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Granada Travel Club – March 2014

Hi Granada Travel Club,

Thank you to all that participated in the Leon trip for a wonderful trip. As a recap:

We got on our beautiful, new, air conditioned bus around 6:15 and left before 6:30.  Our hope was to miss Managua traffic.  It was quickly evident that was not going to happen.  We were most grateful that we weren’t doing the driving and we were leaving it to Martin, a much more experience driver on the roads of Nicaragua than any of us.  After leaving Managua, we traveled northwest to Leon.  The trip took us across “broad plains of peanuts, corn, beans, sorghum and sugarcane”.  This area is the “most agriculturally productive region in Nicaragua and are a gift from the Maribio volcanoes”.  Since we were seeing the plains during the dry season – it had taken on brown and yellow tones and actually looked quite dry and crispy.  “This is the driest, most scorching corner of the country.”  It is for this reason, most of us had not explored or spent much time in the region.

We rounded a curve and saw a beautiful view of Lake Managua and two volcanos – Momotombo and little one.  It was an awesome site.  It was also interesting to go thru an area that seemed to specialized in construction tipicos materials.  There were businesses making and selling roof tiles as well as stones for patios etc.  We also saw an area that specialized in making rancheros.  The heat of the area is perfect for drying the bricks and the material for the rancheros.

As we entered Leon, the vision of the cathedral of Leon came into view.,  It was an impressive sight and we headed straight for it.  The streets of Leon were clean and quite.   The bus quickly made it to parque central  where we were met by our guide Julio.  Julio was recommended to us by Terry and is also recommended in the Moon book.  He gently hearded us to the town square and pointed out buildings of interest.  We saw two tall lady Queen Isabell in the park complete with drums.  A very familiar sight and sound for many of us.

Julio then led us to a large mural on the north side of the cathedral.  The mural tells the history of Nicaragua pictures.  He walked us thru the history of the country, highlighting the telling of the story with personal antidotes.  It was obvious he had a great love and passion for Nicaragua and loved sharing it.

Next we went to the focal point of Leon – La Catedral de Leon.  There is a story that says that the plans were switched on the ship from Spain so that Leon got the Cathedral that was planned for Lima, Peru.   “Its an imposing and majestic baroque structure whose grandeur is magnified by the open space of the park in front of it.”  We wondered in awe in the cathedral.  We were unable to do the rooftop tour due to construction.  We had heard that the towers and domes that form the roof was an interesting sight along with providing a fantastic view – but that will have to wait until another trip.  With no motorized vehicles allowed in the Central Park area, it was a very calm and quiet area.

We walked from the Cathedral to the Museo Ruben Dario.  They say it is a good example of typical middle class Leon in the late 19th century. The building is adobe with clay.  Original works were on display as well as an incredible library.  It felt cool and quiet.  Julio shared with us tidbits from Ruben Dario’s life and we wandered thru his childhood home and the home he kept returning to.

The Centro de Arte Fundacio Ortiz-Guardian has the “best collection of Latin American artwork in Nicaragua”.  It is an extensive private collection.  Picaso and  Chagall were represented as were many other excellent artists and their works.  The home where is was housed as well as the extent of the collection is truly not to be missed.  It inspired many of us and brought up more questions about the works and the individuals that put together this incredible collection and are sharing it so that we can all enjoy it.

The books list many other things to see and do in Leon but this was just a one day trip so we left the city of Leon and headed to the beach for a relaxing lunch.  They say the beach is only 20 minutes from the square.  It was a bit more to go to Hotel Suyapa Beach Club on Poneloya Beach but worth every minute.  Martin’s suggestion was excellent.   We lounged under our palapa on the beach and ate fantastic food.  Rave reviews on shrimp dishes, fish dishes, lobster, beef etc.  Some of us walked the beach, swam and chilled out.  Of course, there was some slow sipping going on.  Darrell asked Steve if he would do a group picture.  It was a great picture to remember a fun adventure to Leon and the beach.   Thank you Steve.  Some of you have shared some of your pics on Facebook etc.  Thank you.

It was nice to get on the bus knowing Martin would be doing the driving.  Because of the number attending all fees and tips for the tour and bus were paid as well as fees and tips for museums.  Amy did a fantastic job of handling the money.  Thank all of you for getting the word out on this trip.  Because you let friends know, we were able to make the trip and do it at minimal cost with maximum enjoyment for all of us.

NOTE: all quotes taken from Moon – Nicaragua.

Jeannie Koons   [email protected]