SAN JUAN DEL SUR PART ll...

So with a long day in Granada Saturday, we decided to hang out in San Juan on Sunday and take in the sights. Rising early we headed down to the dinning room for our breakfast. As it turns out it was a buffet, because of a large wedding party visiting. After a good breakfast Nelson and I headed into town to poke around and find some souvenirs, but to our surprise the shops were all closed? What? With hundreds of gringos roaming the streets? Oh well. There are always ladies at the beach selling stuff.

After about an 1.5 hours we had seen the town (it is quite small), we headed to the fish market to replenish our stocks for dinner. This time we bought shrimp and fillets of Pargo, which is Sea Bass. I was repairing pan friend fish fillets with shrimp sauce for dinner. Feeling the mid day heat, we decided to head back to the house and take a nap. But not before having a fried fish sandwich...YUMMY!

Around 4 p.m. we headed out again, this time to head up to the Christ. San Juan is a large horse shoe cove. Facing the beach on the right top point of the horse shoe, is a new large statue of Christ, similar to the one in Rio (the same idea anyway, but on a smaller scale). Late afternoon is the time to go. There is always a great breeze and you will get to see the sunset. The large Christ is sculpted of fiberglass and was created by Tico artist Max Ulloa, of Heredia. The statue is the protector of little San Juan. After about an hour we headed back down the ountain to town for a look through the local vendors set up on the beach. Are you ready for LOBSTER again? What do you think!!!

So Monday being our last day, we wanted to do a little shopping. We were quite impressed with the market at Rivas, so we decided to head there early in the morning to do our shopping as we had to check out at noon. As it turned out, Bosco was taking a couple to Rivas to catch the bus, so we tagged along. Mom joined us and our first stop was for breakfast in the central market. Everything is cooked on wood burning stoves. The smoke is thick, so it is not for the faint. An amazing pinto with eggs, chicken and salsa, with homemade tortillas...WOW! Is everyone ready to shop? YES, says mom. We wondered through the market for a hour or so, and then grabbed a bicycle taxi for mom so she could see some of the sights. We took in a few churches, the local museum, and then a great tour through the streets taking in all the colonial architecture. What a great end to a nice getaway.

Thanks Nicaragua, we will be back.

Pura Vida

Dennis

SAN JUAN DEL SUR PART I...

A few weeks ago, my mother, I and Nelson packed up the car and headed north to Nicaragua. We had been to San Juan del Sur before and liked it so we decided it was a fast, close option. Let's go! On our previous trip we had stayed at Villas de Palermo. Villas is a private development of homes, in the Adobe style that have been put together by the owner to create a hotel. With restaurant, common area pool, great views, and a fully furnish 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit, you cannot go wrong. They also do special packages for weddings and a 72 hour visa renewal package. So it was a no brain er to choose Villas del Palermo as our destination again.

With private shuttle service from the border, we drove, parked our car, and were greeted on the Nicaragua side of the border by the shuttle. A quick 30 minute drive and you are at home. Bosco is the resident "concierge" at Villas waiting to assist your every need. Our first afternoon Nelson and I took off to the center of town to buy groceries and fresh lobster and shrimp at the docks. Being on the coast, the seafood is fresh and cheap. Needless to say we always eat lobster every day while in San Juan. Back home with our goods to start dinner. What's for dinner? Well how about pasta with white sauce, lobster and salad? Sound good? It was. Early to bed because we had a excursion planned the next day to Granada. We awoke around 6:30 a.m. so we could have breakfast and catch an early bus to Granada. As it turns out, you have to take a bus to Rivas first, then change buses and continue to Granada. The bus was not full to begin with but by the time we arrived in Rivas we were looking like a large can of sardines. Once in Rivas, we had 30 minutes to kill so we wondered around the market, and checked out one of the local churches. Back on the bus and off to Granada. I had been to Granada 2 years prior, but had always wanted to return. Nelson had never been, so I was excited to show him around.

Once in Granada, we headed directly to the central park. In all colonial towns, everything starts in the central park. Granada is a great example of a colonial town. With many churches, adobe homes, hotels, and iron work you feel taken back to a different time. The central park is lined with horse drawn carts waiting to take tourist for a ride. We headed over to the Cathedral to have a tour. It was closing but we ran into a friend I made last trip, Inoc who helps the priest.

He allowed us to stay and then let us climb the bell tower to get a panoramic view of Granada. AMAZING. With two dry mouths, we headed out to find a smoothie. Found it. I had pineapple, banana and mango, Nelson, orange, banana, and coconut. Yummy. Off to see the lake, and then continue our tour at San Francisco. A quick stroll through the museum at San Francisco, and we were thirsty again. It was time for a few glasses of sangria. After 2 glasses each of sangria (large, cold, and good) we could no longer walk...well only to catch the bus.

Back on the bus heading back to Rivas, we keep seeing these straw covered carts drawn by horses. They reminded you of a mini version of the old western wagon. They were everywhere, parked on the side of the road making little campsites. We asked the locals on the bus (I was the only gringo) what the wagons were and they explained it was an annual "romeria" that takes place for two weeks before Semana Santa (Easter week). Back at home base in San Juan, ready to cook dinner. You guessed it, LOBSTER.

Pura Vida,

Dennis