At the beach everything is different. Time does not move hour to hour, but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides, and we'll forever follow the sun. — Author Unknown

Today is the national election in Nicaragua, and unsure of how the crowd reactions may overtake even the small beach community of SJDS, a small group of us has decided for a day trip to Playa Hermosa. It is just after 12pm when we pile into the white SUV that Mandy and Nat have rented and since Simon is the tallest he has been afforded the luxury of being relocated to the front passenger seat leaving me sitting flanked between two Aussies, Damo and Mandy. Taking in the scenery, especially upon reaching the entrance to the private beach, I feel as though I am back in the jungles of Guatemala. The thick dense greenery that canopies high above us as we charge forward over uneven dirt roads that has us cross over several small streams and rivers, I am just picturing an advert back home for the latest and greatest all sport utility vehicle that of course, is never used in this manner but sticks to the routine of safely paved highway roads. After finding a parking space and carrying our bags down the path towards the sandy beach, we stop to rent two surfboards for the day before making it to the most northern secluded hut. The view is incredible in spite of the irregular colder waters of the Pacific today, but when there is nothing but blue skies and sunshine with 90-degree temps, this is the most minor discomfort of the day.

