8) Isla Ometepe

From Playa de Coco we went to Liberia to change bus for the Nicaraguan border where we took a bus to Managua but hopped off in Rivas. A short taxi ride brought us to the small harbor of San Jorge. There we started the worst over-water-travel I endured to that day. Our tiny wooden ferry was pushed around by the 1-3m waves. Probably due to bad distribution of its cargo, or maybe worse due to more severe problems, the ship leaned towards the right. When we crossed the large Nicaragua Lake towards Moyogalpa on Isla Ometepe, the boat made cracking sounds as it would break apart when hit by the next wave. Several people puked on the ride, while Franzi and I struggled not to join them.

One of the tiny wooden ferries crossing Lake Nicaragua

After we arrived on the island and gave our stomaches some time to settle, we took the local bus and hopped off at Hotel Finca Venecia. The hotel was very pleasant and we stayed for 2 nights. We jumped straight into the lake and enjoyed the sunset while having a swim :D

Swimming near the beach of Hotel Finca Venecia...

...while the sunset...

...romantic views^^

Later, we had dinner at Hostel Sinai and at first we were a little scared walking the streets at dark. However, the local people celebrated the fest of holy Mary, carrying her Icon from one altar to another. While doing so, everyone shot fireworks. We were especially scared when walking back to our hotel at night, when suddenly we heard something approaching us fast from the back. Just when our hearts beating fast and we popped up our flashlight, we saw two locals on a bicycle that greeted us and passed on to the hotel as well^^
The next day (01.12.) we rented two bicycles, although my ass still hurt from the bicycle ride to Playa Hermosa. I wanted to rent a motorbike in the first place, but Franzi cheered when she saw me suffering and thus insisted on a bicycle :P So with pain we started our ride - uphill ofcourse ;) Views of the two volcanoes were gorgeous and riding through the villages was fun (especially since this part was downhill^^). Next we went to Ojo de Agua, a lagoon supposed to contain water with healing capacities. Well, we expected a spring but it was a simple pool after all. Instead of healing, local people used it to wash. This place is not to be recommended! We continued to Play Santo Domingo that offers great views of the volcanoes. There we chilled at the beach before we went back to our hotel.

Franzi on Playa Santo Domingo in front of Volcano Maderas.

Luckily we just heard the next day that there are supposed to be large fresh water sharks in the lake which can be dangerous for human too^^ The next day we took the ferry back to San Jorge. After our bad experience, we made sure to catch one of the big ferries made of steel (this is a must! rather wait 2h and pay triple instead of taking the wooden ferry!). A taxi brought us to Rivas where we jumped on a bus to Managua, dropped off at Masaya where we took a taxi to Granada... (easier would have been to take the bus to Managua right from the pier ;))

Isla Ometepe. Volcano Concepcion (l) and Volcano Maderas (r)