Nicaragua, The largest country in Central America, a terrible history of violence and corruption, 70% of the population under the age of 30 and an emerging but very young tourist industry. This country deserved to be visited to see it for ourselves.

We travelled from the northern highlands, down to to the colonial towns in the centre, the pacific coast and the largest lake in Central America. A mix of super hot days that gradually got wetter as we went south. And of course hurricane Jova that kicked off just behind us. Our Observations:

1) The tourism industry is just finding its feet here. It was very interesting to see hostels, hotels and tour companies in the early stages of development and working out what to offer. How this place develops over the next 10-20 years will be very interesting

2) Saying that, they havent really got to grips with being good hotel or hostel hosts. All the websites and adverts really ham up how helpful and friendly the owners are. However they dont really get involved with (or in some cases even talk to) their guests like in other countries. And advertise things that just dont exist. A hostel that sells itself (with a big sign and banner across the street) as having a bar and restaurant will turn out to not have a bar or restaurant. Somewhat fustrating!

3) What they lack in social skills with guest, they more than make up in their production of amazing chocolate. The best chocolate we have ever tasted. Soooooo rich that you cannot even consider eating a whole bar in one go without spending the night wide awake with massive wide open eyes

4) What is the deal with the obsession with US Dollars? To be fair it is becoming clear that this is the case for most Central American countries. They quote you US Dollar prices for almost everything, and when you ask what the cost is in their own countries currentcy they have to go and work it out as they dont know, this even happened at the border crossing when they asked for entry fee in dollars, we only had Nicaraguan money which seemed to be a hassle for them.

5) Tona beer, very tasty indeedy. A litre bottle for just over a pound, cant complain about that. And plantains with fried cheese? Oh yea that was good.

6) On the subject of food. Gallo Pinto was a welcome breakfast meal (as shown in photo). Everywhere in Central America breakfast involved lots of eggs, pancakes etc. No good for a hungry Dave. However we stumbled across Gallo Pinto (which translates as speckled rooster) which consists of plantains, rice and beans, a good chunk of cheese and some chile sauce. It also comes with scrambled eggs which everyone kindly served up on a seperate plate so Dave can enjoy a great breakfast with egg contamination!

7) Volcano surfing is awesome, even better when the volcano could errupt at any moment.

8) Nicaragua is harder than some countries to make observations as everywhere was so different! Mountains, cities, beaches, islands.... But each great in their own way!

On to country number six...