Amazing Isla de Ometepe

The Island of Ometepe, in the huge Lake Colciboca, is the largest fresh water island in the world. It consists of two huge volcanos, each about 5000 feet high. In fact, it is a bit like a mini Maui, with the two volcanos and an isthmus inbetween.

From the airport in Managua, it's a 2 hour ride to the ferry terminal at San Jorge. Then it's a one hour ferry ride to Moyogalpa, the main town on the island. The ferry ride is amazing, asyou approach this fantastic island, looking at the main volcano, Concepcion, with what seems like a puff of smoke coming out of the top. The ferry is full of locals going home from the mainland and tourists, ready for their big adventure.

Once you land at Moyogalpa it is just a matter of finding a bed. This isn't too difficult as there are many hotels. Many are backpacker places, dorm style, where you will pay maybe $5 per night. We found a nice place, right by the dock, a room for $20, but we paid an extra $10 for aircon. It is called Hotel Ometepetl. The were parrots in the lobby and good beer in he beer. Well, the beer is just okay, kind of light bodied, but you never can complain about a cold beer in a hot climate.

So now we are in the small, teeny town of Merida, at the Hacienda Merida. This is an old coffee plantation that has been a hotel for 11 years. It is owned by a very nice man named Don Alvaro. He is a font of information about the island and all things Nicaraguan. We are right on the lake with an amazing view of Volcan Concepcion. There is a lot to do here, such as hiking the volcano (11 hours round trip, 4000 feet straight up on muddy, rocky paths, no thank you very much), biking, kayaking, hiking and swimming. Yesterday we took a 3 mile hike up to gorgeous waterfall. Not an easy hike, as you ramble up rocky, muddy paths. But well worth it.

It looks a lot like upcountry Maui here. Large meadows with cows and big trees. No koa trees, but tropical trees like ficus. Huge volcanic 'bombs' everywhere, giant volcanic boulders that shoot out of the volcano and plop down in a field.

Last night we hung out in a local bar with men playing pool and a couple of expats from Australia who have a house here and are here during the winter. It is still hard to get to this place but the future looks like it may be discovered, especially if they pave the now very bumpy dirt road.

Today we will be biking and kayaking. There is an island neaby with capucine monkeys.