Granada & Mumbacho

We arrived in Granada in the late morning and checked into our hotel - Plaza Colon and we were pleasantly surprised as to how beautiful the hotel was. One blemish on our arrival was when the clerk let us know that we should purchase some extra alcohol as the whole country wouldn't serve any alcoholic beverages starting the following evening (Saturday) until Monday morning as the elections were to take place on Sunday and the government didn't want any drunks to vote. I don't think that would fly in the US!
We had a wonderful lunch in the square and walked down the promenade all the way to the lake. Once we turned around to head back we noticed the incredibly dark blue sky which was a sign of something rather wet heading our way. Oppps... we weren't sure if we were going to make it back downtown before the storm started but that didn't stop us from taking our time... and getting drenched just as we neared the square. We had to wait for the storm to pass in one of the restaurants with several cocktails... could be worse huh? Once the rained stopped we ventured into the local liquor store and purchased (at first 2 bottles) of rum (I send Chris for one more the following morning).
The next morning we signed up for a kayak tour around the plentiful isletas in the lake and a hiking tour of Volcano Mumbacho. The rest of the time we spent by our pool drinking and relaxing... what could be better. This was a very very relaxing part of our vacation.

Our Arrival in Nicaragua & the Bus Ride

We left SF on Thursday morning and got to Managua on the evening of the same day. Chris had a great idea to book a room across from the airport so it was super convenient to get to. We celebrated our arrival there in the Nica way - by having a media servida... half a liter of rum with coke and lime by the pool...
The next morning we met up with Karen and Stacy, couple of ladies we met in the hotel, and got a taxi to the bus station where we were to catch a bus to Granada. The ride to the bus stop through Managua was not the most picturesque but it sure was interesting. I was not ready for what was to come once we got out of the taxi. Immediately we were swarmed by ten or so guys asking us all kinds of questions that I didn't understand. Chris told them we were going to Granada... and suddenly I saw all of our bags on top of their heads moving through what looked like a field of ants... to the right bus. All I knew that I was on the bus... not sure if it was the right one at the moment... but that was part of the adventure. The bus ride very entertaining. I was also able to find out why all the roads are so littered - the family next to us was eating their meal and once done they just opened the window and tossed the plate out - all clean... why do we even bother with trash cans :o).
Our 'express' bus was direct to Granada... but that doesn't mean that it wouldn't stop hundred times... express just means faster than the slowest. On every stop people would jump out while it was still moving and jump on while still moving. Various merchants would some on board on one stop and jump off on the next. I got to say that it was probably the most entertaining bus ride of my life.

We are back....

We are back!!!! We both had a wonderful time on our extensive travels... but we are both happy to be back home with our puppy!
Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) we didn't have access to the internet while we were gone so now I will slowly try to go back and cover what we have done.