Saturday, October 29, 2011
Seeking Mariposa! - and 32 other things to do in Nicaragua
http://globetrottergirls.com/2011/04/33-things-we-love-about-nicaragua/
33 things we love about Nicaragua
Posted on 25. Apr, 2011 by jess in Central America, Nicaragua, Top Lists, Travel Tips
26
Share.
.
Every once in a while, a country really takes us by surprise, like our deep love affair with Mexico. We had an inkling we would love Nicaragua, and after spending six weeks here, it was easy as pie to come up with a long list of favorites. Read on for thirty three things we love about Nicaragua, in no particular order.
1. Leon
Well, we say in no particular order, but number one is by far our Nicaraguan number one. Leon is our favorite city in Nicaragua. It is constantly buzzing with vibrant, friendly locals, interesting colonial architecture, one of Central America’s most stunning cathedrals and countless restaurants and bars to eat and drink your nights away. We could easily spend much more time in this scorching hot city!
2. Gallo Pinto
This dish, called ‘painted rooster’ is the national dish both of Nicaragua and Costa Rica (we preferred its taste in Nicaragua). Consisting of rice, beans and a magical mix of spices, we could literally eat Gallo Pinto morning, noon and night, although it is usually eaten for breakfast.
3. La Calle Calzada in Granada
Normally we wouldn’t choose the main tourist center of a city as one of our favorite spots, but Granada’s Calle Calzada is lined with full green trees and one brightly colorful house after the next, from the Cathedral all the way down to Lake Nicaragua. Strolling past the (admittedly overpriced) restaurants and bars, the street is buzzing with diners, drinkers and street performers ranging from acrobats and breakdancers to a slew of international jewelry-sellers.
4. Counting the stars on Little Corn Island
Every evening, as we walked back to Little Corn Beach and Bungalow hotel along the deserted beach, we swear we could see almost every star in the sky, which really made us realize just how remote this little island was in the middle of vast Caribbean sea.
5. Pigs roaming the beach of Poneloya and the streets in Balgue on Ometepe Island
6. The California feeling of San Juan del Sur
7. Flor de Caña rum
The national rum of Nicaragua, this drink is sold throughout the world as one the best rums. Luckily, in Nicaragua, this homegrown drink is both delicious and cheap! Nicaraguans traditionally order an entire bottle, along with water or Coke, and split it across a table of four…often times, they then order another!
8. The horse-drawn carriages
All over the country, in little villages as well as big towns, the horse-drawn carriage is a part of everyday life.
9. El Desayunazo
Our favorite breakfast place in Leon, which made for some of our top food moments of 300 days of travel! We usually ordered Gallo Pinto and Huevos Rancheros.
10. Riding our rented bicycles around Granada
We would encourage anyone who visits Granada to get out and see beyond the well-maintained town center. Our ride revealed a city with a very uneven distribution of wealth, much different to Leon, as well as the striking ruins of the old hospital and a peaceful poetry park far from the city center.
11. The perfectly shaped volcano Concepcion of Ometepe
12. Leon’s Central Market
By far one of the cleanest markets in Central America, Leon’s market is filled with friendly vendors, super cheap fruits & vegetables and is a ‘real’ market not overrun by tourists.
13. The relaxing effects of a lazy day at Laguna de Apoyo
14. Public transportation is easy
Throughout Nicaragua, using public transportation is easy. The buses are cheap, never as crowded as Guatemala, and some were even pretty comfortable.
15. Cheap street food in the Parque Central in Granada
Eating out in Granada can be ridiculously overpriced, aimed at the surprisingly large number of high-end tourists who flood the city. However, the city’s central park is anchored by four outdoor restaurants which serve up typical Nicaraguan food at typical Nicaraguan prices, plus there are several street food stands spread throughout the park, too.
16. The Colibri Hostel in Leon
This hostel was our home for two full weeks, and we can highly recommend staying here.
17. Toña beer
Maybe it was due to the hot, sunny days, but we loved Nicaraguan beer more than any other in Central America and Mexico. Our favorite by far was the delicious Toña beer! We miss you Toña!
18. The creative street art in the northern city of Estelí
19. Rocking chairs!
We loved rocking away in them or just watching the Nicaraguans chilling in their rocking chairs on the sidewalk in front of their house.
