Nicaragua

We entered Nicaragua via a quiet border north of the huge lake - Lago Nicaragua. We had our temperature taken (checking for viruses Dengue, Zika etc), the bike 'fumigated' (lower part of the wheels sprayed) and several fees paid. After a power cut and about 2.5 hours, we were free to go. This handy map shows where we are.

One feature of our time in Central America has been thunderstorms and torrential rain. We have been soaked one way or another most of the time - rain, sweat or swimming! However, in Nicaragua we are at the end of the rainy season and it is now mostly dry.

At a stop over at San Miguelito we had a free concert from their local brass band outside our bedroom window! We have again entered a very poor but friendly country.

Photos of the colonial town of Granada on the opposite side of the lake, it has some lovely buildings with a rough round the edges feel.

The volcano at Masaya is active, smoking and with bubbling and spitting lava visible in the crater, especially at night. We rode there at dusk for a great and surreal experience from the crater rim.

A stop at San Juan del Sur on the Pacific, with some big surf breaks, cool beers and lovely sunsets.

We watched a world title boxing match on a big screen between the legendary Nicaraguian Roman 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez and the Mexican Carlos Cuadras. It was a great fight and Chocolatito just won on points - lucky for us as there probably would have been riots here had he lost!