Nicaragua, the scorching last leg of Central America

Well people, the kitty is running dry and the weather is only getting hotter in Central America. To bring their adventures to a sunny, sweaty end, the trio decided to skip out of costa rica and head north to Nicaragua for some sun and surf in San Juan Del Sur, a bit of island life on the Isla De Ometepe, and finally a taste of the colonial city of Granada. They all three fly out of San Jose, Costa Rica on the 1st of may, heading back to family and friends in the states. Below are some snapshots of the last few weeks.

A sunset view from atop a hill in San Juan Del Sur


Jeebus!!!!!
Ryan, Kevin and Tasha, perched on a wall, enjoying the sunset.

Ryan, being Ryan, from the porch of the trio's first Hostel in SJDS

Ryan and Tasha being bedbugs in the trio's second hostel in SJDS; a room that barely fit the two beds, but had air conditioning, by god.

The sunny streets of San Juan Del Sur.

Kevin, Testing out Tasha's new sunglasses.


Tasha and Ryan, looking pensive in the Black Cat Coffeehouse, the most gringofied establishment this side of the border.

After getting their fill of the ocean, the trio hopped a ferry to the Isla de Ometepe, and got a collective taxi to the Hacienda Merida.


The Taxi ride had some great views of the Volcan Concepcion.


Ryan and Tasha, having a very deep conversation on the shores of the Lago De Nicaragua at Hacienda Merida

Complete with hammocks!!



Kevin, Testing out the chair outside the trio's room at Hacienda Merida.

Sunset over the lake


Hey Cow


Petroglyphs!!!


Tasha, waving to a truckload of travelers on a walk through Merida.




Kevin and Ryan on board the launcha, heading back to the mainland.

Volcan Concepcion through the window of the launcha.

Locals, enjoying a sunday afternoon on the beach in San Jorge.

A bus loaded with goodies in Rivas.


Packed in like a bunch of sweaty sardines, the trio finally got moving to the city of Granada. (despite the look on his face, Kevin is not actually in excruciating pain)



Street performers with a giant puppet in Granada on their first night in town.

Horse-drawn carriages are still extremely common in downtown Granada.



Sunset over the main pedestrian street in Granada.

Kevin and Ryan, taking a break on a bike adventure to Las Isletas outside of Granada.
Now abandoned, this old Hospital in Granada is an example of the colonial architecture that can be found all over the city.



There are also a number of very old cathedrals.


the market street in Granada.


Ryan and Tasha, getting their money's worth out of the Air Conditioning in their room in Granada.



on their last evening in the city, the trio headed up the bell tower in one of the old churches for a sunset view.

All the way up...
A young man who works at the church came up to ring the bells and give our travelers a bit of local history.



and then it was back on a bus to return to San Jose for a couple nights in the big city before heading out on flights back to the states....

they hope you have enjoyed reading.

Moving on to old friends

Well firends, the time has come on the journey of our duo to bid adieu to the butterfly conservatory and the beautiful pueblo of El Castillo. They said that it was their favorite place in costa rica so far, and although they are excited for the two weeks they have left in central america before heading back to the states, they are also sad to be leaving.


Here, a red-eyed tree frog moons the couple on a night visit to the Ranario (frog house)


A passion flower in bloom in the reproduction nurseries.
Torch Ginger in the gardens

A consulfabius butterfly doing what it does best--- hanging upside down and looking like a dead leaf.


the red-eyed tree frog posing for the couple after it expressed regret over the mooning incident.

Bismark, the frog-man, doing some weed-whacking aroundhis house.

Another, much better picture of Margot for those of you who were disappointed with the ones from the last blog.

Delvin, one of the Lab Technicians, collecting butterfly eggs from the gardens.


An elusive butterfly called a rododoro.

Local boys Daniel and Jonothan, visiting the reception office after school.

Gladys, Jonothan´s sister paying a visit as well.


Tasha, getting ready for one last get-together in the volunteer house before leaving for good.

The fridge, getting ready to bust at the seams with too many Numar containers (Numar is the local brand of margarine... apparently a volunteer favorite...)
Marita and Bismark at the fiesta.
Erika, talking to her daughter Fiona at the kitchen table.
Erika´s other daughter, Deby, looking cute as always.

And then came Ryan Morra, Kevin´s college roomate who has been travelling in northern central america for the last three months as well and worked his way down to costa rica to meet up with our friends and see what kind of trouble they could get into. his third day in the area, the three of them found theif

Tasha, coming in for a landing on one of the Ziplines.
Ryan and Tasha, enjoying themselves after a high-speed zip.

Ryan, coming in for a landing of his own.
Coincidentally, their Canopy tour also garnered the trio use of the resort´s thermal pools and waterslides for the rest of the day... boo yah. Ryan can be seen above shooting out of one of the slides.

The view of Tasha, the pool, and the volcano... all essential parts of a true Gringo vacation!!!


Also, if you are interested in seeing where the pair has been in costa rica and panama up to now, check out the google map here: