'Hey Jules, theres a bloody big hole in the bridge!'

A trip to the Moskitia was in order, so we travelled the scenic road (which just happens to be the only road) to where it abruptly ends in the town of Rama, 45km from the Caribean Sea. Our guide book stated that the road was in a poor state of repair, however we found it to be very well maintained and in good condition apart from the odd pot hole.
The 460km ride took us through lovely hill country and some of the best beef raising areas in Central America. As you ride past Lago Managua the scenery appears dry, dusty and similar to the Flinders Ranges in South Australia.

Once past these low hills the country opens up into kilometre after kilometre of dense rainforrest. The air becomes rich with the sweet, pungent smell of thriving vegetation and laden with humidity, typical of the tropics.

Street in Rama

We arrived in Rama late in the afternoon, a heavy rain shower imminent. The town appeared very run down, grey water flowed in the open drains, roads were barely accessible, buildings appeared to be slapped together like a shanty town and the people cautious of visitors.

Hurricane Joan, in 1988, caused the Rio Mico to rise 16 metres above its normal level, practically destroying the township. Left in dire poverty it has struggled for the last 17 years to re-build, it shows.

Our intentions were to sail on the famous 'Bluefields Express' to the port of Bluefields on the Caribean coast, 5 hours by river boat, the only practical access to the port. It appears the Bluefields Express is not that famous after all! We were led to believe there were four scheduled ferry services per week, however the schedule had been cut back drastically to 2 and only one could carry vehicles.

Rio Mico in calmer times - Rama

The next available service we could take was to leave at 5am on Saturday morning... it was now Tuesday afternoon. After a dreadful lunch, giving us both a mild case of food poisioning, and two days of increasing heat and intensifying tropical storms, we decided not to wait for the next ferry, but return to the Pacific Coast.

Museo Gregorio Aguilar Barea - Juigalpa

Stopping at Juigalpa on the return journey we discovered a gem of a museum, incidently museums are not big in Nicaragua. An impressive exhibit of sculputres, some up to 5 meters tall, found in the surrounding jungle stood in the front yard originating from the indigenous peoples of the area some 1500 years ago.

Carved corn grinding stone, the largest found in Nicaragua

Masaya, close to Granada, though not as heavily touristed by foreigners, was to become our base for more than two weeks. We rumbled into the main street on Miss Piggy expecting the typical hour or so to find an economic hotel. Jules dissapeared down the street and in less than 10 minutes returned explaining that an elderly gentleman , Don Horatio, had almost jumped on to the foot path in front of his hotel with the fabulous offer of room with fan, cable telly and private bathroom for under $US8.00. One catch, parking may be a problem, he explained that we could park the bike in the foyer.

Grant was dubious, yet curious, so off we went to check it out. The hotel was little more than an oversized house. There were two entrances, both involved an ascent of three steep steps and both quite narrow. Grant looked at the room, which was ok, considering the price, and then measured the entrance.

Corner Shop - Masaya

We quickly unloaded the bike, removing both panniers, something we rarely need to do, and with the help of the owner and his two sons managed to lift, push and shove Miss Piggy up into the narrow corridor. In hindsight the effort was probably not worth it especially as we wished to go for the occasional ride, however Don Horatio was more than happy for us to be there, even if Grant did put a small hole in the wall as he manouvered Piggy into position.

From Masaya we found many interesting scenic and refreshingly cool rides into the surrounding mountains near the capital of Managua including the towns where the famous Nicaraguan rocking chairs are crafted.

Miss Piggy (almost naked) and Jules - Vulcan Masaya

Vulcan Masaya, accessible from the town, proved a rewarding experience. We spent a large part of the day hiking the Santiago Craters edge. On occasion large plumes of steam and sulphur dioxide would vent from the volcanoes mouth, more than 400 metres below the car park and us.

The highly informative Interpretive Centre, 5 kms from the craters edge, provides the visitor with a wealth of history on the volcanoes activity. One surprising fact is the volcano releases gasseous immissions from 500 to 3000 tonnes per day, making it one of the worlds largest natural polluters. At first it was difficult to believe these figures, however, after our visit to the crater it was certainly believable.

