Back in Canada

Fort Macleod, AB

After 11 months away I am now back in Canada. I had hoped to find some way of working online while I was down in Mexico, or in Nicaragua that would allow me to avoid coming back for work, but after a long and tiring search and many applications nothing has turned up. Lack of reliable internet was a major factor. In any case I am now back in Fort Macleod to work for a few months, then I will be able to go back to Pearl Lagoon for at least another year. I guess it isn't such a terrible option, having to work for just a few months of each year, getting to visit family and friends here in Canada while I work in the warmer months then dodging winter again when I go back to Nicaragua.

Alberta car group

And the territory

First big mac in over 6 months

I should say I ALMOST dodged winter. There were still a few weeks left with heavy snow and a few days of -20C. Apparently it was the worst winter in years. Although the cold was not too difficult to adjust to. The real shock was the change in humidity. The air is so dry here I have trouble breathing, sore throat and my hands, face, and eyes are in pain.

On the bright side, no more cold showers for a while. And my diet of rice and beans will be replaced with steak and more steak. Perhaps with extra meat on the side.

Pearl Lagoon Bus

The trip back went smoothly. It was long but was without many complications. I took the 5:30 AM bus from Pearl Lagoon to Rama, then took the express bus at noon from Rama to Managua the next day. I spent the night in Managua and actually got to eat at a Chinese restaurant.

I hope to get some more equipment while I'm back, some things to make my stay a bit more comfortable the next time. I'll especially be checking out some camping stores. I saw in one store a collapsible stainless steel wine glass... brilliant. Anyways heres a few more pictures from the trip.

Managua Airport

Nicaragua from the sky

Toronto Airport, 3:00 AM

 

The Corn Islands... again

I planned on writing about the trip to the Corn Islands much sooner, actually immediately after the post about the bluff. But I haven't been able to. Actually there isn't much to write about, we mostly just went snorkeling and ate lots of seafood. We did get to visit the new English group though, very exciting to see the first ever English group being started on the island, which really makes sense seeing that at least 50%(if not much more) of the islands local population is English/Creole speaking.

This post will be few words and many pictures, enjoy. Note: I didn't take all of these pictures, after the trip we shared pictures so some of these are from other people in our group. Click to enlarge.

This is the Corn Island airplane

Sunset, east side of Corn Island overlooking the caribbean

Patrick

Corn Island from the Air

Big corn Island

This is the view from the toilet in the above picture. I'm not kidding.

"Restourante" on Little corn Island

Big Corn Island

Whatisthisidonteven

Big Corn Island

A very expensive, but worthwhile Piña Colada

Margarita

Picnic Center, Big Corn Island

Little Corn

Coming into Little Corn

Stunning water clarity

View from the place me and Honorio stayed

Wharf, Big Corn

Little Corn Island

Little Corn Island

Big Corn Island

Big corn island, near the Wharf

Plenty of horsepower to handle the open ocean... if only one of the engines hadn't failed half way there.

This is the boat that took us to Little Corn Island

One of the hotels that part of our group was staying at

View from a different hotel that others stayed in

English meeting on Big corn, Visual aids in use

At the wharf the night we left

On board the Island Express

 

This is the boat we went back on

At the end of the trip it was down to just me and Honorio taking the boat home. Everyone else had flown back. Some were already halfway back to Canada. The return trip was actually much more pleasant than getting there. The boat was much bigger and we had more space to move around. Both of us managed to sleep through the entire journey. Honorio used my air mattress on top of a giant cooler and I tied my hammock to the support bars for the tarp about 8 feet off the ground. I was more comfortable than in my bed in Pearl Lagoon, although I was a -bit- concerned about falling. Thankfully there were some propane tanks below me to break my fall.