day3-old

I am currently in Rivas, Nicaragua after a long 100km day.

Here's how my day went. First, my kind host gets up very early because he has to go to work at a construction site. In addition to cutting hair, he works very hard...

The wind is still strong. However, today it propels me 7 km further in 10 minutes. Yesterday, I covered the same distance in an hour!!! It's nice to have a wind-powered friend sometimes. I meet a kind Dutchman who has been here for three months and who owns a small shelter for travelers. I take the opportunity to have lunch.

I'm riding, but it's hard. I wonder why I'm torturing myself like this. Why didn't I stay in front of my TV? Why wasn't I reading a novel? The first few days are always difficult! I have time to think a lot! After 40 km, I arrive exhausted in a small village. I go to a small convenience store.

I go inside and ask if there's a restaurant nearby. No! I tell him I'm very hungry, so he asks his wife Giselle if she can make me something. Here's the result.

I'm very lucky! I'm chatting with Juan and Giselle; it's interesting. I ask philosophical questions like: What is the most important thing in life? After a few seconds of reflection, both answer: God.

I'm back on the road, wanting to at least get to the border. After several hours, I finally arrive at the complicated process of crossing customs by bike. First, I have to pay $8 USD at a small green booth.

Next, I have to go get my passport stamped in another office. Afterwards, I have to go to another building to pay the local tax of $1. I pass customs officers, and I have some difficulty getting through. The customs officer finds it strange that I'm riding a bike and asks me where I'm going to spend the night. I tell him I don't know! He leaves with my passport to tell his superior. I wait and wait... The customs officer comes back and asks me for my bike's registration number???? What??? Anyway, after 30 minutes I finally move on to the next step, paying $12. I feel like I'm in an Asterix movie! I have my bags x-rayed. Everything is beautiful... I get back on my bike and ride 200 meters and I have to show my passport again. Soon I'll be free!!! As soon as I arrive in Nicaragua I feel at home. I love this country and I highly recommend it. The prices are very affordable and the scenery is breathtaking.

I meet a Mexican couple who have been away for 8 months and have traveled more than 10,000 km. They are making the long journey, wow!

Wind turbines are everywhere along the shores of Lake Nicaragua.

It's really impressive. Look at the length of a blade.

I finally see the two volcanoes located on the island of Omotepe: it's magnificent.

These two volcanoes are located in the middle of Lake Nicaragua.

I have 11 km left before arriving in Rivas and I'm going to buy a bottle of coke for 12 Cordobas (50 cents CAD)

I have a wonderful encounter with a 9-year-old boy named Derek. I chat with him for several minutes, asking if there's a place to stay nearby. The answer is negative. I ask him the same question as Juan and Giselle, and he tells me without hesitation: "estudiar" (Studies). A little later, he gives me some sweet treats.

I have to get back on the road. People are kind to slower vehicles.

When I finally arrive in Rivas, I find a room for 150 Cordobas (CAD $6). It's not the best value, but for me, the answer to my question is to eat, drink, and find a mattress.

I'm going to explore the city center, I'm finally seeing real life. The central park is full of people.

A magnificent nativity scene.

I'm having a good meal.

Long live Nicaragua!!! Here is my route for today.

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/T8PUHy8FYS David Beauchesne Life is beautiful!!! Next ---> Day 4 Previous <---- Day 2 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Www.fast123.ca