We gwan, but mebbe we cam back sumdey...

No we haven´t really dropped off the face of the planet, but it sort of felt that way. We spent the last 10 days on Small Corn Island, an isolated Carribbean paradise far off Nicaragua´s east coast. The island is incredible--no cars, deserted white sand beaches, coconuts falling off the trees everywhere and friendly people who haven´t quite figured out how to Gringo you for too much money.



We decided to fly to the islands after hearing some harrowing stories about the 8 hour ferry ride turning into a 12 hour nightmare. Risking Nicaragua´s national airline, La Costena, we boarded a tiny plane in Managua that holds about 20 people. Kevin and I ended up sitting right behind the pilots, which was mildly nerve wracking. I couldn´t help but obsessively watch the altimeter and wonder what the co-pilot kept looking at as he glanced over his shoulder and out the window.



Then there was the boat ride. The trip from Big Corn island (where the plane lands) over to "lickey Small Carn" is about 30 minutes of open water crossing in a 40 foot panga with twin 200 hp engines. The day we did it the swells were big, and there were several times that we caught air. I was a wee-bit nervous (notice white knuckle grip), but Kevin loved it.

We stayed at this cool place right on the beach called Derek´s place. There were several cheap places on the beach, but we knew this was it when we saw this cabin and the hammocks slung between the palms trees. All the huts were built with materials found on the beach and most of the power comes from solar panels and a windmill out at the point.

Derek is an American from Washington DC area and he looks EXACTLY like Walter at the PT food co-op. He and his wife Anna have two small children. They mentioned one evening that they were looking for a teacher to come stay on the island, even better a teacher with a carpenter husband. Hmmm...

The first night we were there, we were contemplating what to do for dinner when we heard some guys whistling at us. We looked up and a boat full of fisherman was off shore, holding up huge groupers and yellow tails for sale. Fresh fish for dinner!

We spent several hours a day in this position. I was so relaxed that I think my heart actually stopped beating at one point! It was a vacation from our vacation in a sense, nothing to do but relax and watch the turquoise blue water.

We felt like Honeymooners at last. We spent our days snorkeling on the coral reef and went scuba diving a couple of times. The coral wasn´t as expansive or colorful as it was in Honduras but we saw sharks, sting rays, a turtle, a 5 foot tarpon, a moray eel and an octopus. Very cool.

Our last day we built this sea turtle sand sculpture in honor of a turtle we saw dying in one of the islander´s front yards. Unfortunately, they still eat sea turtles here. It is sad to think about, but Kevin put it well, "telling them not to hunt turtles is like telling the Makah not to go whaling." Sad but true.

Ah, paradise... once again we feel priveledged to be on this journey. It has been mind blowing, eye opening, trying and exhilarating. We miss you all and thanks for the emails!

love c and k