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Granada was next on our list so we (The Canadian girls, Liann and I plus a Scotish girl called Jodie that we met in Bigfoot) all headed off from Leon to Granada via Nicaragua's capital, Managua. The city of Granada is perched on the edge of Largo de Nicaragua, a huge freshwater lake in the middle of the country. Although there were a number of hostels in town there was one on the outskirts that stood out for us all, Poste Rojo - the tree house hostel!
Built in the jungle high up in the trees, surrounded by howler monkeys, tropical birds and endless creepy-crawlies the communal area was connected to another platform by a hanging bridge and the dorm was a simple wooded hut at the bottom of a steep hill. It was hot! It was one of those really humid days with no breeze where just sitting still made you sweat Miles away from and bars, restaurants or shops we decided to sign up for the meal and just spend the rest of the day relaxing in a hammock.
Coincidentally we arrived on May 5th, or Mayo de Cinco which is a big Mexican holiday but a bit like St. Paddy's day everyone uses it as an excuse to get drunk. So that night we partied in the jungle!
Going to bed we were careful to make sure everything was locked up because jungle people and monkeys have a tendency to sneak in and steel anything from toilet paper to iPods. I had stayed up a little later than the girls so when I walked into an empty dorm I was a little surprise to find a note on my bed that read "We got freaked out by the bugs and spiders and have moved into a private room with a net. Check your bed!" Luckily I had enough Flor de Cana to not be too worried about the spiders so just passed out. The rude 5am awakening by howler monkeys was almost welcomed as it gave me reason to leave the hot dorm.
Poste Rojo was a really interesting place to stay but with very little to do so we grabbed the first chicken bus back into Granada. Deciding where to stay in town was easy as soon as someone mentioned that Oasis Hostel had a pool! After two days in the jungle with nowhere to swim it was perfect!
Although we had all wanted to visit Granada there was no particular reasons other than to explore the city and for Jodie, Liann and I as a way to get to Ometepe.
We spent the next few days walking around town. We went up the bell tower of one of Granada many churches which gave is a great view across the city and over to the lake. We also visited a Cigar factory and watched how cigars are hand rolled, pressed and finished before being wrapped and packed.
We had been travelling with Holly, Katie and Sam for over a week now but our plans no longer matched up. They were running low on time and egger to get to Costa Rica where as we wanted to see more of Nicaragua so we said our goodbyes and waved them off as they headed for their bus. Another set of amazing people that in a short time become good friends, but sadly are unlikely to see again. Who knows though maybe a Ski season in Canada some time?
- comments
Mum and Dad Hope this means that you will no longer be frightened of the odd spider in the bath!
Katie Brooks It was great travelling with you guys! Come visit us in Canada and we'll show you around the best ski hills :) Safe travels!
Holly Hrynyk Great blog John! Definitely come check out Canada's ski hills. We would love to have you and Liann here! We could play scuba spoons in the freezing cold Canadian ocean haha. Hope you guys are having a great time!
Samantha Lego We'll be meeting up in Wales next year mate. My life has been sorely sheep deprived thus far and I intend to change that! Safe travels. x