Santiago Crater - Vulcan Masaya

Apparently, according to our travel guide, Granada is the '...hip new Central American hang out'. This statement alone is enough to make us run for cover! We did though need to find passage to Ometepe Island, the largest island located within a fresh water lake. The giant Lago Nicaragua is unique in that it is home to many saltwater marine species that have adapted to the fresh water.

Municipal Markets - Granada

Granada, on the shores of the lake, is a typical tourist mecca. Several million (well something like that anyway) gringos mill about the town. Every second building is a hospedaje or restaurant and every third building is a real estate office selling plots of land at exorbident prices all, of course, with the best views found anywhere in Nicaragua. It was all too much for us.

Lago Nicaragua - Granada

To be fair, we did enjoy the colonial atmosphere of the town and the chocolate cake. After finding good accommodation and secure motorcycle parking with Don Carlos and Doña Celia at Hospedaje Esfinge (opposite the Municipal Markets) we stayed for several days.

Church - Granada

We headed for San Jorge, the best option for transport to Ometepe, 65kms further south along the shore of the lake. We alighted the ferry and Grant securely strapped the bike to the decks railing whilst trucks were expertly manouvered and crammed into the small space.

Ferry Ometepe - San Jorge

The one hour journey to Moyogalpa on Ilsa Ometepe was calm on the notoriously changeable waters. Observing the two enormous volcanoes looming nearer was very exciting.

3,000 year old Ometepe Island is little more than two active volcanoes (Volcán Conception, a perfect Stromboli cone and Volcán Maderas) rising out of Lago Nicaragua and covered by lush tropical jungle, the shore line dotted with many tiny villages and towns. The paved road circumnavigating the southern half of the island is in good condion and the whole atmosphere of the island strongly reminded Grant of his time living and working on Bouganville Island, Papua New Guinea.

We opted to stay in Altagracias and take a local bus to the Maderas Volcano as all roads, apart from the Moyogalpa-Altagracias, are little more than dirt tracks extremely rough and difficult to navigate. On our return journey the bus broke down on a very steep incline, leaving us stranded for an hour and a half waiting for a truck to pass by to rescue us and the other passengers.

View of Volcan Conception from Volcan Maderas - Ometepe Island

True to the wet season, our last night treated us to a tropical storm and down pouring of rain. From the entrance of our hotel we watched as lightening flashed about the cone of Conception through thickened clouds and heavy rain.

Sunshine greeted us the following morning. After enjoying secluded island life it was time to head for the dock and return to the mainland. Unknown to us, the road had succumbed to heavy flooding during the night and many trees toppled on to the road. We weaved our way through the damaged sections, sometimes riding over downed power lines and slipping across sections of washed volcanic mud, at times the road was almost impassable and it was necessary to skirt the deep muddy pools only to find the sides of the roads a slippery and precarious mess.

Avoiding the mud? - Ometepe Island

Waiting for our return ferry to dock, we were the centre of attention of many locals who gathered around the bike firing question upon question at Grant, who had an hour long Spanish lesson whilst Julie patiently listened to endless 'bike talk'.

Ferry Costs - San Jorge to Moyogalpa: Cordobas 40 per person, 28 for the bike and 12.50 manifest tax. Return Moyogalpa - San Jorge: Cordobas 40 per person, 28 fro the bike, 24 manifest tax and 10 council tax. Total in $US15.00

Returning to the mainland

Eighteen kilometres off the Pan-American Highway San Jan del Sur is situated on a beautiful horseshoe bay. The pristine beach is lined with many restaurants and bars with the bay packed with colourful fishing boats. We relaxed for two days in the peaceful town, yet we realised that in the not to distant future, this town would be spoilt by overdevelopment and high prices. Already there is a large population of permanent foreign residents.

Costa Rica beckoned, only 42 kilometres south, so we bid goodbye to beautiful Nicaragua.

Road in Nicaragua