Nicaragua - Part Time Pilot

Another Day at Finca Don Chico in Penas Blancas – 20220809

I decided to stay an extra night here in Penas Blancas because it was just too nice to pass up.

I got up and ate breakfast with the family I met the night before. My plan was to do a long hike and after much confusion I finally went on my own with some oral instructions from Don Chico. I hiked down the cow pasture to the edge of the woods where I found the path that would start climbing up.

I was so sure I was going to get soaked the whole hike

It very well may have been my favorite hike I’ve ever been on. The greenery was unbelievable. There were some majorly sketchy parts of the hike. One where I basically had to shimmy next to a tree while holding onto branches to not fall hundreds of feet below.

Somehow for most of the hike it didn’t rain much. The entire rest of the day it would pour every 10 minutes. It’s really unreal how much it rains here.

The hike went up to a waterfall and then I followed the ridge along to try to get to the top of a mountain. I had some amazing views on the way of just sheer dropoffs.

I couldn’t quite make it to what I assumed was the end but it was probably for the best as I kept getting lost. I tracked the hike on my phone though so kept walking back to intercept the drawn line on my map. I headed back down where I would rest a little bit at the cabin unable to think as the rain pummeled the roof every 10 minutes.

Tomorrow I will start the journey towards Managua. I’m not sure where I will go yet tomorrow but I’ll stop somewhere on the way.

From Lago Apañas to Matagalpa, Encounter With a Pet Monkey – 20220807

In the morning I rented a kayak which cost about $3. But the rain started to spit at me after about an hour so I just shot around real quick to see the lake a bit. I was the only person to be seen anywhere on the lake. There are very little people around. I was mostly kayaking next to cows that were trying to eat the plants floating in the water that a farmer had cut nearby.

It was supposed to be a short ride today but it was rough. As soon as I started riding it started raining and the whole ride was me squinting as each drop of rain smacked my eyes. I squinted, pulled my helmet down, tried everything to see through the rain. Eventually I stopped at a restaurant and ate some chicken and wait out the rain.

The people next to me had a monkey! I went to pet the monkey for a little bit. He was the cutest little dude ever. I would love to own a little monkey like that one day. They said it cost them $120! Less than a ferret in the US!

I arrived in Matagalpa and went to Buena Onda Hostel and met some nice Dutch brothers and a German girl. We went and got tacos. At the central plaza some homeless people started hovering around us. For the first time ever they literally just wanted the food off of our plate. In the US there is always the assumption that people just want drugs. But these guys kept coming up and pointing to the tacos just asking for one. Eventually I gave in, but felt really strange about it.

We then went back to the hostel, had some wine, and watched Shrek. What better way to end a day?

Saying Goodbye to my Homestay Family and Drive to Lago Apanas – 20220806

I woke up around 7 or 8 and went to hangout with the homestay family. They made me a huge breakfast and then the older son walked down with me towards some waterfalls.

They ended up being unbelievably cool. Perfectly carved in the rock is a deep swimming pool. The water was perfectly refreshing. I splashed around a bit on my own and Carlos told me he couldn’t swim. We headed back up and their daughter dropped off their grandson, Cristobal.

Lil Cristobal playing with his toys in the dirt

He was a cool little dude who at first was terrified of me. He took his little crocs off and when I started throwing them at him he loved it. He threw them back at me as hard as he could. I pretended to be hurt each time and he thought it was hilarious.

Man, they live in a small spot. Some people walked by every few minutes and all stared, a few said hi to me. I feel myself day by day becoming more receptive and understanding the people in these villages more.

I used to assume they all hated me due to the angry stares but I know that’s not even close to the case. None of them even voice jealousy. They all tell me how cool my trip is and share in my excitement instead of being jealous. I can’t say the same for even a lot of people that I had considered friends. I feel jealousy crack a lot of relationships even though I am certain the majority of the people jealous of the way I travel would hate traveling the way I do.

I threw a couple more shoes at little Cristobal, packed up my things, and headed towards the lake that was kind of on the way to Matagalpa that I had found in iOverlander. The ride was amazing. The road was pretty much all dirt but nice and flat most of the way. I had an amazing ride and after an hour and a half I was at the place. It’s called “Centro Acuatico El Chilamate.” It cost 450($13) for a cabin so I coughed up the money as I saw an enormous storm approaching.

As is so often the case, as soon as I threw my stuff in the room the storm slammed down. An hour later it was still raining and I dropped my idea of going kayaking, maybe in the morning if it is dryer.

Tag: Nicaragua

Another Day at Finca Don Chico in Penas Blancas – 20220809

I was so sure I was going to get soaked the whole hike

Incredible view of the houses below

Sketchy climb

Gorgeous waterfall

My cozy little cabin

Looking out at the coffee fields

From Lago Apañas to Matagalpa, Encounter With a Pet Monkey – 20220807

Kayaking

Fooood

What a cutie

Saying Goodbye to my Homestay Family and Drive to Lago Apanas – 20220806

20 Cordobas for entrance

Awesome swim spot

Just jump

Lil Cristobal playing with his toys in the dirt

Awesome lil dude

Look at that face

Lil terd throwing his lil crocs

Ya droolin Cristobal

Grandpa carrying Cristobal in a wagon

Awesome people

Bearded trees

Views on the ride