Recently I’ve been asked a few times about where to go in Nicaragua. I figure why not give a sample itinerary so you can make the best of your time there. Central America countries are all quite small but yet have a great deal of fascinating places to see. I have now been to Nicaragua twice, once back in 2010 for New Years and just recently this past year. Imagine a tiny country and I still have yet to have enough time to see it all. To begin lets give a suggestion for a  non- surfer traveler as Nicaragua has many options for all sorts of types of travel.

A week long trip plus or minus a few days (all up to you)

First Day

• Fly into Managua International Airport (United Airlines although not the best airline from Canada still seems to be the cheapest)
• Tour Granada and stay for the evening (Take night tour of Volcan Masaya only if you really love volcanoes)

Day Two

• Go to the Choco Museo in Granada and take the Chocolate Workshop (I have gone to the one in Antigua, Guatemala and found this well worth the $20 US for a lot of deliciousness)
• Kayak around the Las Isletas
• Head out to Laguna de Apoyo and stay for 2 nights- Check out http://www.apoyolodge.com/ (Secluded lodge right off the laguna

Day 3

Relax All day at lodge and enjoy the view of the lake or take as many swims as you would like. Don’t forgot to make yummy pizza in the pizza oven.

Day 4

Head back into Granada to catch a chicken bus for super cheap or spend a little more of comfort and get a shuttle bus to Leon. Stay at Latina Hostel if you would prefer quiet but good atmosphere. Different manager now then when I’m stayed but I’m sure it will be just as awesome. I believe it was only $10 a night and I booked off of hostelworld.com Rest of the day spend time eating at all the incredible restaurants including the French Bakery. Check out and register for a Volcanoe tour from Quetzaltrekkers. If you still have lots of energy by night make sure you stop at the bar and do a little salsa dancing or like me non- stop for hours.

Day 5

Go on either Volcano trip that you registered for. My suggestions are Volcanoe Boarding because who doesn’t want to sled down a volcanoe. This would be a half day trip or get more adventurous if you have the time and take on the 2 day trip to Cerro Negro for boarding followed by hiking/camping for the night on El Hoyo. It only cost $69 US for both and best of all it all went to help out children.

Day 6

You will be extremely exhausted if you went on the 2 day trek and probably not want to do a whole lot. Just relax and enjoy the evening eating dinner at the Chicken Lady. I actually don’t remember if this is what it’s called exactly but ask around for this name and they will know what I’m talking about. Super cheap and massive awesome meal.

Day 7

Take a day trip out to Las Penitas and relax at the beach for your last day. Drink beers all day or take up some surf lessons. Waves are usually small so perfect for beginners. Enjoy the sunset.

Day 8

Fly home in less of course you have a few more days. If so make sure you take the chicken buses to Somoto Canyon. It’s a 2 day adventure as it’s a long ways there and back but I don’t think you will be disappointed. At least I wasn’t.

I have also traveled way more of Nicaragua if you enjoy surfing. I won’t go through the details but I’ll give you a few places for a must on a surfing adventure. Must see places are San Juan del Sur (party and surf), Las Penitas and Playa Gigante. Playa Gigante is a little harder to get to but is extremely cool place. Let me know if you need details on these places.

Well that’s it for now. Any details about Nicaragua and travel tips I can help out as much as possible. If not your all set to start planning your epic adventure to Nicaragua!!!

I just wanted to share some Christmas joy around. The last few weeks I’m sure has been crazy for everyone considering it’s only a week until the big holiday. The problem is people living in Alberta already seem to be rushing around every day of the year let alone when December rolls around. Stop to take a few moments and actually enjoy the Christmas spirit that is happening around you. There’s always so much to do. Can’t forget about decorating the house inside and out, decorating the tree, baking all those cookies or shopping and wrapping presents. So much to do right but let’s see all of that of course adds to the incredible holiday but make sure to stop and enjoy the little things that matters. All of the little gestures from friends, family or even strangers for that matter. I’ve had a few of those unexpected moments this December. Beginning with being a part of pay it forward when I stopped to get a drink from the local coffee shop. Whoever you were that day that little gesture completely made my day with a big smile. So of course the right thing to do is pay it forward to the next person and hopefully it had the same effect if not more on the next person. There was also one other amazing gesture that happened to me last night at work. It was a gentleman I have never served before but he comes in quite often. He made sure to tell me two places I must visit in Barcelona when I go this coming January. The two things were a wine and tapa tour which I probably wouldn’t be able to afford on a backpacking trip considering it will be a very tight budget. I was also told to go see a very famous gorgeous church called “Sagrada Familia. I was thinking ya right I’m not going to afford any of this that he is telling me but then he gave me enough money to go on both of these trips. I couldn’t describe the feeling of a stranger wanting to do something so nice for someone. I promised him I will for sure go to both places and a big Thanks to this gentleman. I really do hope he has a Merry Christmas. Now I know most people don’t have extra money to spend on just anyone but the amount of little things that has made me smile in the last year that don’t cost a cent is enormous. Take something as little as writing a good ol hand written letter to someone very important to you in your life. Doesn’t cost anything but a few minutes of your time. It will be worth more then an email. Another thing maybe reconnect and have a coffee with someone you have lost but still will always be important to you in your life. This has happened with someone I know and it’s an amazing feeling. With all that sound I really do hope every single one of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays. Hope you get to spend it with the people you will always cherish in your life.

