Lots of rain, little snow, capricious swells, we dreamed of escape, warm water, discoveries and adventures. When Paulino, organizer of the Motor Beach, invited us to come and discover his new resort in Aposentillo in Nicaragua, it didn't take much for us to jump on the first plane... Hossegor in January is like Paris on August 15, a jacuzzi without bubbles (or champagne if you prefer ;)), a beach without sand,... in short, it's a bit calm. After a few days in Andalusia and Morocco with family and friends, we wanted to take a moment for ourselves. But where?
The Nicaraguan option was very attractive. We left for Madrid airport, without knowing that the adventures were going to begin before we even boarded.
H-3, here we are in the airport travel agency, crossing our fingers that the visa will be accepted before boarding closes. 20 minutes before the end of check-in, we receive the famous sesame (and reduced by €70). The 2 (large) boardbags come without extra. The holidays can begin! 9 hours of flight, a tasting (let's talk about a real tasting of the Iberia meal tray... No comment), a few glasses of Rioja (alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume in moderation), we land at Miami. Off we go for a short 100m, the queue at customs worthy of Disneyland, collecting the boardbags to re-register them, going back to boarding, running to the gate (the furthest, obviously). .. only to realize that we were a good 20 minutes early ????.
With the 7 hour time difference, we are starting to get a little lost. We arrive in Managua, capital of Nicaragua. We meet Paco, who is coming to spend a few weeks of vacation with his dad who lives just a few kilometers from Las Dunas. He tells us that in front of his house, a nice longboard wave operates at mid-tide, high tide. Noted! ✔️ After 3 hours of driving, we arrive at the resort. A short night awaits before discovering this country and its treasures...
When we wake up (at 5:30 a.m.), we set off to explore the surrounding area. The surprise of a deserted black sand beach, some undulations and a pleasant freshness makes us predict great discoveries. Back at the hotel, we take the opportunity to have a champion breakfast: pancakes and fruit salad for me , and a Gallo pinto (red bean and rice), some plantains and a tortilla - typical of Nicaragua , accompanied by hibiscus juice for Damien.
Sated, we undo the boards, take note of the little farts and the repairs that go with them.
At around 30 degrees (only 9 a.m.), we set off for the El Boom spot, on foot. A short warm-up walk to reach this wave that we are told is hollow and fast. Damien takes his 6'2 Gambas and I take the photo equipment, fins and sunscreen.
We arrive a little late for the tide but we quickly grasp the potential of this wave. With only a few local and American surfers, Damien settles in. The first tubes pass, the visions of the sky blue caverns are incredible.
At water level with the box, I don't miss a beat. The spectacle of pelicans surfing the undulations of the ocean is magical. For a first session, we will take it easy, very gently, so as not to suffer from our lack of sport in winter.
Back in Las Dunas, we take advantage of the swimming pool to relax and chat with the locals. Where to go? Where to surf? Some recommendations? How to ride? We note all the good advice from David (32-year-old Spaniard who helped open the resort and became a real local figure, known to all).
We decide to go on a motorbike to explore the steep paths of Aposentillo.
We always get up so early. This time, we get on the motorbike, heading towards El Boom, to be perfect in terms of timing. Full throttle on the beach, board in the rack, we charge forward, hair in the wind. The surf looks very nice.
We arrive at the spot, there are only ten of them. The atmosphere is relaxed, there are 1m20, a quick left which shifts and a right with a few bombs which pass from time to time. Despite the small swell, Damien is having a blast, taking some nice hats.
Around me, in flippers, with the camera, the locals are having fun amusing me with it. Their surfing is fluid and fun, like the atmosphere, a far cry from certain sessions in Hossegor in the middle of summer. Smiles on our lips, after 2 good and beautiful hours in the water, we return to Las Dunas for breakfast and a little nap before going back to find other waves.
After a quick heatstroke which knocked me to the ground, we set off again aboard our iron horse. We discover the few streets (if we can call them streets) of the village, we stop to chat with the people,...
Even living near the ocean (Atlantic in this case), we never tire of ocean sunsets, true poems and magical moments of glory.
Here, the sunsets are burning, blood orange. We didn't miss any.
Like the better-known spots like Popoyo or San Juan del Sur, in the south of Nicaragua, which benefit from the thermal winds of Lake Cocibolca, the north often only allows a session in the morning (if the tides fall well). Afterwards the wind picks up onshore and it is then time to enjoy tourism.
