Esteli, Nicaragua
March 28- April 2, 2012
Esteli is a very authentic nicaraguan town with a bit of "cowboy" feel to it. It's well known for its coffee and is a big centre for producing cigars. Its a very friendly place and located near a protected natural area called Miraflor which we wanted to visit. Best of all, Eseli became a place where we forged a life long friendship with our B&B owner who helped make our time here so very memorable.
The Chicken Bus Experience
We've traveled all over Central America using the local bus systems and overall, its been a great experience. They're safe, friendly, inexpensive, and effective. It also means we've ridden a lot of "chicken buses" which are old school buses that are given a last life to transport locals. Sometimes, they actually do have chickens on them but mostly, they're an experience unto themselves. They are often loud, hot, hilarious, and so jammed packed with people you can't breath! On our way to Esteli, it was such a typical experience, we just had to try and capture it on video.
Our Accommodations - Villas Riviera B&B
We found the most amazing place to stay called Villas Riviera B&B! Located in a residential neighborhood away from the hustle and bustle of Esteli, it was about a 15 minute walk to the centre of town. It was great to be in a setting that felt like being home. But even more amazing was the owner of the B&B a gal from Holland named Esther. She was a highlight of our trip and was one of the most memorable and meaningful situations we've encountered.
How to Make a Cigar
On our first evening, we were lucky to meet some friends of Esther's who own a cigar factory in Esteli. The following day, we toured the GGM Exports Cigar Factory and learned a lot about the tobaco process of making cigars. It was a truly authentic experience being able to meet the owners and the workers and see how a cigar factory operates.
Video of Cigar Rolling
Workers stuff and roll the cigars and then get transferred into a mold which gets pressed to create their shape. After being pressed, cigars are completed by placing a "finishing" leaf on the outside and a cover for the smoking end.
Tisey Reserve Waterfall
Nearby is a protected area called Tisey Nature Reserve where we visited a waterfall. Its a popular place for locals to come and swim and was a relaxing afternoon.
Miraflor Nature Reserve
We decided to spend one night in Miraflor and this was an amazing area! Miraflor Nature Reserve sits in the mountains above Esteli and is a vast protected area where lush green rolling hills are dotted with local farms and flowers burst with all kinds of colors. It is absolutely peaceful here. Nothing but the sounds of birds on your doorstep and the calls of distant cows. There are local farms here who offer "home stays" where you can stay in cabins on their property or live within the family home. We opted for a cabin at a place called Finca Neblina. It was so beautiful!