Nica, LA, Vegas and San Diego

The rest of Nicaragua flew by and it was sad to leave all Jav's family. Here are a few pics and videos from the rest of our time there.

Jav's mum (right) - Laura - with her sister and Mum - Popo - at Popo's 80th birthday party in San Juan del Sur

All the men at Popo's 80th

All the ladies taking photos of the men!

All the ladies at the party. Mum - check out how tall I am in Nicaragua!

Jav's dad - Roger and 5/6 of his sisters and his mum Mamita.

A collection of cousies with Mamita.

Jav looking into one of the many active volcanoes in Nicaragua. Very stinky!

Me firing a M1 Garand - WWII riffle - at Jav's dad's friends shooting range in Managua. Very cool. Enjoyed the 9mm hand gun better. I could only hold the garand up for about 2 shots as very heavy!

After Nica, we flew to LA. Got upgraded for a leg as the plane was over booked which was fun.

Had 2 nights in LA and spent the day at Magic Mountain where Jav lost his mind with all the fun thrill seeking!

Flew to Vegas for 2 nights which was AWESOME! Managed to resist the drive thru Elvis wedding (sorry Beca team - you know my Dad would kill me!).

Pool side at the Golden Nugget - where we stayed in Vegas. You can see the shark tank hydroslide in the middle which was cool although can't really see the sharks when you are going down as too much water in the eyes. Cool to look at while swimming though. Spent most of the time at the pool during the day as it was over 45 degrees and then went out at night till the wee hours. Too amazing to try and explain but i think everyone could have a great time in Vegas. One night we went to The Blue Man Show which was interesting. One of the "best" shows in Vegas but perhaps a little over hyped. The second night we went to a Paris Crazy Horse show which was amazing. Very classy like the mini Moulin Rouge.

Headed to San Diego next as Jav's cousin drove to Vegas for a night then we drove to San Diego with him. Very pretty city but only got a taste as only spent one night. Would definitely return. Saw Rob Lowe (Brothers and Sisters) on the street - very handsome!

Jav and his cousin - Enrique - on the pier in San Diego.

Jav on the balcony of where we are staying until Friday in LA. It's his cousin Enrique's new apartment. Feels like we are in Melrose Place!

Off to London on Friday. So much more fun to be had ....

Nicaragua Begins...

Here's a quick couple of words about our first week in Nicaragua.
Nicaragua is great! Lots of Jav's family...i mean lots!

I got the slow introduction as we arrived before a lot of the family that were coming from Costa Rica and the States. We spent 3 nights in Managua staying with Jav's aunty and uncle. Jav's parents arrived on the second day and Jav's sister, Valeria, and bro-inlaw, Al, on the third day.

We went out to a couple of clubs on the second and third night escorted by Jav's younger cousins who were over from on their holidays from uni in Chicago.

On Friday we went down south to the very contrasting San Juan del Sur where Jav's "Popo's" 80th birthday was. We are still here as decided to stay another night before heading back to Managua. San Juan is a quiet little town - surfers love it here so seen a few Aussies around surprisingly. It is beautiful here - staying in an amazing resort looking out over the bay. Very hot - but rains about once a day for an hour or so and cools it down a bit.

Check out the photos they will tell more than I can! - no photos from San Juan yet as left my download cord in Managua

Making camp in LA airport near a powerpoint.. also happened to by right by the toilets!

Jav's aunty and uncles house in Managua where we are staying - beautiful tropical garden.

Jav realised he needed some "mandels" for the hot weather...you'd think he would have learnt by now. For those of you that know Jav you will realise what a BIG DEAL this is! (as see the shorts!)

Out at a club called Hepa Hepa with Jav's cousins.

Nicaraguan construction on the water front of Lake Managua - not the big lake (Lake Nicaragua) but still pretty big - unfortunately dirty and filled with wastewater and rubbish!

The old catholic cathedral which has been

abandoned and condemned since the earthquake in 1972. Still looks ok from here but up close you can see massive cracks right through it.

A statue celebrating the revolution in 1979 - it happens to be the day we are leaving Managua - 19 July so hopefully we will make it to the airport as there will be huge celebrations in the street!