After 2 mornings on the Boom spot, it's Madame Chipiron's turn to find a small wave to surf with the 9'6 Petit Cochon longboard lugged here. We arrive at Nahualapa beach, where Harry, the father of Paco, the kid from Biscarosse, lives.
Arriving around 7 a.m., we discover a pretty straight line of one meter, flat, perfect for the log. The spot is barely busier than the last few days. The atmosphere is, as usual, very relaxed. We meet locals, Americans, Spaniards, a few Europeans...
The waves come one after the other, Madame Chipiron slides, all smiles. The different levels coexist without any problem. There are plenty of girls (but no locals unfortunately). There are all ages. The session ends with the call of hunger.
That day, breakfast opposite the spot, at Tapas & Surf, run by Roberto , a Spanish expatriate. We fall under the spell of the coconut trees and colorful hammocks.
Here, we take the time, we lose this notion that drives us crazy in Europe. Time, this time that we always lack a little, to live passionately. There we have it, and we might as well tell you that we're making the most of it! After 3 days, the rhythm is set: surfing early in the morning, 2-3 hour session, breakfast around 11 a.m., nap, motorcycle ride all afternoon.
During a conversation with Xavier (manager of Al Cielo), he invites us to a fishing trip the next morning. Meet at 6 a.m. at the fishing port. This will be a first for us.
We arrive by motorbike, Xavier, a true enthusiast, has prepared the necessary equipment for us. We are leaving with another of his friends, Scott, an American on vacation. Just the sunrise is incredible. The sea is calm, the weather cool. The fishing looks good.
Damien is the first to get a hit. After a few minutes of reeling, he brought us a nice macreel. This will be followed by 2 huge barracudas, 1 tuna, a bonito, and a final Marceau to close this outing.
We will even be lucky enough to see a sperm whale a few hundred meters away. We are like kids on Christmas Day. After the fishing trip, we left for the nearest town: Chinendega .
For those who follow our travels, you know our taste for local markets, the bustle of a country, the colors and smells. This is what we wanted to find just 1 hour by motorbike from Aposentillo. And we were not disappointed...
Between American buses, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, cows, tuk-tuk bicycles, we arrive right at market time, where all the local life is bustling. We wandered the alleys of the covered market, meeting the different trades present (ironworker, saddler, etc.), market garden stalls, butchers, fishmongers, etc. The mixture of smells is not always up to par. colors we see. The people are adorable, smiling, and not at all oppressive. We spend a moment
Before leaving, a little chicken "asado" in the street and a visit to the barber for Damien (me, having hesitated about the hair removal), and return by petrolette to Las Dunas, 2 handmade slingshots as a gift for kids. This trip will have been full of varied experiences :D
The Las Dunas team invites us to a local party at the El Bada Boom hotel run by Cédric, a French expatriate for 2 years. There, the people of the village rush to try to win one of the two traditional events: el "cerdo" brushed with fat to catch and el palo encebado. Some encouragement and beers later, Damien and Pau, a Spanish friend, motivate themselves to participate in al palo with around ten locals. The goal: organize a human pyramid in order to catch the prize attached 10 meters above, at the top of the pole. Small additional difficulty: this same post is coated with beef fat... We'll let you imagine the spectacle. For nearly an hour and a half, the human base tries to hold its teammates back using their shoulders and back strength. The laughter and encouragement from the numerous public made it worth the detour. Popoyo or not Popoyo?
Surfing in Nicaragua is more often experienced in the South. We hesitated for a long time to go down to Popoyo, El Penon, to discover other waves. But given the little swell we had, and the time in transport (allow +6 hours to do Aposentillo - Popoyo), we decided to take full advantage of the surrounding waves. We were not disappointed. A child's dream
After the fishing trip, the motorcycle ride on the beach (yes, we know, it's not good), the surfing in swimsuits, we wanted to end this trip with a horseback ride on the beach. Like cheap cowboys, here we are on the backs of nags bigger than us, more or less lively. For 3 hours, we walked the beach at sunset, each at our own pace (mine being much angrier than Damien's). Trotting, hair in the wind, endless laughter, a childhood dream had just come true. Thanks to Las Dunas for their welcome, to David for his good humor and his advice, to Marlene, Mailine for their daily smiles, to Pau and Elena ( @avolarrocks ) for the laughs and photos, to William and Xavier (owners of Al Cielo ) for the burritos and pétanque games, Roberto (Tapas & Surf), little Paco for his advice of kitty :)
If we had to sum up this trip in a few words, it would be
The Nicaraguan option was very attractive. We left for Madrid airport, without knowing that the adventures were going to begin before we even boarded.
