In this episode I cover my entire six-week visit to Nicaragua, plus a brief summary of this country's history. The places I went to were, in order: Potosi (the border); Leon plus surrounding area; Managua, where I managed to extend the CA-4 90-day visa; Granada and surrounding area; Big Corn and Little Corn Island; Bluefields; Matagalpa; Jinotega; Selva Negra; Reserva Natural Miraflor; Somoto Canyon; Esteli; Laguna de Apoyo; Ometepe Island.

To leave Ometepe I took a ferry back to the mainland, then a bus from Rivas to the fontera. I saw crested caracaras by the roadside en route. It was easy to change cordobas to colones here and the money changers paid the market rate. There was a fee of $1 to enter the Nicaraguan immigration building and a further $3 exit fee, to be paid in cash. They had change for a $20 note. Then I had to walk about a kilometre across no man's land to the Costa Rican side. I left/arrived on September 15, the day on which, in 1821, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua gained independence from Spanish control.

Unfortunately, this episode cuts off a minute or so early because my voice recorder was full. I was saying that my SIM card would have been sent to my home in England where it would have been no use to me anyway. I also wanted to add that I would definitely go back to Nicaragua, in spite of what happened. I am mostly over it but remain vigilant!

The podcast continues! In this episode I recount my journey from El Zonte surf town on the Pacific Coast to San Salvador- museums, Dave's walking tour. Fun times diving in Ilopango Lake. Suchitoto. Cinquera. San Miguel. A hunt for the Quelepa ruins. La Union. Volcan Conchagua with its Lenca connections. Plus a brief history of El Salvador up to now with Nayib Bukele as presidente.

Notes:

1. The cost of the panga from La Union, El Salvador, across the Gulf of Fonseca to Potosi, Nicaragua, was $50 in 2025. Contact Captain Mario by WhatsApp 503 72824362. The journey takes less than 90 minutes in calm weather. Plus $20 more for the shuttle to Leon.

2. Fried chicken is very popular in El Salvador and it's good, though I doubt it's highly ethical or healthy. Of the 3 fried chicken outlets I tried, the best was Don Pollo, then Pollo Campero (Guatemalan), then Pollo Campestre ( Salvadoran).

The journey continues! First to Guatemala City. Then how to cross the border to EL SALVADOR. Santa Ana, Chalchuapa and the Mayan ruins of Tazumal and Casa Blanca, Santa Ana Volcano, Lago de Coatepeque. La Ruta de las Flores: Juayua ('whyayua'), Nahuizalco, Salcoatitan, Apaneca, Ataco. And finally by bus to the surf town of El Zonte on the Pacific coast.