About Me

My photo
NOMADIC LIFESTYLE, EARTH, United States
After getting my first passport in 2006 and traveling to climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania my life changed. I began the process of getting rid of all my possessions and traveling the world. Traveling to over 125 countries and all 7 continents, hostels have been my home. This "new life" has taught me what is important and it was NOT accumulating money or possessions. Traveling is the best education. I hope my blog will encourage others to travel. My World Tattoo was a way for me to express my PASSION FOR TRAVEL.

Search This Blog

NICARAGUA, Granada






May 19th

We arrived at the airport in Managua from Big Corn at 9:30 am. Mary from Colorado and I ran into an English guy (Ollie) who was also going to Granada. He spoke Spanish so we decided to tag along with him to the bus station. Luckily the bus strike ended. We caught the collectivo (minivan which picks up passengers along the side of the road) to Granada for $1. The trip lasted only about 40 minutes. We found a great hostel (Hostel Oasis) which had dorm beds for $8 and included free internet and free coffee. A backpackers dream. There is also a swimming pool. We also found a great local cafeteria which had an incredible buffet and is used mostly by locals. Steak or chicken, rice, beans, fried plantains, salad and a diet coke was only $3.50.

NICARAGUA, Little Corn Island






































May 12 thru May 19th

I caught the lancha early that morning for the 30 minute boat ride. After we arrived at the pier we were met by dive instructors and hostel owners trying to get our business. I walked 10 minutes to the other side of the island to find a room at the hostels on the ¨breezy¨ side of the island. I was very fortunate to get the last room at Elsa´s. No one was leaving the island because of the bus strike. The room had a double bed with private bathroom for $20 which did not make me extremely happy but luckily I was able to get a $10 single room with shared bath the next day.

There are only 700 residents on the island. All restaurant and hostel menus consist of chicken, fish and shrimp. The prices range from $6 to $10 which is kinda high for Nicaragua. Since there are only limited groceries available and there is no permanent electricity, you must eat what the sea gives you. The chickens run wild in the jungle.

The diving was great and lying on a beautiful Caribbean beach with only 6 to 8 other people on the entire beach is pretty close to perfect. Many people come for only a few days and stay 3 weeks. That is why the airline doesn't require you to give a return date. You just call up and make a reservation when you want to fly back to Managua.

NICARAGUA, Big Corn Island
















May 11, 2008

My plan was to take the local bus to El Rama which is 6 hrs away, then boat to Bluefields and then the next day boat for 9 hrs to Big Corn Island.

The ability to adapt to every possible situation is crucial is backpacking. The hostel owner informed me that there was a National Bus strike and no buses were leaving Managua in the foreseeable future. I took a cab back to the airport and caught a small plane directly to Big Corn Island. It was $160 that I did not anticipate spending but save me 4 days travel time so in the end it was probably for the best. I met 2 girls from New Zealand , shared a cab and found a hostel together. Tomorrow I catch the early lancha (boat) to Little Corn Island which has the best beaches, hostels and diving on the 2nd longest coral reef after the Great Barrier Reef.

PANAMA, Boquette



I spent a couple of days in Boquette after traveling all day by bus from Quepos. Boquette is a coffee producing area with a 3500 meter volcano close by. I had planned on climbing it but it rained for 2 days and there was no end in sight. You are supposed to be able to see the Carribean and the Pacific at the same time if there is good weather. I was also unable to visit the coffee plantations. Another reason to come back and visit again.

PANAMA, Bocas del Toro












Bocas del Toro is an island on the Carribean coast and the number one tourist destination in Panama. You first have to take a water taxi to the island which takes about 45 minutes. I spent 5 days here relaxing on the beach. There is a very Jamaican vibe on the Carribean coast in Central America. While the beaches at Bocas del Toro were not as beautiful as the nearby island, Bastimentas, it was definitely party central for the young college students.