Even more pics from Ometepe

Map of Ometepe Island...
Volcan Conception...had been active and blowing ash for 4 days!
Rush hour on Ometepe...

Brad and our guide Felix on the way up Volcan Maderas...local petroglyphs...
Frijoles plantations (red beans)...
The best view of Ometepe...looking down from Maderas over to Volcan Concepcion...
The jungle mist...
Brad goes for a dip in the crater lagoon!

More pics from Ometepe

Papayas the size of...
Volcan Maderas-view from El Encanto...the grassy looking area was where we walked through the frijoles and arroz plantations...then went into the jungle to make our trek straight up to the crater over the top...
When it rains in Nica it pours...check out the gal in white jeans and high heels under cover...she managed to stroll to the bus when it came by...and didn't get dirty! They have a strange ability to stay clean in the mud...we couldn't quite get it...

Flowers in the garden at El Encanto...
Our front yard...
The hammock workout...I swear I did push ups nearly everyday!
The start of our Nica bike ride...
Through the banana plantations to Agua de Ojo...

Agua d Ojo...

Nica Update#3: Ometepe Island

Volcan Conception-view from El Encanto
The 'Ferry'...wish you could see the dude swimming to shore with the rope to tie her up...
R&R at El Encanto on our front deck...
View of Volcan Maderas...

From Granada we bused to Rivas and then to the port of San Jorge to catch a ferry to Ometepe Island...check out the pic of the Nica ferry...not quite BC Ferries...but what the hell. Ometepe is a remarkable and very special island...the largest island on a lake in the world. And lake Nicaragua is the 10th largest lake in the world! Check it out next time you are on google earth cause it really is massive. This place was on my list the first time I travelled in Central America in 1999/2000 however, I didnt make it there the first time. So I was thrilled to finally make it there with Brad on our trip. We felt at home on Ometepe somehow...maybe it was the water surrounding us or the temperate climate but we really loved this place. It is shaped like a peanut with a massive volcano on either end...originally it was two volcanic islands but they became one when the lava flows connected them many years ago. The land is very fertile and farming is the main industry which supports most of the islanders. Their main export is plantains and their main customers are other central american countries whos crops were damaged from hurricane Mitch in 1998. We stayed on Ometepe for 4 days and could have stayed longer if we had the time...highlights:

• El Encanto- a finca (farm) and hotel with only 4 rooms and a small restaurant. One of our favorite places to stay-beautiful grounds filled with flowering shrubs, birds, butterflies, fireflies, views of the two volcano's and the lake below (situated on a hill). Perfect accomodation only a couple of years old, clean, private rooms with bath- $25.
• Chatting with Carlos and Helena over mugs of steaming coffee about life in Nica...politics, social issues, water, weather, local issues...
• Feasting at their restaurant on delicious local dishes...
• 7 hour bike ride around the south part of the island and to the middle of the 'peanut'...on the crappiest nica bikes you have ever seen...at first it was funny. But by the end of the ride I was nearly in tears from the searing pain on my tailbone, my wrists and hands...got a weird twitch from nerve damage in my hands...red and raw on all of our soft spots...but it was definately worth it all as we got to see some areas of the island that very few people have visited. Tiny villages dot the lower part of the island along a rough, rocky dirt track...young children ran to greet us and chased us up the hills while old folks watched us pass and had a good laugh at us climbing hills.
• Agua de Ojo- eye of the water- aqua marine pools in the forest that are filled with natural spring water and sparkle and shine in the sunlight...the perfect way to soothe our sore bodies after the big bikeride.
• Hiking Volcan Maderas- 1600meters from sea level right to the top in 3 hours 20minutes...through bean/rice/corn plantations...then into the jungle on a straight up, stick to your gumboots goey muddy trail...led by our fearless guide Felix who chopped down vines and killed snakes with his machette...butterflies (mariposa's en espanol) in the jungle...MONKEYS!...petroglyphs...misty jungle scenes...crater lagoon at the top! 2hours 20 on the way down...we hauled trying to keep up with Felix and he was wearing gumboots.
• Risky dining experience at a local comedor...that didn't turn out to be the best choice...10 tanked Nica men...moonshine over the counter...filthy cook...rancid Gallo Pinto...all made for a quick exit and a mandatory rum disinfection!
• Ferry of course...the dude jumps overboard to swim with the rope to shore to tie up the boat...classic central america!

