NICARAGUA, Laguna de Apoyo

Happy 11th Birthday Kade

This morning I went to the Granada open air market and then took a day trip to the Laguna de Apoyo which is a crater lake in a dormant volcano. The lake was very beautiful but the weather did not actually cooperate and it was cloudy most of the day. I went kayaking, swimming and spent the remainder of the day in a hammock. Somebody has got to do it. Today actually seemed a little more like vacation than traveling and I prefer traveling.

NICARAGUA, San Juan del Sur

I arrived a San Juan del Sur from the Isle of Ometepe today after a one hr ferry ride and 1 hr local bus from Rivas. Lots of surfers here, I think that is the main reason many come here.

NICARAGUA, Granada

May 20, 2008

Happy birthday Rusty.

Granada is the oldest city in the Americas. It was founded in 1524 by the conquistador Hernandez de Cordoba. Nicaragua´s currency is also the cordoba.

Today I walked around Granada taking pictures. I went to the Iglesia de La Merced which was completed in 1539. I climbed the bell tower for an incredible view of the city. Later I went to Parque Central where there was some kind of religous procession to the cathedral.

I hope to go to one of the volcanoes or Laguna de Apoyo tomorrow depending on the rain. It is the rainy season or green season as the tourism officials call it.

NICARAGUA, Granada

May 19th

We arrived at the airport in Managua from Big Corn at 9:30 am. Mary from Colorado and I ran into an English guy (Ollie) who was also going to Granada. He spoke Spanish so we decided to tag along with him to the bus station. Luckily the bus strike ended. We caught the collectivo (minivan which picks up passengers along the side of the road) to Granada for $1. The trip lasted only about 40 minutes. We found a great hostel (Hostel Oasis) which had dorm beds for $8 and included free internet and free coffee. A backpackers dream. There is also a swimming pool. We also found a great local cafeteria which had an incredible buffet and is used mostly by locals. Steak or chicken, rice, beans, fried plantains, salad and a diet coke was only $3.50.