Just a short re-locate today. So it was 8.30 am and all aboard the van to leave Leon. Because of the busyness of Christmas, it was decided for an extra US $ 6 each to take this option to avoid a taxi and then 2 chicken bus rides.

Actually I took no photos from the van as it was the same scenery as the previous days.

Past through the capital, Managua and arrived in Granada, on the shores of Lake Nicaragua  at 11.30 am at a new hotel that Tucan have just started using.

Granada is one of the most characteristic and colourful colonial towns in Central America at the foot of the Mombacho Volcano.

Granada is a city in western Nicaragua is Nicaragua's fifth most populous city. Granada is historically one of Nicaragua's most important cities, economically and politically. It has a rich colonial heritage, seen in its architecture and structure.Granada was founded in 1524 by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, ostensibly the first European city in mainland America. Unlike other cities that claim the same distinction, the city of Granada was not only the settlement of the conquest, but also a city registered in official records of the Crown of Aragon, and the Kingdom of Castile in Spain.

Granada is also known as La Gran Sultana, in reflection of its Moorish and Andalusian appearance, unlike its sister city of León and historical rival, which displays Castilian trends. Thanks Mr Wikipedia.

After dropping our bags in the rooms that were ready, an orientation tour as we headed firstly to the Tierra Tours office, then lunch at Garden Cafe. Blueberry, strawberry and a banana smoothie C $ 70 / NZ $ 3.40 / US $ 2.80. A Cobb Wrap - chicken, bacon, feta, hard boiled egg, avocado, tomato, lettuce, yoghurt and lime dressing in a flour tortilla C $ 130 / NZ $ 6.30 / US $ 5.20 finished this meal off.

The carver Alan in just 7 seconds flat carved the word Nicaragua into one of the maracas. US $ 5 a pair. A skilled craftsman’s using just 2 blades carved the patterns so quickly into the jicaro seed that he collects and paints.

These are my afternoon images of Granada. Yes, a lovely little place and I can see why tourists would prefer to spend more time here than Leon, but Leon has the activities.