Survivor Winner Jud 'Fabio' Birza Returns To Nicaragua And Gets Rhe Ride Of His Life With Rancho Chilamate

Online, May 5, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Jud 'Fabio' Birza is 21 years old and a million dollars richer as the winner of Survivor Nicaragua Season 21. Given the secrecy surrounding the reality TV series he had seen little of the country, and within hours of winning Jud was whisked out of Nicaragua with no chance to explore further.

So when Nicaragua invited Fabio to return and experience this amazing country - he jumped at the chance. And when choosing a 'friend' to bring, it was an easy choice for him - his sister Kelsey.

For a true wannabe cowboy, horseback riding was definitely on his list to do. Rancho Chilamate Horseback Tours regularly take adventurous travelers to the nearby beaches used by Survivor during the filming here but were not expecting the to take the actual winner on an exclusive return visit to the beach. Ironically, Jud didn't know we were going there either.

Jud has a profound connection with nature and animals, and sees horsemanship as a way to strengthen that bond. So, it was no surprise he made an instant connection with Rancho Chilamate Trail Boss Jamie Lake, who shares an identical connection and looks somewhat like an older version of Jud with the same crystal blue eyes and sexy smile. There was plenty of talk about trust, alchemy and the relationship between horse and man. "We're cowbros", says Jamie. "Kowabunga", says Jud.

As the trail ride winded through the local community and up into the field, he enthusiastically pointed out to his sister the troops of Howler Monkeys. Little did Jud know that the trail was going to take him back to the very beach where he camped during the filming of Survivor Nicaragua.

When the forest opened up to the crashing waves and low tide sands at Playa Escamequita, an instant recognition washed over his face and he knew where he was. "Hey man, this is our beach! Down here was our spa. There's the rock we always saw!". He could hardly believe it.

As the horses made their way down the beach towards the camp, he shared that when life back in the States overwhelms him he takes himself back to his time here in Nicaragua. "It calms me," Jud says "the time here was the best of my life."

He was enthusiastic, adorable and quirky, but more than anything, he was for real.

Just as viewers would remember, Jud scrambled up a tree at the camp to pick some tamarind for his sister. The same tree he had climbed so many times before. "The unripened ones taste like sour skittles. But here's a ripe one - try this!" The taste test didn't fair too well with Kelsey but Jud deserves credit for his enthusiastic sales pitch. "They taste better when fried in a pan, kind of like Popcorn Shrimp". Really? "Well no," he says "you have to be really hungry."

There was plenty of talk about the hunger, the rain and the psychology of the game as he recounted his time here. Jud was excited to share it all with his sister. "Hey Kelsey, back here is 'coconut grove'". It's where they dug holes for toilets - recounting that he only went 3 or 4 times in that month. And of course there was the now infamous hermit crabs which served as protein during their month stay on the beach. Jud referred to the lagoon as 'our pool' and it's "where we caught those catfish Kelsey".

Jud talked about the countless hours of walking up and down the beach collecting shells and trying to keep your mind occupied when the cameras were not rolling. He dreamed of returning one day to surf these great waves. He had become very intimate with this stretch of beach in South West Nicaragua and it was an obvious time of reflection as he now stood at the camp site sharing the details with his sister.

Jud then jumped back on his trusty steed Colorado and galloped up and down the beach with waves spraying up over his horse, wind blowing in his hair, and that smile that clearly got him those modeling jobs. He was no longer hungry, the sun was shining and he won the million dollar competition. It was time to run a victory lap on horseback. He was loving it and it showed!

Truth be told, with no television and slow internet at Rancho Chilamate, we only watched the first episode of Survivor Nicaragua when it aired while the crew was still here filming Redemption Island. People often question the 'reality' of 'reality TV', and we can safely say that in this case, there are still beautiful deserted beaches in Nicaragua and Jud actually is the 'dude' you saw on Survivor.

Family is important to Jud and with Mother's Day coming he took special care to make sure and get a photo of him and his sister on horseback for his mom back in Missouri. He talked passionately about his band Space Funk Odyssey. They are playing this weekend at the Viper Room.

He thinks winning also had something to do with the number 21. He turned 21 the day before they started filming, it was 21 days into the shoot on July 4th, and it was Season 21. I guess it was his number... and his time. And with the winnings? He's helping out his family of course. "And when i get back from Europe this summer, I'm going to buy myself a horse". For that reason and many more from our special ride with him, we will know him as Cowboy Jud.

As he piled back into the truck, with his salted face and soaked sandy jeans, he sighed contentedly "Man, I love that dude. He just gave me a 'real' 8 second hug." He smiled knowingly when someone said, "Just like Jamie, you're a lover, not a fighter. That's how you won Survivor." There's no cameras rolling here and he almost cries for real.

Clearly the country that helped fill his pocketbook has touched his heart too. Jud wants his next visit to Nicaragua to include an overnight horseback camping trip with Rancho Chilamate. Ya dude, we're in! You buy the Flor de Caña Rum.

For photos of Cowboy Jud visit www.facebook.com/RanchoChilamateNicaragua

Special acknowledgement to co-ordinators and fellow riders Ana Marcela Valladares at www.ProNicaragua.org and Gabby Castillo of www.WeddingsNicaragua.com

For more info on Rancho Chilamate visit www.ranchochilamate.com or on facebook.com/RanchoChilamateNicaragua

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Rancho Chilamate is a solar-powered off-the-grid private ranch in South West Nicaragua offering guided jungle and beach rides on horseback. Owners: Blue is a professional photographer and Jamie is wrangler and blacksmith. http://www.ranchochilamate.com