On my way back to the States...

Sorry it’s taken me so long to post. The last entry had me on my way to Panama. At the last minute, I decided to spend some more time in Costa Rica, never made it to Panama, and am now heading back to the States. Unless something else unexpected comes up, (which as you all know, I am always open to…), should be to the US / Mexico border in about 10 days.
Here are a few shots of the beach in Jaco, Costa Rica to warm you all up.



See all of you soon!

Desculpe por favor, Donde es la tortugas?

Under the light of a full moon, ten of us boarded a panga across an estuary of the Pacific to Playa Grande, in Las Baulas Marine National Park in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
We witnessed a monumental glimpse of the life of the Leatherback turtle. The Leatherback is one of the reasons I came to this area of Costa Rica. I have witnessed the Gray whales calving after their migration from the Bering Sea to San Ignacio lagoon in Baja Sur, and now had the opportunity to watch another life began again; the incredible life of the leatherback. Biologists have tracked a Leatherback having gone over 12000 miles, (three times my current mileage to date!), in it's migration to it's nesting site. The researchers here informed us that these Leatherbacks were most likely coming from the Galapagos Islands. Unfortunately, the Leatherback population is disappearing, almost to extinction. Biologists report a loss of 95% of these reptiles since 1980. The following pictures were copied from the site as pictures or video are strictly forbidden during the tour. Please visit their site.



While feeling like my presence, (10 inches from the egg laying end, so close you could smell the eggs as they fell from the 'ole girl), was a bit invasive, I couldn't help but watch in amazement; staring at these giants clamoring up the shore, painstakingly building their nests, laying their eggs, covering and camouflaging it, and then ever so slowly lumbering back off into the depths of the Ocean.
Upon returning to my shelter, at 2:30am, I drifted off to sleep with mixed emotions; Excited and amazed at what I had just observed, and saddened, and enraged too I suppose, for their loss of life in our "progress". Anyways, I wont get started about the enormity of our impact, much of it unnecessary, upon the world we live in. You all are aware.
If your interested in learning more about this incredible journey of life, here is a great National Geographic article on the Leatherback.
But your not here to read about Tortugas! You want to know about the Monkeys, Crocodiles, and bird life! Right? Well here is a hard to see shot of a Howler monkey. Up to this point I had only heard their cry. I named this one Coco.

and clearly visible are what I think are Coco's-nuts... I know, that was pretty juvenile humor, just couldnt resist...
Here is a Croc...
You can barely see his head in the top center of this pic, (D'oh), but trust me he is there, all 8 feet of him... just beneath the surface. (Sorry it's the best I got).
Lots of bird life in the Mangroves...

The Mangroves...
and how can I forget to introduce the guide. He can belt out one hellofa Howler call! I dont have his name or contact info. right now but will post soon.! he is an EXPERT, through and through and a great guy as well. Thanks man!

PEACE!

Leon and Granada, Nicaragua

Getting to Granada was a challenge. No street signs. No highway signs. No arrows, stop signs, or yield signs. No speed limit signs, school signs. you getting the picture? There are no traffic signs in almost all of Nicaragua. Additionally, there are no addresses in almost all of Nicaragua.
Fortunately, St. Christoper, in the guise of a great guy named Michael, escorted me to the main highway which left me with a straight shot to Granada. Whew.
As you know, my camera died. You want to know something else they don't have in Granada? You are correct. No cameras. I did manage to find a Kodak shop with some throw away type deals so have a few pics to share. (I will also be posting some videos of the last bells of 2008 whilst in Leon for New Years eve, soon).

The bike to the right of the HOG in this photo is about as big as they get down here... Maybe it's the water?! : )
I am not concerned about out-running anybody if necessary.

There were alot of these running around in Leon. The kid would do an intense drum role, then start hollering some things out to this doll type thing. The doll would then follow up with a little jig, and this would go on for about five or ten minutes. Anybody know the story behind this? There has got to be one. They were quite a few of them around.


I had a view of the rooftops from the shower...

Here is a few shots of Granada but first some shots of stone carvings from 500AD






This shot had me hankering for a sweet Mint Julep...


Crossing the second to last border, from Nicaragua into Costa Rica tomorrow morning, thanks to Robin. She took the time to DHL express me my original Title to my moto. Nicaragua wasn't letting me leave without it. Big Thank You Robin! Whoo-hoo!! YOU ROCK!
One more border to cross from Costa Rica into Panama and thats it. If it wasn't for the border crossings, this trip would have been pure joy. The border crossings are notoriously horrible. I mean just awful. You will spend a minimum of four hours with all kinds of folks trying to put the hustle on you. It's like a Hustlers Carnival. Every type you can imagine; no, go ahead now, really use your imagination.
talk to you later.
PEACE.

Random acts of kindness...

travel far.
Please watch this video, produced by my nephew, Michael, and go here to vote. Give him five stars!

Because I said I would...

Nicaragua gente on the HOG

no eye candy...

My little Canon point and shoot camera died yesterday. No trauma, just put her on the charger before I went to bed, as is routine, and she never came back to life. That was one nice camera; had it for more than five years, shot thousands of pic's and it fit perfectly in my big 'ole hands too. Got-dam.
Anyways, I thought this little adventure started when I hit Chiapas, Mexico. I was wrong. A ride through the hell of Honduras border checkpoints, policia who's eyes light up every time they see a gringo, and a 40 mile "shortcut", (it looked like it on the map!), of 40 miles of dirt, black holes, and quicksand-gravel, from Leon to Granada, Nicaragua had me stopped in my tracks on more than one occasion asking myself just what the hell was I doing? But I made it and the Hog never laid down.
Once I got into Managua, I pulled over into a gas station to look over the HOG and get my mind right; am asking for some directions from a local gassing up his scooter. Out of the blue comes a guy and in perfect english asks if I need some help. Given I hadn't exchanged words with anybody who spoke english in the last week, he probably thought I was on crack... Poor guy. But he gave me some sound advice anyway and an escort to the turn-off into Granada for which I am truly grateful. No, thats not a cliche, I am truly grateful. I would still be looking for that turn-off if it hadn't been for him. (Thank you Michael!)
Did you know that there are no street signs, addresses' or posted road names in most of Nicaragua? I suppose their is no urgent need for them because my new found friend told me that they have no Mail in Nicaragua.
Forget about the Mail, most of the people here are living off dirt. I would guess that Mail is the last thing they are thinking about. If you like poverty and misery, and are tired of observing it through the long distance lens of media reports on Africa, Asia, and India, there is plenty to see right here in the Americas. There is also a rich and spectacular landscape, and based on my interactions with the folks I have met, a resilient, helpful, and unpretentious people. Come on down. Shop and eat local and you can make a difference and at the same time have a spectacular time in an incredible environment.
Am in Granada. It's purty. Heading out to yet another border crossiing tomorrow from Nicaragua into Costa Rica. Wish me luck.
PEACE.