse riding , beach , burned
Posted in Honeymoon , Nicaragua , Nicaragua | No Comments » 11 ° 54 'N, -87 ° 48' E 27 April 2012, 21:22  Today is the last day of class, but I have not slept well and so I crawl back into our bed. At lunch time I see my face again, still tired from the sleep. Suddenly Michael stand and tapped his glass .... That I day after my birthday and everyone for all that time go forward so that he would like to celebrate my birthday. They all begin to sing and I burst into tears ... tired, emotional and soooo sweet! Then there are also 2 beautiful cakes and forth .... a Pinata!! Super cool! Then krigj ok I have a dance of the daughter of Paulette (an nicaraguese which was adopted at a young age) After lunch and the cake (which tastes heeerlijk) can I smash the pinata blindfolded ..., 10 times counterclockwise, clockwise 10 times and then they move the pinata even from top to benede3n and I have to keep dancing. That thing is really hard piece to get! And poaar times hit store is not good enough but I manage it and find the candy on the ground. The pinata is made of paper and cardboard and sit inside an earthenware pot containing sweets. The goal is that aarde2werk pot smash, but this was 1 cm thick. Very cool way to celebrate my birthday, and to think that I have not even really my birthday  juutsel | Tags: pinata , birthday
Posted in Honeymoon , La Mariposa , Nicaragua | 1 Comment » 11 ° 58 'N, -87 ° 54' E 27 April 2012, 18:07 Masayaaaa masayaaa masayaa ... Vamos al Masaya we sing on the bus. Yesterday we went with almost the entire group went to Masaya. The program included visits to 2 markets in Masaya and then we eat with the weekly "cultural dance" would look. A great program and something other than nature walks. Michael was not very fit. After taking our malaria tablets, he suffered from his belly. Reason for early morning to take part in the Spanish classes but luckily enough to fit in the afternoon to go. The bus goes first to the mountain and we see the villages of La Concha, San Marcos, they are clearly more prosperous villages. More shops and even more ATMs. The bank is guarded by a guard with a machine gun ... mind you. In Masaya we see the veschil between rich and poor much better, huge houses and small huts with corrugated iron rigged. Ladies in high fashion and playing children without shoes and with dirty desserts. Unfortunately, we forgot the camera in the hotel and there are so unfortunately no pictures. The first market is a global market, we are looking shuffling through narrow alleys where many tourist which is displayed. A little further are the shoes, clothing, and food. It's late in the afternoon and most of all fireworks begin their stuff to store. We doubt even a hammock, but how should we take it. A souvenir of our honeymoon would be nice, but then something practical. Before we know we're back in hetbusje on to the next market. This market is more spacious and aimed at tourists. We find nothing and decide to go enjoy what 'the best juice in the country "is mentioned. It resembles the delicious shakes in Thailand. If they gimmickhebben 3 meter high chairs built and put down to sit. While the group gathered, we look at some music on the square. To our surprise, there is a transvestite show progress. Miss Gay Nicaragua. The ladies walk in high heels and perfectly prepared, while we expected that this would not really be in the predominantly Catholic Nicaragua we get into a playback. With the group we go to a bar that is enjoyed liter bottles of beer and some local delicacies. There will be a parade along, apparently is also Miss Teen Universe in Masaya settled and we are treated to the Miss-ing. Apart from neighboring countries are also Miss Teen Canada, Philippines and Italy party. Time to go to the restaurant. We have a perfect view of the stage where we get treated to the walk around the Miss sen. It is truly a world apart. While enjoying fried chicken (Mary had a strong need for schnitzel and it came closest to nearby), the folk dance performed one after the other. Very colorful and with lots of glitter on the dress, but after an hour what monotonous. The entire square is filled with people and vendors try their wares (alternating candy, chewing gum or cigarettes) to prices. There is a little girl at the table asking for a 'dolares. She is invited to eat fries, rice and meat of whom no longer can. Knowing that more than 40% of the population around to live on less than $ 2 per day it shocks me how much the little girl eat. There is great poverty in Nicaragua, many children are not getting enough to eat and yet you do not notice that. There are no beggars in the streets and people always seem happy to