Anniversary Trip Part 4- Granada & Managua, Nicaragua

Anniversary Trip Part 4
Granada & Managua, Nicaragua
February 18-19, 2015
Days 11 & 12 of a 12-Day Adventure

We were happy to see Francisco again for our drive from the Pacific Coast to Managua.  We were flying out early the next morning and planned to spend the night in the city after visiting Granada for the afternoon.  The drive was scenic- changing from the commercialized Pacific Coast to rural farm land to the Spanish Colonial buildings of Granada.  We enjoyed chatting with Francisco the whole way and the few times we couldn’t understand each other, he’d call his brother to translate for us.   He told us of his family, his business and how the proposed canal through the country would affect him.

The roads narrowed and traffic slowed as we pulled into the historical center of Granada.  Francisco told us we could wander all we wanted- he’d be relaxing near the square when we were finished exploring.  The Main Square was bustling with vendors and tourists and after snapping a few pics of the Cathedral, we walked away from the crowds in search of lunch.  We found Senor Tortugas in the courtyard of a beautiful Spanish Colonial building and enjoyed a quiet lunch prepared fresh. 

We just meandered through the streets of Colonial Granada after lunch, taking in the brightly-colored buildings, tiled sidewalks, aged churches, rusting gates.  At one point, a brass band poured off a purple bus and onto the sidewalk immediately starting to play a lively tune.  A procession of revelers dressed in masks and chanting paraded down a side street - we’re not sure what that was all about but we’re guessing it had to do with it being Ash Wednesday- I don’t know.  We made our way back to the Main Square, bought some last minute souvenirs, easily found Francisco and were on our way to Managua in the late afternoon.

We spent our night in Managua at Casa Naranja, a colonial building with beautiful décor, a lush walled garden and a clear blue plunge pool.  The suite was situated at the back of the property and was very peaceful and private.  We ordered food to be delivered and had a quiet dinner in the garden.  I passed out pretty quickly in the extra comfy bed so J spent his evening reading in the lounge area.

When we arrived at our gate at the Managua Airport, we ran into Jenn and her grandma (who we met in San Juan del Sur earlier that week)- they were on the same flight!  We recounted stories of our travels and compared notes on many of the places we visited before getting on the plane to head home sweet home after an amazing anniversary trip around Nicaragua.  It was everything we were looking for- culture, history and adventure!