We have spent the last three nights in Granada and it has lived up to our expectations. Our first stop was a tour of the 365 Islets of Lake Nicaragua - around 40% are inhabited - with houses owned by the very rich - apart from one which is inhabited by three monkeys, with Pancho being happy to jump onto passing boats.
Lunch was in El Zaguan described in the Rough Guide as having "melt in your mouth sirloin steaks" which they certainly did.
Our first afternoon was spent with our guide William and concentrated on a city tour of the many historical, cultural and artistic gems in Granada - following 200 years of repeated attacks by pirates.
Day 2 looked at Nicaragua's favourite subject: volcanoes (there are 25 of them in the country and many are active). We visited two. Firstly Mombacha was which a blind tasting as it was in the cloud forest and we couldn't see anything.
The second was a nose tasting with a distinct whiff of sulphur from the very active crater which last erupted in 2012. Fortunately HJs loud sneeze did not trigger a seismic reaction. Little wonder, you are advised to park your vehicle facing the exit, just in case.
We also managed to squeeze in a shopping trip to Masaya market and a tour of a coffee plantation including an eye opening explanation of how our favourite brew is made. Supplies were purchased, so perhaps a coffee morning in 100PS on return would be appropriate.
Our final day was equally hectic and hair raising. We started with RM going to the barberia before 9am for a much needed re-style.
We continued to the cemetery and tracked down a few of the more notable mauseleums including the first Nicaraguan President. Next we celebrated with a cigar at Donna Elbar and saw a demonstration of hand rolling cigars (but not on a maiden's thigh)! Keeping to the luxury mode, we visited the chocolate shop and museum which said it all. The advice for Valentines Day is that women prefer chocolates to flowers!
Lunch was at Gordito's kiosk in the plaza where for $2 we shared a plate of banana leaf wrapped pork, casava and cabbage salad which tasted better than it sounds: we avoided the vignon which is basically a huge pork scratching.
We had a post lunch horse and carriage ride around the town before HJ had a BOO sponsored massage by "Seeing Hands" a non profit organisation where blind masseurs are trained. The $15 for an hour was well spent as she had managed re-arrange her shoulder when she missed her step on exiting the mini bus in a most inelegant fashion. Meanwhile RM spent a paltry $4 on dos cervaza whilst researching our next port of call.
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| This rich person owns two islands and the house forms a bridge |
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| Pancho - white faced capuchin monkey |
Lunch was in El Zaguan described in the Rough Guide as having "melt in your mouth sirloin steaks" which they certainly did.
Our first afternoon was spent with our guide William and concentrated on a city tour of the many historical, cultural and artistic gems in Granada - following 200 years of repeated attacks by pirates.
Day 2 looked at Nicaragua's favourite subject: volcanoes (there are 25 of them in the country and many are active). We visited two. Firstly Mombacha was which a blind tasting as it was in the cloud forest and we couldn't see anything.
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| With Ramon our guide in the cloud forest at Mombacho Volcano |
The second was a nose tasting with a distinct whiff of sulphur from the very active crater which last erupted in 2012. Fortunately HJs loud sneeze did not trigger a seismic reaction. Little wonder, you are advised to park your vehicle facing the exit, just in case.
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| HJs three amigos- Antonio our driver, RM and William, the best guide in Nicaragua |
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| RM at the top of Mombacho Volcano |
We also managed to squeeze in a shopping trip to Masaya market and a tour of a coffee plantation including an eye opening explanation of how our favourite brew is made. Supplies were purchased, so perhaps a coffee morning in 100PS on return would be appropriate.
We continued to the cemetery and tracked down a few of the more notable mauseleums including the first Nicaraguan President. Next we celebrated with a cigar at Donna Elbar and saw a demonstration of hand rolling cigars (but not on a maiden's thigh)! Keeping to the luxury mode, we visited the chocolate shop and museum which said it all. The advice for Valentines Day is that women prefer chocolates to flowers!
Lunch was at Gordito's kiosk in the plaza where for $2 we shared a plate of banana leaf wrapped pork, casava and cabbage salad which tasted better than it sounds: we avoided the vignon which is basically a huge pork scratching.
We had a post lunch horse and carriage ride around the town before HJ had a BOO sponsored massage by "Seeing Hands" a non profit organisation where blind masseurs are trained. The $15 for an hour was well spent as she had managed re-arrange her shoulder when she missed her step on exiting the mini bus in a most inelegant fashion. Meanwhile RM spent a paltry $4 on dos cervaza whilst researching our next port of call.
I'm very envious of your volcano visiting.
ReplyDeleteHand rolled cigars - enough to make one thigh.
ReplyDeleteDear M - I did try rolling one on my thigh - but it was so slim it was only suitable for a panatella!
ReplyDeleteI'm holding back on replying.....
ReplyDelete