7th to 10th - Lynette in Granada

I arrived late on the 7th, after the long haul from Australia, clearing customs and changing planes in LAX was hassle free, the 2 1/2hr layover was sufficient. Onward to Miami with a 45 minute layover, which was tight, then a couple of hours flight into Nicaragua.  Once landed in Managua, went through the infra red camera to check for fevers, cleared immigration which cost $10 USD. Collected luggage, by this time it was about 9pm local.  After customs was an awaiting maze of people waiting to pickup loved ones or taxi drivers trying to get a fare. Stopped at an ATM to get some money, the first 2 didn't work, the third one did. Negotiated a $50.00 fare with a taxi driver for the 50 minute journey to the hotel, Patio del Malinche, a lovely colonial style hotel. Had a cup of tea by the pool upon arrival, then hit the bed.

On Thursday the 8th, I enjoyed a lovely breakfast on the patio by the pool, then headed out to explore Granada. I walked the couple of block to Central Park, the town square where people were relaxing, having coffee and spending time with friends. Visited the Cathedral of Granada inside and out, wandered around found the local markets where you could buy anything you would ever need.  Next stop was the Chocolate Factory museum , then Mi Museo which hosts a collection of pre-Columbian ceramic artefacts. Then went back to hotel where I enjoyed the company of others staying there and got some recommendations for dinner. Went to a lovely cafe El Garaje.

Friday the 9th, I slept in past breakfast time at the hotel, my sleeping patterns were still suffering from jet lag, so headed out and had breakfast at The Garden Cafe. Then explored some more of Granada by foot, came across the San Franciso convent with its lovely gardens, after this found a coffee shop suggested to me, which was opposite the Xalteva Church, on "Calle Real Xalteva". Sat and spoke to a very fascinating man for some time, then when back to the hotel for a swim. Diana our tour guide for our upcoming cycle tour had arrived at hotel, I went to dinner with her and other guides, had a few Tona's (local beer) and pizza on the Pedestrian street, Calle La Calzada.

On the 10th relaxed around the hotel, had a massage and met some of the others joining us on the cycle tour. Went to the airport in evening to pick up Paul and a host of other in the crew bus with Diana. He had arrived from Ghana a day later than planned due to work commitments. Thankfully they were all arriving on the same flight some Houston, they all passed through customs quickly. We greeted them to the country with a bottle of water or beer and a banana. Then when directly back to the hotel as it was quite late.

Cup of Tea by the Pool on arrival in Granada

Central Park Granada Town Square

Cathedral of Granada