Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Nov. 29th

Decided I need to catch up so here is yesterday. I'll fill in the past weeks as I can.


Leaving Hostel Madrid in Leon.

Out of Leon after breakfast at Cafe Desayunoz. Seems like a local place well used by adventure travelers. Great coffee, variety of breakfasts in an old building sprinkled with a mix of overheard foreign languages.,
Todays roads were pretty straight and in good shape. Great views of the volcano's that surround Leon each with a steam cloud on top.
Ever since we got into Guatemala we've see people on horseback and lot's of horse drawn carts carrying everything from rebar to propane tanks, Nicaragua has been no different. It's neat to see horses out there working on a daily bases. The people on horse back are usually moving cows around or heading to town. Just the way it is, even today south of the boarder.
Road along Lake Nicaragua was really beautiful with two volcano's in the middle of it. Since the rainy season just ended the lake was really high. Past another wind farm. Every time I see one I'm still impressed with how big the blades on the turbines are, huge. As far as riding goes wind farms mean cross winds, lot's of strong crosswind.
Made it to the boarder around 2:00 hoping to get through quickly then onto Costa Rica. Ah the beat plans. Out of Nicaragua very quickly, 30 minutes. Now to enter Costa Rica and as a American woman living in Costa Rica said "now the shit show begins". The process itself isn't that hard.


Costa Rica boarder station.

The challenge is none of the buildings are well marked, they can be a quarter mile apart and you can wait in line for 20 minutes to find out your in the wrong building or you have to get your blank form completed and signed before you can get this form stamped.


Waiting in line with some riders from Costa Rica heading north. Pretty typical waiting line, very casual and long and slow.

Our time entering Costa Rica 4 hours. Never be in a hurry and near expect it to go smoothly has been said by many, so true. Our hotel owner here in Liberia said even if you speak the language and can read the signs it's still a mess. Patience.
It's getting dark, we confer. Nearest hotel is in Liberia 40 minutes away, we have no choice, we break the "never drive at night" rule and head out.
The ride is beautiful. Stars and a waxing moon. A long ridge to the west shadowed by the twilight blue sky. IMUF
Two police check points to check passports. Friendly, efficient. Biggest ride challenge was neither Jim or Max's tail lights work and only Max's brake light so I'm at the back of the parade watching various glows of reflective clothing move through the darkness ahead of me.
First hotel was Liberia. Grabbed dinner at Mongo's bar and called it good.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Leon, Nicaragua to Liberia Coast Rica

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