Woken up by the birds in fantastic location between volcano and lake! Absolute jem. Breakfast with wonderful views after a very late start. Total peacefulness and relaxation topped with the gentle background of various bird song. Splendid!
Set off at around 10am and 10km down the road we visited a “precolumbus” museum of indigenous Ometepen ceramics. The spanish guide spoke some English and we had a good laugh. The next destination was the biggest town on Ometepe, Moyogalpa. We got there for late lunchtime and had a healthy fruit session followed by a meal and several portions of ice cream. While grazing we decided to jump on the ferry to the mainland realizing then February has only 28 days and our flight to Havana was closer that we originally thought. The ferry ride was extremely rough but the sweet old wooden feel to the boat compensated for the wet clothes from stormy waves (We spent half the journey fully expecting to see our bikes fly off the roof into the lake). Never would have imagined a serious storm on the lake, but clearly it is possible.
We cycled out of the port then stocked up on biscuits and water. There were no road signs (something fairly normal in Central America), so it was not easy to find our way to the interamericana which we needed to take toward Granada. This bit of the main road going across central Americas had a small bit of hard shoulder and the traffic was not too bad, hence we ended up riding for good an hour and a half. Just as we were tring to find somewhere to sleep, I got a puncture. Twenty minuntes later, in a strong full moon light, we headed north but there were no hotels on the horizon. We asked several private farmers for assistance but they all where too scared?! A motel and a grotty bar for truck drivers would allow for me to stay, but when they realised that Teresa was with me, would not let us stay (must have been really bad!). Another 20 min ride in semi-darkness and we arrived at a police checkpoint . After our questions about accommodation, they would not let us cycle anywhere and told us to camp behind their building for safety. They kept bikes on their patio just in case (bless them). They even asked if we are not hungry. Slept soundly even with the roar of trucks stopping and gearing up.
Cycled 40ish km
Set off at around 10am and 10km down the road we visited a “precolumbus” museum of indigenous Ometepen ceramics. The spanish guide spoke some English and we had a good laugh. The next destination was the biggest town on Ometepe, Moyogalpa. We got there for late lunchtime and had a healthy fruit session followed by a meal and several portions of ice cream. While grazing we decided to jump on the ferry to the mainland realizing then February has only 28 days and our flight to Havana was closer that we originally thought. The ferry ride was extremely rough but the sweet old wooden feel to the boat compensated for the wet clothes from stormy waves (We spent half the journey fully expecting to see our bikes fly off the roof into the lake). Never would have imagined a serious storm on the lake, but clearly it is possible.
We cycled out of the port then stocked up on biscuits and water. There were no road signs (something fairly normal in Central America), so it was not easy to find our way to the interamericana which we needed to take toward Granada. This bit of the main road going across central Americas had a small bit of hard shoulder and the traffic was not too bad, hence we ended up riding for good an hour and a half. Just as we were tring to find somewhere to sleep, I got a puncture. Twenty minuntes later, in a strong full moon light, we headed north but there were no hotels on the horizon. We asked several private farmers for assistance but they all where too scared?! A motel and a grotty bar for truck drivers would allow for me to stay, but when they realised that Teresa was with me, would not let us stay (must have been really bad!). Another 20 min ride in semi-darkness and we arrived at a police checkpoint . After our questions about accommodation, they would not let us cycle anywhere and told us to camp behind their building for safety. They kept bikes on their patio just in case (bless them). They even asked if we are not hungry. Slept soundly even with the roar of trucks stopping and gearing up.
Cycled 40ish km