Until the clock strikes 12 on New Years Eve……….

Well here we are September 16, 2014 already and guess what? It’s still 25 degrees out and I’m still able to sit on the deck in enjoying a beer in the hot sun. I can’t believe how fast summer has gone. I guess that’s what happens when your having an amazing summer. We have only had a couple cold days other then that I know it should be fall but it still feels like summer to me.

This summer I have managed to work 7 days a week sometimes 2 shifts in one day. Even with how much I have worked, I still can say I’ve probably had one of the best summer’s of my life. I have enjoyed every minute of being in the mountains and don’t want it to end. The conversations I have had with the young and elderly, new and old friends, family or just complete strangers have made the summer. I finally feel like I’m doing what I should have done years ago. Obviously there was some hard days at work here and there but finally a job where the good days are way higher then the bad. Each and every person I have met either from serving them, campground people or new friends has put an extra smile on my face in some way or another. I am going to miss this place but I really am hoping to be back for next summer. Can’t go wrong out here.

My summer has been filled with so much work but yet I still managed to make sure I found time to experience the beauty of this place. I’ve taken on plenty more golf games this year then I have in the years before. Between golf clinics and a lot of practice I’ve managed to bring my score down way more then it used to be. Before It was more just for the fun, now it’s for the fun and a little fun competition. A lot of my days were a golf game in the mornings and work afterwards. With that said this year is the first year in 22 years that I haven’t even picked up and took a swing with a baseball bat. I was so addicted to softball/slopitch where I was playing almost every day all summer. Can’t believe I have made it a whole summer without even a single game. All in all there’s more to life then baseball. My summer has been drama free which I didn’t realize how much ball played a part in that. Don’t get me wrong I still miss playing but happy I took the chance to try new things and give it a break for a year. The new sport I took up this year seemed like a better choice out here. I got out paddle boarding a few times. It’s so peaceful to be paddling across the lake or through the marshes. Listening to the sound of nature the whole way (well with a few laughs and giggles with a few people falling here and there). Now that I’ve experienced it here I’m so excited to be able to try it all over the world wherever I go. I even got a few nights of ultimate frisbee in and hopefully one more for everything before I leave. Even without playing sports everyday I still had so much other things to do. Between bottling my own 68 bottles of beer, some mini golf, the hot springs, a few little hikes, lots of company and of course the best staff part ever. Bush party by the river with an outdoor movie and beers.

My only time off this summer was for 2 amazing beautiful weddings. I got to be a part of my sisters special day and welcome a new family member in. Also seeing my good friend get married and bringing back tons of old memories. Even though those 2 events were pretty much my only days off they were for sure worth every minute.

All in all this summer soon has to come to an end. 2 more weeks is all I have left out here but really that’s not the end of my journey that I decided to start back in January. It still continues as I’ve been planning a few more trips already. Soon I’ll be back in Edmonton for a quick visit with a few people I’ve stayed in touch with. Then it’s going to be on a plane to Vancouver to see my lifelong friend and a few others I’ve met over the year. Plus a little side trip to Whistler and Seattle from there. I’ve also decided to be a kid and booked with some family for Disneyworld in November. The best for last a big plan again for January still in the works.

For now thanks to everyone I’ve met all summer and for all of my family support. Wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without you guys. It’s now time to enjoy a little more sun before work. Journey just keeps getting better and better as the days go by.

