If you are passing, find this place. That’s easier said than done, but just head for the town centre then you may spot signs> it’s a $30 gem compared to some of the flea pit hovels and over priced homogenized large chains I’ve used.
Plaza Pedro Joaquin Chamorro 1c al Este 1 1/2 c al Norte Monimbo Masaya.
Apart from the street fair, it’s the first place I’ll happily recommend.
It was a good find too, having come after my first corruption encounter. The Nicaraguan Police who fleeced me should be ashamed. It’s blatant theft. Granted it’s only a few dollars, but considering the lovely welcome that Nicaraguan people have given me, for an arm of the government to be allowed to spoil that welcome is a crime in itself.
Sorry about Honduras. At the point where I entered the country it was only a short ride until I left, what I saw was thoroughly enjoyable. It’s different from El Salvador and Nicaragua, in that the geology seems more manageable and hospitable, more rolling hills (with a distinct conical twist) than towering volcanoes. The potholes are less liberally scattered than El Salvador. They are deeper though.
In contrast Nicaragua positively discourages entry by having the border built on a site where the roads (loosely termed as such for the sake of avoiding expletives) challenge you to cross over> i know that a hurricane has wrought havoc on the area, but none of the buildings looked damaged and the potholed morass looks to be created by trucks. It’s a few miles before you are rid of the dust, gravel spitting trucks and general mess that is the main road into the country.
Machismo.
It’s a strong influence on the driving and riding styles, a big GS being a particularly desirable prize I’d guess. That would explain some of the things I’ve seen and been part of.