Nicaragua

Our introduction to Nicaragua was a long days travel from Monteverde Costa Rica using the public bus system.  We had to rise at 3:30am and catch a 4:20am bus to the panamerican highway, where we took multiple public buses until we arrived at the border.  To our surprise, Nicaragua charges $40 for Colombians to enter the country on a visa.  The visa only allows for 30 days to visit the other 3 countries in the 4 country agreement. (Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala)  This disappointed us that they would treat Colombians this way, but I guess that's the way it is.

Isla Ometepe
A very tranquil island in the middle of the huge lake Nicaragua.  The people were really nice on the island.  We rented a motorcycle for 2 days and rode around the whole island.  We also climbed the inactive volcano Maderas and swam many times in the lake.

Ojo de Agua

Climbing Volcan Maderas

Granada

A short visit as we were keen to get out to the Corn Islands.

Laguna de Apoyo (volcanic lake)

Corn Islands

Traveling to the Corn Islands was a quite an adventure as they're about 70km off the eastern side of Nicaragua. (we didn't fly)  1st we rode a bus to Managua the capitol from Granada. (1.25 hrs)  2nd Found the long distance bus to El Rama. (7 hours with no bathroom break.)  3rd An hour after the bus ride we found ourselves on an overnight cargo boat (Isleño) out to the islands.  That boat went for 13 hours.  Its not a comfortable boat for passengers as its for cargo.  We had to find room on the deck to sleep.  The first few hours were on the river where its calm, but then when we got on the open ocean it was anything but calm.  Many people were throwing up and I had to constantly look at the horizon or I would want to throw-up.  It was quite an adventure getting to the islands, but I told Bunny that all this would be forgotten when we're on the beaches. :)

We stayed on the Little Corn Island which only allows foot traffic.  What a welcome relief to be away from cars and everything that makes life faster.  We worshiped at the Adventist church and made friends with Mary who let us stay at her place.  The island is full of mangos which we enjoyed every day as we explored almost all the beaches on the island.

León

Another short visit as we made our way north.  We enjoyed how friendly the people are.  I think the people up north in the country are much better than the ones in the south. (excluding the people from Isla Ometepe.)  I felt like we couldn't trust the people in the south to tell us the truth or give us a good deal when buying.

Cañon de Somoto

A fun day swimming and hiking through the cañon.  Bunny enjoyed jumping off a cliff into the water.

Pura Vida....Cara Vida

We spent about 2.5 weeks in Costa Rica and could have spent more time but the "Cara Vida" (Expensive Life) part is draining the dinero, and so we went north to Nicaraqua.  However while in CR we saw many beautiful beaches, animals, and met some nice people along the way.  We were also interested to see if Ticas as they're known are the happiest people.  I'm not convinced of that as I think the Colombians win out on that.  Obviously my Bunny is the happiest Colombian as she has her own Indian Tigre. :)  Ok, back to our travels in Costa Rica.  We started in the south and traveled north along the western coast.  Enjoy the pics.

Puerto Jimenez & beaches

Enjoying a juicy mango

Coconuts are a part of any beach :)

We saw monkeys everywhere

Uvita beaches and waterfall

Parque Manuel Antonio (Lots of monkeys & raccoons)

Monteverde

On top of Cerro Los Amigos

Hiking in Reserva Santa Elena

Our first sighting of a Quetzal

Adventures in Panamá

After Veronica received the visa for Costa Rica it was time for the adventures of Bunny (Veronica) and Tigre (Me) to begin...starting in Panamá.  So we flew to Panamá city.

View from Cerro Ancon of Panamá City

Panamá City

We attended the Betania Adventist church as one Veronica's Colombian pastor friends Hans.

Bunny sang 3 songs

With Pastor Hans family (note this was my Sabbath best attire as I could not find a clothes iron for my dress shirt. haha)

We stayed with Johan and his family for 2 nights. Here we are at the Miraflores locks of the Panamá Canal

Bunny enjoying watching ships pass through the locks :)

There is 2 ship lanes with 2 sets of locks that ships must go through at Miraflores.

We left Panamá City and went to the Puerto Lindo on the Caribbean side to enjoy the beautiful water.  It was a good choice :)  Here we are on Isla Mamey

We couldn't get enough of the warm translucent water so we headed up north to Bocas del Toro for some more fun in the sun and water.

walking to Playa Estrellas

One of the strange brown monkeys on the island ;)

We did a 1 day boat tour of several of the islands.  The snorkeling wasn't that great but the water felt great as it was HOT!!!

Cayo Zapatillo

A Perezoso (Sloth)

After spending quite a few days in the sun and becoming very brown, we decided to head for the hills of Boquete to enjoy a few days of hiking.  Boquete is known for its flowers and we discovered that the fruits and veggies grow really well there too.  After a couple days there we found a place more economical to stay at by camping for $10 per day.  La Jungla (The Jungle) was a great hostel as the host Greg and Mamey made it a family atmosphere.  

We enjoyed some natural hot springs as well

Mamey, Greg, & Floyd their Greyhound

Panamá was better than I anticipated however its taking some time getting use to the huge increase in prices especially when it comes to lodging.  Colombia is such a cheap place and we're both spoiled to be coming from there.  From what I've heard Costa Rica is even more than Panamá.  Here's an example of what a private room in the hostel costs in...

Colombia....$25.00

Panamá.......$35.00

Costa Rica..$??.00