the vintage vine

1.14.2012

Welcome to the Jungle

Let's talk about Farm Peace & Love on Little Corn.

Its not a book....its a place here on the island.

In order to have dinner you must make a reservation 24hrs before.

Alan and Tom (friends we made at the airport in Managua) asked us to join

them for dinner and agreed that they would venture and make the arrangements.

There are many different routes and paths to take around the island, some much

more enjoyable than others. A few are slightly paved but mostly are made of dirt and rocks. Being on little corn is like a big camping excursion. Tom and Alan told us that their trip to set up the reso was pretty intense (and they did this barefoot). They took the beach route and then mud paths until they stumbled upon the house. I was assured that we would not be traveling that route.

We decided to meet at 5:45 to head out for the journey to the farm before sunset. Our dinner

reservation was at 7, and the walk was supposed to be about 35 minutes.

After the sun sets on the island it is pitch black outside and there are no lightposts

guiding your way. Funny thing is... the sun was already set by the time we started walking

and we were forced to find it with the light of our headlamps and the directions

they gave us at the hotel. We got the first 10 minutes of the directions right and from there it

was all downhill. I swashed through mud, walked through (what I would call) a swamp,

saw HUGE crabs, heard many creatures crawling, and well we were lost.

Im not a big fan of this type of adventure. I felt as if I were on the show survivor or a cruel

episode of criminal minds and the serial killer makes the victim run through the jungle

before he cuts them up and feeds them to the pigs. If we would have recorded this I imagine it

to resemble the Blair Witch Project- in a jungle. Anyways, there were so many paths,

and at this point we didn't have a clue what they originally told us. Finally, we saw a light. WE MADE IT!!! The smell of food confirmed that this was the right house.

All of us were drenched in sweat, and im sure you could read the horror on my face. My shoes

were caked in mud and my legs were not a pretty sight either.

Paolo brought out a bottle of wine for us and I can say that I have never appreciated a glass of wine

more in my life than after that journey.

Dinner was amazing, and thanks to a better set of directions and our complete attention we made

it back in half the time. The path home was a million times better.

Our hotel is directly across from the town side.

First course pasta with a fresh tomato sauce.

Bry, Paolo, and me

All in all...I can't say I'd like to do that again, but I am glad I did.

Vivere Grandi,

Ivy

1.12.2012

Little Corn- tres

We woke up at 8am this morning and Bry headed out to his morning dive.

I went to have breaky at the hotel restaurant. I had my first cup of coffee since we left

and enjoyed coconut french toast with fresh fruit. YUM. I chatted up a

few Texans, exchanged travel stories and went back to the room. As soon as I put on my bathing suit a light rain hit the island and the water turned incredible shades of turquoise and blue. Breathtaking.

For the next few hours I sat on our veranda, listened to the sounds of the waves breaking and the palm trees swaying. I read for a bit... and attempted to draw the view from the veranda.


coconut french toast

Now its time for a cold beer!

Vivere Grandi,

Ivy

1.11.2012

Little Corn- Dos

Goodmorning Little Corn! ;) This morning I woke up

extremely hungover... yet very very happy.

The waves coaxed me out of bed.

Bry & I took a walk to the dive shop and scheduled his dives.

He's actually on his night dive right now. I'm really jealous.

As soon as I get over the fear that diving brings I too will dive.

(Next time.)

Back to the story- After the dive shop we went to the Shack for lunch.

Bry copied off me, so we both had the fish tacos. The shack is right on the beach with tables in the sand.

After lunch we walked the beach back, confirmed with a few people

we met on the boat that we would be attending the bonfire this evening and then

hopped in the water for a swim.

After a much needed dip we laid in the hammocks, read a book, and i sipped a victoria.

Life is good here on the island.

Bry on our walk towards the dive shop.

The dock where the panga boat dropped us off.

Bry had to do a refresher before his night dive.

Our view at lunch.

I love the decorative leafs on the menu. ;)

Self portrait.

This is me being "forced" into drinking two beers.

Fish tacos at The Shack

Our room in heaven.

The view from our heaven.

Optional eating spot.


A great way to relax before dinner.

Ok well off to take a nap before dinner and the bonfire!

Vivere Grandi,

Ivy

Little Corn- uno

6am- Cleveland, Ohio to Houston

9am- Houston to Managua

2:30- Managua to Big Corn

(with a stop in Bluefields)

5:30- Panga boat to Little Corn

6:30- walk in the darkness to Little Corn Beach & Bungalow

Wow! I made it! For the past week I've been ridiculously excited and well... terribly afraid.

I sat on google and youtube watching endless amounts of video and reading crazy stories about the

panga ride over. Let me tell you, it was the BEST part of the journey. With 30 deep, we all sat and

watched the sunset as the ocean breeze chilled our moods. A long track over for many...but the boat

ride confirmed the decision to venture to Little Corn. As soon as we reached the island many people were standing on the dock shouting names and holding signs. We quickly found Henry, a 15 year old island

native. He came equipped with his wheelbarrel to carry our luggage. After a 10-15 minute walk

through complete darkness, we arrived at our hotel( not only dark, but muddy, and through the center of a jungle). Henry brought our bags to the room and we checked in with Amanda. Amanda briefed us on all the rules and tips for the island.

Am I in heaven?

My room is a bungalow 10 steps from the water. Crystal blue and turquoise waves

will be outside of my window for 9 wonderful days. This island has no vehicles, and the power

shuts off from 5am until 2pm. I cant use my cell phone, and better yet, no one can get ahold

of me. I love it.

For the first night on the island we ate at the hotel. I had red snapper with a red chili sauce and Bry went with the dry rub ribs. Both were great, we walked away with a nice buzz ( amazing pina coladas and margaritas) and a full belly.

We enjoyed a few after dinner drinks and frolicked around the beach before crashing to the

sound of the waves.

Goodnight Little Corn.

Vivere Grandi,

Ivy