Turtle and Carpe Diem Home – February 2020

My time in Nicaragua has come to a close and it’s provided me with a lot of time for reflection. As leaving a place always does, I start to feel incredibly nostalgic for where I am and what I’ll miss at both Surfing Turtle Lodge and Carpe Diem.

And sometimes this is because I am simply thinking of all of the great things about a place. Sometimes, this means forgetting about things that weren’t so great. However, this is different. I have really enjoyed every single moment I have spent here at Surfing Turtle and loved every person that has come across my path.

Surfing Turtle

At first, it was a little slow. Teaching yoga every second day, if that, and lounging by the ocean as I read books and napped. It did allow me space though to deepen my own personal practice and for the first time ever in my life, I have become a morning person. 

Instead of sleeping until 8 or 9 am, I found the desire to wake with the sun at 6 or 7 am too much to resist and would go to that stunning platform to do at least an hour of yoga before most others would be awake. 

I have become so much more disciplined in my own practice now and can feel my body become stronger with every sun salutation. I can also go straight to chin stand from a three-legged dog. It looks super impressive and I love it. 

Carpe Diem

Down the beach, about 15 minutes, there’s another little eco-lodge called Carpe Diem. I found refuge there in the community. As lovely as it is to have my own schedule and do my own thing every day, it does become a little lonely as well. 

I was so happy doing my own thing until I felt one day that I needed to go for a long walk down the beach by myself. I walked past Carpe Diem and saw so many smiling, happy faces, that I decided the next afternoon to take my dancing toys and join them.

That family welcomed me in with open arms and hearts. It felt a little like I was the stray dog that came and socialised every now and then. 

The more time I spent there, the more I felt like I fit in. Stephi, one of the main ladies of Carpe Diem, took me under her wing. She invited me to cacao ceremonies, women’s circles and pizza nights they held there “whenever you want!” 

This lead to me hanging around there most sunsets and afternoons. It also led to me connecting with a very special individual; Hugo. 

Hugo and I felt an attraction straight away. From the first time I walked by on the beach, he says, I caught his eye. Since then we have spent a lot of time together and connected a lot. 

But, as it is the nature of travelling, I have got myself into another situation of, “ok, this has been lovely, but I’m leaving now.” It, again, sucks. (Read about it last time here.) But I know that each interaction, each friendship and each love is teaching the lessons I need to learn to grow.

And honestly, it’s never goodbye. It’s usually “I’ll see you in another part of the world next time.”

Thanks

So my shoutouts go to my family at Surfing Turtle: Aldo, for giving away too many clues and Isabel, for just being so beautiful and helpful. All the wonderful guests that came through that made my time so lovely. (Special mention to Surf King Ben, Laura and Paul and Taylor and Danicia). The wonderful staff in the bar, reception and kitchen who think I’m really funny because I don’t eat meat or cheese. And most of all, Dion (Leon) for being the best roommate and friend to have around. I’m sorry I didn’t know your name until last week.

And to all my family at Carpe Diem, been and gone. Candice, Pablo, Fiane, Clem, Magda, Maria, Regina, Merl, Eline, Andres, Hil and Forest. (Sorry if I forgot you, I do love you.)
To Stephi for your warm and welcoming nature, always. To G, for creating such a beautiful space and letting me teach and exist there. Last, but not least, thank you, Hugo. For all the lessons, star gazing, heart-opening, inspiration and love you give. I’ll miss you.

The next step

I’m going to disappear into the jungle for a little while. First, I go to Costa Rica and then straight to a festival called Envision near the southern coast. I’ll be there for a week with no connection, so I’ll be out of sight and out of mind. (Hopefully not, you should keep thinking about me.)

I then have plans to arrive back in Australia by early March. So, Melbourne, get yourself excited for this little glittery mermaid to be back in your life.