20. Exploring Masaya by horse-drawn taxi
Sure, you can jump in a horse-drawn carriage made for tourists in Granada, but while we were in the nearby city of Masaya, we discovered that the locals get from A to B by way of horse-drawn taxi. For less than a dollar we got a ‘lift’ from the central park down to the beautiful promenade overlooking the lake and the Masaya volcano.
21. Macuá
The national drink of Nicaragua, Macuá is a sweet cocktail with Flor de Caña rum and several fruit juices. Fabulous!
22. South Bay beach on Big Corn Island
The beautiful white-sand beach is lined with palm trees and crystal clear water.
23. El Rincón Pinareño restaurant in Estelí
This clean, bright local favorite has a large menu with Cuban and Nicaraguan dishes. We had the best Yucca dish in all of Nicaragua here, plus they offer a great selection of mouth-watering cakes.
24. Chicken Buses, literally.
Latin America is famous for their ‘chicken buses’ but Nicaragua had more chickens and roosters per capita than anywhere else we experienced in Central America.
25. Boarding down the Cerro Negro Volcano near Leon
26. Pan y Paz
The French owner of this Leon cafe makes deliciously fresh chocolate croissants and brie baguettes – a rare find in Central America!
27. Passionate politically-charged poetry
Poetry in Nicaragua remains a relevant political tool and reveals the passion of the people. The national newspaper includes a poetry section every day, and internationally-famous poets, like the Leon local Ruben Dario, are cherished by all.
28. Mama Sara
Mama Sara runs a little (unmarked) guest house in San Juan del Sur, and was one of the warmest Nicaraguans we met. She treated guests like her very own children, making us traditional food and drinks, and always making sure we had everything we needed. If you arrive in San Juan del Sur and a nice lady on her bicycle introduces herself as Mama Sara, make sure to go to her house at once!
29. Choys Maní
This tasty little chocolate bar is similar to a Snickers but much better.
30. Pathways on Little Corn Island
This tiny Caribbean island has no roads, only pathways, which makes the island feel that much more remote.
31. The revolutionary spirit of Leon
Leon was the home of the revolutionaries, and this passion can still be seen in the street art, graffiti, murals and museums.
32. Cooking an Old Indian with Doña Ana
33. Mariposa
We haven’t spoken much about our love at first sight experience in Leon as it was too close to our hearts. We fell in love with Mariposa, a little stray dog in Leon who instantly became attached to us. We bought her food, took her around town with us each day, even bought her a collar and leash. She was so well-behaved and loved us so much, people on the street would always remark what a great dog she was as we walked by. We almost took her with us. But after several long discussions we decided it would be better to find her a home in Leon and vowed not to leave until she was in safe, loving hands. The owner of the Via Via hostel took her in, and Mariposa got a new family with three other canine brothers and sisters. If you go to Leon, make sure to give a bit of your patronage to the caring, good people at Via Via (and if you ask about Mariposa, please give us an update!)
If you have visited Nicaragua and share our love for the country, please add your favorite things in the comments below!
.
33 things we love about Nicaragua
Posted on 25. Apr, 2011 by jess in Central America, Nicaragua, Top Lists, Travel Tips
26
Share.
.
Every once in a while, a country really takes us by surprise, like our deep love affair with Mexico. We had an inkling we would love Nicaragua, and after spending six weeks here, it was easy as pie to come up with a long list of favorites. Read on for thirty three things we love about Nicaragua, in no particular order.
1. Leon
Well, we say in no particular order, but number one is by far our Nicaraguan number one. Leon is our favorite city in Nicaragua. It is constantly buzzing with vibrant, friendly locals, interesting colonial architecture, one of Central America’s most stunning cathedrals and countless restaurants and bars to eat and drink your nights away. We could easily spend much more time in this scorching hot city!
2. Gallo Pinto
This dish, called ‘painted rooster’ is the national dish both of Nicaragua and Costa Rica (we preferred its taste in Nicaragua). Consisting of rice, beans and a magical mix of spices, we could literally eat Gallo Pinto morning, noon and night, although it is usually eaten for breakfast.
3. La Calle Calzada in Granada
Normally we wouldn’t choose the main tourist center of a city as one of our favorite spots, but Granada’s Calle Calzada is lined with full green trees and one brightly colorful house after the next, from the Cathedral all the way down to Lake Nicaragua. Strolling past the (admittedly overpriced) restaurants and bars, the street is buzzing with diners, drinkers and street performers ranging from acrobats and breakdancers to a slew of international jewelry-sellers.
