Arenal to Managua

After another great night’s sleep I woke early and got the car organized for the next few weeks of travel.  Darrylle and I had breakfast with Elkin a friend of Bill, Jeff and Darrylle.  Elkin is from a local indian family near Arenal.  After breakfast Elkin offered to show me the lake.  We walked a short trail down to the lake and them we swam for about a half an hour.  It was a great way to start the morning.

Darrylle and I made our goal of leaving at 10 am saying goodbye to Bill and Jeff.  They are such great guys.  Everyone is surprised when they learn that Jeff and Bill have sold the Villa DeCary.  But the arrangement is for them to stay around for a while.  I hope I’m back in these parts soon and will see them again.

On our drive north we stopped at David and Susan’s again so Darrylle could see Susan.  I toured the amazing gardens and played with the camera.  We drove around the north end of Lake Arenal and I dropped Darrylle in Cañas.  The timing couldn’t have been better.  We pulled into a gas station across from the bus stop.  Darrylle quickly crossed the street and I have to assume it was the correct bus because when it pulled away Darrylle was no where to be seen.  I’m hoping to see Darrylle (and William) in Vera Cruz, Mexico in just over a week.

After filling up the car I started north on the Panamerican. It was about 12 noon.  I made it to the hotel in Managua at 6:30 pm.

The border crossing was a completely different experience.  I waved off the “helpers” and said a couple times  “I’m doing it myself” however I did received assistance from a couple of very nice women.  One sold the insurance that everyone is required to purchase when entering Nicaragua with a car.  She directed me where to go and in what order.  A couple of girls who worked in another section where I had to pay $5.00 kept a look out for me to make sure I was always heading in the right direction.  The border crossing cost me a total of $24.

I drove north on the Panamerican and then turned off to head towards Masaya so I could go to the artisan market in Masaya.  I had originally thought I would spend the night in Masaya but I was able to do my shopping and make it to the outskirts of Managua before nightfall.

Just outside of Masaya I was pulled over by the police at the same spot where I was detained before.  It is a very confusing intersection.  I made a quick lane change essentially cutting off the driver behind me.  That is nothing unusual here but I did it in front of the police.  I assume they are a constant presence at the intersection because it provides a never ending source of rule breaking.

I basically plead confusion to the police officer.  I told him there were no signs and that I was totally confused which direction to go.  He also questioned my fake license.  It’s getting a little worn and this is the first time it’s been questioned.  I hope it gets me to the states.  Eventually he told me I’d have to pay a fine. I asked how much and he said the equivalent of $20.  I expressed shock at the number and he quickly reduced it to $10 which I gladly paid.  We had a nice chat about my drive and where I’d been in Nicaragua.

I’m staying at the Best Western across from the airport in Managua.  It’s the third time I’ve stayed here.  It’s a little more than I like to pay, but I know it has internet, secure parking and has me aimed in the right direction for the morning.

Tomorrow I will head to Honduras. I hope to leave early and see how far I can get.  Depending on how the borders go I would be pleased to make it to El Salvador and not have to spend a night in Honduras.