San Juan Del Sur, Survivor Nicaragua

Day 89, Sep 29, 2013, 98km

Small drive to San Juan Del Sur, that is mostly known for great surfing and Survivor Nicaragua and Survivor Redemption Island that starred Russel Hantz and Rob Mariano. Watched a lot of Survivor shows over the years but those were my favourites and now being able to stand here on there Beach is a thrill. I'm glad I have seen this now because this little town that it still is, is about to become invaded by the Island Princess Cruise Ship and many more for the first time and will mostly never be the same after. The actual Yankee Beach (Playa El Yankee) that they filmed on is a few km's south of the town.

 

The towns Beach.

 Small Surf shop

Granada, Lake Nicaragua

Day 88, Sep 28, 2013

Stayed in Granada today and walked to the towns square and the market area, before heading to Lake Nicaragua, did come back early and had a good nap (siesta).

Have been bothered the last two days with a head cold that is screwing with my sinuses, have been drinking more with some extra orange juice and hope this goes over quickly, other then that my leg is getting slowly better and I can walk a bit more everyday.

 

Market fair in Granada.

 

 

 

 

Lake Nicaragua.

 

Tomorrow off to San Juan Del Sur and enjoy the beach I hope.

 

Granada, Dona Elba

Day 87, Sep 27, 2013, 152km

Woke up with the smell of another fantastic breakfast being made by Johnny from the Naked Gringo. This is absolutely a great place to stay. We had parked our bikes the first day at the secure parking that is 1 street down, but fond this a real hassle to get the bikes out since the lot is vertically challenged and has big broken chunks of cement combined with boulders/rocks, so on day two we parked under the balcony of the Naked Gringo and put our covers over the bikes. We had seen that there are a lot of security guards in this area, mostly because of the pharmacy on the corner and we would recommend this to anyone going there.

Had a nice short drive from Matagalpa to Granada and checked in at The Backyard Hostel for $12.

In the late afternoon we headed into town and stopped at the Dona Elba where they hand made a cigar in front of us. Needed to have one of course in there special smoking parlour (don't worry did not inhale) where we could enjoy the aroma of these beautifully crafted cigars.

Granada’s town square.

 

Matagalpa, Selva Negra

Day 86, Sep 26, 2013, 67km

We have been making really good time the last couple of days so we will stay in Matagalpa for another day and explore this beautiful area.

Today started with Johnny preparing an excellent breakfast for us this morning. It was so much that we could not finish all of it and that says something.

After breakfast we headed up the mountainside to Selva Negra (Schwarzwald) resort founded by German Immigrants back in the late 1800s to help develop the coffee industry in this area.

Had some fresh ecologically produced coffee, straight from this place and what a difference this is in taste, just unbelievable good.

Continued a bit later on the twisty JM15 road through the mountains and looped back toward Matagalpa for a nice relaxing afternoon.

 

Old burnt out tank from the Sandinista revolution stands at the entrance to the  Selva Negra turn off.

 

 

 

 

 

Selva Negra resort.

Las Manos Border Crossing

Day 85, Sep 25, 2013, 210km

Border crossing at  Las Manos into Nicaragua.

 

At Immigration (Migracion) get your exit stamp and pay $60 Quetzales

Go to Customs (Aduana) get an exit paper that you need to fill in yourself (it's in Spanish and English) and fill in your import paper and get it stamped, then get a copy made and with a copy of it stamped (that they keep) you then can get a stamp in your passport.

Ride past chain barrier and on the right get your bike fumigated for free.

Ride across to the left and get your entry paper, this will be filled out by Immigration officer, you get no stamp in passport just a receipt of the $12 US that you need to pay.

Get your bike import paper filled out by Customs officer, the officer will hand you this piece of paper and ask that you have the bike inspected and then bring the paper back with the inspectors signature on it. Once you have this they will hand you 1 copy of it for you to keep.

Ride up about 100'  and pay a $1 US tourist fee and get bike insurance for $12US

Ride up to chain barrier for final check point and your off.

The border crossing did take about two hrs to complete, but was very simple and no handlers needed.

Ended the day in Matagalpa and staying at The Naked Gringo BB for $35 US. The owner Johnny is from Seattle, Washington and has ventured all the way out here to try something new., and all we can say for now is this place is great.

Some stunning Nicaragua countryside.