It’s been a few weeks already since I moved out to British Columbia for the summer. I’m in the most beautiful valley and living in Fairmont Hot Springs. My parents have a trailer lot out here in a campground for the summer season so that’s my new home. Beautiful place considering I open the door of my little cabin room and to one side see the mountains and the other the hoodoos. It’s crazy to think I used to come out here camping all over and golfing as a kid and never thought it would be my home for 5 months. The campground is so peaceful during the week with mostly the people coming out on the weekend. I’m sitting outside on the sunny deck listening to the hummingbirds fight over the feeder. In the afternoons even better enjoying a beer. There is an unbelievable amount of micro breweries out here and I’m determined to try all the different beer this summer. I might not have that much time though considering I am working two different jobs out here to save the cash for my next adventure in the fall or winter. Serving at restaurants is the easiest way to make money and honestly I just love it because you have so many interesting conversations with so many strangers. It can make for some really awesome days.

I know serving is not much of a career being 28 and all but I’ve decided it’s the best way right now to finally fulfill my dream of traveling all over and I’m ok with that. Life’s not about what careers people have or weather they have a car, a house or some fancy piece of paper hanging on the wall to say they have read a textbook and passed an exam. I used to think I needed all of this to be happy but the last year  I’ve realized this is not true at all. Life is more about being happy with what you are doing at the time and still living at least comfortable no matter where you are. I’d rather have more life experiences and learn everyday something new about a different place, person or thing. That’s what makes me happy. The excitement from that one little conversation with a stranger, the feeling of being on top of a volcano, underground in a cave or honestly just enjoying nature at it’s best. One of the reasons that I’ve become even more happy not having anything really to my name except a car is seeing all the children in low poverty communities so happy with not even a toy to play with but the free will to just run around and laugh.They live with just the really basic needs and they are still have huge smiles. What does that tell all of us living in a pretty good life in North America?Try to be happy with what you have is all I can say. The unknown is the best way to be happy because you never know what is next and it’s the most amazing feeling in the world. 

Who knew I’d end up here for now meeting new people everyday and just enjoying life. Although I do miss baseball so very much I’m trying new things everyday or becoming better at golf. Taking up yoga is probably one of the best things a person can do as well. Learning more about life everyday. In a few months I’ll be on to something new and exciting again. It will be never ending for me in my life. I’m going to get the best of my life I have and hope more people can as well.

Oh I must add I love nature so much but I am scared of my pet black bear that pays a visit to me every few nights….:( 

Whoever reads this today, try to think of one thing you really want to do with your life and make a plan today to actually accomplish it. The result will be worth it.  

Costa Rica was a short 2 day stay. San Jose is not too exciting and really not all that much to see. It probably would have been better though if it wasn’t the start to Holy week as nothing and I mean nothing was pretty open. I left as quickly as I could on the next shuttle to Panama. It turned out to be a rainy drive to Puerto Veijo. We stopped here just long enough for lunch and finally to be able to step my feet in the Caribbean ocean. We switched shuttles for another short drive to the border which was probably the craziest border I saw on my whole trip. An old railroad bridge crossing over a pretty fast flowing river. Oh and no warning signs of how many missing planks there and loose bolts. I was just glad I didn’t trip or drop my passport. No signs for immigration no where and only maybe 2 cops the whole time. Then we drove a little further to the ferry (a little speed boat) to get out to Boca del Toro. From there I walked to a place called Casa Verde to await my next adventure volunteering with Give and Surf. I took one more boat to Bastimentos Island where I was brought to pure paradise. My home for the next 9 nights was Palmer Tent Lodge. I stayed in a dorm style canvas buildi                                      ng. 

 

My first couple days was touring around a little with a couple of the workers from the organization. The first day for volunteering was a really unique experience. I was picked up by the boat and we went to different parts of the island to pick up all the preschool aged children. The Ngobe children seem very shy at first but I few of them warmed up after a day and some only minutes. We had preschool for a couple hours each day. Then we had an hour of english class with the older kids sometimes there and sometimes and another school on the island. It’s a little harder to get full attention from the older kids but they all seemed to still learn a little english each day. It’s amazing to see the children are able to get at least some education considering they are on an island. I loved every minute that I got to spend at the schools and wish I could have stayed a way longer time to get to know each and everyone of them. Hopefully as the program builds a little more there will be more families wanting to send their younger children to preschool on a more regular basis. They also have their own language which would have been great to learn but did not seem so easy to learn.     

 

The rest of my time on the island I tried to enjoy the sun as much as possible even though rainy season was just starting. I also went to the Bat Caves one day. Getting there was part of the adventure between boating to a different part of the island, then canoeing down through the jungle with the old wooden canoe paddles. Barely any noise except nature going through the jungle. Caving is always amazing and always some what different. I have never seen so many bats in my life though. I also got to crawl up through a tiny space to see a pool of water you can jump in. One more cave down billions to see in the world yet. 

