Sunday, May 21, 2006

 

Granada Trip

Kev is still sick from an upper respiratory infection. He had a very high fever (104.5 F.) on Friday night, and so it's a good thing that we didn't go to San Jose as planned after leaving Nicaragua. He went to see Dr. Douglas on Saturday morning and got some antibiotics, which have made him feel worse. It's a rough couple of days for him. Cate is also running a slight fever, so we just took it easy today and stayed home and watched movies. Jim took a taxi to San Jose so that he can meet with Mike and get the Jeep registered and on the road. He plans to drive the Jeep back to Monteverde. Alex, it's here for you when you get here.

The trip to Granada was wonderful, and we all had a great time. It took us a little longer than we planned to get into Nicaragua, as we didn't know that we needed permission to take our car out of the country. We drove all the way to the border at Penas Blancas (about a 4 hour drive from Monteverde) and were told we needed a special form from the Registro in Liberia. So we drove the 1.5 hours back to Liberia and got the form we needed, and then turned around and drove back to the border. The border is little frantic; there are lots of guys hanging around working for tips to show the newcomers what they need to do to cross the border, as well as coyotesI exchanging colones and colones waving huge wads of bills in your face. ("No gracias, no gracias, NO GRACIAS!") As this was our second time at the frontera in one day we knew what to do and it was then a simple matter to cross the border: La Aduana (Customs) signed off on the Permiso and we stood in line and got our passports stamped. We then had to drive our car through a huge fumigator (can't those bugs from Costa Rica also fly across the border?!) after paying $3 for it. ("OK, everybody hold your breath!")

Then we had to get into Nicaragua. We parked in front of immigration, and were swarmed by men eager to help us navigate through the system. There were no signs posted with instructions, so we "hired" someone to help us. First we had to get a small post-it size paper from an official in the parking lot, and then we had to have it signed by the policia. Our guy helped track the policeman down in a bus across the parking lot, and he scribbled his intials on the paper. Then, to an office inside to pay $12 to Customs, then $7 per person to Immigration and we were off - or so we thought, until we were stopped just outside the border by another official demanding $1 per person for the local government.

The Pan American Highway in Nicaragua was in perfect condition. What a treat! Unlike the Costa Rican portion, which is badly repaired and full or potholes. The highway passed by twin volcanos and a huge lake, and the smaller road to Granada was lined with flame trees, which reminded me of Saipan. Granada is a lovely old Spanish Colonial city that was founded in the 1500's. Many of the old buildings have been restored or rebuilt, or are in the process of being restored. We stayed in a huge suite in the Alhambra Hotel. There are lots of horse carriages in the city which even the locals use as taxis. We visited the local market and bought party dresses for Catie, Tiana and Cate's friend Ryan. We ate in some great restaurants, and toured the city by carriage, car and walking. The Grandadinos were very friendly, and we would love to go back for another visit.



Comments:
Kevin-

Getting really sick now will only make your immune system stronger when you are older.

I hardly ever get sick when I travel now, but very often the people I am with get REALLY sick.

You're getting that out of the way at the age of 8. You'll be thankful when you're older.
 
Catie, you supermodel!
 
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