Monday, March 30, 2009

Nicaragua

Ken went to visit family for a week and while he was gone, we went to Honduras for 4 days. We have no pictures of Honduras given my unfortunate incident with our camera. However, we spent a couple days seeing every historic building and one excellent museum in Tegucigalpa, the capitol. This may be the only Central American capitol that has not been devastated by earthquakes and its downtown has block after block of interesting buildings. However, most are in a state of disrepair. In better times, I imagine it could be like a small Oaxaca! In the city and in a tour we took of the countryside around the capitol, the povery and disparity of income levels is the most notable of any country we have been in to date. There are also more fast food restaurants and banks here (like 5 on every block) than any other place we have been.


On 3/26, we said goodbye to Mac and Allen from Effie and the rest of the folks at the Marina and headed south with Lost Elvis. Lost Elvis headed directly to Costa Rica, but we headed for Puesta del Sol in Nicaragua and arrived in the above beautiful spot on 3/27.

On 3/28, we, along with four other boaters, hired a van to take us to the nearest town, Chinandega. The road to the Marina won't be a dirt one for too much longer!

The church is dated 1885. It is well tended, but somewhat in disrepair. This would be about the best looking building in Honduras. Only in Honduras there would be garbage every where. Chinandega may be the most litter-free town we have ever seen. There was no garbage anywhere! The park at the main square was filled with brightly colored swingsets and other playgound equipment for kids. We had not seen that anywhere before. It was bustling and the people were very friendly.


The restaurant our driver took us to was pretty basic, but the food was delicious! Jalepeno sauced beef, beef with tomatoes and chilies, red beans, rice, tortilla chips and potato salad.



See this clean street? We just liked this juxtaposition of old/new with the horse drawn buggy on this one-way street. There are also three wheeled bicycles for hire to take people places within town. The town was busier than this picture shows.





5 comments:

Fran said...

Aunt Frances says "Hi"! Safe sailing to Costa Rica!
Love,
Fran

Debbie said...

I am just really thrilled that you are sharing this trip with us. What an absolutely amazing journey. Hope you continue to have fun, meet interesting people, and see new and wonderful sights. Miss you, and look forward to seeing you upon your return

Raylene said...

We miss you up North. The weather and water looks like heaven. Many blessings on your safe trip. I am really starting to have some trip envy.

Linda said...

Hi guys - this is so interesting! More's the pity about no cows on the Long Beach peninsula. It would make the beach alot more interesting.

Snow again today. But then again, it is Spring Break. Are you finding us all a ridiculously inexpensive paradiscal retirement spot? Or maybe a preretirement-leave-the-world-behind spot.

Unknown said...

Sandy!!!!! you look just like you did at Globe books!!!! sorry i never sent Christmas cards. my sone will be in Seattle this summer. i would love for him to meet you guys. email me. i miss you. i'm in NC. love, Heidi