Ometepe

Is a two-volcano island, very peaceful but seems to be popular with French-Canadians!  Motorbikes, horses and bullock carts are the main means of transport.

Did very little the first day, relaxed by the pool and organised  onward travel, time will tell if it has worked.

Day 2 we hired a motorbike and visited the nature reserve at Charco Verde 

then lazed on the beach near Santa Cruz.

Next day, still on the moto we visited Altagracia where we were the only tourists.  Small but interesting museum.  

Lazed and swam at Playa Mango which was popular with the slightly well-to-do backpackers.

Long day travelling tomorrow.

Léon

Is lovely, less well restored than Granada so a bit more character, more real life, less touristy, apart from the young people who come for "volcano boarding" like snowboarding but hotter!

Has a huge cathedral, allegedly the biggest in Central America, which dominates the main square.  

And a fantastic art gallery with paintings from Europe since the 16th century 

and a huge collection of more modern including Picasso, Mondrian, Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, etc, etc 

distributed amongst six old houses still with their patios.  

A real surprise.  

Caught a local bus to the beach at Las Peñitas where the sea was rough and the beach quiet.  

Then the Museum of the Revolution, interesting take on what was represented in the world press in the 1970's as terrorism, here they are heroes.

Off to a volcanic island tomorrow, near the border with Costa Rica.

Miraflor pics 2

J's camera 

From Miraflor 1

C's camera 

Off the beaten track

Caught the bus, 

half an hour up the main road then two hours to do 30km up gravel tracks, fording a river on the way.  It was Saturday and the bus was packed with people who had been to Estelí for the week's shopping.

Got to our cabin at Finca "Lindos Ojos" 

with detached kitchen 

and bought some food from the farm. Spent three days eating potatoes, carrots, eggs and cheese as that was all they had.  Fortunately brought a huge pineapple with us.

But it was peaceful and very scenic.  Had a long chat with the very interesting owner, and also her neighbour.  We took a guided walk and rode horses.

Will post other pics separately.

Today the bus journey in reverse then a minibus to Léon where we are now baking hot but the hotel does have a pool!

Estelí

Still in the mountains in the town of Estelí which was a hotbed of resistance in the late 1970's.  On the Pan-American highway so lots of traffic going past, but in the centre it's quieter, apart from the buses, cars, motorbikes and people! 

Rented a taxi for the morning to take us up to a protected area, past the Estanzuela waterfall where we were the only visitors, 

up to the hamlet of Garnacha at about 1400 metres with fantastic views, allegedly over three countries.  

Coffee in a lovely spot on the way back.  

Walked in to visit the local museum, a real eclectic mix from pre-Columbian to revolution.  The older part of town is lovely but probably rebuilt after Somosa attacked and destroyed it.

If we can find the right bus, off for a farm stay for three nights.  You just get used to a place then leave!

In the hills

Took an expensive taxi to Managua then a very cheap bus to Matagalpa.  

We left the bus station looking for a coffee and stopped in a bakery to ask where.  "Here" they said and sat us down at a table behind the counter.  We ordered two coffees and two donuts then the son asked where we were staying.  On the edge of town up a steep hill.  I'll take you, he said.  Then they refused to be paid for anything!  Some people are just so kind.

We're in a "house" at the Aguali biological station (https://www.aguali.net/) for two nights.  Very peaceful, very ecological, very basic!  

Walked through the forest for a couple of hours this morning and failed to get to the top of the mountain (Cerro Apante), the paths got smaller and smaller.  But up here it's cooler, only about 20 degrees this morning!  

Relaxing on the terrace for the rest of the day.  Moving on tomorrow.