Archive for the 'Central America' Category

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WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE !

On January 31,2024 TotalAdventure landed in Managua,Nicaragua and accomplished the goal of having set foot in, and explored, all the mainland countries of the Western Hemisphere. Nicaragua was the final piece of the puzzle, so to speak.

In total 3 countries in North America, 6 countries in Central America and 12 countries and one French Department in South America. There are still several island nations in the Caribbean to visit, but we are counting only the mainland here.

From the airport we went to spend the evening in the old colonial capital of Granada The next morning, February 1, we departed at 5 AM to make the 8 AM ferry to the volcanic Isla Ometepe in Lago Nicaragua.

The Lake is the 19th largest in the world. At one point it was part of the Pacific Ocean. Over hundreds of thousands of years, land formed between this gulf and the open ocean,cutting off sharks ,rays and other salt water fish. Over the years rain slowly changed the water from salt to fresh. The sea creatures slowly adapted. Lago Nicaragua is home to the world’s only freshwater sharks !

February is warm and dry, with strong East winds from the Caribbean Atlantic side of the Isthmus.

Concepción Volcano is 5280 feet,3260m and is a smoking volcano, but not actively spewing lava. THe other volcano on the island is dormant.

A view from the military airport.

The beautiful pool at our hotel overlooking the lake.

El “Che Guevara ” our car ferry to the island.

Comrade Ortega. A thorn in the side of US Foreign Policy for 50 years.

Roadside lunch. Rice, pork and platanos. Seated , Texan William Fitch and Driver Uriél – who is highly recommended and knows all of Nicaragua.

Back on the mainland, we headed for the Pacific Coast.

We arrived in time for sunset at San Juan del Sur.

Winter waves are not so high, but we did manage to catch some 3 or 4 footers bodysurfing. Many bring surfboards. SEE THE VIDEO ABOVE FOR MORE WAVE ACTION !

A typical seaside lunch, Grouper or snapper. fried to a crisp.

Playa San Juan del Sur is not that great, but is nearby to many beautiful surfing beaches.

The town boasts an amazing night scene that goes until sunrise. A beer is $ 2.

Afterwards, as our Texan friend went South to Costa Rica , for some excellent fishing which will be posted later, TotalAdventure went up the coast to Playa Popoyo and stayed at the excellent 99Surf Lodge.

Looking towards the Philippines 10,000 km west.

One sleeps well with the sound of waves through the night.

The final day and evening was in Managua, a sleepy capital overlooking the Lake. It is rundown from years of war, earthquakes and “socialism.”

Conrade Chavez overlooks an allied city. A dead philosophy follows dead leaders.

However, capitalist pastimes like gambling are popular in the socialist city.

Off the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua – Corn Island – great for diving and snorkeling.

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2014 was an incredible travel year for ArcticTropic. We explored Myanmar ( Burma), European Russia,Siberia,Mongolia,China,Japan,British Colombia,Canada,Singapore,Philippines and Panama. Here’s 184 clips in 11 minutes. This version is natural sound,a musical version will be uploaded soon.

Dec 29th
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2014 was a busy travel year for ArcticTropic. In all, we travelled an equivalent of more than twice around the world.The voyage to Myanmar in March ,via Frankfurt and Singapore was to the opposite side of the world and back the same route. In May and June we travelled in a continuous Eastbound direction until we ended up back where we started. In contrast, the 2.5 hour hop to Panama was a mere commuter flight.

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On October 9th ArcticTropic awoke on the shores of the Pacific, swam, then drove 3 hours to the Caribbean ( Atlantic ) and swam there. Actually the drive is 45 minutes along the highway near the Canal, and 28 minutes to see both. However the beaches near the canal are not swimmable.

 

For adventures in Panama, CLICK HERE

Oct 8th
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Today ArcticTropic accompanied the delegation from Enterprise Florida on a tour of the Panama Canal. The Canal, which just celebrated its’ 100th Anniversary is undergoing a major expansion -PANAMAX – which will triple capacity and allow much larger container ships to traverse between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Ships enter from the Atlantic ( Caribbean ) side at Colon.

PANAMAX construction. Estimated to be finished by late 2015.

Gatun Lake. The total route is 50 miles ( 80 km ) and takes 8 to 10 hours. Only 32 ships a day can pass through – 16 from either side. Reservations are required 547 days in advance, but expedited service is available.

Entering Miraflores Locks.

Clearance of the ;Miraflores completed, the ship sails into the Pacific, about 5 miles away, then on to China.

 

For adventures in Panama, CLICK HERE