The Rio San Juan
Rio San Juan is a remote stretch of river that links the Caribbean to Lake Nicaragua and marks the border with Costa Rica to the south. And around the San Juan lies some of the most beautiful rainforest I have ever seen. Much of it is now a wildlife reserve which is teeming with life […]
Read moreNicaragua – the ‘real’ Central America?
After spending some time here, I have decided that Nicaragua gives you what some may describe as a true Central American experience. Central America that is, before the mass tourism of the crowded Mexican riveria and the crass hotels of Monteverde in Costa Rica. Its like travelling back in time. The magnificent and peaceful colonial […]
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Big Corn island beaches, Nicaragua
‘Long beach’ on the eastern coast is perfect for a stroll on the sands and has rolling waves which are great fun for jumping in. Snorkelling is very good here, but even better around ‘Little Corn’ as this is completely surrounded by reef. People here are very friendly for the most part but the service […]
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The Corn Islands, Nicaragua
Set off the Caribbean Nicaraguan coast, there are two beautiful islands which very few people know about. They are rugged, rustic and oh so real. One is called ‘Big’ and the other ‘Little’ Corn. ‘Big’ has roads. ‘Little’ does not. We visited ‘Big’ and had a wonderful escape for a few days. Boys in faded […]
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Nicaragua’s coffee country
The countryside around Matagalpa is stunning. Rolling hills, lush and green, with bright flowers. Its the poorest part of the country so people here dont have much, many are farmers of some kind and most of their homes are wooden or corrugated iron made shacks. Others rely on the coffee industry which is growing rapidly. […]
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The art of hand-rolling cigars
Nowadays, the tobacco industry is clouded in a haze of disapproval in many parts of the world. However not so in Nicaragua it seems. There are twenty or so tobacco factories in the Matagalpa region – its big industry and a vaulable employer of the local people. And cigar making is truly an art in […]
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A dash of rum with your cornflakes.. and why not?
The Flora de cana rum distillery on the outskirts of Leon is well worth a visit if you are passionate about rum. The Nicaraguan rum brand is little known compared to the giant Barcardi in markets such as the US and Europe. However many argue that Flora de Cana is far superior a product, and […]
Read moreUtilla, the Bay Islands
Utilla is the smallest of the major islands in The Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras. They’re also renowned as being one of the least expensive and most beautiful places in the world for a scuba diving vacation. However aged 33, i did feel a little old as i sat at the bar on […]
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Roatan, The Bay Islands – great spots for eating out
Roatan has a wealth of restaurants, particularly in the West end/ West bay area. However these are our pick.. Hole in the Wall – wonderfully low key spot for lunch on the South eastern coast. Dont expect anything flash – the menu is stuff like fish / shrimp / conch sarnies or burgers. The setting […]
Read moreThe Honduran Preacherman
I was travelling on a bus recently in Honduras – we were on our way into San Pedro Sula and the early morning traffic was terrible. A well dressed man in a white shirt, well pressed trousers and slick black hair climbed on clutching a well worn, hard backed book. He shook hands with the […]
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