Why Nicaragua? That was the first question many people asked us when we told them where we were going. And the answer we gave was, “Because we haven’t been there.”

Nicaragua is not high on many people’s traveling lists. It is the poorest country in Central America, and compared to its’ southern bordering neighbor, Costa Rica, it is not nearly as touristy. As it was Thanksgiving break, we were given one week to travel the country. We were up to the challenge.

Our journey began in the southern tip of Nicaragua, in a beach town called San Juan del Sur. It is on the Pacific side of Nicaragua and has long white sandy beaches. Turtles inhabit some of the numerous beaches but it takes skill, perseverance and midnight strolls on the beach to find them.

We visited Playa Coco and there were some interesting happenings. There was more than sea and surf here! A man with a tube that looked similar to a bilge pump was walking up and down the beach. He stuck this device in the sand and pumped. Sand and something else blew out.

As we drew closer we could make out a lobster-like figure. When we approached him we realized that these were exceedingly large shrimp. They were wriggling like fish out of water. Speaking to him in Spanish, my mom became his apprentice. She followed him as he walked about the beach hunting up those ugly shrimp and took care of collecting them into his bag. After a long day of frolicking in the waves, we drove back along the winding, bumpy road to our bed and breakfast.

Our next stop was the volcanic island of Ometepe. It is located in Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in the country. On it are two volcanoes, Concepcion, which is still active, and Maderas, the dormant volcano. A short ferry ride of one hour takes you to the majestic island. Getting off, one arrives in a small but bustling town full of lively people and trucks full of bananas.

After a short five minute drive we were soon out of the town and into the beautiful heart of the mostly untouched island. We stayed at Charco Verde Reserve which was on a beach with a trail that led to some great wildlife. Monkeys were present and could be seen as well as heard; howling in the trees. The view was spectacular. There were bright blue waves and towering volcanos.

Our return to the mainland was much more eventful than the trip there. As we boarded the boat a few large trucks got on as well.

One banana truck got on but it was so heavy that the boat began to list. It was a scary moment. With perfect timing, my mom chimed in that she had read in one of her guide books that ships had sunk in this harbor in the past due to similar circumstances. Not exactly what one wants to hear! The truck didn’t seem to budge so they evacuated the boat and got another truck to tow it off. We finally reached the mainland an hour behind schedule but glad that we were all OK.

From the mainland we got back into the car and began our drive to Matagalpa and a rainforest and coffee plantation called Selva Negra. The long drive began to climb into the mountains where the temperature dropped significantly. Selva Negra is a functioning farm and plantation with trails and places to stay. You can take a hike and eat all meals at the restaurant.

We went on a tour of the coffee plantation. We learned how coffee was grown and processed as well as exported. We learned a lot about the farm, including the community of workers they employ and their families. Amazingly the farm provides a school, health care, housing and childcare for the employees. There were quite a few animals including monkeys, although in our travels at Selva Negra, we only heard them. All of the food served at the restaurant is grown on the premises. It is all organic and quite delicious.

The last stop on our tour of Nicaragua was an old and pretty city named Granada. Granada was once the capital of Nicaragua. It is full of colorful buildings and architecture that is similar to colonial Spain. The streets are packed with vendors and museums. One of the popular ways to get around the city and the nearby area is by way of bike. We chose this method to travel to a crater lake called Laguna de Apoyo.

On the last day, we drove back to Managua, the capital city. My father comes from a relatively small family but we had recently discovered that he had a 76-year-old cousin living in Managua. He had never met her but had heard of her from his father.

We met her for lunch. It was a truly great experience meeting her. She spoke about what it was like living there and of her Nicaraguan descent. She spoke to us of the politics and the history of Nicaragua. The meeting was one of the highlights of the trip for my father.

Anyone looking for friendly people, great food, beautiful scenery and few tourists should keep Nicaragua at the top of their list.

ALLIE BURNS is an eighth-grader at Brunswick Junior High School.