4. Counting the stars on Little Corn Island
Every evening, as we walked back to Little Corn Beach and Bungalow hotel along the deserted beach, we swear we could see almost every star in the sky, which really made us realize just how remote this little island was in the middle of vast Caribbean sea.
5. Pigs roaming the beach of Poneloya and the streets in Balgue on Ometepe Island
6. The California feeling of San Juan del Sur
7. Flor de Caña rum
The national rum of Nicaragua, this drink is sold throughout the world as one the best rums. Luckily, in Nicaragua, this homegrown drink is both delicious and cheap! Nicaraguans traditionally order an entire bottle, along with water or Coke, and split it across a table of four…often times, they then order another!
8. The horse-drawn carriages
All over the country, in little villages as well as big towns, the horse-drawn carriage is a part of everyday life.
9. El Desayunazo
Our favorite breakfast place in Leon, which made for some of our top food moments of 300 days of travel! We usually ordered Gallo Pinto and Huevos Rancheros.
10. Riding our rented bicycles around Granada
We would encourage anyone who visits Granada to get out and see beyond the well-maintained town center. Our ride revealed a city with a very uneven distribution of wealth, much different to Leon, as well as the striking ruins of the old hospital and a peaceful poetry park far from the city center.
11. The perfectly shaped volcano Concepcion of Ometepe
12. Leon’s Central Market
By far one of the cleanest markets in Central America, Leon’s market is filled with friendly vendors, super cheap fruits & vegetables and is a ‘real’ market not overrun by tourists.
13. The relaxing effects of a lazy day at Laguna de Apoyo
14. Public transportation is easy
Throughout Nicaragua, using public transportation is easy. The buses are cheap, never as crowded as Guatemala, and some were even pretty comfortable.
15. Cheap street food in the Parque Central in Granada
Eating out in Granada can be ridiculously overpriced, aimed at the surprisingly large number of high-end tourists who flood the city. However, the city’s central park is anchored by four outdoor restaurants which serve up typical Nicaraguan food at typical Nicaraguan prices, plus there are several street food stands spread throughout the park, too.
16. The Colibri Hostel in Leon
This hostel was our home for two full weeks, and we can highly recommend staying here.
17. Toña beer
Maybe it was due to the hot, sunny days, but we loved Nicaraguan beer more than any other in Central America and Mexico. Our favorite by far was the delicious Toña beer! We miss you Toña!
18. The creative street art in the northern city of Estelí
19. Rocking chairs!
We loved rocking away in them or just watching the Nicaraguans chilling in their rocking chairs on the sidewalk in front of their house.
20. Exploring Masaya by horse-drawn taxi
Sure, you can jump in a horse-drawn carriage made for tourists in Granada, but while we were in the nearby city of Masaya, we discovered that the locals get from A to B by way of horse-drawn taxi. For less than a dollar we got a ‘lift’ from the central park down to the beautiful promenade overlooking the lake and the Masaya volcano.
21. Macuá
The national drink of Nicaragua, Macuá is a sweet cocktail with Flor de Caña rum and several fruit juices. Fabulous!
22. South Bay beach on Big Corn Island
The beautiful white-sand beach is lined with palm trees and crystal clear water.
23. El Rincón Pinareño restaurant in Estelí
This clean, bright local favorite has a large menu with Cuban and Nicaraguan dishes. We had the best Yucca dish in all of Nicaragua here, plus they offer a great selection of mouth-watering cakes.
24. Chicken Buses, literally.
Latin America is famous for their ‘chicken buses’ but Nicaragua had more chickens and roosters per capita than anywhere else we experienced in Central America.
25. Boarding down the Cerro Negro Volcano near Leon
26. Pan y Paz
The French owner of this Leon cafe makes deliciously fresh chocolate croissants and brie baguettes – a rare find in Central America!
27. Passionate politically-charged poetry
Poetry in Nicaragua remains a relevant political tool and reveals the passion of the people. The national newspaper includes a poetry section every day, and internationally-famous poets, like the Leon local Ruben Dario, are cherished by all.
28. Mama Sara
Mama Sara runs a little (unmarked) guest house in San Juan del Sur, and was one of the warmest Nicaraguans we met. She treated guests like her very own children, making us traditional food and drinks, and always making sure we had everything we needed. If you arrive in San Juan del Sur and a nice lady on her bicycle introduces herself as Mama Sara, make sure to go to her house at once!
