Basics of the Trip: Itinerary
Trip Start
Nov 2007
1
33
Trip End
Dec 2007
Seattle,
Washington,
United States
Sunday, August 19, 2007
We haven't done that much planning yet, but here's what we know:
Weeks 1 & 2: Granada We are starting our trip in Granada. Nicaragua is the northern neighbor to Costa Rica, a popular tourist spot. As a result, many tourists venture up from Costa Rica on day trips. They usually start in San Juan Del Sur, hit Ometepe and Granada. It's called the Gringo Circuit. We are going to avoid San Juan Del Sur because of it's reputation as tourist overriden, but we'll start in Granada. Granada is Nicaragua's 'nicest' city with most of the amenitites western tourists expect. It will serve as a nice slow introduction into the country.
During our time in Granada, we'd like to go to Language Immersion School. We'll learn Spanish during the day and take a few afternoon sight seeing trips. The current plan is to stay with a host family of the school while in Granada.
Week 5: Finca Esperanza Verde We are ending our trip with 5 days at Finca Esperanza Verde an award winning ecolodge in central Nicaragua. It's not posh by any stretch of the imagination (the ad boasts that they have "electricity, flush toilets, sinks and showers" in the cabins), but we're looking forward to it after what is sure to be a chaotic 4 weeks.
We've signed up for the 5 day birdwatching package; we'll spend each day out with local guides checking out the birds. (Melissa's bird loving wins over Steve's coffee loving... the other package was a 5 day coffee experience :)
Here are some thoughts we have on the other weeks, but we'll take as we go when we get there...
Week 3: Leon? We are thinking about doing more language immersion in Leon, the capital of Nica. Leon is located on the volcanic lowlands, surrounded by a ring of volcanos that make great hiking. Seattle times ran a front page travel article with a picture of someone "volcano surfing" in nicaragua just today!
Week 4: Estelli & Miraflor: Miraflor is one of Nica's best natural reserves, home to tens of thousands of species of birds and other exotic (for us!) animals.
Comments
Dad
Hi Steve and Melissa Just got started reading your updates. Today is T-Day. Brant and Grandma are here to share the turkey. We'll print off and read your updates while they are here. After we read them we'll respond to your experiences down there
Re: Dad
cool! we look forward to hearing from you :)
happy thanksgiving. we're thinking of you.
love, steve and mel