San Jose, CA to Panama Motorcycle Trip
Here are photos from our trip through Nicaragua
Day 30
The border between Honduras and Nicaragua. There were some tense
minutes when the Hondurans refused
to let Randal take his bike out of the country because it was brought
in by Mark. Eventually they relented
and let us proceed on to Nicaragua.
Our "expediters" sold us insurance and for a small tip took care of all
of the paperwork to get us into Nicaragua.
We
stopped for the day in Esteli, a center of cigar making. We
toured the Tabacalera Santiago (Nicarao Cigar) factory, which makes
cigars for many brands including Cohiba.
This factory does everything, including making its own cigar boxes.
Adding the final wrapper leaf to a finished cigar.
Day 31
A smoking volcanic mountain on the road to León.
The largest cathedral in the Americas, in León.
León was the center of the Sandanista revolution against the Somoza
dictators. This tank was
used in the successful attack on the city's political prison (where it
is currently on display).
Day 32
On the road from León towards Granada.
Overlooking Lago Apoyo, a volcanic mountain lake. Lago de Nicaragua is in the distance.
Our hotel in Granada, the artistic center of Nicaragua.
The lobby of our lovely old hotel.
Randal and David take a carriage tour of the city.
The view over the city looking east, with Lago de Nicaragua in the background.
A panorama looking south, with Volcan Mombacho hidden by clouds.
Day 33
Preparing to board the ferry for the island of Ometepe, in Lago de Nicaragua.
The island's two volcanos.
Randal swimming in the lake, taken from the deck of our room on the island.
Sunset over the lake, from Ometepe.
Day 34
Our room on the lake.
Loaded on the ferry for the ride back to the mainland.
Our "handlers" on the Nicaragua-Costa Rica border.
Welcome to Costa Rica!
Continue to next section =>