Danali to Granada (Nicaragua)
A short run of 28 miles saw us at the boarder at 8.30 am, it was still hot and sticky but thankfully cloud cover came in and took some of the heat away. We had to book ourselves out first, then the bikes for each of which there was a charge $3 and $7. We then had to get ourselves stamped into Nicaragua, then buy insurance for the bike. This consists of unofficial-officials sitting at the side of the road filling out official looking forms which of course we had to pay 300 Cordoba’s for! Then the process of waiting in line for 2 -3 hours as each bikes documents were checked and typed into a computer with each of us getting a printout as an official import document, during the wait I replaced the headlight bulb which has just gone that morning. After each bike was then checked for VIN and plate numbers we then had to go to the police section to have this checked again by them and then the import document signed. We could then all leave, but as we got to the barrier the officials there again wanted to check the import document! The whole process had taken abut 4 hours, but we were on our way to Granada, although this is a very poor country the roads are surprisingly good, however after an hours run we meet our first official corruption, police stops where they accuse you of traffic violations such a speeding and passing on double yellows. The only way to play this is to feign not understanding them due to the language barrier. This works for some of us but others ended up paying varying amounts of “fines”, I’m not sure this money sees the government coffers though. Towards the end of the day I took a quick side trip to the Masaya Volcano where you can drive up to the car park at the very edge of the caldera. The signs here warn of eruptions where you are supposed to shelter under your car, also to leave you vehicle ready to leave in a hurry! I got there late afternoon so have some spectacular picture of the sun hazed by the sulphurous clouds exuded by the volcano, at one point the wind shifted I got a lungful of the acrid air.
Miles
Today : 210
Total : 10759
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Monday 21st September
Granada to San Juan Del Sur
Even with a late start partly deliberate and partly due to one of the group having a puncture this short riding day saw us get fairly quickly to the Pacific resort of San Juan del sur. Having left the bikes at the hotel we went to the beach for a swim in the very warm water, I helped one of the locals get his boat into the water, this was fun as we had to time it with the larger waves, eventually catching a big wave and getting the boat afloat. Afterwards we sat in a beach bar and watched the most amazing sunset while drinking beers, this adventure motorcycling is really hard!!!
Miles
Today : 82
Total : 10841
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