Nica Update #2: Granada City

After 4 days on a 1.5km sqd island we got...well...bored...suprise suprise! And we started thinking that we should probably hit the road and explore more of Nica as there is plenty of land to see. So we travelled back to Managua and then made our way to Granada...the oldest colonial city in the America's! We really enjoyed Granada and ended up spending 3 days there during our trip to take it all in. As in all spanish influenced cities the centre of all the action was at the 'Parque Centro' which is always situated directly in front of the main cathedral (which, we learned always faces the west- important fact when you are lost in a foreign city). Granada's central park was really the most happening and beautiful that we came across in Nica. Lined with colonial buildings, churches, hotels, restaurants and horse and carriages the park attracted locals and tourists during the day and really got going after dark. Musicians, vendors and food stalls appeared after the sun dropped and we got our fill of entertainment by sitting and taking it all in on a bench in the park. Highlights:

• Oasis Hostel/Hotel was fantastic with a classic indoor courtyard filled with lush tropical plants, banana trees and flowers...hammocks to laze in, free internet, free 10 minute phone call home, free coffee and tea all day, pool, and a breakfast restaurant with all meals less than $2.50...private room with bath only $25!
• Mystery doors...classic central american/spanish designed buildings that reveal absolutely nothing of their interiors by looking at their doors and black iron gates...hidden within could be a hairdresser, cafe, fish monger or even a luxury apartment with a carport and pool inside!
• Central Park...classic, entertaining and full of life.
• Outdoor Markets...our hotel was right in the thick of the marcedo so we were thrown into the insanity of it all every time we went outside. LOUD music from every corner...packed road - 1 lane but somehow there are 3 rows of traffic...bikes, cars, buses, motorbikes, and people weave in the Nica flow...sidewalks are non-existent with vendors wares spilling out over them-oranges, christmas toys, blackmarket cds/dvds, glasses, watches, shoes, lunch, dinner, snacks and what else do you need? it is all there! I am hoping to post a video clip of the action once we put it together cause pictures just don't do it justice.
• Pali-we discovered the local supermarcedo and exploring the shelves here was an adventure in itself...beer and rum is the cheapest here! $8 for a litre of rum!
• Outdoor restaurants- very cool strip of outdoor cafe/bars/restaurants that serve delicious food from all over the globe. Downside...the most begging I have every experienced. Children as young as 5 in tattered dirty clothing come right up to your table and beg for you food or for some money. No one stops them or tells them to leave and you see people giving them handouts which keeps them coming back for more...sad but reality where tourist $$ are starting to flow...

More Pics from Little Corn Island

Hermana's selling their mums sweet coconut balls...
A conch shell garden at Elsa's Place...
The Little Corn 'ferry'...
Casa Iguana's path and sign...read closely for a laugh...
Yes, it really was just like the photos!

Nica Update #1: Little Corn Island

We arrived in Managua, the capitol of Nicaragua (Nica for short) after a long day of planes trains and automobiles. We crashed at a Best Western hotel across the street from the airport and eased into our Central American adventure with some local cervecas- Tona or Victoria are the 2 national beers of choice...and at .50cents to $1 a bottle they ARE cheaper than water! First thing the next morning we hopped back onto a plane (but a little wee one) and took off to the Atlantic coast for 4 days of sun, sand and snorkeling on the carribean island of Little Corn. The photos above summarize our lazy days. The Island is only 1.5km squared so we had pretty much covered every corner by the end of our first day there. Here are the highlights:

• Stayed right on the beach in a little green hut at 'Carlito's'. Power, private bath $15/night.
• Coconuts right from the tree every day. Brad mastered the machette and we enjoyed many fresh coconuts with rum and lime on the beach.
• Fresh fruit for the picking everywhere you turn- coconuts, noni fruit, bananas, limes, oranges, papayas and starfruit! Sadly the mangoes were finished before we arrived.
• Miles of caribbean white sandy beaches sheltered by swaying palm trees...
• Shallow reef surrounded the island on 3 sides creating a snorkeling paradise! No need to pay for diving as the snorkeling was just as good. Little angel fish, jack fish, big baracudas and even an up close encounter with a 3 or 4 foot shark!!
• No cars, or motorized vehicles on the island as there are no roads and islanders get around by foot or bicycle on dirt paths that criss cross the island.
• Breakfast at Casa Iguana high above the sea perched on a cliff...Gallo Pinto (typical Central American meal of rice and beans and sometimes coconut milk) plantains, huevos, Ilzano green sauce (we got so addicted to this that we brought home a 1 litre bottle) and of course a giant bowl of fresh fruit and local Nica coffee....mmmmm a daily ritual.
• Nightly seafood feasts caught fresh from the sea that day- conch, lobster, snapper, crab, shrimp, tuna and more!
• Climbing to the highest point on the Island-the radar tower- for a 360 view of the entire island...dizzing and a wee bit scary to say the least...
• Cribbage and cuba libre's every night...
• Walking the jungle paths and covering every square inch of the island on foot...discovering remote beaches, fruit trees, local colour and paradise in general.
• The 'ferry' trip back and forth to Big Corn...when the locals put on life jackets you know it isn't good...
  
  

"The final countdown" doo do doo do....

Two and a half days until I board a plane for Central America...but who is really counting? Tomorrow is my last day 'at the office' before leaving town for 4 weeks and I am, of course, throwing a huge party tomorrow night! Why not go out with a bang I say. Lene and I are getting very excited about our annual customer appreciation night with close to 60rsvp's we are expecting a full house and lot's of fantastic ELM energy! Come for a drink, stay for a visit! But don't forget your hamper donation!

In case I don't have time to blog again before hitting the road...or the air I suppose...adios amigos & stand by for updates as internet access allows in Central. I will not be accessing my email but will try to upload some pics to the blog so check back now and then...