At the Iberia counter, the hostess asks us for our ETSA visa for the stopover in Miami. THE ???
H-3, here we are in the airport travel agency, crossing our fingers that the visa will be accepted before boarding closes. 20 minutes before the end of check-in, we receive the famous sesame (and reduced by €70). The 2 (large) boardbags come without extra. The holidays can begin! 9 hours of flight, a tasting (let's talk about a real tasting of the Iberia meal tray... No comment), a few glasses of Rioja (alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume in moderation), we land at Miami. Off we go for a short 100m, the queue at customs worthy of Disneyland, collecting the boardbags to re-register them, going back to boarding, running to the gate (the furthest, obviously). .. only to realize that we were a good 20 minutes early ????.
With the 7 hour time difference, we are starting to get a little lost. We arrive in Managua, capital of Nicaragua. We meet Paco, who is coming to spend a few weeks of vacation with his dad who lives just a few kilometers from Las Dunas. He tells us that in front of his house, a nice longboard wave operates at mid-tide, high tide. Noted! ✔️ After 3 hours of driving, we arrive at the resort. A short night awaits before discovering this country and its treasures...
6 colorful cabins, a swimming pool, blue sky, rooster crowing, ocean just 50 meters away... What could be better?
When we wake up (at 5:30 a.m.), we set off to explore the surrounding area. The surprise of a deserted black sand beach, some undulations and a pleasant freshness makes us predict great discoveries. Back at the hotel, we take the opportunity to have a champion breakfast: pancakes and fruit salad for me , and a Gallo pinto (red bean and rice), some plantains and a tortilla - typical of Nicaragua , accompanied by hibiscus juice for Damien.
Sated, we undo the boards, take note of the little farts and the repairs that go with them.
At around 30 degrees (only 9 a.m.), we set off for the El Boom spot, on foot. A short warm-up walk to reach this wave that we are told is hollow and fast. Damien takes his 6'2 Gambas and I take the photo equipment, fins and sunscreen.
We arrive a little late for the tide but we quickly grasp the potential of this wave. With only a few local and American surfers, Damien settles in. The first tubes pass, the visions of the sky blue caverns are incredible.
At water level with the box, I don't miss a beat. The spectacle of pelicans surfing the undulations of the ocean is magical. For a first session, we will take it easy, very gently, so as not to suffer from our lack of sport in winter.
Back in Las Dunas, we take advantage of the swimming pool to relax and chat with the locals. Where to go? Where to surf? Some recommendations? How to ride? We note all the good advice from David (32-year-old Spaniard who helped open the resort and became a real local figure, known to all).
We decide to go on a motorbike to explore the steep paths of Aposentillo.
Day 2
We always get up so early. This time, we get on the motorbike, heading towards El Boom, to be perfect in terms of timing. Full throttle on the beach, board in the rack, we charge forward, hair in the wind. The surf looks very nice.
We arrive at the spot, there are only ten of them. The atmosphere is relaxed, there are 1m20, a quick left which shifts and a right with a few bombs which pass from time to time. Despite the small swell, Damien is having a blast, taking some nice hats.
Around me, in flippers, with the camera, the locals are having fun amusing me with it. Their surfing is fluid and fun, like the atmosphere, a far cry from certain sessions in Hossegor in the middle of summer. Smiles on our lips, after 2 good and beautiful hours in the water, we return to Las Dunas for breakfast and a little nap before going back to find other waves.
After a quick heatstroke which knocked me to the ground, we set off again aboard our iron horse. We discover the few streets (if we can call them streets) of the village, we stop to chat with the people,...
French? Petanque! You have to go take a look at Al Cielo, run by 2 French people. They have prepared a pétanque court, organize local tournaments, etc. The view of the Pacific is breathtaking, especially at sunset.
The sunsets
Even living near the ocean (Atlantic in this case), we never tire of ocean sunsets, true poems and magical moments of glory.
Here, the sunsets are burning, blood orange. We didn't miss any.
Madame Chipiron’s turn
Like the better-known spots like Popoyo or San Juan del Sur, in the south of Nicaragua, which benefit from the thermal winds of Lake Cocibolca, the north often only allows a session in the morning (if the tides fall well). Afterwards the wind picks up onshore and it is then time to enjoy tourism.