watch. Yet you also see a lot of wealth, sometimes absurd and flaunt wealth but more young people in terms of clothing in Europe could walk around. The warmth and openness of the people is where true value lies. There is wenig gesnauwd and Asia where people were chased here is less of a shame culture. It's more of a cultural show what you do have. Everyone here has a mobile. when I inquired my Spanish teacher (I'm under my grammar to come by in extensive conversation with my teacher about Nicaragua and his vision of things) he said he knows several people who have eaten for a week to mobile buy. Men are macho and women here also do not include. Around 10 o'clock we get into the bus and we drove back ... it feels like 3 hours at night but get up early because we always went to bed early. On the street there is much life and children playing. As we move further away from the city is quiet, the calm has returned. juutsel | Tags: dancers , La Mariposa , Market , Masaya , Nicaragua , shopping
Posted in Honeymoon , La Mariposa , Nicaragua | No Comments » 11 ° 59 'N, -87 ° 50' E 26 April 2012, 1:36  Just after sunset we were at the edge of a volcano. The air is thick with sulfur vapor and smoke that bubbles up from the depths. Far below us is an orange glow can be seen: there is still the lava crater. After a morning of hard study at our Spanish, we are at about 3 with the Mariposa microbus drove to the volcano of Masaya. En route we stopped briefly to withdraw money at a large supermarket. We were surprised that the machine only 500 tickets Cordoba (about 17 euros) to spend, while in Nicaragua, which nobody actually wants to hire. The volcano was waiting for us a comprehensive program. The visitor immediately acted as a museum. To my surprise, the museum is very well equipped to be. All texts were in Spanish but in English and equipped with beautiful illustrations and models. One of the models showed that Nicaragua actually from the north-west to the south consists of a whole chain of volcanoes. By that volcanoes are North and South America have grown together. A half hour later we were brought up with the van, until near the edge of the largest crater. The crater was really fantastic to see: unlike the mountains was at this crater wall immediately after the edge straight down style. And from the bottom was a continuous rumble that was accompanied by a lot of steam and sulfur vapor. A strange place so. Even so strange that one of the first Spaniards, a priest, who immediately saw the volcano ordered to make a huge cross to put, so to prevent this from Hellegat various demonic creatures would crawl. Het klinkt als een vreemd verhaal, maar als je bij de rand van die vulkaan staat, dringt zich toch de vraag aan je op wat voor nare wezens daar beneden zouden wonen… Na de hoofdkrater volgde een wandeling naar twee oudere kraters. Die twee lagen een stuk hoger, dus we moesten een eindje klimmen. Het uitzicht vanaf die hoogte was dubbel en dwars alle zweetdruppels waard: sowieso was het bizar om zo dicht bij de rand van een oude vulkaan naar beneden te kunnen staren, maar ook het uitzicht op de omgeving was buitengewoon. In de verte was de stad Masaya te zien, terwijl dichterbij ook het meer van Masaya, waarschijnlijk een oude, volgelopen vulkaan, duidelijk zichtbaar was. De zon stond inmiddels op het punt om onder te gaan. Op een drafje gingen we daarom richting twee grotten. Die grotten stonden nog altijd in directe verbinding met de hoofdkrater en het rook er dan ook wat raar. De grootste van de twee grotten was hoog genoeg om in te lopen. Gewapend met twee zaklampen doken we de duisternis in. We vonden in de grot de bizarre sporen die lava achterlaat en een hoop babyvleermuisjes. Eenmaal terug uit de grot was het buiten donker geworden. We begrepen dat dit het moment was dat uit de andere, kleinere grot de vleermuizen zouden wegvliegen op weg naar een avondmaal. In afwachting van die grote uittocht gingen we keurig, alsof we in een bus zaten, voor de ingang van de grot zitten. Onze gids zat zo dicht op de grot dat ze de ingang bijna blokkeerde. Na een minuutje of wat begonnen de vleermuizen daadwerkelijk naar buiten te komen. Ze kwamen niet in enorme groepen, maar het was evengoed een hoop gefladder. Een wandeling terug naar onze microbus reste nog tot het einde van onze vulkaanervaring. Of… dat dachten we. Voordat we definitief naar huis gingen stopten we namelijk nog kort bij de rand van de hoofdkrater. De duisternis bleek een nieuw tafereel te onthullen: over de rand van de krater zagen we het oranje schijnsel van gloeiend heet lava. Wow! michieldewit | Tags: Grot , lava , Museum , vleermuizen , vulkaan
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