 From
Diary 4 and the south and eastern part, I now head
back to the centre.23/12. I have seen, what I wanted to see, but I still have a few days left. It is a fantastic sunny day, and the wind is calm in contrast to yesterday. I head back pass Granada at first, then all the way out to the coast. The first part is through the low, green hills, then the swamplands and the huge lake, then the green rice fields. There is a line for the ferry, and I use the time dusting off the interior of the car. And then I hit the dusty gravelroad, leading all the way to Granada...
I reach the lowlands, and more cattle country. Then the
little fishing village of Masachapa turns up. I drive right through,
and on the other end Besides from the usual black vultures and seagulls, here are several herons and some sandpipers. A few shell are found here at low-tide, and I do a long walk. A few locals are swimming, but besides from that family, I have it all to my self. I had expected the beach near Managua to be packed! I
As I head that way, I meet the first cane trains. It is trucks with two trailers. I guess they save one truck-driver, but at the other hand, every intersection have two or four orange guys, flapping around with flags. And they are a bit tricky to overtake on the narrow, winding roads. The landscape turns fairly dry, and I see several cacti on the cattle fields. Later, I see they actually have another truck, pushing the cane trains up-hill.
Through the green hills and pass the lake to the Masachapa beach.
24/12. I get the usual breakfast, but celebrate
Christmas with a bit of
El Cubano seems like a beach town, based on
Managua residences. Today, it is real dead! I park the car, and follow an
alley down to the wide and perfect beach. I walk for a long time, till I
reach some small rocks.
Well, not long, as the next stop is in Las Peńtas, right down the beach. Here are a few more restaurants, but real low-key. I watch the local fishermen, some small fish, a heron, a crab and a flock of Frigate birds. I find some shadow and a seat at a little local place, selling me a bottle of apple juice.
On
By the hostel to rest a bit, and start the work. Then I
head down to the local market, hoping for dinner before they closes. It is
always hard to tell, when Christmas hit an area. Well, earlier
It turns out to be a rather quiet Christmas eve around here. The cars are washed, kids have a haircut, sidewalks are swept and some women are warring nice dresses. Considering the amount of shopping, Feliz Navidad tunes and alike, I have endured the last three weeks, I had expected more. The beach at Las Peńtas and León.
25/12.
I find a Vulkanizer, who is sitting outside, and get my
tire fixed for €1,50. I start meeting the huge cane-truck-trains, but fail
to find the factory. I would have expected it could wait a day
or two, till after Christmas,
The altitude gains, and the yellow fields are back, now
with Opuntias on. Here, it is a real terrible species, and the cows leave
some grass back, around them. I see a single redheaded vulture, feasting on
what might be an opossum. I reach my next waypoint; El Sauce town. It is really dead, till I reach the big church on the central square. The mass have just finished, and people, real nice dressed-up, are entering the square. I figured I seen what they can offer on a Christmas Day, and head on, before I get back in line.
The altitude gains considerable to around 500 metres, and
by a rugged gravelroad. It leads into some green hills with little farming.
Soon
A sign explain; I enters Zona de Recarga Hidrica
Microcuenca Salale, El Sauce. Some water-collection-ting, right? They can't
gather much water this time of year! Here, the low Opuntias are
flowering nicely yellow.
Then I pass Esteli, and outside, the tobacco
plants have gained height! Soon after, it is back in the land of yellow
grass. I turn into the gravelroad to Reserva Natural Miraflor, and it
is real nice. Huge barren
I find a white flowering semi-vine, which I can't place. Here are some of the slim Agave sisalana. The road is quite challenging, and I have to be aware. Despite I am heading for some mountains, the road descents down to Rio Esteli. It is a bit too deep, and over huge rocks, and I park the car.
A few locals are bathing in the river, while one woman is
washing cloths.
I
bet the farmer would be baffled about each and every single of the numerous
Jatropha podagrica he have on his field, are sold for €20 in Danish
floweriest. Here, they just take up room. I find a few other cacti, one
being a Mammillaria. I find some colourful ticks on the Jatrophas,
which
And then I'm back, before I can return the car in
Esteli. I drive the 20 metres to the hotel, drop the bag and return the
car. Then I walk through the real dead town to the square. Here, I
find
a light meal: Rice with brown beans, cheese, chickpeas stuff and banana
fries. Back to return the car, and as I'm still peckish, I try a slice of
pizza. I did not expect a 25 centimetre pizza for €2, and further more; one
of the best pizzas I ever had!
26/12.
It is still a great drive, but as I'm in a bus, I don't
get to make a single photo. I so much misses my own drive already!.
