Nicaragua - there we go

After one week in the country of the rich coasts, we arrive in its northern neighbour, Nicaragua. It takes altogether 10 hours and 4 different chicken busses  (they seem to have their name from their use as carriers of these animals, and indeed there are two Nicas in our bus with two little chickens in a plastic bag, strechting out only their heads through two holes) to finally arrive in Granada at Lago de Nicaragua.

And yes, it is so good to be here. Admittedly, the beginning was kind of rough since we waited true 1.5 hours in line for getting our entrance stamp at the migracion office. Also, these five random guys insanely yelling at us at every bus change location to come to their bus, as if it was the last chance our lifes to get away from there, was somehow scary.  Not to mention the fear we had to suffer to loose our luggage, which we had to hand to somebody on the bus' roof.

Nevertheless, Nicaragua is great and it feels so much more autentic than Costa Rica ever did. Granada seems to be an extraordinary piece of Nicaragua, with its nicely preserved colonial architecture, narrow street with street vendors, horse pulled carriages and bicycles manned with at least two people.  Behind the barred doors, large yards hide offering hammoks, gardens and an increadible relaxing atmosphere. One could easily spend days just hanging out in the various cafes. It actually reminds me quite a bit of my Venezuela trip (greetings to poison ivy). Though, the feel of permanent fear is not there. It is generally really safe around here.

Still to come: Laguna de Apoyo, Volcan Mombacho, Islas the Tempete. And, who would have ever imagined: Panama City and the adjacent Canal.