29. Choys Maní
This tasty little chocolate bar is similar to a Snickers but much better.
30. Pathways on Little Corn Island
This tiny Caribbean island has no roads, only pathways, which makes the island feel that much more remote.
31. The revolutionary spirit of Leon
Leon was the home of the revolutionaries, and this passion can still be seen in the street art, graffiti, murals and museums.
32. Cooking an Old Indian with Doña Ana
33. Mariposa
We haven’t spoken much about our love at first sight experience in Leon as it was too close to our hearts. We fell in love with Mariposa, a little stray dog in Leon who instantly became attached to us. We bought her food, took her around town with us each day, even bought her a collar and leash. She was so well-behaved and loved us so much, people on the street would always remark what a great dog she was as we walked by. We almost took her with us. But after several long discussions we decided it would be better to find her a home in Leon and vowed not to leave until she was in safe, loving hands. The owner of the Via Via hostel took her in, and Mariposa got a new family with three other canine brothers and sisters. If you go to Leon, make sure to give a bit of your patronage to the caring, good people at Via Via (and if you ask about Mariposa, please give us an update!)
If you have visited Nicaragua and share our love for the country, please add your favorite things in the comments below!
.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Nevado, Mismi
Nevado Mismi, Peru
The Amazon is the world’s most voluminous river but it wasn’t until a few years ago that anybody could truly pinpoint its headwaters. In 2001 a GPS-laden National Geographic survey team climbed high into the Andes of southern Peru, about 700km from Lima and 3000km from the Amazon’s mouth. Here, on a rock wall on the 5597m high mountain, Nevado Mismi, they identified a dribble of water as the river’s origin. If you’re intrepid enough to want to visit Nevado Mismi, begin in Arequipa and head for the village of Tuti; the walk in is not difficult.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
peru beckons
I started this blog to see if I could drum up support of a failed dream. A bus heading to Central America. I will be heading to Honduras in December and meandering down to Panama... but now that I have been researching how to go and where.... Machu Picchu and Peru keep coming up. So this blog is to help keep track of some of the websites/articles/tweets etc that help flesh this out a bit.
katrinamauro pics of Lake Titicaca
hiking-the-inca-trail-with-peru-treks-adventure
katrinamauro pics of Lake Titicaca
hiking-the-inca-trail-with-peru-treks-adventure
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Vlog the Lead (Tango, Tango, and Tango)
Considering ..... Panama....Peru....Machu Pichu.... and epic... Tango Face :-)
http://www.candicedoestheworld.com/2011/10/friends-grilled-guinea-pig-and-epic-dance-offs-my-contiki-experience/
http://www.candicedoestheworld.com/2011/10/friends-grilled-guinea-pig-and-epic-dance-offs-my-contiki-experience/
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
courage - not just to travel but face life
New courage quotes added 22 June, 2011
Choose courage instead of letting your fear choose your future for you.
Melissa Kirk
A great deal of talent is lost in this world for want of a little courage.
Sydney Smith
Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.
Martin Luther King Jr (see works by and about Martin Luther King)
Many of our fears are tissue paper thin, and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them.
Brendan Francis [Behan] (1923-1964) Irish Author
Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.
Raymond Lindquist
Don’t be afraid. Don't be daunted. Just do your job. Continue to show up for your piece of it, whatever that might be.
Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love (see works by Elizabeth Gilbert)
Hard things are put in our way, not to stop us, but to call out our courage and strength.
Anonymous
Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers, but to be fearless in facing them. Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain, but for the heart to conquer it.
Rabindranath Tagore (see works by Tagore)
Life shrinks and expands in proportion to one’s courage.
Anais Nin (see works by Anais Nin)
The opposite of courage is not so much fear as it is conformity.
Wayne Dyer (see works by Wayne Dyer)
A hero is a man who does what he can.
Roman Rollard
Let us move on, and step out boldly, though it be into the night, and we can scarcely see the way.
Charles B Newcomb
Making the decision to have a child – it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
Elizabeth Stone
Courage is the greatest of all the virtues. Because if you haven’t courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any of the others.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English author (see works by Samuel Johnson)
He who jumps into the void owes no explanation to those who
stand and watch.
