From Granada to Ometepe

13 June 2009


After a lazy morning, we take the local bus from Granada to Ometepe. Ahead of the journey, various women enter the bus and sell biscuits, little plastic bags of drinks, and other snacks. As it is lunchtime, Natasha buys the local street-food: Vigoron - a palm leave filled with cabbage and fried pork skin. We try some of the Vigoron on the bus, but decide against eating it all.









After a pleasant 2 hour bus ride, we arrive at Rivas from where we cross Lago Nicaragua on a small boat (1hr). As it is already 4pm, we take a cab for the ride from the harbour to our pension. The ride starts out on a paved road, which after twenty minutes changes into a dirt road, and another twenty minutes into a track full of potholes (the thought “where the hell will we end up” does cross our mind). The ride takes a bit longer than one hour - not due to the big distance, but mostly because of the bad road. After driving up a small pitch dark dirt track, we arrive at what we sincerely hope is our pension. Luckily, the pension supervisor is awaiting us at the entrance (there is only one other couple staying in the pension). But the kitchen staff has already left. We can buy some items from the small kiosk: our dinner today consists of 4 Oreo cookies and a beer (should have had lunch!).









Only the next morning could we appreciate our location: The Finca El Porvenir has a beautiful lush garden with beautiful flowers. On the hotel grounds are many Petroglyphos: archeological stones with carvings. The restaurant is open air, under a large thatched roof. The views on El Concepcion and the island are just fantastic.