Registration for all of our January Fitness Adventures will be ongoing right up until the second week of January but don't delay-especially as some of our winter programs have limited spaces. Looking forward to seeing you in 2008!

Have a wonderful holiday with your friends and family and don't forget the JOY my friends.

Cheers,

Sarah.

Oh BABY!

I have had such a great time teaching the fall Baby Bootcamp program!! The Mom's have inspired me beyond belief and they have definitely put the SUPER in supermom! Multi-tasking at it's finest, working out with baby on board is the perfect way to get fit without worrying about childcare on top of it all. Check out these fun photos below: From the professional eye of Karen McKinnon! You can see the rest on the ELM Gallery... http://www.elmhealth.com/photogallery.html

Thank you ladies for working so hard this session! See you all in January 2008!

Holiday Updates:

The countdown is on until Brad and I leave for our 3 week Central American adventure!! In less than 2 weeks we will be on a plane heading south to Nicaragua for a very special holiday. We are planning to spend a week on a Caribbean Island (bigcornisland.com) and then time on the mainland hiking volcano's, checking out the 10th largest lake in the world and finishing with a week or more surfing the coastline of Nica and El Salvador...Yipeeeee! I will be taking plenty of photos and will update my blog whenever possible so be sure to check back while we are away!

But before I go there are some exciting ELM events to announce...

#1: I am so excited to announce our Special Holiday Schedule! During the month of December, all of our fitness adventures will be by donation to help support our hamper family. For just $5 and a non-perishable food item you can join us for any of our fun, festive workouts! Choose from Monday morning womens trail running, Tuesday night womens Christmas light runs, Weds/Fri night co-ed Fitness Bootcamp and Thursday night co-ed Need for Speed runs!! Check out our December schedule and please bring your friends and family for a holiday workout this December!http://www.elmhealth.com/NewMonthlyCalendarSpring2007.html#DECEMBER

#2: I am just as excited about our annual Customer Appreciation Night on November 30th! Look for your invitation in you email inbox for this special night hosted by ELM & Extreme Runners for YOU...as part of the ELM family! And if you are an ELM client but do not see your invitation please let me know and I will send you all of the details! Please join us for this annual event as we celebrate the season and thank you for your support & loyalty throughout the past year. Good food, good wine, good friends and GREAT deals will be awaiting you on this night ONLY! Hope to see you there:)

#3: January Programs are online now!! Registration begins December 1st (except for those attending the Customer Appreciation Night:) for all of our Winter 2008 Fitness Adventures. Be sure to check out the Program Calendar for a complete list of our upcoming classes and look out for winter only programs such as Adventure-Mix, SCORE and the Womens 10K Clinic! http://www.elmhealth.com/upcomingevents.html#DECEMBER

I think that is it for now...stay tuned for some photos:)

S

Storm of the Year...so far

Wow! Monday I not only woke up to a nasty flubug but also to the storm of the year! All night the wind howled and by morning the damage became apparent...carnage in Comox. Brad had to go out and check it all out so I bundled out and he took me on a tour of the aftermath of the storm. We could only make it to one beach-The Spit as the rest were totally inaccessable due to downed trees and live wires on the roads. Crazyness! I feel for all of you who just got power...or are still waiting! Check out these pics that Brad snapped...














Goose Spit...storm surge! Normally a gentle lapping of the waves at this beach...














Comox Marina...sad sad loss of a boat-here it was sinking as the owners watched it go...

Here is a short video of the tail end of the storm at Goose Spit...watch out for sea foam!

Cheers,

S

Smoke, Fire & Dirt

Recently I was going through my favorite photographs to select my top 3 for presentation at my photography course (chicks who click with Karen McKinnon) and I got stuck sitting and thinking about my years firefighting with the BCFS.
I spent 5 amazing years as a seasonal forest fire fighter and member of a Rapattack crew(rappelling out of helicoptors to access remote lightning caused fires), based in Salmon Arm. I managed to take along my camera during my final 2 years and tried to capture the beauty amongst the smoke fire and dirt. I only wish that I had taken more photos...but that is how hindsight works isn't it?

I have posted a few of my favorites below. I am loving the blog if for nothing more than to brag about my most memorable experiences and adventures. I hope you enjoy the sneak peak inside the firelines...S

Kickin up dust as we head back to camp.

The amazing women of Rapattack 2001

Suiting up to rappel into fire near White Swan Park, Invermere.

The hero's of firefighting...air tanker near Nakusp.

My good friend Lisa...Bootcamp 98 survivor! Seen here, smiling as usual.
Walking patrol along the highway near Falkland.
The first fire to take homes and structures during that wicked summer of 2003.
Hurry up and wait.

Fall back...

The last rays of evening sun will slip away from us this weekend...don't forget to fall back on Sunday! The saving grace is more light for our morning Bootcamp classes bright and early at 6:15am...come join us sometime:) http://www.elmhealth.com/NewMonthlyCalendarSpring2007.html#NOVEMBER

Have a fantastic weekend!

Sarah.