Hawaiian Facts

Facts & Info of Hawai'i

• Hawaii is the only US state with a tropical rainforest. 
• Hawaii states nickname is "Aloha state"  - because the word "Aloha is one of the most commonly used terms in the Hawaiian language. Based on context, Aloha can mean 'hello', 'welcome', 'love', 'best wishes', or even 'good-bye'. 
• Hawaii is the only US state made up entirely of islands.  It's composed of 132 islands, w/ 8 main islands. Only a handful of which, are inhabitable. 
• From East to West, Hawaii is the widest US state, only behind Alaska, measuring 1,523 mi/2451 km, in width. 
• Ka Lae, on the big island, is the Southernmost point in the United States. 
• The word Hawai'i is from a Proto-Polynesian Hawaiki, meaning, 'place of the Gods' or 'homeland'.
• The Hawaiian language only has 12 letters. 
• Hawaii state population (2014 est) 1.4 million. Population rank in U.S., 40th. 214 persons per sqaure mile. 
• Hawaii has it's own time zone (to no surprise) (Hawaiian Standard Time) It's also one of two US states that doesn't follow Daylight Savings Time. (Arizona is the other)
• Hawaii is the most isolated population center on the face of the earth. Hawaii is 2,390 miles from California; 3,850 miles from Japan; 4,900 miles from China; and 5,280 miles from the Phillippines. 

Hawai'i

Aloha

Waikiki, Honolulu

Moana, Honolulu

Laying back @Seaside hostel  Waikiki - gulping down this APA 'Big Wave' Beer brand! Refreshing..

Cool hostel space - Seaside - only minutes from Waikiki Beach - I stayed here last year on my trip to Hawaii, also.

Managua

Good Ole' Managua

Managua is the kind of city, where you don't wanna leave, as at the same time you wouldn't necessarily self-reproach if, however, you never return. 

Managua = Nicaragua's menacing capital city. Centrally located in the South Central part of the country. Any place in the country is easily accessible from Managua. 

My initial time at their bus terminal, I was confused as a politician debating at a Presidential debate! As, my Spanish is only 'tokenish'. at best. There weren't any signs directing passengers to specific buses for routes. (As the locals know it like the back of their hand'.)I relied on my Spanish to pull me through and get to the north. 

I asked a guy "can you tell me the bus line to Jinotega departing at 10:30"? He pointed to a specific bus, I loaded the bus. The entire time I'm having an eerie feeling that this is somehow, not my correct bus. As the bus backs up, getting ready to take off; I walk to the front of the bus and ask the driver ''where is it this bus is headed?!" The driver replied in a groping mutter "Masaya". Which wasn't where I was supposed to go. Not even close, lol. To make a long story short, I jumped off the bus and got the correct info of the bus heading to Jinotega, which was an hour and a half away.            

More To Follow.............................

All-in-all, the B&B that I stayed in Managua, was by far the best B&B I've stayed. I haven't stayed  in many during travel, but it was a great one. If you're ever in Managua, Nicaragua - then Casa Lucia B&B is your best bet - backpackers/travellers. 

NICARAGUA - @ first sight!?

First impressions of Nicaragua

1. Grimy

2. Impoverished - at least, compared to its neighboring country to the South 

3.  A lot of room for growth - which is actually a good long-term thing.. #Tourism

• My first town was Rivas, I bused there from CR. ( As I briefly explained in a former post ) 
• Then, was, San Juan Del Sur - Hey people, if you're into to the party scene & you love the beach; well then, whenever in the area of Nicaragua, hit up' SJDS. Just not my cup of tea. That is All!
• Jinotega was my next location, man, hey, I stay there for 4 weeks. It was quite, (wait for it - wait for it) Excellente. I befriended a very sexy Senorita - she had a colossus crush on me - yeah, I know.. I can sense what you'll are thinking. And, I'll cover that part a little later, lol. 
• I pictured my cabin earlier in a post - but, here's a little snippet pic of the daily breakfast at La Bastilla Eco Lodge in Jinotega, NI.. (Pictured above) Of course, the natural Arabica coffee & huge el jamon&queso omelette w/tostada. Since omelette was the only breakfast item I could correctly pronounciate - that's what I ordered for the most part. #(Don't judge me!)
• I showed the La Bastilla cottage workers (guys) some kickboxing combos, stances, and basic technique's. Some, to my surprise, caught on quite quickly. 
• All proceeds from the cottage/ cabins go to the small college. The college had a whopping, like 50 students. They all rotate working in the village each week. There allowed to go home on most weekends that there not on the working scheduling shift. 
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USD's Recent Surge In Value = Winter EuroTrip

My Extempore EuroTrip Plans

Although not set-in-stone, I'm flirting w/the idea of traveling Europe for the latter part of the Winter. 

1.) It's 'off-season' there, so It'll be less crowded/touristy - albeit, I plan on spending NY's eve there! '16

2. )The USD is appreciating against major other currencies; one, in particular, the EURO - which makes it that much cheaper for USD travelers to travel in Europe. 

3.) I'll make the most out of some cooler weather; as all my past travels have been to remotely warmer climates. 

4.) Touching up on French wouldn't be a bad idea either - I'll make sure to visit France or Belgium & partake in a Francais refresher's class. (Must do)

5.) I can't forget about the array of multitudinous drinking pubs to indulge in - I imagine myself in an Irish pub during New Years Eve; drinking Guinness from the tap! #Guinness #Dublin


6.) My childhood friend from back home is also planning to come and join me, although it'll be after NY's - it'll be epic if we would bring in the New Year together in Europe, however. 
#Wingman  #Euro  #Leggo  #'2016  #Willie

Solitude..............

The picture below illustrates my past 3 weeks activities !!!

Jinotega, Nicaragua (2015)