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Granada Travel Club – Catarina Trip

By Jeannie Koons

This is a recap of the recent trip to Catarina and San Juan de Oriente by the Granada Travel Club. They are always looking for new places to go. Just contact Jeannie at [email protected]. She refers to Bob and Paul who have a house near Catarina on the rim of the Laguna Apoyo.

Thank you for sharing a fun experience. One never knows how adventure will present itself.  The important thing is to roll with it and make it all fun.  That was accomplished.

Linda, Fran and I started out a bit early for the Alcadia (city hall).  Fran had a great story.  She thought that Alcadia was a hotel so had been looking for a hotel.  We all had a laugh and sat down for coffee.  Denis, the pottery guy, found us.  We told him about our trip and he invited us to come and see his family’s operation in San Juan de Oriente.  We said yes and set up a time for a meet up in Catarina on Tuesday.

We all gathered across the street from Alcadia to wait for the bus.  Richard and Donna with their rental car also joined us.  The van had to find another position due to no parking at the assigned meeting place.  We all loaded on the van.  We were not convinced that Donna and Richard following in the car would work well so Glenn rode with them to help with the navigation.  We all met up at the hotel, where our first adventure presented itself.  Bottom line despite many confirmations of rooms, there were not enough for all of us.  There, however, were enough beds.  Which they thought was satisfactory – a bit of Nica logic.  Another hotel room a block away was swiftly procured. All part of the adventure.

We met up with Bob and Paul plus four other day-trippers, 17 in all, at a local restaurant,  Comedor Judel. Bob and Paul had confirmed that they would be ready for us and they were.  A nice long table nicely decorated and ready.  The service and food was excellent and the paying process was fast.  Bob and Paul said that this was probably the biggest group they had ever handled.  They did it well.  They served half of us and then a short time later served the other half.  Very organized and thought out.   The discussion at the table was lively with lots of laughter.  Bob and Paul worked the room really well by changing seats several times.  A really good idea.  We talked about doing that in more of our gatherings to give ourselves more opportunity to visit with more people.

The after lunch plan was to go to Bob and Paul’s.  Some of us took Tuk Tuks and others walked.  Paul had said it was a 15 minute walk.  Maybe for somebody but not for us.  That was ok, many of us were taking the walk to build up an appetite for the deserts that Bob and Paul had prepared.  It was a nice walk in that we had time to see what was around us, greet the people and even lent a hand in helping put up a fence. The people were so warm and friendly.  Some of the tuk tuk drivers were mystified as to why we weren’t all using their services.  They would get their chance.

Bob and Paul provided the best directions ever –  Printed out 8 pages with photos.  The directions with photos holds your hand from the Nandaime/Granada Road to their home.  Showed the directions at the lunch table, people were in awe.  Some of us walked, some drove and some took Tuk Tuks.  We all got there without any trouble.  The gate is quite imposing and not far beyond is the incredible view.

Their home is poised to take full advantage of the beautiful view they have.  The house is open yet cozy – really amazing how that is achieved.  The lovely pool is adjacent to the covered patio and takes advantage of the majestic vistas.  The horses reside in pastures just below and next to the house making them definitely part of the daily life.  The landscaping looks good and lots of beautiful blooms. It appears to be something they really enjoy reinventing.

The deserts they laid out were sinful –  Amaretto Cheesecake with Chocolate Chip topping, Cinnamon Bundt Cake, pecan bars (addicting) and papaya.  We also enjoyed rum, juices, wine etc. All of the deserts were real treats.  The pecan bars were wiped out without a morsel remaining.  Even those that normally resisted deserts were having a hard time staying away.  Many of us referred to the pecan bars as crack because of their addictive power. Remaining bunt cake found its way back to the hotel with us and was thoroughly enjoyed at the following morning’s breakfast.

Bob gave a presentation of the area.  He gave us insight and information on the area that we were unaware of.  Loved the historical tidbits.  We had many questions so the discussion of the area continued.

Bob treated us by playing the piano.  What a talent!  He makes the playing of the piano look effortless and joyful.  We all listened in awe.  The depth of the sound from the keyboard was amazing but then it takes a gifted musician to bring out the best of an instrument.

It is obvious they love their life in Catarina and have fully embraced the Nicaraguan adventure.  We all felt privileged to be invited and we very much appreciated and enjoyed their hospitality.

We went back to town via Tuk Tuk and headed straight to the hotels.

The evening was filled with game playing, relaxing and snacking.

Our Second Day started slow.  It was so quiet, peaceful and relaxing.  We had a nice breakfast at the hotel supplemented by the papaya and Bundt cake.  Some took walks and others sat in rockers etc.  Denis came to our hotel at 10 and we walked over to San Juan de Oriente.  He had set up a presentation of the pottery making process.  The demonstration was very good.  After he made it look so easy, he gave us the opportunity to try our hand at making a piece.  Linda enthusiastically went first.  It was great fun to watch.  It was captured on video.  The leg/feet action is a show in itself.  CeCe was the next to “throw a pot”.    She was suggesting that the wheel be mechanized.  It was all fun.  We plied them with questions, saw how they make and break up the mud, how they do the sketching, when they color etc.  They were generous with their time and information and joined us in our laughter over our feeble attempts to become potters.

The rest of the day we enjoyed walking and visiting other pottery shops, visiting nurseries, watching baskets being made etc.

For lunch we ended back at Comedor Judel.  We had discussed going to the restaurant across the street or trying the pizza place both places had been recommended by Bob and Paul.  The decision was made for us.  Comedor Judel was the only one open.  That was fine with us, we had loved their food and service the day before.  Garnish had a bowl of fish soup which he lapped up in no time.

After our late lunch we roamed the streets and alleys of Catarina.  We met back at the Hotel at 4.  Our van was right on time and in no time we were in the van on our way back to Granada.

Thanks to all for making it a fun trip.

Special thanks to Linda and JoAnn for taking on the jobs of photographers and consigner.

Best to All and Thank you.

Jeannie