San Juan del Sur

Let's see if I can write a short message... Hah! We arrived in San Juan del Sur yesterday and spent one night at a mid-range hotel which was comfortable if a little too cool because I set the air con on high and didn't change it when I realized we were freezing. It was an easier trip than most - a bus to Managua, a taxi across town, and then harassed by crazy bus people who all wanted us to go on their bus. Somehow we lucked out. We let a guy lead us to his bus which was a mini-bus, not a van, and paid for our trip to Rivas where we were going to transfer and it left two minutes later. That has happened a lot lately. When we got to Rivas the bus guy asked where we were going, and when we told him San Juan he gave us the good news that the bus continued on there with a side trip to San Jorge, where the ferry to the island of Ometepe leaves from. If we'd been going there we would have been delivered directly to the ferry.

So, lucky us, we stayed on the bus and got here in good time. Found our hotel, two blocks from the beach, which we had booked in advance and found out that there was a power outage so there was no air-con or light, nor could we check in yet because that couldn't happen till 2 o'clock. No problem, we went for a fish lunch - fresh from the bay I think. It was wonderful. Then we lazed around, found an icecream place and had a cone, then finally went back to our hotel and checked in. Nice big room, two single beds, clean, and just fine, and with two windows for a little breeze. No complaints, until the evening when I set that aircon after the electricity came on. We had a cool shower in the afternoon, then slept in the heat. Not bad.

This morning we went around looking for a cheaper hotel. Found a few, but they weren't great - bathroom outside, or a little untidy, no water in the little pool, etc. Then we decided to ask about the fancy place across from the beach. After chatting and negotiating a little we now have a room that almost everyone on our reading list would be happy to stay in. We have a huge room, two double beds, a fridge, a microwave, tv and cable, nice bathroom and a covered patio with a direct view to the beach and patio furniture, the patio is almost as big as our room, and the sun sets right in the center of the bay, so we will have wonderful sunset viewing. The only catch is we have to stay a week and we are paying more - $75.00 yes folks, we are paying the big bucks for a little luxury. It's a big change from our usual places, but we figured we've earned it with all the money we've saved in the cheap places. Oh and a full breakfast is included, as well as a pool that we can cool down in when things get too hot after a walk on the beach.

We're happy - although Geordie thinks I should book a week of Spanish school since there are a couple of recommended ones here. But I'm so lazy - I don't want to study.