Adventures in travel with Robert Watcher and Anne Watcher
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Journal | Adventures in Nicaragua & Costa Rica - Travel Virgins

San Juan del Sur - Pacific Playground

by Anne Watcher on Tuesday March 1st, 2011 at 10:15am

It may be a small beach town but San Juan del Sur offers something for everyone. The public beach is a long sweeping curve with sandy shores and shallow water breaking in a small surf. There is ample room for the sunbathers and for anyone wanting to take a long leisurely stroll along the beach, occasionally splashing in the water to cool off.

Along the beach are endless restaurants offering absolutely every kind of food and drink available. I must say from experience the shrimp and lobster are excellent!!! Hotels also are plentiful along the strip but the are many more just a block off the beach.

Surfing lessons, board rentals, kayak rentals and fishing trips can all be found in this vacation paradise. Many boats, large and small, dock in the quiet bay for the day then sail off into the sunset.

San Juan del Sur is an easy destination to reach due to it's popularity with tourists. Transfers from the airport in Managua are readily available as are taxis and buses. We choose the local mode of transport, the chicken bus! But once again no chickens! Lots of bikes but no chickens, I'm disappointed!! We left Granada from the bus depot south of Pali, arrived in Rivas and immediately got the bus to San Juan at the same depot. Total cost for Rob and I was C$80 ($3.64 US).

Sandy shores and gentle waves

Sandy shores and gentle waves.

Where would you like to eat?

Where would you like to eat?

soccer was the entertainment of choice for these guys

After the heat of the day passed, soccer was the entertainment of choice for these guys

Sunset on the Pacific

Sunset on the Pacific

We were entertained by this young man and his fire routine

We were entertained by this young man and his fire routine.


Mi Museo

by Anne Watcher on Sunday February 27th, 2011 at 4:57pm

Mi Museo is a private collection of Nicaraguan pre-Columbian ceramics that is open daily to the public and is free to everyone. It contains over 5000 pieces that date between 2000 BC to 1550 AD.

The displays themselves are in a restored historic building and the museum's objectives are to promote the collecting and preserving of artifacts and to deepen the appreciation for cultural material. The museum opened in December 2005.

It is a great place to spend a couple of hours wondering through the many rooms, reading the historical data provided or stopping to take a rest around one of the two patios. It is a very inviting atmosphere, very relaxing and informative.

Located at 205 Calle Atravesada, at the end of Calle Arsenal, it is open from 8 AM to 5 PM.

This room contained many ceramics pieces that resembled the ones from Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

All the displays are done in an interesting way, notice how all four rooms in a row look like a reflection in a mirror.

Ceramic bowl

Burial urn from the Granada area.

Details of the excavations are found on the easy to read wall displays. Some of the larger pieces found are shown here.

All three dig areas are close to Granada, the latest just being finished in 2010.


Masaya Old Market

by Anne Watcher on Friday February 25th, 2011 at 12:56pm

Mention the name Masaya to anyone in Nicaragua and you will get one of two answers, the volcano or the market. Yesterday Rob and I decided to get out of "Dodge" and take the bus to Masaya Market. Now there is endless controversy on whether the old market or the new market is best, so we decided to visit the old one as we only had time for one.

The term "one stop shopping" takes on a whole new meaning here!!! Located right beside the bus depot--which is handy--the market is a bustling hive of activity from start to finish. Although it may look confusing it actually is organized into areas depending on what they are selling.

One side is dedicated to the daily selling of poultry, spices, fruits and vegetables. The sights, sounds and smells from this area are busy, loud and bold. Inside the market building, sections sell clothing, shoes, electronics of all kinds, bulk foods, you can even get your hair done or shoes fixed. As you continue along the endless aisles you come to art work, leather goods, wood products, jewelery and the famous Nicaraguan hammock!! They make the best in the world here in Nicaragua. If you are looking for that special gift to take home, look no farther, they will have it here, somewhere!

Even if you don't plan on buying anything take the time to walk through the market and take in all the bright colours, the bold designs, the smiling faces of the vendors, the playful "holas" from their children and even the smells of the market. It is a day you will not forget -- who knows you may even buy something!!!

Bus from Granada (C$9--$.40 US) lets you off here at the central bus depot. Market is just behind.

Whatever your daily needs are, you will find them here.

Live chickens, rabbits and birds along with fresh produce. See what I mean, one stop shopping!!

Endless supply of rice, beans and spices.

Every kind of souvenir imaginable.

Buy new shoes or have the old ones fixed while you wait or shop.

Need bread? Perhaps a pair of socks with it!!


Juan y Thelma

by Anne Watcher on Friday February 25th, 2011 at 12:45pm

Meet Juan and Thelma, our neighbours, housekeeper and handy man. They live right across the street from us and keep a close eye on things here at our Nicaraguan home. Each morning we are greeted by their friendly smiles and a cheerful "buenos dia".

Thelma is the housekeeper for the hotel's 4 homes that they rent. Juan fixes just about anything for them and anyone else who requires his services. While Juan speaks a tiny bit of English, Thelma speaks none but some how we understand each other perfectly.

Rob decided to take a nice portrait of the two of them as a thank you. Juan then wanted a picture of Rob and I, so he had to take it. He was so thrilled that Rob let him use him camera.

Juan and Thelma

so sweet

Just as Juan snapped the shot Rob, caught me by surprise - so this is what we got. Juan loved it.


Tele Pizza

by Anne Watcher on Thursday February 24th, 2011 at 9:12am

As I look back on the journal posts, there seems to be a lot about food on here. But let's be honest, when you travel you want to know where to eat, right? The other night we thought we would try the "local" pizza joint, Tele Pizza. I know it sounds like a quick take out kind of place but as you can see from the picture below it is a very nice, spacious and airy restaurant.

With a beautiful breeze coming in the open roof we enjoyed a tasty meal of pizza, pasta and of course Tona. The menu includes many traditional and gourmet pizzas, pastas of all kinds and a beautiful line up of deserts. Beverages range from coffee to soda to wine to beer, something for everyone. This is where the locals eat!!!

Located on Calle Arsenal, near the plaza, it offers not only in house dining but take out as well. It has a large seating area so groups are welcome. Staff is friendly and service is excellent. Prices are reasonable and affordable. Our meal consisting of one large pepperoni and mushroom pizza, eggplant and garlic pasta and 4 tonas come to C$380 ($17.00 US) including tax and tip and enough left over for lunch the next day.

The atmosphere is very pleasant, with fountain and open roof.

Rob's pizza with thin crust. You may also have it with a thick crust.

Fernando brings me my pasta with a smie for the camera.


Journal | Adventures in Nicaragua & Costa Rica - Travel Virgins

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Chorotega Pottery - Tinajitas Pottery

San Juan del Sur - Pacific Playground

San Jacinto Mud Pits

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