Halloween in Managua

It's never too early to celebrate anything....specially if it means partying!

Happy Halloween everybody!

The Irreverent Expat

This promotion is, in fact, long overdue. Robin Pascoe's Expat Expert website has tremendously helped me during my fledgling days as an expat spouse (not that I consider myself an expert now, far from it...just slowly getting into the groove). I have read many articles in her website that prepared me for life as an expat spouse (not trailing, mind you - it's as much my decision as his, truth be told) that is clearly not for everyone.

What I really want other expat spouses to read at Robin's site is the segment 'Irreverent Expat' that had me in stitches. Although fictional.....sometimes oh so true. The characters and events are just so very much like our lives, you can't help but name them after some people you actually know.

I personally like Robin's approach to expat spouses' real or perceived problems - very positive and diplomatic. I hope to one day get her books and meet her in person. For the moment, I enjoy lurking in her site and learning all I can from it.

Here's an excerpt from her 'Irreverent Expat' that I find particularly apt (sometimes) and funny:

Expat Etiquette

“Have we met before?” one expatriate woman asked another, a cocktail glass in her hand.

“Only on about seventeen other occasions,” answered the second woman, trying hard not to throw the contents of her own glass in the woman’s face.

“Really?” said the first woman, nonplussed. “I can’t seem to remember your name.”

Before the second woman could supply the information that seemed so difficult to commit to memory, the first woman spotted someone whose name was obviously worth remembering and moved on. Feeling abandoned, the woman of no apparent importance gulped down her drink and went looking for another. She found one, as well as her husband, who was standing conveniently next to the bar.

He was chatting amicably with another man, so she chose to just stand self- consciously beside him like a fountain, albeit one with liquid pouring in rather than out, and watch the expatriate community swirl around her. It was like a ballet, she thought. Everyone knows their moves. They stake out their territory to ensure no interlopers cross the invisible lines. Oh what the hey, have another drink she told herself.

Continue reading here.

I must admit that I thank the high heavens that I run with the crowd that I do. The Danes in particular are helpful and supportive. The Diplomatic Corps, NGOs and International Organizations are themselves in tune with the real world, therefore down-to-earth and very open.

These fictional characters could therefore be easily based from those within the private sector...or maybe not, hard to say but I do have some run-ins every now and then. Very few but nevertheless notable.

Hacienda Iguana

As promised (better late than never, I always say) from 6 posts ago - I really should read about good blogging etiquette - am now finally writing about our favorite beach resort Hacienda Iguana, given that we've been there at least 6 times now in the almost 2 years in Nicaragua (and still cannot get a preferred customer discount).

Located in Tola, Rivas and the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua......from here on, I'll let HI speak for itself (read: from their website):

Starting at the Intercontinental Managua Hotel in Managua:

1. Take Carretera Masaya South, you'll go through Masaya
2. In Masaya take a right towards Catarina, this part of the road is a bit of a climb. You'll end up in Catarina, where you keep going straight.
3. When you get to Volcan Mombacho (you'll see it) take a right on the fork in the road, that will take you to Nandaime.
4. When you get to Nandaime take a left in the fork, that takes you to Rivas.
5. Just before you get to Rivas (it is around kilometer 112) there is a sign for Tola, take a right there, you will be heading West.
6. From Tola continue west on the gravel road to the gate of Hacienda Iguana (15 kilometers or about 50 minutes). There's a huge Mango tree just before the entrance. Here you'll see the first Rancho Santana sign. All you have to do is follow the Santana signs and that will take you to Iguana. Iguana is about 6 km. before Santana, (and about 15 km from the start of the dirt road). You will see two yellow security cabins and a wooden gate.
   
   Give yourself about 2.5 - 3 hours driving time. The total distance is 135 km.

For us being only about 15 mins away from the Intercon Managua, it takes no more than 2.5 hours to get there and at that time under the condition Catarina Rd was in, I say we made good time.

The last time we were there, I was amazed at how the Catarina Road has been repaired, totally paved. So, in less than 2 hours we arrived in Hacienda Iguana. I would advise people to always use a 4W drive vehicle due to the last 8 km stretch before driving up to the gate of the Hacienda. A muddy and flooded dirt road where one will have to cross a river and god forbid it just rained (there was a time we almost got stuck there after a heavy downpour - we had to wait for news that the water has subsided before we can drive back to Managua - although I can think of worse places to be stuck).

