With three weeks left of Raleigh, Romeo 1 set off for Nicaragua for our final phase. Last but not least: the Maribios Trek.
Having all done our community phase in Nicaragua, we were pros at the border crossing and in no time were being dropped off for our first day of trek. We walked 6 kilometres in 3 and a half hours through muddy, boulder strewn terrain. A few river crossings got us in practice at switching from boots to sandals quickly. Spirits were high and it was great to find that we all walked at roughly the same pace, with the person at the front rotating constantly.
The next morning we started our daily routine of stretches, led by Edith, and a massage circle in the pre-dawn light. A guide led us up over mountains through ever-changing, lush, green scenery. Once over the mountains, we reached the road and soldiered on to reach Achuapa before the heat of the day.
Our lovely PMs, Vanessa and Matt, sprang our solo day on us the next day, leaving a note and the map by the door. It was our first 20km day as well as the hottest day of trek, but we powered through. Nursing hilarious waddles caused by chafing and our first blisters, we reached El Sauce and Matt rewarded us with cold Cokes.
Over the next few days we entered into a routine: wake up at 3am and attempt to drag Andrey out of bed, walk through beautiful countryside and dive into refreshing streams fully clothed for showers whenever possible. There was a lot of singing in time to our footsteps, and you end up having the most open, funny and heartfelt conversations as you walk.
We were thankful everyday for Nicaraguan hospitality. People opened their schools, churches and homes to us. Our water also never ran out as the use of wells and pumps was offered generously. We were welcomed into a Nicaraguan military base for two nights when a rain-swelled river forced us to turn back. The soldiers were very friendly and helpful with planning our new route.
We had the privilege of having Bravo 2, our Raleigh blogger, with us for a week of our trek. Being joined by Fieldbase staff, Sarah and Kala, to climb both volcanoes Casita and Cosiguina also made them extra special. When we climbed Casita we were granted fantastic views of the neighbouring San Cristobal as well as miles and miles of the surrounding country.
On our final day, we crawled out of our tents pitched on Cosiguina at 4.30am to climb cautiously up to the crater's lip in the dark. Watching in silence as the constellations faded into blue sky, we saw the sun burst through the clouds. It was amazing to be able to see the route we had followed for the last five days.
After a quick group photo, we said our sad goodbyes to the Fieldbase crew and then were off on the final 28km push to the beach. We reached the church we were staying at that night in the dark. Everyone was exhausted, but Toño spurred us along the final kilometre. We walked right into the waves of the Pacific then went absolutely hyper. Completing 250km is an incredible feeling. We felt so proud that, despite injuries, we had made it every step of the way together, and relief that we could spend the next day sleeping on the sand.
To steal one of Raj's favorite phrases, we started out 19 days ago as a group of individuals but arrived on that beach as a team. We have supported and relied on one another, and as a thank you to my team I would like to present the Romeo 1 Trekker Awards:
- To Edith, the Natural Born Trekker. Perfectly organized, always first ready and able to create gourmet food out of Raleigh rations.
- To Azam, Best Trek Photographer, Most Determined Walker and Radio Trekker, for carrying the large radio for at least 200 kilometres.
- To Tony, the Most Smiley Trekker. Always there to crack a joke when you were having a tough day, and with an infectious smile.
- To Nikki, for the Loudest Burps in the history of Trek. You kept us all laughing.
- To Toño, Trek Chef for fantastic fish cooking over hand-made ovens twice, and for the The Best Trekker Hat, it was our lucky charm.
- To Raj, the Princess Trekker and our Most Entertaining Day Leader. We love your diva style and constant OMGs, and your motivational speeches are legendary
- To Andrey, the Pulperia (shop) Magnet and Most Logical Trekker for being the champion of Deal.
- To Roz, the D + V Queen, the only person to manage to get both diarrhea and vomiting during trek.
- To James, the Iron Man. Always prepared to take on extra weight, barely a scratch to show for trek, plus his super-human sheen whenever he puts suncream on.
- To Cachelle, the Most Glamourous Trekker and Most Amazing Laugh. Always ready for anything and looking the part.
- To Tina, the Warrior Trekker. Taking extreme pain in her stride and going every step of the way usually with a smile on her face.
- To Bravo, our Best Day Leader. For making the 25km feel easy and buying us smoothies.
- To Matt, Most Immature Sense of Humour and the Trek Joker
- To Vanessa, the Selfless and Uncomplaining Trekker for extraordinary medical expertise and always helping others first regardless of how much pain she was in herself.
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