Page 35 – Nicatourism

The curious Urraca

El Chele

-

May 5, 2012

The urraca should be the national bird in Nicaragua, rather than the guardabarranco. At least that is the conclusion I have come to after spending some time on the island of Ometepe, where you will run into this curious fellow at every other bend in the road.

La urraca debe ser el pájaro nacional de Nicaragua, en vez del guardabarranco. Por lo menos se me pasó por la mente esta idea después de pasar algún tiempo en la isla de Ometepe, donde vas a encontrar a este animal a cada vuelta de la esquina.

Click here for another video.

Click here for more Nicaraguan birds.

San Jorge Ferry–Moyogalpa, Ometepe

El Chele

-

May 5, 2012

0

We hopped on the Milton Arcia Ferry (leaves San Jorge at 10:30 a.m. and arrives at around 12:00 noon). A personal vehicle costs C$420 ($18) and each passenger costs C$70 ($3). It’s always an adventure crossing the great Cocibolca but this time that water was fairly calm and emerald green.

Nos montamos en el ferry Milton Arcia (salida de San Jorge a las 10:30 a.m. y llegada a Moyogalpa a las 12:00 m.) Un vehículo personal cuesta C$420 ($18) y cada pasajero paga C$70 ($3). Es siempre una aventura cruzar el Gran Cocibolca pero esta vez el agua estaba bastante calma y verde como esmeraldas.

100th anniversary Titanic<...>100 aniversario Titanic

El Chele

-

April 23, 2012

0

This is the Nicaraguan tribute to the 100th anniversary of the fateful voyage of the Titanic. Fortunately, the outcome here, in Chinandega, Nicaragua, was far from a shipwreck.

Está aquí un homenaje Nicaragüense al 100 aniverario del viaje destrazoso del Titanic. Afortunadamente el final aquí, en Chinadega, Nicaragua, no resultó en naufragio.

4 Beautiful pictures from Malacatoya

El Chele

-

April 23, 2012

0

Dugout boat in El Paso on the Malacatoya River

El Paso, en route to Malacatoya (Granada, Nicaragua) has some quite nice scenery.

This is a small village located in the municipality of Granada, in southwestern Nicaragua. It is situated on the shores of Lake Cocibolca, also known as Lake Nicaragua, which is the largest lake in Central America.

El Paso is a rural area with a population of around 1,000 people. The village is known for its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere, as well as its traditional way of life. The main economic activities in the area are agriculture, fishing, and handicrafts.

One of the main attractions in El Paso is the San Pablo Apostol Parish Church, which dates back to the 18th century and features beautiful colonial-style architecture. The church is an important religious and cultural center in the area and hosts several festivals and events throughout the year, including the Feast of San Pablo Apostol.

El Paso is also known for its pottery, which is made using traditional techniques and sold in local markets. Visitors can watch the artisans at work and purchase handmade pottery items such as plates, bowls, and vases.

Overall, El Paso is a quiet and picturesque village with a rich history and culture. It is a great place to visit for those who are looking for a peaceful and authentic Nicaraguan experience.

Malacatoya

El Chele

-

April 19, 2012

0

As I was waiting for the barge to take us across the river at El Paso, Granada in Nicaragua (road to Malacatoya), I saw some colorful skies (very uncommon for April) that indicate that the rainy season is not far away.

Mientras esperaba la barcaza para llevarnos al otro lado del río en El Paso, Granada in Nicaragua (camino a Malacatoya), vi unos cielos coloridos (no tan común por el mes de abril) que indican que la época invernal se nos acerca.

Nelson Porta’s Santa Lucía Steakhouse/Santa Lucía Steakhouse de Nelson Porta

El Chele

-

April 18, 2012

3

Nelson Porta’s Santa Lucía Steakhouse/Santa Lucía Steakhouse de Nelson Porta

We went to Nelson Porta’s Culinary Institute restaurant a few days ago…called Santa Lucía Steakhouse. It’s located at Km. 8, Carretera a Masaya, 1ra entrada de Las Colinas, 1 c. al este. He definitely has a nice idea going and if you combine it with the current special, it was tremendous. They offer 2×1 on their famous churrasco steaks (numbers 21 to 25 on the menu). Also 2×1 on Victoria Frost, nice and cold!

Let me try to break it down for you:

I assume that the personnel consists of actual students of the Institute. They do an acceptable job.

First of all we were served a nice salad with perhaps a raspberry vinaigrette dressing. It was also garnished with crumbled Roquefort cheese, tomato and cucumber. It was good.

I ordered the churrasco with Argentinian sausages. It came with garlic bread and a vegetable medley along with a baked potato with chives and sour cream. Also the famous chimichurri sauce was there on the side. In retrospect, I ordered the steak 3/4 and it seemed a bit overcooked. Next time I will ask for it medium done. As you can see, the presentation of the plates is splendid and it is a wonderful plate for $14.

It gets even better when the second steak of equal or lesser value is courtesy of the house. Can you believe that?

