Chillin’ at the bus stop….
This guy is chilling at the bus stop in Andrés Castro barrio, Managua. He seems to be a street vendor and I guess he brought his own chair…that’s the way to do it!
Donuts for sale
Say hi to Estrella, a friendly doughnut vender in the Andrés Castro barrio in Managua. She has pretty strong vocal cords, as you will note in the following video.
Wonderful La Omaja
La Omaja hotel and restaurant is a great example of what tourism in Nicaragua is all about these days. Its excellent construction and quality details make it a really enjoyable jumping off point in your stay in the Mérida, Ometepe area. From here, you can hike up to the lagoon on the Madera crater, go to the San Ramón waterfall and other island activities. A full tour menu is available. In addition to the quality lodging, with A/C and satellite television, a full service restaurant is also available on the premises. Rooms start at $35 a night. The meal, tilapia with garlic sauce, costs C$150 ($6.50). This place is the best in the Mérida area, that I can guarantee – La Omaja. Oh, and the views are marvelous!!!
El hotel y restaurante La Omaja es un muy buen ejemplo de lo que ha llegado a ser el turismo en Nicaragua. Tiene una excelente calidad de construcción y atención a detalles – un lugar ideal para comenzar tus aventuras en la Mérida, Ometepe zona. Desde aquí, podés escalar el volcán Madera a su laguna en la cima, ir a la cascada de San Ramón y otras actividades isleñas. Una selección muy completa de turismo y tours está disponible. Además de la calidad de hospedaje, completo con aire acondicionado y televisión por satélite, hay un restaurante completo en situ. El precio del hospedaje comienza a $35 por noche. La comida que probé, tilapia con salsa de ajo, cuesta C$150 ($6.50). Este lugar es lo mejor en Mérida, esto te lo aseguro – La Omaja. Oh, también las vistas son tremendas….
The original Pellizco Whirlpool
I originally took this picture in April 2007 in El Pellizco, zona near Chichigalpa, Nicaragua. Since then I have seen it circulate and take on identification from many other areas of the world. My bad for not watermarking in the moment. However, here it is, updated with the original owner’s mark. THIS IS NICARAGUA, OK?
Summer is here…it’s hot and these kids really know how to take care of things!!!
Holiday Inn in Managua
It had been a while since we had stayed at the Holiday Inn Select in Managua, Nicaragua. In fact, almost 12 years, I think. The hotel has been around for a little more than that…
Bathrooms are spacious, however.
Toiletries include Bath and Body Works selections. Hot water is nice. What was hard to get was cold tap water to drink. At best it was tepid. That’s what ice is for, I guess. And most of you probably won’t be drinking the tap water anyway. Minibar has reasonable prices, as well does room service. In fact, I had a hard time deciding between ordering room service or going down to the restaurant.
The bed is comfy but the pillows…the pillows have to go (says my achy neck this morning). That’s a pretty big oversight. Really unusual for a good chain like Holiday Inn.
The restaurant is nice. Not top notch but good.
Dinner was decent but some details (like not so fresh bread) and OK service won’t win any awards. I did get a great churrasco here (Nica style) but the BBQ ribs weren’t outstanding. The breakfast buffet is tasty but doesn’t have an exciting variety of hot food.
I still stand by statement that the best breakfast buffet in Managua can be found, not at Holiday Inn but rather, HERE (CLICK LINK TO SEE). The breakfast table settings have paper napkins.
I did have a nice welcome cocktail.
All said, Holiday Inn would be a constant choice for me because it does represent a good value, especially among the other hotels in Managua. Soon, it will have in-house competition as a new Holiday Inn Express is being built on Jean Paul Genie highway. We’ll see how that stacks up later….
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give Holiday Inn Express in Managua a 7.
Address: Pista Juan Pablo II (25 minutes from the airport)
Mariscos Las Pitahayas
Had some tasty seafood the other day at Mariscos Las Pitahayas in Altamira, Managua. It isn’t much on ambiance…more like a ranchón you might find at a Nicaraguan beach like Poneloya o Paso Caballos. However, the service was really good and the food was tasty…not as hot as I would have liked but it was good.
We ordered breaded shrimp and garlic shrimp, both plates very tasty, served with french fries and salad. Prices weren’t the greatest (click here to see) but it beats Burger King.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give Mariscos Las Pitahayas a 6 (mainly for lack of ambiance and prices should be lower for this type of restaurant). If you have a hankering for seafood in the middle of Managua, it’s a decent option.
Mariscos Las Pitahayas
De la Vicky 300 mts. S
Managua
2252-5809
Beautiful weather in Nicaragua…
Do you want to escape the coldest weather in 20 years there in the U.S.? The weather and beaches are beautiful in Nicaragua….
Fritanga de Nicaragua – Delicious Nicaraguan fast food
Mmmmm, delicious. Fritanga…This table of food cost me 108 córdobas or $4.26. Good stuff! Let me break it down for you: 1.5 liter Pepsi, plate #1: rice and beans (gallo pinto), fried cheese (queso frito), fried plantain (un maduro) and cole slaw (ensalada de repollo); plate #2: fried plaintain slices (tajadas), cole slaw (ensalada de repollo), rice and beans (gallo pinto) and a cottage cheese filled crepe (manuela); plate #3: same stuff but with 2 manuelas and a little spicey tomato, lemon and onion salad (chile).
Mmmmm, delicioso. La fritanga…Aquí en la mesa gasté 108 córdobas o US$4.26. Buenísimo!!! Ustedes ya saben de que se trata así que no voy a volver a traducir toda la comida. Basta decir que estaba….RICA!!!!
Scarecrow/Espantapájaros
Saw this scarecrow in El Hormigón, Granada. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander….
Vimos esta espantapájaros en El Hormigón, Granada. Parece que funciona….