Next adventure was my snorkeling trip. I haven’t really snorkeled that much before but I loved this place. You barely even had to go out into the water to start exploring. I stayed pretty close to the shore and I can’t believe how much I saw. Underwater is like a whole new world to see. The walk back was an incredible walk on the beach and jungle. So many different birds to see and red frogs. The sunset was unbelievable. 

The last couple evenings were spent with quite a few amazing people I met once again. Some panama beers and board games was pretty much the only thing to do while it was raining. The last night we went up to a different restaurant and the baseball game was on for the Panama Series. So much fun to be watching with some of the staff. 

Next day I was at Casa Verde and met a lady from Panama. Her and I ended up being on the same flight to Panama city (decided against one more long bus ride.) I ended up at my Hostel Panamericano. It just happened to be the day a major street perfomance was going on and the hostel was part of the show. It was quite crazy there but happy I got to see some sort of a festival. That night my friend showed up unexpected and we ended up going for a nice dinner outside with a clear view of the city and water. After that the Panamanian lady swung by and we went out for some drinks with some of her friends. We even made it to a few innings of the final series of the Panama Baseball. Next day she took me to the Panama Canal and had a few beers there as we waited for the ships to come in.Later that night she took me to an amazing restaurant right by the water. It was probably the best experience I could have had in Panama city especially been shown around by such a generous local woman. Thanks if you are reading this. 

 

My trip sadly came to an end the next day. The trip never really ended until I got home though considering I met awesome people in the airport and on the plane. Even though it’s the end of this trip, it’s not the end of my journey that I’m on. There is plenty more to come especially since I’ve decided to move to BC. 

Stay tuned for the next part of my journey…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Everyone. Well it’s been a crazy couple of weeks in Nicaragua. After a shuttle down my friend and I ended up in Leon. It’s a pretty unique place with a ton of good restaurants and cafes. Finally was able to find a super good steak and mashed potato meal with a yummy mojito. 

We decided to take a 2 day trip to Somoto Canyon up near the Honduras/Nica border. It is a place in the middle of no where run by a local family with 7 brothers. Probably one of the best ways to spent a birthday was to be canyoning and cliff jumping and trying to have spanish conversations. We had a 5 hr chicken bus ride back to Leon to celebrate the rest of my day. A bonus I finally saw a chicken on the chicken bus! We got back just in time for the hostel owner to have a piece of cake for me and some shots ready. Then might have turned into going out for some rum.

We spent the next couple days exploring some more cafes and going out to Las Penitas beach. I did manage to actually get in the water again and catch a few more waves. Next adventure was to go on a 2 day trip to the volcanoes. Early in the morning was the hike up Cerro Negro Volcanoe which hasn’t erupted since 1999 and usually erupts every 8 years! After the 45 min hike we put on some coveralls and goggles and sat on a board and was down in less then a minute. So much lava ash everywhere but we weren’t done yet and was ready to start hiking the next volcanoe. It was a 3 hr hike up to El Hoyo in 38 degree weather. I might have struggled a little but by the time we set up camp and hiked the rest of the way to the summit to see the most amazing view and sunset. From the top you can see the whole line of 10 volcanoes and the crater lake. Oh watch out for the boa snake though hiding by the path. Eeek. The best part of camping on Hoyo we just had to unzip the tent in the morning to see again the most amazing sunrise. Next was the long 4 hr hike to the crater lake and well by the end of this trip I might have had a bit of heat stroke but the trip was well worth the struggle. Determination goes along ways to see beauty. 

We ended our week in Leon with a night at the French bakery for cheese and wine. And then of course goodbyes again to head to Playa Gigante. A shuttle and taxi ride later we ended up at Monkey House Hostel on a cliff overlooking the ocean and beach. To the left a fishing village and to the right a surf break. Couldn’t ask for a better lookout especially with the guitar and ukulele that a couple girls were playing for the chill part of the days. For three days I got to go watch my first surfing competition a little ways down the beach. Oh the trek there one day and on the way back was all part of the experience which included walking 2 km, hitching a ride from the veggie truck and another truck. A few of the locals that I met were entered in the competition so it made it that much more better to watch. Funny how 4 years later I met again my surf instructor from a different town and we have never stayed in contact. It’s so easy just being yourself in such a chilled village too. I keep following in love with all the places I’ve been going. The last day was a boat trip out to a couple extremely good surf spots not for beginners. Great to just be on the ocean though and watch some massive waves. I also was able to have a good day learning spanish again with the boat driver. 

