This blog entry featuring Granada, Nicaragua is presented through the eyes of our 11-year- old daughter Sofia. Since she recieved her Canon Power Shot from her grandparents on her 11th birthday she has been taking some incredible photographs. Leyla and I are intrigued to see what she sees and we would like to share these with you. Her photographs fill most of the blog entries already, including the dead fish and howler monkey, and this entry features her work.
 |
| Sofia (self portrait) |
Our visit to the oldest city in North America (founded in 1524) surpassed our expectations. Granada lies on the western shore of Lake Nicaragua (Colcibolca) near the base of Mombacho volcano. This former Spanish trading hub has preserved much of its colonial architecture and it is interwoven into the hotel, restaurant and gallery scene within the historic central core.
 |
| View of Granada from Mombacho Volcano. |
We stayed three nights at the Hotel Colonial, which is situated half a block from the city's central square. This is a beautiful hotel that takes full advantage of its colonial architecture to create a garden oasis for the guests.
 |
| Grandma, Sullivan and Sofia arrive at Hotel Colonial |
 |
| The courtyard at Hotel Colonial |
Granada's central square is a lively scene, bustling with craft vendors, peddlers, small tiendas, live music on weekends, dogs and a long row of horse carriages eagerly waiting to show you the city. Lovely hotels, restaurants, a cigar shop (featuring the fine Nicaraguan tobacco), a huge cathedral and of course Remax, are some of the typical establishments surrounding the square.
 |
| Granada Dance |
 |
| Finger love |
 |
| Ants perspective |
 |
| Yellow is the colour |
 |
| Mombacho from Calle Vega |
 |
| Hard day |
 |
| Busted |
 |
| Palm frond art |
A visit to Granada is not complete unless you hire a horse carriage to show you around. The horse and buggy culture is very much alive in Nicaragua, but I can't help but wonder for how much longer. For anyone wondering what it was like on Canada's streets during the transition from horse to automobile, come to Nicaragua soon. The following set of photographs show what some of the streets and buildings are like in Granada.
 |
| Our car has eyes |
 |
| My barber |
 |
| Contrast |
 |
| Potential |
 |
| Part time |
 |
| Chubby guy in trike taxi |
 |
| Tractor fun |
If you wander around long enough on the fringe of the historic district you will eventually find your way into the local market. You can pretty much buy anything here, from giant carrots and spices to underwear and piggy banks. It is an adventure in sensory overload and should not be missed.
 |
| Grandpa just fits |
 |
| Spicy |
 |
| Lots of dried things |
 |
| Waiting for Cordobas |
 |
| Carrots like volcanoes |
Your day isn't complete until you have dined outside on Calle La Calzada. The street is bustling with musicians, street vendors and restaurants that spill out under the stars. Happy hour is very happy when two local cervezas run you about $1.25! This is where I had my 43rd birthday dinner and I have to say it was a memorable one.
 |
| Typical dining atmosphere |
 |
| I connected with this guy |
 |
| Lovely girl selling her mother's candies |
 |
| Serenade |
 |
| Loved |
 |
| Yes Vic, your son is 43 |
 |
| Complimentary birthday cake |
If you visit Granada and you have had your fill of the heat and busy city streets then hire a horse carriage to take you down to the boat dock at the city beach. There you will find a number of passenger boats ready to take you out to the islands off Granada's shore. There are 365 islands immediately offshore that formed 25,000 years ago when Mombacho Volcano erupted sending an avalanche of rock into the lake. Today the islands are a cruise of contrasts where you will find the richest of the rich in Nicaragua with their private island mansions mixed amongst your everyday rural Nicaraguans. Perhaps more outstanding is the area's natural beauty.
 |
| For sale |
 |
| Inviting tree |
 |
| Laundry and a swim |
 |
| Pads |
 |
| A gift |
The closing photograph for this blog entry was taken outside our hotel as we were heading out for dinner. We saw the horse carriage we had ridden on earlier coming toward us at a good clip. Sofia wanted a picture of it but it raced paced us and she took the picture a little late. As it rounded the corner the outside horse slipped on the pavement but recovered quickly and continued on its way. Sofia's picture captures the slip perfectly, even the sparks coming from the horses shoe. This was her favourite picture from the excursion. Be sure to include Granada in your travels through Nicaragua and take a spin on carriage 35 with Milton, he is a friendly guide and his horses know the streets.
 |
| White lightning |
