Flight from Managua to Big Corn Island & Getting Settled…
I sit here staring at the sea while sipping ever so slowly on a coffee with a mindset that could best be described as care free. I arrived on Friday and immediately went on a manic mission across the island tipping my hat and saying hello to all my old friends and finding new ones in the process. Then I crashed and I’ve been on antibiotics the last while sitting and sweating on my bed in between cold showers while still taking the time to stop and smell the flowers…
Each time I come here, I realize just how remote this place is even more… The flight from Managua to Big Corn Island is about an hour and a half in a small plane built for 12. You literally fly over barren landscape and realize why it takes so long if you choose to save some coin and go by bus, panga and cargo ship. Forget the mainland, 50 odd miles of open sea is also quite a distance and then out of nowhere, these two little islands appear and you’re there.
The panga ride from Big to Little Corn Island was kinda nuts as it was a moody day weather wise. Some dude puked aggressively in the front and we had to stop the boat so he could come to the back. An old gent said to me “at least we know everyone who makes it to the island is partly insane.” Supposedly a more leisurely ride is in the works but for now, that panga can get crazy and can’t picture any but the daring retired set making the move and getting here.
From the looks of things, nothing has changed here. I’ve settled back into my room with attached “office” and back in the flow. I’m also shocked at the number of return expats, there is a real community here and I think that is pretty cool. Also cool is finding a suitcase you left to be in the same spot with all sorts of odds and sods that make life down here more enjoyable. It was like opening a treasure chest as I had forgotten what was in it and the zippers had gone green with rust but I digress…
I almost forgot about the trip in Managua. You know how you hear on TV or in movies about parts of the world where you don’t stop the car at night? Managua is one of them and all traffic intersections became 4 way rolling stops, it was quite the experience cruising through the city at 4:45am. So yeah, I’m back on the island and stay tuned for more of the same. I will note there are notably more tourists here this year which is a welcome scene for this gent.
I’d go on but just back online and lots of catching up to do. That said, wishing a great day to you…
Tips hat,
P.S: All that time getting internet connections setup was in vain, hopefully sort it on Monday. Also, I cracked my iphone trying to put it into my POS Lifeproof protective case, talk about irony…