No AAAs here in Nicaragua to the rescue plus with only one mobile carrier working in the area (Claro), you will be at the mercy of the passers-by who hopefully will have a stronger car to pull you out of the ditch (we usually travel 2-3 families at a time).

Hacienda Iguana is always worth the trip...once you get there. We used to rent beach front condos (check updated pricing here) but last time we tried renting a 4BR house, (also beach front for $375 a night) split between 2 families, on the same beach. I like the condos better. The houses are more private but I thought it was cozy being on the shared pool meeting other people who were on holiday, sharing drinks and talking....sometimes, nonsense. But then that's just me, I'm always curious as to the whos, whys and whats.

As both condos and houses have well equipped kitchens (while the condos are uniform, some houses are bigger or nicer than others), we normally bring food to cook and drinks to share even if there's a restaurant on the premises (where you can buy ice, btw, yippee) - it's just more cozy. You might get lucky and meet fishermen selling fresh fish or lobsters on one of your beach walks - like a dozen of these freshly caught lobsters from these guys (!!!), all for $20, for example (courtesy of bff A's dad visiting from the US - totally blew him away).

I will now let the photos speak for themselves (click to enlarge):

Beachfront condo area:

Inside the condo:

The beach house area:

The beach house:

Pets are allowed in the houses but not in the condos.

Good place + good friends = great time!

PS. Hacienda Iguana has a golf course (1 of 2 in Nicaragua, so far - Jack Nicklaus is purportedly currently designing 1 somewhere, I forget where), for golf enthusiasts.

Laguna de Apoyo

An impromptu day trip yesterday landed us in Laguna de Apoyo, an extinct volcano crater lagoon nestled between Granada and Masaya not more than a 45-minute drive from where we live in Managua, therefore, perfect for day trips or weekend get-aways. Although the rim of the lake is populated by various restaurants and resorts, we have so far only patronized 2. Norome Villas Resort (check updated rental prices here) and The Monkey Hut.

There's 2 ways to enjoy the lagoon: as a breathtaking view from the Mirador in the town of Catarina or in partaking of what the 'blue lagoon' has to offer from the various resorts down at the edges of the lagoon itself.

The Monkey Hut - Although equally enjoying the pristine setting of Lago de Apoyo, is considered more rustic compared to Norome. A picnic place (that nevertheless offers lodgings) more than a full-blown service resort is more favorable for day trips where one can bring picnic baskets and for $6.00 per person can enjoy all the facility of the place like Kayaks, a row boat (partially decommissioned for the moment - use at you own risk as it sinks after 10 minutes of use due to holes), floating tubes, kitchen (including condiments!!!), bbq grill and the biggest offering of course...a day's frolick in the warm lagoon. Best I think, is that you can bring your pet dog/s. A real family-friendly place. The relaxed atmosphere and reasonable dormitory and cabaña rental prices make it a favorite for backpackers as well.

Clockwise: V & M kayaking with Mancha; the parents catching up with each other; the girls having their own chat; T & H marvelling at the view from Monkey Hut's main veranda; the laid-back management staff of Monkey Hut (seriously...but kidding aside, very acommodating and friendly).

Sunset in Managua

We may not have dramatic sunsets here like the ones they get in San Juan del Sur (Pacific Coast of Nicaragua - where the beaches are), but we do get our share of beautiful ones.

It's amazing sometimes how the sky turns Orange that gives an illusion of a sky so near, it's tempting to reach up and disturb the clouds.

More than watching the sun go down on the horizon, our sundowners (cocktail parties) are hinged on the atmosphere sunsets here in Nicaragua in general offer....a very languid and relaxing time to enjoy with friends after a hard day's work, brought about by a play of soothing colors.

It is indeed a beautiful country that I one can only hope it's people know too well.

I love the way light and shadows play against our dining room window....who needs an expensive painting?

An ideal time to play with the other members of the family

If sunsets are the only thing to live for then I can live here forever....alas, no.