Tranquila Adelita: Isla Omotepe

Coming back to Nicaragua after 2 months traveling North – El Tunco, Utila, Guatemala, Mexico, California – is very exciting. I loved this country, the people, the nature, the fruits (not the food!)… When I left the country to go to Guatemala, I kept one place of the country to visit when I would return, on my way to Costa Rica: the island Omotepe on the lake Nicaragua. My plan is to visit this beautiful island and then cross the lake from there to go to San Carlos where I could cross – supposedly easylier than from Rivas – the bordure with Costa Rica. The question is : will they let me in without an exit ticket?)

After 2 flights from USA, a taxi to a bus station in Managua, a bus to San Jorge and a Ferry – an exhausting 16 hour journey with a bad cold – Here I am in Omotepe, still drowsy from the strong night cough syrup, but no more sick!

Omotepe is an island in a shape of an 8 with two volcanos. Concepcion is the highest volcano on the biggest part, Maderas is the other volcano on the small side of the island.

It was 5pm when I arrived. I decided to spend the first night here, in Moyogalpa.

Walking a little bit, I found this quiet hospedaje where I could enjoy a private room with bathroom for 5$. It was clean and the ladies were very nice. I ordered a good meal of steamed vegetables and meat, nothing fried, no rice and no frijoles! I ate while watching with them a Mexican novella called “lo que la vida me robò”. It was so popular that people were standing in front of the restaurant to watch it! Reminded me of Cuba!

This night I slept for 12 hours!

The next day, I had a French breakfast (toasts with butter and honey) and a coffee in a little wifi café. It’s Important to me to stay connected. And now that I have my new mini laptop, it’s even more enjoyable!

I decided to leave Moyogalpa to get closer to the volcano Maderas. Since the bus was not coming, I hitch-hiked and jumped in the back of a truck. I had the best view on Conception! Amazing volcano!

I was left on a road where I waited for a bus that took me to the hostel Zopilote. I spent one night there and didn’t like this place at all. It’s a permaculture farm that preach for organic everything, recycling everything, dry stinky toilets, free yoga every morning… Too much for me!! Especially when they keep give you pieces of paper with the map and rules of the place, a flyer to promote the place and a sticker! And of course, Nothing on recycled paper!

El Zopilote

Anyway, I left the next day and walked on the road for 15min with my backpack. Then a bus took me to Balgue, the next village. There, I spent 2 nights at the lazy crab hostel. They were so friendly, attentive, very cheap and the atmosphere was really relax, with Hammock and lounge music!

During my stay, I visited the Finca Magdalena that offers one of the best view on Cenception and the beaches of Santo Domingo. I also rode a bike on the island and chilled out…