After 2 mornings on the Boom spot, it's Madame Chipiron's turn to find a small wave to surf with the 9'6 Petit Cochon longboard lugged here. We arrive at Nahualapa beach, where Harry, the father of Paco, the kid from Biscarosse, lives.
Arriving around 7 a.m., we discover a pretty straight line of one meter, flat, perfect for the log. The spot is barely busier than the last few days. The atmosphere is, as usual, very relaxed. We meet locals, Americans, Spaniards, a few Europeans...
The waves come one after the other, Madame Chipiron slides, all smiles. The different levels coexist without any problem. There are plenty of girls (but no locals unfortunately). There are all ages. The session ends with the call of hunger.
That day, breakfast opposite the spot, at Tapas & Surf, run by Roberto , a Spanish expatriate. We fall under the spell of the coconut trees and colorful hammocks.
Here, we take the time, we lose this notion that drives us crazy in Europe. Time, this time that we always lack a little, to live passionately. There we have it, and we might as well tell you that we're making the most of it! After 3 days, the rhythm is set: surfing early in the morning, 2-3 hour session, breakfast around 11 a.m., nap, motorcycle ride all afternoon.
During a conversation with Xavier (manager of Al Cielo), he invites us to a fishing trip the next morning. Meet at 6 a.m. at the fishing port. This will be a first for us.
We arrive by motorbike, Xavier, a true enthusiast, has prepared the necessary equipment for us. We are leaving with another of his friends, Scott, an American on vacation. Just the sunrise is incredible. The sea is calm, the weather cool. The fishing looks good.
Damien is the first to get a hit. After a few minutes of reeling, he brought us a nice macreel. This will be followed by 2 huge barracudas, 1 tuna, a bonito, and a final Marceau to close this outing.
We will even be lucky enough to see a sperm whale a few hundred meters away. We are like kids on Christmas Day. After the fishing trip, we left for the nearest town: Chinendega .
For those who follow our travels, you know our taste for local markets, the bustle of a country, the colors and smells. This is what we wanted to find just 1 hour by motorbike from Aposentillo. And we were not disappointed...
Between American buses, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, cows, tuk-tuk bicycles, we arrive right at market time, where all the local life is bustling. We wandered the alleys of the covered market, meeting the different trades present (ironworker, saddler, etc.), market garden stalls, butchers, fishmongers, etc. The mixture of smells is not always up to par. colors we see. The people are adorable, smiling, and not at all oppressive. We spend a moment
Before leaving, a little chicken "asado" in the street and a visit to the barber for Damien (me, having hesitated about the hair removal), and return by petrolette to Las Dunas, 2 handmade slingshots as a gift for kids. This trip will have been full of varied experiences :D
The Las Dunas team invites us to a local party at the El Bada Boom hotel run by Cédric, a French expatriate for 2 years. There, the people of the village rush to try to win one of the two traditional events: el "cerdo" brushed with fat to catch and el palo encebado. Some encouragement and beers later, Damien and Pau, a Spanish friend, motivate themselves to participate in al palo with around ten locals. The goal: organize a human pyramid in order to catch the prize attached 10 meters above, at the top of the pole. Small additional difficulty: this same post is coated with beef fat... We'll let you imagine the spectacle. For nearly an hour and a half, the human base tries to hold its teammates back using their shoulders and back strength. The laughter and encouragement from the numerous public made it worth the detour. Popoyo or not Popoyo?
Surfing in Nicaragua is more often experienced in the South. We hesitated for a long time to go down to Popoyo, El Penon, to discover other waves. But given the little swell we had, and the time in transport (allow +6 hours to do Aposentillo - Popoyo), we decided to take full advantage of the surrounding waves. We were not disappointed. A child's dream
After the fishing trip, the motorcycle ride on the beach (yes, we know, it's not good), the surfing in swimsuits, we wanted to end this trip with a horseback ride on the beach. Like cheap cowboys, here we are on the backs of nags bigger than us, more or less lively. For 3 hours, we walked the beach at sunset, each at our own pace (mine being much angrier than Damien's). Trotting, hair in the wind, endless laughter, a childhood dream had just come true. Thanks to Las Dunas for their welcome, to David for his good humor and his advice, to Marlene, Mailine for their daily smiles, to Pau and Elena ( @avolarrocks ) for the laughs and photos, to William and Xavier (owners of Al Cielo ) for the burritos and pétanque games, Roberto (Tapas & Surf), little Paco for his advice of kitty :)
If we had to sum up this trip in a few words, it would be
Nature, Smiles, Fun & Discoveries