Back in León,
I walk through the huge market, which is really packed today. Back at the
hostel, I get my usual dorm-bed, and relaxes a bit in the hammock: I have
seen I find a bag of cold guava-juice and a hard but sweet pancake for lunch, served in a banana leaf. It have turned out to be a real hot day; 36C and not a single little cloud in the sky, nor any breeze. I miss my car even more! After a couple of hours, I return to base and a fan, letting the midday heat pass.
27/12. I have booked a bus all the way through Honduras to San Salvador in El Salvador, and board it at eight. Another wasted day, but actually faster than I have thought.
Nicaragua have been a great experience. It feel so
safe and easy accessible, filled with great nature and smiling people. I
really like León old town, and the active volcano
Masaya with its orange bobbling lava is astonishing. The afternoon in
company with the egg-laying Olive Ridley at
Refugio de Vida Silveste la Flor was another great experience. I have driven
2525 kilometres myself, and made 2666 photos
THE HIGHLIGHTS. It have not been as
expensive as I feared:
From here, I head through Honduras to El Salvador by bus. |
After
Granada, the landscape changes. The altitude raises to 850 metres, and the
top of the smooth clay hills, are covered in dense yellow grass. Over the
pass, some fantastic valleys reveal them self. Dense bushes covers the
smooth hills with a deep green mat. I stop a few times, but fail to get the
greatness of this landscape. It is a perfect road, and a great drive.
of town, I meet the sea. I find a little restaurant, serving only one
vegetarian dish: Fried plantains (cooking bananas) with cheese. It is
filling, and then I'm ready for a stroll along the perfect beach. 
head
out in front of the village, and here I find the colourful glass-fibre
fishing boats. A guy is cycling out to the point with butcher debris, and he
sure have fans out here. I try the only hotel I see, but $45 is not my
thing. I end up paying $7 in lovely León. 
I
park the car outside the hostel in León, and head towards the
market. It is almost dark, and the food stalls tend to close then. I find a
huge plate with loads of rice and brown beans, shredded salad and a huge
block of grilled cheese. They ask for €1. I plot it into the GPS right away.
laundry.
Then I set off to yet another day at the beach, this time at El Cubano. It
is right through the centre of León, and it seems like a busy day. Out on
the countryside, it is significantly more quiet, although I see three horse
wagons at once. It is slightly dry, and here are a few cacti on the yellow
grass fields.
Back
at the car, I notes a flat tire, but I know I have a hard spare tire and the
tools. But only the bag for the jack, it seems! A local lend me his, and
soon after, I am on my way.
the
other side of El Cubano, Poneloya is found. And I can't tell them
apart. Here, a large lagoon is found behind the beach, along with additional
more restaurants and alike. At noon, I figure I had sun enough, and head
back to León. It is still very open, and I do loops around the
central part at first. I get a large glass of juice at the municipal market,
and it taste great, although I fail to figure what fruit it is made from.
for
sure. The other shops are open, but only the chicken-shops sell food. I walk
all the way out to the highway, and her is a strange modern mall. It have
Pizza Hut and to my great joy: Subway.
The
day is actually only about returning the car, but at 17,00, and I get to see
a bit of nature along the extended route. I start with the little
Reserva Natural Complejo Volcánico Telica Rota. It
is right outside town, and offers some great views to the volcanoes. One
look like it is still erupting, with steep and barren sides. The next one is
partly covered in bushes, and almost as steep.
but no. 
after, I meet Reserva natural Tisey-La Estanzuela. It is still
slightly populated, and the road is lined with rock-walls. I soon realises;
I will have to dust off the car inside once again. I meet a huge herd of
cows, and they add to
the dust.
The views to the green mountains are great, although
impossible to capture. The few fluffy white clouds, which make the sky look
so great, cast some dark shadows on the land. 
Bursera, cacti and great views. Many of the trees
are covered in Spanish mosses, and here are ponds for the cattle.
I make a long stroll along the beautiful river, then into
the mountains on the other side. 
I can't place. I have a hard time, dragging myself out of that
field. I actually only succeed, bringing some seedpods from the Jatrophas.
I have a bit of a slow start, but reach the
bus station at half passed seven. 30 huge busses are here, but the booth for
León is empty. A line is starting to form slowly, which pleases me, as the
bus only departures, when it is full. I sit on a nearby bench, watching the
15 people in line, and relax. Well, until a minibus turns up. I get a good
seat, never the less, and lean back for the next two and a half hour.
the town, and have 21 hours to spend, before my El Salvador bus. No car
= wasted time. At least, it is a real cosy town and hostel. Well, after ten
minutes I get restless, and head back to the huge market at the highway.
After an hour, I can't stand the idle, and head into the
centre of town. Would have preferred a drive to the beach: I miss my car! I
desperately try to find new angles on the town, but it is getting hard by
now. I treat myself with a Subway, considered; I can get rice and brown
beans any day. Back at dusk to work, and finish up Nicaragua, despite I have
half a day more. 