Nicaragua May 2009 - Part 2

May 1, 2009 Managua, Las Penitas Nicaragua

Soundtrack: The Dandy Warhols

I arrive into MGA at 11:15am. It's hot, it's sticky, and humid. My ride, we'll call him Dr. Val, is the cousin of Mauricio Morales, my real estate agent in the Las Penitas/Poneloya area. Dr. Val picks me up with his wife in an old 80's Datsun and we make the 2.5 hour trip to Las Penitas. It's an ugly trip through Managua. Managua is a chaotic, shit hole of a city. It's a shame that this city is the capital as it's a true representation of Nicaragua. Dr. Val speaks great English so we have a great conversation about the revolution, Sandanistas, his job, his niece's wedding, and his life in general. He's a great guy and a good resource to have here in Nicaragua.
We finally make it to Las Penitas and I check into Playa Roca Hotel. The hotel is amazing. For $35 a night, you get a private room on the beach with en suite bathroom. The beach is at your door! The hotel also has a nice little beach bar/restaurant. It's just a great place to kick back and relax.
So I meet the owner, Cookie Cardin. She and her husband from CA bought the hotel about 4 years ago. Cookie is an amazingly nice hostess who goes out of her way to make your stay the best! We have a quick conversation before I head to my room to drop my bags off. After that I head over the bar and grab a Tona, a Nicaraguan beer, and 2 Cubre Libres. Flora de Cana, the Nicaraguan rum, is the best on the planet. So after a few drinks I decide to hit the surf. The surf is about 5 ft. and really good. I paddle out and the first ride I get drilled and pull a muscle in my back. I was in a lot of pain and dizzy in the 81 degree water. No more surfing for today. The fact that I had 3 hours of sleep the night before, the drinks, and not ready for the ocean really kicked my ass. Time for rest. So I take a nap for a bit and rest off the pain. Wake up to sound of the ocean and decide to grab some dinner. Cookie and Max, the hotel's handyman and all around great guy, are hanging out so the 3 of us decide to have some food. Have fresh red snapper in ranchera sauce and it's amazing.
Some beers and great conversation with Max and Cookie make for a great evening. I think I'll call it a night.

Part 3 later.....

Nicaragua May 2009 - Part 1

April 30, 2009 10:50pm @ LAX

Soundtrack: Fields of the Nephilim

I'm sitting here at gate 62, terminal 6 waiting for my flight to Managua. I arrive into IAH at 5:30am where I then have to sit for a 3 hour layover in my least favorite city of Houston. Then finally jet off to Nicaragua and arrive into MGA at 11:15am. Grab a taxi to Playa Roca Hotel in Las Penitas, hopefully be there by 1pm. Check into the room at the beach hotel and then grab a drink at the bar which leads to hitting the surf.
Las Penitas is a small fishing village just outside of the colonial city of Leon. Beach houses dot the coastline along with 2-3 hotels and no taxis here. Only the bus! Las Penitas is true isolation and beauty. Miles of undiscovered white sand beaches and really great surfing! To hell with your computer and TV! Grab a hammock, a drink, and a book and forget your troubles.
I'm meeting a real estate agent on Saturday to look at property in Las Penitas and Poneloya. Sunday is off to Hotel Chancletas to surf and see my property in Los Clavos Beach. Chancletas is the ultimate surf hotel. Located in front of the beachbreak, Booms, this place caters to the true adventurer. I stayed there in July 2008 and had an amazing time. No TV....just drinks, food, surfing, and time to relax.
Part 2 next time......