We talked to the captain and he said let's meet tomorrow at 5:30 am. He arrived, and said it's a go. The hotel promissed to give us breakfast at 5 to 5:15 am. She didn't show up, didn't do it. We have to go on empty stomachs, and breakfast was included. In other words - I don't recommend the Hostel Monkey Mono. You pay up front - don't get delivered. Nothing really new in these countries, but a good reminder.

Photo:  San Juan del Norte, Nicaragua → Well, this is still San Juan del Norte, but we are just packing and then go. The weather is fine. 6 am we leave for Bluefields.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → Speeding down Rio San Jaun.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → This is where it gets rough - the mouth of Rio San Juan. We are getting through and finally go free towards Bluefields.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → I think they call it Booby Drake, because of the birds here. It's the first closest land since we left. First we had open sea, far away from the coast, then some close coastline and islands with amazing shore formations contrasting against beautiful tropical forest. It's really too bad that the camera housing gets soaked all the time and gets foggy inside, plus the speed of the boat and the waves make it not easy to take quality photos.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → Close up of the tip of these islands. We are taking a bathroom break here, because the waters are calmer and after a couple of hours of being sprayed with sea water, what comes in must come out.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → The tip on the North side.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → Back in full swing. It's 9:04. Three hours since we left.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → New lands on the horizon! The camera housing is fogging up due to temperature changes - see the sunshine!

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → It's just too bad that I can't take good photos of all the islands we have passed. That would be possible if you pay big cash and hire the boat. Still, the sea is rough and when you slow down, you get splashed. I managed to somehow get a shot of these two little islands zooming in. Wish I could land there and camp for a day.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → 10:25, Bluefields on the horizon. Actually, not quite yet. It's the Puerto El Bluff on the right with the military check point, and then we have to enter the laguna on the left of the island to get to Bluefields. Some rain and dark skyes again.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → Oh momma, finally!

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → Getting closer..

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → Finally, the rocking trip is over.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → Quick view to the left.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → Here we are. The docking place, Bluefields. 11:01 am.

Good stuff! Finally a step forward. Bluefileds is a sort of milestone for me. I always had it on my map. The boat trip was rough, especially for the people sitting in front of the boat. The got hit very hard every time we would hit a wave. It was easier for me. I was in the back, but I got completely soaked. The bags were secure, and all arrived safe and dry. That is except me.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → First impression - just a random shot walking away from the port. Streets are ampty, and that's due to Navidad - Christmas.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → Kind of typical Bluefields buildings.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → More Bluefields streets.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → Santa Claus is coming to town :)

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → Central Park.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → The central sculpture there.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → Bluefields is a major supplier of shrimp. That's why oue boat captain makes this trip from San Juan to Bluefields every week - to buy shrimp then bring it back and sell in Costa Rica.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → An ols steam roller painted in funky colors at the same park.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → Walking around Bluefields just to snap a few photos of the streets.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → Streets in Bluefields.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → A newer church.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → Streets in Bluefields, just wandering around.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → Streets in Bluefields and another church.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → The church.

Photo:  Bluefields, Nicaragua → At night, me and some people doing the same trip, took a taxi to the recommended seafood restaurant. Target - lobster. We all had lobster. I ordered curried lobster and was a bit dissaponted to get it without the shell. It tasted good, but that's a far cry from the Corn Islands lobster. We all will be tasting it soon - diving and eating lobster are the two main reasons to visit the islands.

More - Continued here.