Jean Luc Godard
Every man has an obscure respect for courage in others, especially if it is moral courage, the rarest and most difficult sort of bravery... It makes the very brute understand that this man is more than a man.
Passage from Life of Christ
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.
Ambrose Redmoon
If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life. With confidence, you have won even before you have started.
Marcus Garvey
Don’t be afraid to take a big step when one is indicated. You can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps.
Buckminster Fuller (see works by and about Buckminster Fuller)
A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t.
Jack Dempsey
Hear me, four quarters of the world – a relative I am! Give me the strength to walk the soft earth, a relative to all that is! Give me the eyes to see and the strength to understand, that I may be like you. With your power only can I face the winds.
Choose courage instead of letting your fear choose your future for you.
Melissa Kirk
A great deal of talent is lost in this world for want of a little courage.
Sydney Smith
Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.
Martin Luther King Jr (see works by and about Martin Luther King)
Many of our fears are tissue paper thin, and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them.
Brendan Francis [Behan] (1923-1964) Irish Author
Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.
Raymond Lindquist
Don’t be afraid. Don't be daunted. Just do your job. Continue to show up for your piece of it, whatever that might be.
Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love (see works by Elizabeth Gilbert)
Hard things are put in our way, not to stop us, but to call out our courage and strength.
Anonymous
Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers, but to be fearless in facing them. Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain, but for the heart to conquer it.
Rabindranath Tagore (see works by Tagore)
Life shrinks and expands in proportion to one’s courage.
Anais Nin (see works by Anais Nin)
The opposite of courage is not so much fear as it is conformity.
Wayne Dyer (see works by Wayne Dyer)
A hero is a man who does what he can.
Roman Rollard
Let us move on, and step out boldly, though it be into the night, and we can scarcely see the way.
Charles B Newcomb
Making the decision to have a child – it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
Elizabeth Stone
Courage is the greatest of all the virtues. Because if you haven’t courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any of the others.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English author (see works by Samuel Johnson)
He who jumps into the void owes no explanation to those who
stand and watch.
Jean Luc Godard
Every man has an obscure respect for courage in others, especially if it is moral courage, the rarest and most difficult sort of bravery... It makes the very brute understand that this man is more than a man.
Passage from Life of Christ
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.
Ambrose Redmoon
If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life. With confidence, you have won even before you have started.
Marcus Garvey
Don’t be afraid to take a big step when one is indicated. You can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps.
Buckminster Fuller (see works by and about Buckminster Fuller)
A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t.
Jack Dempsey
Hear me, four quarters of the world – a relative I am! Give me the strength to walk the soft earth, a relative to all that is! Give me the eyes to see and the strength to understand, that I may be like you. With your power only can I face the winds.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
N A T U R E: RainforestsRainforests once covered 14% of the ea...
N A T U R E: Rainforests
Rainforests once covered 14% of the ea...: Rainforests Rainforests once covered 14% of the earth's land surface, but that figure has now dropped to a worrying 6% and is still falling...
Rainforests once covered 14% of the ea...: Rainforests Rainforests once covered 14% of the earth's land surface, but that figure has now dropped to a worrying 6% and is still falling...
Friday, October 14, 2011
Twitter - Lonely Planet
I posted up and searched for "travel central america" and "travel bike" on Twitter. I also posted up on Lonely Planet.
If you come from either of those sites, please feel free to post and help SHAPE THIS TRIP! :-)
Wishing you and yours the very best, in happiness, peace, health, wealth, and love :-)
If you come from either of those sites, please feel free to post and help SHAPE THIS TRIP! :-)
Wishing you and yours the very best, in happiness, peace, health, wealth, and love :-)
Thursday, October 13, 2011
The trek/bike adventure.... January 4-? Guatemala to Panama
I have retooled my plans and will be taking my kids diving in Honduras and then after they fly out on January 2 I will bus my way to Guatemala and then proceed to either bike or hike until I get to the Panama Canal. I have a ticket from Panama coming back March 21. If we get there sooner I can change my ticket....
Objective one: Have fun
Objective two: Take a picture of my feet, concrete and the water... the water being the Panama Canal.... :-)
Want to join me?
Leave a message here or contact me at 605-651-3944 or collins.blair@gmail.com
Objective one: Have fun
Objective two: Take a picture of my feet, concrete and the water... the water being the Panama Canal.... :-)
Want to join me?
Leave a message here or contact me at 605-651-3944 or collins.blair@gmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)