Getting out of Managua and towards Lake Nicaragua Norm got stopped by a radar trap and paid US $40 in "fines"

Our first stop for the day was the town of Caterina up on the side of an extinct volcano. From the town there is a fabulous view of a lake called La Laguna which is in the crater of the volcano and at a lower altitude than the town, as well as a glimpse of Lake Nicaragua in the distance. The town is a well known - to Nicaraguans - place to buy plants and quite a destination as evidenced by the large crowd of local teenagers that were there.

San Jorge - pronounced - San Hor Hey - is a small town on the southern shore of Lake Nicaragua. A short 5 km drive north took us to the lake front, the beach and the dock for ferries and small cargo boats going to Omotempe, an island in Lake Nicaragua with two volcanoes.

We had a bit of luck on the road from San Jorge to the beach. There was a police check point not far from the beach and the police man was all set to stop me - which would have meant another fine but just as we approached his post we got a heavy tropical rain storm and he retreated to cover allowing us to pass un-taxed.

To our surprise Norm had us park right on the beach not more than 50 meters from the waters edge - we had to remind ourselves that there was no tide. The sand was very hard packed and supported our vehicle easily.

The dock was busy with tourists, locals and cargo loading and unloading to Omotempe. For the first time we saw another US registered camper parked in the Ferry parking lot - we assumed the owners were on the island.

Along the lake front, a few feet out into the lake water we noticed what looked like tables. On further investigation we discovered that they were indeed tables, and they each had two large slabs of flat rock, maybe 2 feet square, on top. Eventually we saw a lady standing at the table, waist deep in water, washing cloths. We later discovered by doing our own washing that actually standing in the lake made it easier to rinse the clothes of soap.

We spent the afternoon walking along the beach, or just sitting watching the activities. We saw buses, delivery trucks, private cars, taxis and many motorcycles use the beach front as a road. There was a strong wind blowing from the north that kept the temperature down and the insects away. A very pleasant afternoon and evening.

Late in the afternoon we were joined by a friend of Norms from Managua who planned, if possible, to travel with us to Panama City. But there was some difficulty with getting a visa for Costa Rica. That would be decided tomorrow morning at the border.