Granada - architectural highlight of Nicaragua - founded in 1524 the town has oodles of history and as Lonely Planet say "drips with photographic elegance, a picture postcard at every turn".
We caught the local bus into town, fast, fun, and FULL! One of us got a seat!! The bloke in the blue T-shirt is the Bus Conductor - spent the whole roller-coaster journey hanging out of the open door looking for more passengers to squeeze aboard. Many did!
Every street in Granada has rows of original Colonial buildings - pastel colours abound - many with traditional balconies - some buildings in a bad way, others refurbed to become hotels, bars and restaurants. Parque Central a shady oasis where the tourist horse and cart merchants ply their trade. Huge Catedral where the local Bishop is putting in an appearance at Sunday Mass, and the Iglesia La Merced with its lofty Bell Tower to which, for $1 we climbed the spiral stairs and snapped rooftop views.
Walked down a grand street to Lago de Nicaragua only to find a herd of cows and a derelict jetty where lakeside bars and restaurants ought to be!
Granada seemed a shadow of its former self, in need of some TLC and a fist full of tourist dollars. Our fave spots were the Taco Stop taqueria and a hidden outdoor bar in a courtyard behind a row of tourist tat shops, every seat taken by local Granadians - they seemed pleased to have Gringos visit and found a table and two chairs for us. Beers came deep chilled in Litre bottles for a quid a pop! Victoria Clasica - a local Nicaraguan brew. We spent a fiver and after scoffing another Burrito caught the local bus back to Hotel Palacio Real. Siesta time!