Yesterday was time to leave bright and early and get moving to Costa Rica. One of the worst days to travel because of Holy Week but I made it. It might have taken 3 buses and a couple hours and the border crossing and a taxi to but I arrived at a nice hostel in San Jose. I’m only here long enough to get a shuttle to Panama for tomorrow as I have run out of time and no longer can travel Costa Rica. There’s always next time. It’s time to volunteer in a couple days on an island. 

Until next time….time for island time!!!

So I ended up staying longer in El Salvador then I thought. After I got back from Mexico I just fell in love with El Zonte even more. We have had a few goodbye parties for everyone who is starting to leave in their seperate travels and we will have one more tonight to say goodbye to El Salvador for this trip anyways. 

I did manage to get a couple more day trips in though to experience just a little more piece of the country before moving on. The girls took a day trip in the back of a truck for ceviche, swim at Playa San Diego. Then we drove up to Puerta del Diablo and overlooked all of San Salvodor. More yummy pupusas for dinner which are way better off the coast. 

Traveling has reminded me of some of things I used to do. I even have picked up a guitar a couple of times because I actually have the time. I do miss playing music. It´s hard to fit in time for some of that back home but here you have all the time in the world. 

For the past week or so I´ve been hanging out with a pretty good group of people. The boys got me out surfing again one more time. I have also tried a couple more salsa classes which I would love to continue when I get home. We also went up to the mountains for the day on a quad trip well they had dirt bikes. That was probaly one of the best ways to see the countryside. Everything looks so much greener inland. Forgot how much fun it was to go riding. Other then that we have had a couple beer nights but then we said goodbye a couple days ago to them. Yesterday a couple of us went over to a different beach and had a lobster and shrimp lunch. Wow it was actually really good. Today will be my last night in Zonte. It´s pretty sad to be leaving but it´s time to enjoy and see a different country as well. Not that I have much time left to make it through 3 countries now. Oh well when you find a certain place it´s hard to leave.We will be having a goodbye party tonight at least.  

My friend I have met will be on a shuttle tomorrow morning for our next adventure. 

Hola from nice, warm sunny paradise! I can’t believe how fast time is flying by. El Salvador might be a small country but it has a crazy amount of places to go and explore. Over the past few weeks I’ve gone and toured around but have kept Escenia as my home base because I can’t bare to leave it or the people.

My very first trip was to Tamanique waterfalls. We did some cliff jumping and I also did a repel down the waterfall.Perfect way to spend my day and I nice peaceful place to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Ruta de Flores was my second trip and was an adventure full of amazing little colonial towns. Every town or city in Central America seems to have a central park with in a colonial town with a park and cathedral. I toured a coffee plantation even though I don’t like coffee at all. It was still a very interesting tour and I even managed to like a cappuchino. We also got to explore another waterfall for a cool down.

There is never ending spots to see here. I climbed Santa Ana Volcanoe. One of the best views I’ve seen so far. The crater was an amazing bright green color. The lookout from the top was on to the crater lake and a couple other volcanoes. We then went to the crater like after the hike down for some beers, lunch and a swim. Also got to do a little wakeboarding and finished the day with watching the sunset.

One weekend I was on a 2 day trip to the Gulf of Frenseca. A way different life then El Zonte. The day was filled with a boat trip around the islands including a hike, swim and lunch at a few of them. Ended the day with a trip up to another town for some very yummy pupusas. Anything you want in them you could get and best part they are less then a dollar. Actually got a hot shower since I left for Canada too. Next day we ended up hiking another volcanoe and then went to another beach to do some kayaking in the mangroves. Didn’t see any crocodiles though.

My rest of my time there has been filled with a few fiestas, surfing and riding a real wave. Best feeling when I caught a nice wave. I’ve also continued with yoga a couple times and some spanish classes. I’ve also attempted a salsa class. I have met even more amazing people and I didn’t want to leave any of them.

I decided to surprise my parents, aunts and cousin and go to Mazatlan Mexico for a little while. I have enjoyed my time so much this past week just relaxing with them. Carnival here was also a good time with bringing my aunt for the first time to the parade. I only have a day left to spent with my cousins and aunt before heading back to El Salvador. I sure have enjoyed a change of food and hot showers though. Will be excited to head back to way warmer weather though.

Hope I”ll be able to write more often. Bye Bye for now.