Day 22: Notes from a small island (Ometepe)

My home in Ometepe is Finca Mystica (Mystic Farm) and it does indeed have magical powers as I've been compelled to throw my carefully planned itinerary to the wind and stay an extra night.

It's incredible here. I'm writing this at a little table where I'm overlooking a beautiful orchard and then beyond to the lake.

It's the epitome of idyllic and the perfect place to experience the joys of island living.

Finca Mystica is yet another example of a bold vision realised. When US natives Ryan and Angela bought this land 13 years ago (while they were in there mid-twenties), there were just two mango trees growing here.

Now they have a beautiful farm bursting with tropical fruits, vegetables and herbs and a series of enchanting, traditionally made white 'cob' cabins, all set on the edge of a woodland which is home to families of howler monkeys who are regular visitors.

Add into the mix 'family style' meal times, freshly-cooked food to die for and their gorgeous little girl, three-year-old Jasmine, and you have an incredibly special place indeed.

Ryan and Angela are originally from New Jersey and came to Ometepe by way of Colarado. For the first couple of years, they lived half the year in the States and half in Ometepe as they built their dream brick by brick and tree by tree. Eventually they stopped going back other than to visit their families a couple of times a year.

Now, they're well established on the island and even led the building of their village's new community centre where they secured the help of a team of eager Colardo students for the construction.

The centre is now a school for children and adults, in fact little Jasmine had just returned from her first day at nursery there when I arrived.

This community feel, and the brilliant team of local people they employ at Finca Mystica to help look after their guests contribute to a warm and welcoming home-from-home and I couldn't think of a better place to spend my birthday.

So thanks to Ryan, Angela, Jasmine and the team for a remarkable few days!

Travel tips:

1 Finca Mystica is located on the small Maderas island and is an hour by taxi from the port at Mayogalpa ($30).

2 I paid $38 dollars a night for my gorgeous private cabin, and $12 for the final night I spent in the dorm after extending my stay - the dorm is super nice too!

3 The farm is well-located for the San Ramon waterfall, kayaking, swimming and viewing the petroglyphs, as well as hanging out all day in a hammock!