Nicaragua
It was wonderful to share my travel experiences with friends the two Jennys. The three Js together bringing a touch of Scottish partying to Nicaragua.
Granada was our first port of call and a beautiful city full of Colonial buildings and pedestrian streets where you can sit and dine in safety without worrying about traffic. We spent two days wandering round Granada, swam in chocolate museums along with the ducks until they grossed me out (imagining them pooping in the water). The swim in fancy hotel Granada included a light lunch. It is a gorgeous hotel! My hotel Arc de Noa was ok but a shock after the Best Western in Panama with its glorious views and maximum comfort. We ate in the garden cafe which had a small pool and serves vegetarian which suited young Jen also Kathy’s waffles was good. We went to Volcano Masaya to see the magma. Took a shuttle bus to San Jorge and a boat to Ometepe where we stayed in lovely adobe lodges. We did a big hike to a wonderful viewpoint which was hard but worth it. The path was very slippery. When we asked guide if anyone ever hiked the volcano on their own he said “they do but then they die”
Next day we just chilled because of the rain and ate at Morgans to climb their treehouse to watch the sunset. It was a very rickety tree house where someone fell off and was walking about in crutches. We then shuttled to the boat and taxied to San Juan del Sur. We relaxed at the beach, watched sunset and ate at beach. Rositas was perfectly placed just up the road from the beach and we had a good room upgrade which gave us a small sitting room which was great. We wandered round San Juan del Sur market which is a bit bleak. There are lots of nice little cafe’s, shops and restaurants and San Juan del Sur itself has great sunsets. Young Jen tried surfing and did really well. Next day was spent chilling and jumping enormous waves. We hiked to the Jesus statue and went to see the turtles laying eggs. We only saw a couple of turtles but it was fascinating.
Then off to Leon by shuttle bus.
Leon is a beautiful town and the basilica is lovely, gleaming and white. We ate at a cafe in the main square. and watched people passing by. We found a swimming pool at a vegetarian restaurant and chilled there. Our hostel (El Jardin) had lovely ladies manning the breakfast table. It had nice hammocks. There are lot of good photo opportunities in Leon especially as the churches are magnificent.
We shuttled back to Managua and took a flight to the Corn Islands. We stayed at Big Fish cafe. Ate across the road at a nice fish restaurant. We walked a long way to Long beach discovered dive shop with veggie food and booked a snorkeling tour. It was great fun jumping waves at long beach. We went to nearby hotel and chatted to chef and owner and then on to Casa Canada for lunch and a swim in a swimming pool. There was plenty thunder and lightning but it was such a nice pool that big jenny and I were on the cocktails. Taxi back under a dollar per person. Next day we went snorkelling to see some wrecks despite huge waves. It was very scary but we saw a steam ship and another ship. Sadly we didn’t see the galleon as the waves were too big.We hung out at the dive cafe for lunch as everyone was so friendly and then to Arenas beach with nice sun beds until sunset. Next day we went back to Casa Canada and read. We walked some of the way to Casa Canada but it was really too hot to enjoy.
We all flew to Managua and taxied on to Granada. Next day we went to Lago Apoyo and tried paddle boarding and canoes. It was a nice place with huge cocktails and food but we had lots of rain so left early. Then big night went to Imagine pub (John Lennon and the Beatles memorabilia). Jenny was drunk and we all had a great laugh.
