Post date: Feb 10, 2013 11:32:57 PM
This weekend I went to swim in the Pacific Ocean. Photos from this trip are available here.
Neville and I found a Managua taxi and went into the (eastern) bus terminal in the Mercado Israel Lewites. We found and "express" bus to Chinandega (that stops just outside of Leon). This turned out to be a local, with just as many standees but only two sitting on each side. Left motor park with only seated passengers, but picked up half dozen more on the way to the main street and by the time we left C. Sandino there was no more standing room. Further, we had to stop for fuel - with about 25 people standing in the aisle and 50 seated. Some freight under - for which they charged extra fare.
Very much illegal turn into and out of fuel station! Seated passengers complained loudly that we kept stopping for more riders. We had quite a pause picking up new standees near Nagarote by 10:00. This place is famous for quesillos - which are like quesadillas but with 'crema'.
Arrived at the Chinandega turn at 10:47 and got off the bus, 1:50 hours from motor park. Much slower than interlocales. But at least this week we went via caratera nueva (the new highway) whereas last week it took the old highway). We take a city bus into Leon after short walk to bus stop. C$4 (Nicaraguan cordobas, about $0.20) into mercado, which is at the NE corner of cathedral. This driver was very hard on the brakes, and therefore the passengers.
Since I was both hungry and close I found Cafetin Sab Benito, specializing in Chinese and serving cafeteria style - meaning very fast. Rice, tasty meat sauce, vegetables (long green beans, tiny corn, carrots, and two kinds of squash), salad (mostly shredded cabbage), and tortilla for C$30 plus C$10 for large tamarindo drink. Saw owner wife wife and son of Hostel I stayed in last week who recognized me on street.
Took taxi to the western bus terminal, which is in a small mercado. Bus left at 1pm after 40 minute wait. Some standing but very little freight. Seemingly lots of secondary students. Arrive Poneloya 1:35. Loop to Las Peñitas. Saw woman here with whom I chatted last week in Leon. We did recognize each other. Asked for hostel from corner and was easy to find, tho open only since mid-November. Only three buildings from the end of the pavement (and bus turnaround).
Owned and run by Ryan and Valerie - from Manitoba. Ryan's father was a restauranteur. They spent a month with five workers fixing up. Location was formerly known as Samaki.net, but was run down and had been closed for a year. Bought last May but started to fix up in October. Have high hopes. Only four rooms, which are profitable, and the small restaurant. Take off Monday for rest. Rooms are big if simple. Beds are concrete benches with new mattress sink, shower, and toilet stall. Best light for trimming my beard! Eating area is very pleasant, back yard unfinished. Right across the street is a nice very shallow lagoon (in high tide) with local fishing boats. When the tide goes out there is lots of damp sand with bird tracks and tiny volcanoes from burrowing crustaceans..
Discussed plants and garden challenges with Val for a while. Very drying wind and hot in back. Got plants from Sta. Catarina, but need truck to deliver, and most did not survive. Soil very sandy and needs compost, which is not available. Making compost attracts scorpions and tarantulas, which is antithetical to having kids as guests.
Blowing here now. But the breeze helps cool at night. Comfortable bed. Disco every other Saturday night was noisy til about midnight. Loud group in truck at three bothered both me and Val, the owner, who told them to move. Quiet except for that - until the bus blew its horn at six.
Walked down beach then returned behind the houses that line the beach. Many vacant properties looking very run down right next to well-kept places. I got a good photo of one decayed house very near the hostel I stayed in.
Some moderately good surf today. Considerable cross-currents in places - dangerous for unwary swimmers. A few folks on sand but very few swimmers. Many scallop shells on beach but well worn by sand. Some very small crabs in sand at tide level. Disappear into 7mm holes as I approach.
Ate barbacoa de Camarones at Barca de Oro. 6:30 and getting dark. Shrimp with green pepper and onion on skewer over charcoal grill with green sauce. With ubiquitous cabbage slaw and french fried potatoes. Also offered grilled fish and chicken and steak. Green sauce contains (too much) lemon, garlic and a green vegetable that was new to me
US$40 with lunch, breakfast, beer, and coke.
Sunday morn I took a swim in the Pacific - probably the first time in fifty years. I knew I was out of shape but thought I might remember how to surf. Missed every wave but enjoyed the swim.
The 11:30 bus came but was not taking passengers. 12 noon bus passed little lake on the way out of Poneloya w many ducks, coots?, and waders
Got Coke for C$17 from vendor at bus. Minibus to Managua filled fast. C$51 asked to stop at km10 in Ciudad Sandino. Sat behind previous seat and was much more comfortable with much lag room.