We began the day early this morning with a trip down to the breakfast room and pool. There are several tables in the breakfast room but, when occupied fully, one can opt to sit around the pool where several additional tables are located.
It was time for a shower this morning so I did that and John went down to have some coffee and juice. I joined him after my shower and enjoyed a couple of pots of tea with my juice. We visited with a fellow who was here with his family and mother for a little rest and relaxation in Nicaragua. He and his wife had decided to quit their jobs in Canada and take a year away with their children in Costa Rica. They are about six months into their year abroad and their three girls had a break from school during this time so they took the trip up here. We found that they had planned to take the boat launch tour this morning and, since John and I were also interested in such a tour, we booked at the front desk of the hotel also.
We were in a launch propelled by a 25-horse Johnson motor. It had canvas covering all of our seats which were placed on each sides of the boat. In all, there may have been a total of sixteen seats plus the place for the operator of the Johnson.
A volcanic chain cuts right through Lake Nicaragua, and this has resulted in the creation of many beautiful islands and groups of islets.
The group of islets nearest our city are named the Granada Islets (isletas de Granada in Spanish). Most likely formed by volcanic activity of the nearby Mombacho Volcano, the 365 islets vary significantly in size and are one of Granada’s principal attractions. They are located around the long, narrow Asese peninsula. A whole community lives on the islands, and boats obviously form the most important transportation method as houses, schools, and shops are spread out over many different islets. Some islets feature hotels or restaurants, and luxurious vacation houses on a private islet are also seen more and more often. The main activity at the islets is to rent a boat and take a tour among the Granada islets. Enjoying the tropical sun while cruising around palm-covered islets and observing spectacular views and beautiful birds and playful and friendly monkeys is definitely a great holiday activity. Although electricity had not been available until not many decades ago, most of the islands we observed were connected to the grid.
So, away we go. The center of Granada lies just about fifteen blocks from the shore of Lake Nicaragua so the trip to the shore took only a matter of minutes. Then, we followed the shoreline about five or ten minutes until we reached an impasse coincident with the docks for the launches. Since we came in the first of two loads in the tourism van, we were deposited in the care of our pilot for the day (who stands ready for the assault in the picture above) and also the vendors who were busy attempting to entice some of us with necklaces and cashew nuts. The vendors here seem never to have change for larger bills so they did miss sales from some of us who would otherwise have been stuffing our snouts with these treats (even though they were unsalted).
Soon the second load of visitors arrived and we all piled into the launch. We began our trip slowly and the smells of the Johnson were very apparent. Though one would not have to smell only because there was a cloud of oil-rich blue exhaust wafting next to our nostrils.
We headed out and soon saw one of the versions of wash machine. Various versions of fact and fiction abound about the cleanliness of the waters of this body of water. The guide assured us that he eats fish taken from this lake on a regular basis and that he often swam in the murky waters. He did add that he would never drink the water.
When I questioned about the water source of Granada, he informed me that the city obtained its drinking water from deep wells.
I think it sufficed and I did not pursue where the sewage of the city was deposited. Enough is enough and I do not even want to know what was wallowing around in the waters in which several young Nicaraguans were swimming and frolicking.
We continued on and observed several different species of birds. Fortunately for you, you will not have to suffer through a myriad of fowl pictures as I do not have neither a sophisticated camera nor a matching high-priced lens. So, just take my word for it, there were several types of birds of differing hues.
We passed by several islands which, in some cases, we saw signs offering the land for sale. Our guide indicated to us that about eight years ago, there seemed to be no purchasers available to grab up this now-valuable real estate. Not the case now as very high price tags are attached to these properties. They are secluded, have electrical power and offer the gift of privacy.
We saw trees laden with mangoes and other fruits and also several trees full of gorgeous blossoms of yellows and oranges. We stopped for a moment for the operator of the launch to pick a long spear on a tree that appeared to be a skinny piece of asparagus. He twisted this and the outer shell opened to display a beautiful flower.
On we continued and came to the shore of an island inhabited by spider monkeys. They seems a bit larger than their brothers that I have seen in the San Diego Zoo. I would say that they might be about twenty-four inches if they were standing erect. Our operator came close enough for one of the monkeys that he called Lucy to leap onto the launch. From there Lucy went about discovering what morsels each of us might have and found quickly the folks who had succumbed to the cashew girls. But, Lucy had apparently had sufficient vittles because she just lay there on the bottom of the launch and finally leaped up into the lap of one of the passengers. This did not go on very long though as another launch approached and our operator provided a safe distance for Lucy to leap to the other boat where, it appeared the food or portions were more delectable or generous. Lucy found a ready and willing participant and jumped up onto the lap of a lady and laid her head on her shoulder similar to what we would observe from an infant.
Then we continued on and our operator discovered the male and female of a water lily. Around this same area there were nests similar to the oriels in the USA. Long nests hanging from the trees that resembled pendulums which extended for at least one to two meters in length. The beautiful birds that inhabited those dwellings were gorgeous large birds with yellow tails and flew somewhat like the swallows that we have observed in the USA.
We are departing this lovely part of Nicaragua on the 23rd. We will load our rental car which has been parked adjacent to our hotel in the street. Interestingly, when I went out to move the car two days ago, the outside mirror on the driver's side had been folded in towards the window. You see, the streets are very narrow and somebody was looking our for me. Rather that than have to arrange for settlement through American Express!
Pictured to the right is the street view on the side lateral of the central park. One-half block ahead in the image you can see flags flying on the front of our hotel. Our rental card is the third vehicle (the first is the horse cart) in front of our hotel.
For those of you old enough to remember the reclusive Howard Hughes, you may recall that he leased the entire floor of a luxury hotel here in Nicaragua (in fact in Managua) where he spent some time. John reminded me that he kept all of his spent urine in vials here. A funny quirk and funnier still that he should have remembered that!
So, the next post will be from San Jose, I hope!!
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