Nicnacs in Nicaragua
Trip Start
Oct 23, 2006
1
204
228
Trip End
Apr 15, 2009
Esteli,
Nicaragua
Thursday, September 11, 2008
For some reason we can't remember much of our last experience here which is sad because Nicaragua does not deserve to be forgotten. Possibly our impressions were tainted by negative experiences of Honduras which left us with feelings of disappointment and time wasted. We are amazed as we drive through this time seeing it with new eyes. Could it be that the rainy season, not as rainy as Costa Rica, has brightened up the countryside but no in my journal I wrote about how picturesque it is here. Whatever the reason we are now here to see what we can see.
Granada is our first stop and this time we decide to camp in the park on the lake. The park is alive with people during the day but at night only the security pace the grounds and because we are the only visitors they post themselves near by to watch over us. There are restaurants and gift shops here as well which require a watchful eye. Our somewhat quiet rainless night is interrupted by cars racing by.
Our next stop is near Managua, a big city of about a million people. Here we decide to take on the task of finding a new converter for charging our computer. Around and around and almost ready to give up we stop at one last place and ta-da they had one, an even better one. On the way to Xiloa we spot a propane center so stop and inquire. They can fill our spare tank with minor adjustments to its do-dads. So, with plenty of food and fuel we head for the lake, a volcanic lake, for camping in the park. We relax for a couple of days in this very underused facility and thankfully so because we enjoy the tranquility, except for a couple of hours of nice enough loud music from one of the palapa restaurants. We managed to do some laundry and dry it all in one day which is a real feat in rainy season.
The day is sunny and hot as we make our way to Leon. We see a sign to Viejo Leon (old Leon) and drive the 15 km long interlocked brick road. We wonder the dirt streets looking at the old town full of adobe homes where people still live so simply so near the new Leon. There is a ruin in the park so actually there are three versions of Leon. We finally get on the road to the beaches, Pacific beaches which means surf and ocean breezes. Through Poneloya and Las Penitas we find the Playa Roca hotel with a space for a couple of small campers. We are greeted by the owner Cookie, a very friendly American lady. Later we meet her husband David who is living his dream in this place. The location is right on the beach and you can sit all day on a deck chair at look at the surf from the open air restaurant bar or jump right into the water and try surfing or boogie boarding or walk the long clean beach but whichever you choose the breeze is blowing through your hair and making you feel glad you are here. For a diversion a nature reserve is nearby. We spend three lazy here. It felt like a holiday for us because we didn't have to cook and it is not our habit to be beach bums so something new and fresh is like a holiday.
Mountains here we come. We drive back through Managua to avoid the very bad road but more direct route to Esteli. We remember it being very rough last time and locals say it is still bad. So, in respect of Eve we will take the long route.
It is nice to back in Esteli, fresh mountain air and familiarity. We tour town, as in most towns and cities, with a mental list of needs in various degrees of need, and in this case we are scouting for tires. Nothing bounces out in front of us so we drive the short distance out of town to Club Campestre Esteli (country club). We are greeted and remembered by the Senora in the office and later by the security guard. It is comforting to be welcomed back. It is not always the case because one traveler can ruin a really good spot for all others by their rudeness or lack of respect for the facility. This place is a real treat and hopefully it will be for other travelers.
We can easily give into laziness and stay longer but believe it or not the days are sunny and hot and since we do not have dirty laundry why miss a good for traveling. Three days of beach bumming is enough laziness for now. Honduras, ready or not here we come.
