Well, we certainly know how to pick em! We arrived at Big Corn Island in a tropical storm to 50km winds and 10foot waves. It is not typical for this time of the year, but it's taking its toll on some parts of the island. We drove past some palapa's that were blown down and some small fishing boats blown ashore today. Usually it is hot and sunny here with calm waters for snorkelling and scuba diving which is what we were hoping for. Instead we are hunkering down with board games and books and the occasional nap.
Big Corn Island is about 12km round and the most common way to get around is by taxi. No matter where you are going it is 20 cordobas per person, about a dollar US. You may be sharing the taxi with someone too and it has proven to be entertaining with the driver singing along to the reggae on the radio. There are a few different places to stay here, and we are in a little palapa village called Paraisio. The staff are locals who speak creole, Miskito and English. It's a very different feeling here than on the pacific side of Nicaragua. Very laid back and island time is a real thing here.
We ventured out today to a few of the beaches and the weather went from windy, to sunny to rainy in several cycles. We walked the white sand beaches and were in awe of the untouched stretches here which would otherwise be developed in other countries. Big waves and turquoise blue waters. Locals live very simply here with some in tin shacks and others in cement homes. It is common to see several people On a bicycle or motorcycle. The families near our village live simply off the land with fruit trees, small farms and we saw a lot of pigs today. The island has three flights that come each day and they fly in a lot of cargo. Everything seems to be a bit more expensive as a result. Power is also a commodity here and comes and goes often. Some houses we walked by today had none, but used a barrel for cooking over.
We get the impression that though it is safe for us during the day, we are not safe at night outside of the village we are staying in. There are several reports that drug trafficking happens thru Big Corn to some of the other Caribbean Islands. But we are content not to venture far from here at night. The wind is blowing like crazy anyhow!!! And there is good security everywhere.
Chris has been enjoying a lot of fresh seafood, including lobster tails, shrimp and Caribbean fish. I am content with the options of chicken and plenty of Mexican style dishes. The fresh fruit juices here are amazing. And Chris says the beer is cheap and ice cold, and that will do!
Our time in Nicaragua is coming to a close in the next few days. We are looking forward to returning home and coming back with great pictures and memories.