Granada, Nicaragua

Granada is probably the most visited city in Nicaragua. It has more tourist infrastructure, and more accommodations.

Granada Structure 1

There are great old cathedrals, and a promenade of street cafes, and horse and buggy tours. The city sits on the shoreline of Lake Nicaragua. It is a HUGE lake.We walked around town, and I snapped a few photos. The downtown and port itself, were much smaller than I anticipated. As we were going to return here in a week or so, we moved on after one night.

We needed some cash so we went to the bank to visit one of the few ATM machines in the city. We waited in a cuban -like cue (a group of people - not in line, so you just ask ¨who is last?¨ , then follow him.) I withdrew $200, but got US cash, when I really wanted Cordobas. So I pulled another 4,000 Cordobas from the same machine. I put in in my money belt inside the bank.As we walked down the front steps from the bank, I hailed a cab, as we needed to do some shopping elsewhere in Granada. One Taxi appeared  from the left, an old rusty hulk of a Corolla. As I walked toward the car, a big guy in the front passenger seat managed to open the back door for me. Barbie was on my heels. I looked at the driver and passenger and said to myself, out loud, ¨these are two big boys.¨¨They were both big guys and looked like more that I could handle, should things go south. Then; I thought to myself, that I had just left one of the only bank machines in town, had my money belt freshly stocked with about $1000 in cash, and these two appear. A Coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not. I wondered if I could get out once inside. I waved them off, saying sorry, no nessisito Taxi¨¨. We walked a few blocks to the central park, I then picked a cab driven by an octogenarian, with his grand daughter in the rear seat telling him where to go. Barb was singing my praises for the rest of the afternoon. Did I dodge the bullet? Who knows. You just need to listen to the little voice inside your head. Better cautious than sorry.    

Colonial Building Granada

We are heading south to Ometepe Island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua. This is an Island formed by two large volcanoes (one active) Unfortunately, there is no first class or Expresso bus to get there, so were required to board yet another Chicken Bus for the one and a half hour journey south to Rivas. Once at Rivas, we will take a taxi to San Jorge, then a boat to Moyogalpa. That is our next post

The speed at which we are moving and slow Internet connections once we stop, has made posting photos difficult. Stay tuned.

Granada Street scene

Street scene Granada 2

Inside our hotel Cocibolca

Cathedral Granada

Inside Cathedral

Inside Church 2

Outside the Cathedral

Outside Church 2