Congratulations to Mr. Nelson Porta and his original and inspiring Culinary Institute and the Santa Lucía Steakhouse. I’ll be back!!!

Visitamos el restaurante del Instituto Culinario, llamado “Santa Lucía Steakhouse”. Se ubica en el km. 8 Carretera a Masaya, 1ra entrada de Las Colinas, 1 c. al este. Tiene buenas ideas y, al combinarlas con la oferta del momento, era tremendo. Te ofrece 2×1 en sus churrascos (del 21 a 25 del menú). También 2×1 en Victoria Frost, bien heladas!

Te explico:

Supongo que el personal del lugar consiste en estudiantes del mismo Instituto. Trabajan de manera satisfactoria.

Pedí el churrasco con chorizo argentino. Lo sirven con pan de ajo y un trio de verduras junto con una papa al horno con cebollinos y crema dulce. También se sirve con salsa chimichurri. Pedí mi carne a término 3/4. Viéndolo bien, sin embargo, me parecía un tanto seco. La próxima la pido término medio. Como mirás, la presentación es excelente y que oferta en $14.

Aún mejor ahora es la oferta que te dan otro churrasco y igual o menos valor cortesía de la casa. ¿Lo podés creer?

Felicidades al Señor Nelson Porta y su original e inspirador Instituto Culinario y el restaurante Santa Lucía Steakhouse. ¡¡¡Seguro vuelvo pronto!!!

World’s largest hammock<...>Hamaca más grande del mundo

El Chele

-

April 18, 2012

0

World’s largest hammock<...>Hamaca más grande del mundo

Courtesy of El Nuevo Diario

Granada, Nicaragua will be home to the biggest hammock ever made in Nicaragua – 25 yards long and 7 yards wide with seating capacity for 60 people. It will cost $1,000 + labor costs. Children with physical disabilities will collaborate along with other school age children.

Earlier last year, a large hammock 12 yards long and 2 1/2 yards wide with seating capacity for 17 people was sold for $400 (picture above).

Nicaraguan artisans are very skilled in the making of hammocks and other popular items with tourists visiting the ‘land of lakes and volcanoes’.

Granada, Nicaragua será el lugar de nacimiento de la hamaca más grande del mundo – 25 metros de largo y 7 metros de ancho con capacidad para 60 personas. Costará $1,000 + gastos de labor. Niños con discapacidades colaborarán con otros escolares en la fabricación de esta hamaca.

El año pasado, una hamaca granda de 12 metros de largo y 2 1/2 metros de ancho con capacidad para 17 personas fue vendido por $400 (vea foto arriba).

La artesanía de Nicaragua es muy avanzada, especializada en hacer hamacas y otros artículos populares con los turistas visitando ‘la tierra de lagos y volcanes’.

5000 bananas<...>5000 guineos

El Chele

-

April 14, 2012

0

We caught up to this man and 5000 bananas that he was hauling with his cows. He was on the road from Nancimí, Tola in Rivas, Nicaragua, going to some drop point. Yes, that’s 5000!

Alcanzamos a este hombre y los 5000 guineos que jalaba con sus bueyes. Estuvo en camino entre Nancimí, Tola en Rivas, Nicaragua, buscando un lugar de encuentro para dejarlos. Sí, son 5000!

Movies in Managua – a great experience!

El Chele

-

April 13, 2012

0

We went to a theater recently in Managua. The theaters are modern, air-conditioned, and with the latest digital projection. The good part is that on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with certain credit cards, two can see a movie for the price of one. Both of us went for C$70 ($3.50). A great deal!!! Sometimes, the 2×1 doesn’t apply to the newest releases but within a week (when other ones come out) they too can be had for this great deal! You can see an updated list of what’s in Managua at this link (in Spanish): Movie guide for Managua

Fuimos a ver una película hace poco en Managua. Los cine son modernos, con aire acondicionado y lo último en proyección y sonido digital. Aún mejor, los días lunes, miércoles y jueves, con ciertas tarjetas de crédito, dos entran por el precio de uno. Para los dos pagamos C$70 ($3.50). ¡Que ganga! A veces, la oferta 2×1 no aplica a los estrenos pero dentro de unos ‘diítas’ (cuando salen otros) ya entra en oferta. Podés ver una lista actualizada de las películas en Managua en este enlace: Guía de cine en Managua

RostiPollos

El Chele

-

April 13, 2012

4

Well, I was hungry again so we headed over to RostiPollos. They have this special right now – the Mega Surtido: all that junk at the right for C$207 (that’s a little less than $10). Plenty of food for four people…but we ate it alone…we wanted to get our fill before any hog, chicken or beef borne diseases head our way.

You know what the fastest animal in the world is? Some think it’s the cheetah. New findings. however, indicate that it is indeed a loose chicken in Chinandega that has been clocked at over 80 m.p.h.

The slower ones don’t live to see the sunrise….strange but true.