"Above - part of the beautiful silver sand beach close to Tela.
 
I thought I would take up the offer made to me by the American I had met on the bus to Managua, that if I got the chance, I could stay at his home In Tela, on the east coast, for a few days.
 
Continuing on from San Pedro to Tela involved two more buses, but it was an easy journey and I arrived, without any problems, at about 4pm. Finding the American's house did not turn out to be so easy. I realised on closer examination, that the address he had given me was only a box number, at the local post office. The staff there knew him, but were not sure where he lived, so suggested I call at the American school in the town, which I did. As luck would have it an American teacher there, not only was able to direct me, but also invited me to have a meal with him and his family the following evening. I finally reached the house, that turned out to be at the far end of the town, just as it was getting dark, luckily he was there and made me most welcome.
 
Although I was to enjoy most of this Central American journey, it turned out to be a pretty strenuous one. The few days I was to have with Mr Blunt, the American and his family in Tela were probably the only really relaxing days I was to have. The house where they were living was on the edge of one of the most beautiful silver sand beaches I have seen anywhere, and though the centre of the town was a bit rough, the general setting was perfect. I think, had I not been so keen to visit so many other places on this trip, I could have happily spent another week here. From what I could tell, apart from a number of Americans who were working for the fruit company and the school, I seemed to be the only other foreign visitor. I was rather saddened to read in 1990 that the area has now been turned into a holiday resort with many new hotels. Mr Clark, the school teacher who invited me for a meal, also turned out to be an interesting person with whom I was to strike up a lasting friendship. Ten years later I was able to spend a week with him and his family at their home back in the states, and we still correspond . One day, when he makes his planned visit to the UK, I feel sure I will be able to return the compliment. The Blunts, whose company I had also enjoyed, I lost contact with soon after." - MH" - MH