Blogs :: Granada (The Second Time)
Granada for me has always been one of those places that has draw. Yes, I like sitting on the beach soaking up the rays. Yes, I like the life of knowing a great number of people in the town that you live in, but a part of me has always been drawn to cities and as such Granada fills that void that cannot be filled by random beach towns and surfers. While not a big city, it has an incredible colonial feel to it that I can personally walk around and just enjoy for hours on end.
Last time we were here Brendon and I took the tour of the islets on the lake. The tour was suppose to include a boat trip around forty islets that make up a random mixture of houses, forts, boatyards, and monkey habitats. We got ripped off. I am pretty sure that it cost us about twice as much and was about half of what we should have seen. Personally, I think that it was because the dude's boat wouldn't go faster than walking pace but maybe that was just me. Well I decided that I would meet Joslyn in Granada. Her tour was going through there and she told me well before hand that she wanted to see the islets. I conceded to another agonizingly slow boat ride and headed for the docks with her. I was pleasantly surprised at the result of our hour long walk to the docks by a boat that was not only cheaper, but had the potential to go much faster around the lake.
This time I most certainly did get my full hour and forty islands as well as a tour guide. We stopped at the old colonial fort (again), saw the vacation house of the owners of Flor de Cana, and the boat yard. If anybody wants to buy an island in Granada let me know and I will watch after your vacation house while you are not there. I think it could work out great. But I digress. The best part for me was the Monkey Island. There were monkeys (obviously), but I don't know how you can beat a monkey in your lap eating gallo pinto. I probably have lice now, but highly entertaining. I would have to say that it was money well spent. Good company, good guide, and at least one monkey eating out of my hands.
While the random tourist attractions were fun I have to say that I most enjoyed the clowns and midgets at the circus. I kid you not, we went to a circus. Proper tent, extremely uncomfortable seats and everything else. Until the animals came out (think abused and skittish), the show was excellent! Trapeze artists, tightrope walkers, jugglers, and of course circus midgets. You know all the things you expect from a third world circus. It was ggggrreeeaaattt!
Nicaragua, boats, Granada, animals
Posted By:
Jason
1/20/2009