Hotel El Raizon Managua

... you were going, and putting it in different pockets around your body... and everywhere was locked and guarded, and the streets were dark and horrible... we went out for some dinner, then got accosted by a homeless man begging, we just hurried back to our locked hostal and got some sleep. I think I was more scared going out at 4am, back up the road to the bus terminal,as there were less people about, but we made it and got on the bus to san salvador - 11 hours...

It took ...

... people have told you about their experiences of these situations. The only advice I can give anyone is that if they ask for something hand it over, if they are threatening you with a knife or a gun that camera or phone or laptop or money is not worth risking your life.

I am so grateful that Al was with me, we keep holding each other and that fact that we can talk about it makes us feel better because we know exactly what the other has been ...

Devin and I drove into Managua for the Santo Domingo festival through the 10th of August.  We found a great hotel to stay at, in one of the burros right next to the city center, and parked our Wesley for a few days in the locked courtyard.  Managua, being the capital, is the largest city in Nicaragua and thus is one of the most dangerous... and boy could we feel that!  Everywhere we went locals were telling us not to go that way.  Luckily we are pretty smart and aware.  Not ...

... where on the island was to hike a volcano and everyone agreed that the smaller of the two was a better idea. We had a local guide to show us the way up (although he really wasnt needed) and he set the pace of a slow jog without even breaking a sweat while the group behind huffed and puffed and became soaked.
The track was a mixture of rocks and mud and due to the rain in the morning was almost like a river in the narrower parts.
Once at the top everyone went swimming in ...

... people really made my head spin. I managed to get out of there with a headache as well couple of things (nothing to exciting – so people reading this, don't get your hopes up haha). Lots people got hammocks and leather goods… but I decided those wouldn’t fit in my carry-on on the way back…

We finally got back to our "home" – Los Pinos… and we relaxed while laying out by the ...

... of all of the diseases that are so easily spread. The person/ our "guide" said that HIV/AIDS is a huge problem down here, and now I know why. We walked through the trash for about 30 minutes looking at the garbage and also looking for plants that have sprouted. Apparently seeds come in with the trash and then being to grow. We picked up mini sprouts of mango trees and other plants that the people in the dump could use and plant.

The "guide" then ...

... was something, to this day I have never found its equal. With two thousand colones, which is the equivalent of two dollars, I paid for my notebook and hid it away so no one else would have the same one. You never know what you’ll find if you actually search through the rubble.

Day eight quickly approached and brought us to our next destination, Tortuguero. This place, a sanctuary to green sea turtles and other species was one of interest. Our hotel rooms ...

... at night and we accepted. As he went, another man came which started speaking about him, he said he had university studies and he was working as a volunteer, the most important work in world, and which nobody else does because he was so good, and of course he knows the kind of tourist we were, and it was possible to see we had no university studies. I told him I had no idea what he was speacking about (he was really saying nothing) and I didn't know ...

... any sharks and who on earth would come for us. The non-existant Nicaraguan coast guard? The sight of land was the most welcoming sight EVER. It taught me a lesson. There are some parts of the world where you have to make your own judgement about stuff like safety. Just because transport runs, does in no way mean it is safe to do so. As Sally said, when she recovered, 'I'll never complain about health and safety again....'. And then...... the rain and wind ...

Arrived in the beautiful colonial gem of Granada on Sunday - with a migraine, so I shelled out on a private room for some peace and quiet. 4.57am on Monday a nearby church stikes 5, then at 5am the other nearby church strikes 5 and next doorŽs rooster starts crowing every 20 seconds!! His would be the blood if IŽd got hold of him I can tell you. Spent yesterday morning ...