Holy Mackerel!

Another busy day yesterday, started with a fishing trip up the coast. It looked like the only thing Kris would get to cook was his hat, it blew of his head and the mate had to gaff it back aboard. Shorty after that his luck changed and he landed a small Tuna, and I boated a nice Mackerel. So we have a Fish fry (or something) scheduled for Friday. We learned of a group of 16 or 17 Rotarians from California will be arriving in SJDS today (Thursday) but we're off to Managua for a Rotary meeting tonight.

George

The boat trip was very nice. 27 foot open "panga" diesel power and very sea worthy. Relatively calm on the way out, headed north running with a slight wind. Trolling all the way but not a lot of action. We travelled about 10 miles to the north. The shore line was a lot of long sandy beach interspersed with cliffs and rocks. Very interesting. A lot of development all the way. Very nice homes (foreign ownership mostly) and a couple of small villages. A few people scattered along the beaches. We tried to beach at one small village for a walk around but the water was too shallow. The trip home was somewhat more exciting. Besides the two fish caught the wind had turned and was coming hard out of the south east and head on into us. Lots of waves and swell 3 to 4 feet and every body wet from salt spray. No fear but fun just the same. The remainder of the day was a quick move up the street to a B&B, jury still out on this one! Walked up the hill for sunset drink at "pelican eyes". THis is the upscale resort on the hill, very nice but expensive $200 to $400 U.S. per night. Drinks almost $2 each!!

Finished off with beer and a pizza at the "Irish" bar. Even had Guiness there (G'ma drink). Interestingly we ordered the pizza in the bar and the girl made a phone call and 15 minutes later a motorcycle pulled up and delivered the pizza!!

Did make some Rotary contacts, Enrique, past pres of Managua club and Mary a co-ordinator for a 17 member Rotary group from the US arriving here today to do a 5 day medical dental mission 2 to 3 hours up a river in the jungle. A lot of good will and assistance coming here but this looks like a very long road.

Second poorest country next to Haiti and the rumbling of more political unrest coming in the near future.

B'fast and then off to Managua.

Dennis

While the guys went fishing I hung around the hotel for a while and caught up on the jungle blog. I then got brave and went looking for the sewing store in SJDS as we needed a part for the sewing machine that was already out at Congrejo. Much to my surprise I was able to find it and even better I was able to speak enough spanish to make myself understood to the girl who spoke no english. I went back to the hotel and read for a while, then took a little siesta and the guys were home.

Lisa

Crispy red, wind blown and maybe a little heat stroked, but home with a sweet little tuna. Beautiful coast line north of SJDS, lots of development and more people around than I had expected. The new B&B is pretty sweet. Lots of other travelers around and our host Dona Lyn is a sweet Texan woman. It was nice to relax a little yesterday. Off this morning to rent a car and head up to Managua for the day. Get to attend a Rotary meeting for I think only the second time, should be interesting?

Kris