Our first day back at Bahia Del Sol Marina in El Salvador and all thoughts turned towards departing and crossing the notorious bar. After reaching out to Bill he advised us the bar would be closed for at least another week for more sounding and to wait for a higher tide. Since we had lots of friends around this was no matter to us. We're not in a hurry so what's another week. Immediately we were invited to go with 8 other boaters to lunch at a restaurant that's on stilts and I have no idea what it's called. As we approached I had no idea how this was going to work. We tied the dink up to some old wood log steps we had to climb and traverse in order to even get to the restaurant. My fear of heights immediately kicked in and I was watched carefully with lots of snickers and pictures. Needless to say we all made it and had memorable lunch.
The following days were spent doing boat chores, fuelling the boat and right before we left we had a driver take us and our friend Kurtis on Summer Breeze into San Salvador where we went to the anthropology museum, to Relajo for lunch and finally to Super Selecto for some provisions. It was an eventful day but glad we got to see the capital a little bit.
We couldn't leave without have a final dinner with our good friends on Long Winidid. We took a chicken bus (which I've always wanted to do) down the road a few miles to La Pampa this gorgeous restaurant which sits over the water. It was a great way to cap off our time in El Salvador and say goodbye to our friends.
Dingy Caravan to Lunch
Arriving with Kurtis (Summer Breeze) at Lunch
Climbing For Food
Gangway to Lunch
Lunch with Splinters, Long Windid, Ana & Summer Breeze
Anthropology Museum with Kurtis - Summer Breeze
Grounds of Anthropology Museum
Lunch with Kurtis - Summer Breeze
Chicken Bus Ride with Marla - Long Windid
Dinner with Long Windid
La Pampa Dinner with Long Windid
Nerves were high and thoughts of Rum Truffle lingered on our minds as we departed Bahia Del Sol at 2pm on March 24th 2024. Fortunately for us our exit was uneventful and with Summer Breeze in tow we escaped and made our way into the overnight for Nicaragua. The 119 mile/ 16hr passage went smooth and we even had a nice full moon illuminating our passage. At 6a.m. we arrived at Puesto Del Sol Marina in Nicaragua. We were all exhausted having not slept much during the overnight. Customs and immigration came to the boat and made themselves at home and completed our paperwork and almost as soon as they left we laid down for a much needed nap. Later we met Kurtis at the pool for what we hoped would be a refreshing dip in the pool except the pool was like a sauna baking in the sun day after day. Oh well it was nice to come together and celebrate our first day in Nicaragua.
Saying Goodbye Bahia Del Sol, El Salvador
Friends Saying Goodbye
Heading to the Bar
The Bar
Tidings of Joy Crossing El Salvador Bar
Sunset
Full Moon Passage
Approaching Puesto Del Sol, Nicaragua
Summer Breeze Approaching Marina
Puesta Del Sol Marina
Pool Puesta Del Sol Marina
Nicaragua Customs and Immigration
Docked at Puesta Del Sol
After a goodnights sleep and a slow morning we did some work around the boat before venturing out in the afternoon with Kurtis. We decided to take a walk around the marina/resort grounds and then a little ways up the road to see what a our new neighbourhood was all about. The marina grounds are green and lush and had a very peaceful feeling that I felt right at home at. Strangely the resort didn't accept guests and the entire hotel was empty except for the restaurant which opened on weekends only. Kinda weird but nice and quiet for us. Up the road we passed several tiendas and a couple restaurants. Many people we were on the streets socialising and kids playing it was a very tranquil halmark kinda feeling. It felt quaint and sweet and simple. I loved it and wanted to soak up the feeling. At some point we decided cold beers were necessary and stopped into a hostel called Bada Boom which played gringo music and had nice cold beers and an american diner style menu. We had some local Tona beers and ordered some french fries to share.
Marina/Resort Grounds
Walking Up the Road
At Bada Boom with Kurtis - Summer Breeze
Tienda On Our Street
Pig Along The Way
Thanks once again to our friends on S/V Bisou we were given the name of the tour guide they used while staying in Nicaragua and on March 27 at 8a.m. Luis arrived at the marina to pick us up and start our tour. The first day was very busy and we saw the Leon Viejo ruins then onto Chinandega and then finally to Leon. The day was extremely hot but very interesting and worth the effort.
Tour Guide Luis
Viejo Leon
Town Square
Cathedral
Alter for Holy Week Parade
Indoor Market
Making Traditional Nicaraguan Cookies
Cow Crossing the Road
Active Volcanic Site
Sulfer Boiling Out of the Ground
Cathedral In Leon
Still Using Horse Wagons For Transportation
Viejo Leon Ruins
With Luis
Once again Luis was at our hotel in Leon to pick us up at 8a.m. and we took a walking tour of Leon. We saw an old cathedral which we were able to access the roof and walk all around. It was absolutely sweltering and at one point I had to sit down because I thought I was going to pass out from the heat. Finally after some time we proceeded around the city while Luis gave us the history and showed us more buildings. Later in the day we met up with a panga who took us on a tour through the mangroves where we were able to spot lots of beautiful birds. It too was hot but at least the mangroves provided a lot of shade. Luis dropped us off at our hotel and we made our way to a nice dinner in the old convent. All in all a very nice day.
Starting Walking Tour
Carpets for Holy Week
Cathedral
Climbing to the Roof
On the Cathedral Roof
The Roof
View From the Roof
Outside of Cathedral
Shops in Town
Old Building
Our Panga
The following day we left Leon and made our way to a small community in the mountains where we learned all about pottery making from family who has been making and selling it around the community for years. First the woman was the main owner and pottery maker but since her son has taken over and after he showed us how to make bowls and various pots. I tried it and failed miserably. He made it look so easy but mine kept falling apart. From the little community we drove to Granada. We had lunch at a garden cafe and went to the anthropology museum and then drove to the lake. Around dinner time we said goodbye to Luis for the night and swam at our pool at the hotel and walked into town for dinner at a place called Pita Pita.
Procession for Holy Week
A Lot of Poverty
Pottery Wheel
The Kiln
My Attempt
Fail
The Lake
Alter for Holy Week
Anthropology Museum
Dinner at Pita Pita
The next morning Luis took us on a walking tour of Granada and then a coffee tour at Las Flores. We went with one guide from the coffee plantation who walked us around and explained about the plants and process. At this point we were becoming experts in the coffee making process. After another long hot day we took advantage of the pool at the hotel before returning again to Pita Pita for dinner. This is the only restaurant in town that had any vegan options for me so we returned. As we were walking back to the hotel we heard loud music being played and a variety of Nirvana and old 90's grunge songs so we stopped in to the bar it was coming from and sat down. We had a very sweet waiter and started a tab while the band proceeded to play a ton of Green Day music. It was so much fun.
Walking Tour
Downtown Granada
Cathedral
Climbing the Bell Tower
View From the Bell Tower
New Cathedral
Coffee Tour
Coffee Processing Plant
Funeral Procession
Dinner at Pita Pita
90s Grunge Band
After way too much fiesta the night before we woke up tired and Luis picked us up for our final day and a tour of Managua. For being the capital city it was very charmless and had a empty and eerie feeling about it. We saw some government buildings and learned about the history before Luis dropped us off at the marina and we said our goodbyes. We packed in a lot during our tour and felt like we got a good overall picture of Nicaragua.
Downtown Managua
Government Buildings
Downtown Park
Contaminated Lake
Buying Watermelons
No comments:
Post a Comment