The water lapped deliciously at the ferry, it was hot on that summer day. We looked out the side of the boat longingly at the little kids jumping off the pier into the water.
As the sun beat down on us the boat finally lurched forward, the weight obviously leaning to the left. No worries, this is how everything runs in Central America. Why would Ometepe be any different? The wind came rushing through our hair, sending cool licks onto our sweat trickled skin. Small puffs of exhaust came out in little “toots” from the boat.
Everything about this island is an experience. Every breeze, every warm ray of sunshine, everything is visceral.
We spent our time laying lazily in the hammock watching the storms come across the lake, overtaking the massive volcanoes- the heart and soul of what we were standing on.
On a clear moment we took our opportunity. Our hair blew back as the sun feverishly pecked at our skin during our dirt bike expedition across the island. A maddening maze of pot holes and cows kept silly smiles on our faces.
It was a taste of freedom, of loving the moment.
Our sunburned legs dipped carefully into the springs of Ojo de Agua, a refreshingly cold mineral bath that rejuvenated our parched bodies. We washed it down with a cold Tona cerveza, perfectly hitting the spot. The trees sang to us in the breeze. For a moment, nothing else mattered.
Nicaragua, even though you’ve treated our loved ones badly, I know why people love you.
Ahhh I have so many great memories of this island… especially spending a night on the beach drinking with friends and ending up being scandolous with a local man. Ahhh I sometimes think of him because he was so cute, nice, sweet & ahhh it was just such a good time. Sorry jaja your Nica post are making me miss it more. Im glad yall enjoyed it. Great pics again~
Well guys you sure know how to paint a picture with words – and with the photos to boot! Sad to hear about you’re goods getting stolen. Don’t let it get you down, you’ve got a wealth of treasure on this site that no-one can deprive you of!
Want to be here right now!
What a beautiful, beautiful post and amazing pictures. Kudos! I love that picture of you and Shaun, you two look very happy! 🙂
Your pictures and words of this destination are both beautiful. I can feel how much you like it there!
What a beautiful, beautiful post. Nicaragua sounds so dreamy!
So amazing! Can we still order prints or is that not happening anymore? These shots are gorgeous as well as this blog entry….
Beautiful stuff!
@Jaime: I remember reading your scandalous story on the beach. It is so weird that we have such different experiences in places.
@Will: Thank you! My writing has really come a long way. As for our stuff, it really does suck. Especially since it happened on Shaun’s birthday when we were having one of those amazing moments with a million amazing pictures. It was the prettiest day we had experienced in Coco. /sigh
@Tran: This was my favorite place in Nicaragua. It definitely has its own charm!
@Pamela: Thank you lady! We are SO incredibly happy. Not sure what is going to happen when we have to come home (if that becomes the case).
@Debbie: It was definitely our most favorite experience in Nicaragua. I really love laid back places with lots of nature. It was phenomenal.
@Sheryll: Apparently both you AND Pam thought my post was beautiful x2. I’m incredibly flattered! <3
@Jenelle: EEeeee! Hello there bestie! You can still order prints. If you want something from this post I can put something together for you, otherwise we now have a print store: http://www.imagekind.com/MemberProfile.aspx?MID=229ea8ee-076b-4d40-8631-c58b62cf02cd
Absolutely beautiful. Lazy, hammock, storm – some of my favorite words.
Gracious! How will you ever be able to leave and reenter the working world stateside? Life moves sooooo much faster! Hold on to every moment!
@Dad: Thank you! 😀
@Evan: Travelers get stuck there for weeks and I totally know why. We met some of the most awesome people while there as well.
What a feel-good post. Nicely done, Erica.
This place looks AMAZING!! Great pics. 🙂
It was a favourite of mine too, although all of Nicaragua is amazing – well except Managua.
I lost my baseball cap to the wind on that ferry, but I have beautiful memories of my stay there!
I love how much you love Nicaragua and how much that comes through in this post. Plus, holy moly, you are TAN!!
I miss Tona!! Best cheap beer in Latin America… so far.
@Ayngelina: If we had more time we would have stayed there longer. I don’t think my friend would have been happy if we didn’t show up to the airport to pick him up in Costa Rica.
@Federico: Aww! Shaun’s hat disappeared in Belize. We’re not even sure exactly where it blew away.
@D: Yeah… sadly I was much more tan when we were in Mexico, we just didn’t take that many pictures. That and Shaun made me get into the shade. He was freaked out by how dark I was getting. 😛
@Stephanie: Tona wasn’t bad and definitely easy on the pocketbook. 😀 I’m still a fan of Pilsen and Salvavida.
Ooh, I love the water. It’s incredible.
@Candice: Isn’t it? I’m already in love with water and then to see how amazing it was in color, textures, everything – was fantastic.
I honestly didn’t know Nicaragua was so beautiful. Love the dappled light filtering down between the tree limbs.
Nicaragua looks stunningly beautiful. It’s a destination I’d love to visit in the near future!
Oooh, such gorgeous photos! It looks like you guys are having a total blast 🙂 The title of the post reminded me of Vanilla Sky!
@Kristin: It blew my mind as well. I had no expectations and was blown away.
@Emily: Better than Eyes Wide Open with Tom Cruise. 😛
Beautiful post with stunning pictures! My favorite is the picture of the both of you. I’m envious of your lip piercing. I used to have one but it didn’t look nearly as good on me as it does on you, Erica!
@Tawny: Thank you! I didn’t take too many on the island because we were enjoying ourselves a bit much but I’m so happy with the ones that did make it. And thanks! It is my favorite. I’ve had it for almost 10 years now. 😀