Day 9: Do it! Somoto Canyon (Esteli)

Sunday was my best day yet - an amazing trek/swim/scramble across the beautiful Somoto Canyon.

Somoto was 'discovered' by European scientists in 2004, and its crystal clear waters are attracting more visitors every year, providing a much needed source of income for local people.  

I booked my tour through the Treehugger office in Esteli - another shoutout here for its British owner, Jane!

They in turn use Somoto Canyon Tours, a social enterprise set up eight years ago by local entrepreneur Henry which now supports more than 70 families in the area.

Firstly I want to point out the incredible value for money this tour is, $25 for four hours of full-on fun!

I caught the bus to Somoto ($2 - 2hrs) and somehow managed to buy five chocolate bars from a lady instead of one (I promise this was a mistake!), so I offered one to the girl in front of me and we got chatting.

Jeanette is 26, Polish but living in Germany and she's been travelling around the world alone for five months and has four more to go. Jeanette is also a badass, an adrenaline junkie and as I found out later, she had no patience with people who stand on a rock for five minutes deciding whether or not they want to jump off.

As you've probably gathered, by happy conincidence, Jeanette was to be my tour buddy. At the bus station we were met by Henry and his team who whisked away in the back of an open top truck to Henry's house, where we were given trainers to walk the canyon in, informed of our route and could change. 

We headed out with our guide Rigo, who brought along the dry bag for our sun cream and phones etc.

After about 2km we were down by the water's edge and the fun began! Jeanette had already told me she'd been jumping off 10 and 15 metre platforms on a boat she'd been on, she was completely mental and threw herself off rocks with wild abandon while I was nominated her 'official photographer' (she'd even critique my photos afterwards!)

At one point, I stood at the top of a two metre rock contemplating the jump and Jeanette was in the water below chanting 'Do it ! Do it! Do it!' At first it was encouraging but then I sensed she was getting cross with me, so I jumped, ever the people pleaser!

The water felt amazing and as I spluttered to the surface, winking each eye like a madwoman to check my contacts were still in, I felt the glow of Jeanette's rapturous applause :-)

The day was perfect, I love swimming, floating and scrambling over rocks and there was plenty of all three. Some of the rocks were quite challenging, but I think Rigo and Jeanette enjoyed my unique method of sliding down boulders on my arse. 

Towards the end, I did, for no apparent reason, stack it completely and ended up on my bottom (this was on a relatively flat bit - of rock, my bottom is quite round). It didn't hurt (round bottom) but the impact did rip a massive hole in the back of my leggings, leaving my ass completely hanging out (albeit in a swimming costume). 

I asked Jeanette how bad it was, she looked, burst out laughing and said 'it's horrendous'. By now we were surrounded by Nica day trippers, so on the walk back I was forced to fashion my life jacket into a sort of skirt to the sake of propriety. 

I really can't do the day justice in the blog. I just loved it. It was just the kind of adventure I've come to Nicargua for, and I couldn't stop smiling all day.

Top marks to the lovely people at Somoto Canyon Tours, and to Jeanette the thrill seeker for her inspiration and photography tips :-)