Granada: I liked Leon better

The Granada Cathedral

So Granada was cute, but a bit fake. I couldn't help but prefer Leon.

ANOTHER OLD TRAVEL JOURNAL

Cute and colorful street. Although I can't recall if this is Granada or Leon.

The Place: Granada, Nicaragua
The Dates: March 21, 2009
Journal Date: April 30, 2009

"We left early the next day for Granada. It took awhile to get there because we had to wait for ages for the public bus, the first time we’ve had to wait in Nica. We realized later that’s because Granada is just a bit of a fake town – painted over for tourists, expats and rich Nicas…

Granada was cute. But we kept comparing it to Leon and finding it wanting. Leon just seemed more like a city where real Nicas lived, more authentic.

We did, however, really enjoy a boat ride to Las Isletas. The block of 365 islands in Lake Nicaragua are now each the home of a rich person/expat/family. For $10 for one hour, our guide, Jose, took us in his boat and pointed out the various homes, who they belonged to (like the family that owns the Flor de Caña rum), whether they were on sale, etc. We marveled that one home for rent would make a great corporate retreat. We tipped Jose well, and he asked us to bring him an American flag on our return.

We eventually did have a big night that night, a Saturday. One outdoor restaurant with a band was bumping, with both foreigners and Nicas. M and I danced with Nica men who had trouble letting us go. It was good drunken fun, as Marj’s pics show (since I left my backup camera on la playa of Charco Verde. I still think the witch took it)."

What You Should Know: For the tour of Las Isletas, Jose Chavarria Obando is a nice, knowledgeable man who we met on the dock. If he’s still there, I highly recommend him (though he only speaks Spanish). His cell number is 688-5768.