The Titi's say good-by to us

A large family of Titi's crossed the path in front of us as we waited for the bus this morning. There were at least 30 monkies, several mothers with babies on their backs. They were very playful hanging from the trees and crossing the cables.

Titi's are becoming extinct and children in the area have started a foundation that places safe areas for the monkies to cross, instead of electrical wires.

Good-by Costa Rica. Hola California

Sunset in Manuel Antonio

The view at sunset from Gaia Hotel restaurant in Manuel Antonio. There is a 180 degree view of the ocean and to get to the restaurant we had to take a golf cart up. The Hotel is quite amazing, with penthouses with private lap pools. which we didn't stay it as they started at $400 night.

The food was excellent, we had tapas of seared tuna, cervice, spring rolls, of course wine and for dessert creme brule with vanilla ice cream.

It waited to rain until we had walked home and then it was a down pour all night.

We have had a wonderful time but all good things must come to an end, and we are ready to return home

A mans work is never done.

We are having Richard, and another couple we met yesterday over for a curry dinner. So we took the bus into Quepas this morning and Simon bought 17 chickens, only kidding. I'm sure Richard will be having leftovers long after we are gone.

We are going into Manuel Antonia later and having some fried calamarti for lunch.

We were watching the World Cup on TV but our cable went out. It was in Spanish and even though I did take 2 weeks of Spanish, I'm having some difficulty understanding the announcer. I didn't think it was possible to roll an R so many times.

I did a little rock climbing yesterday, one of my favorite sports, especially in a skirt and sandals. We walked for miles in the hills and along the beach and then came home and swam. I promptly became sick, either too much sun or a mild touch of Dengue.

We had an amzing storm yesterday afternoon and during the night. 12 hours of heavy rain and thunder and lightening. Today however is beautiful with blue skies.

Playa Espadilla

This is a beautiful beach right outside of Manuel Antonio Park. It is around 1 mile in length, beautiful sand and palm lined, with warm water and gentle to larger waves. The bus runs from our place to here every half hour from 6am until 7pm. There is a good restaurant with cerviche and calamari and cold beer across the street.

So you won't be too jealous Dengue fever is fairly wide spread in the area now and our manager did find a very large and very posionous snake in his living room 2 weeks ago after the hurricane.

Richard, the manager is very interesting, it seems many of the Americans living here, led quite colorful lives in the States. Most wanted or least wanted?

We are in Manuel Antonio

It is quite beautiful here. We went hiking in the National Park today. This is the life. It rains at night and is warm and clear during the day.

However there are still mosquitos but not as bad as in Nicaragua.

The hurricane here did a lot of damage in the park and some of the paths were closed.

Where we are staying is quite nice, the pool is wonderful and warm. There is lots of hot water and the bed is comfortable. Life is good.

Hasta La Vista Nicaragua, Hola Costa Rica

I tried to download a picture of the rain, but as the wifi works on solar and we have had 2 days of rain and little sun, no luck. So imagine you are in a warm shower,surrounded by ferns, bright colored flowers, palms and the song of birds including the unmelodic songs of chickens, roosers and turkies. Oh yes I forgot, mosquitos, lots of mosquitos.
The walk into town today was interesting, not just because of the rain, we saw a large pig in one yard, a bull in another, 2 bulls in the park, a young girl with her pet rabbit and 2 horses without riders galloping down the street, all this within a few blocks. Nicaragua is a very lively place.
We have enjoyed the people we have met from Hong Kong, Canada, Englalnd, New Zealand, Australia, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. We have especially enjoyed all the wonderful Nicaraguan people we have met.
La Mariposa has been a unique and special place thanks to Paulette.
Tomorrow at 4:30 am, we are off to Costa Rica, where we have heard they are having lots of
La Lluvia (rain).

The old yellow school bus

Ever wonder what happened to all of those old yellow school buses? They are alive and well in Nicaragua. After they were retired in the US, Nicaragua bought them and they became part of the mass transit system. Many have been painted bright colors and they are a cheap and effective way to travel around Nicarague, notice I didn't say safe or comfortable. To be fair, they are relatively safe and comfortable if you don't mind getting very close with your neighbors.

La Catedral de Leon

The Cathedral in Leon is the largest in Central America and was constructed in 1747.

Besides being large and imposing, it is baroque in style.

This picture was taken from the balcony across from the Cathedral. From here, the dictator Samoza spoke to the people. He was assistinated 1 block from here, by one of the heros of the revolution.

The famous Nicaraguan poet Ruben Dario, is buried inside.

Another day in paradise

Laguna Apoyo,this is a large lagoon inside the crater of a volcano. It is the deepest lake in Central America, 300 meters deep, a meter is 39". It was really beautiful and the water was very warm because of the old volcano.

We swam, laid in the sun, drank beer and ate chicken quesodillas.

Life is good.

We are off to Leon tomorrow.

Los Chiclos de Simon

Some of the children in Simon's class. He came back early today because they were muy mal.

Most of the desks are in various states of disrepair and the children don't have the basics such as paper, pencils etc and none of them have seen a computer. Most of them will have to quit school after 6th grade to help their parents at home and in the fields.

What is strange is that only 10 minutes away the school have supplies, and the children have uniforms, but the children near the volcano are a world apart.

El Mercado

We took the bus to the market in Jinotepe this afternoon, it is the largest open market in the area. The sun is shining today and it is quite beautiful.

I had my Spanish class this morning and Simon taught in the school near the volcano, 25 children between the ages of 5-12. They were out of control but of course he whipped them into shape.

I have discovered that mosquitos are quite attracted to me,so while at the market we stocked up on Calamine lotion and Benadryl.