10) Our last days in Panama

From Managua we took a flight with COPA airlines back to Panama City. When we arrived in Panama a problem occured: Franzi's luggage did not arrive in Panama. After more than 1h waiting they told us that the luggage has been forgotten in Nicaragua and they will send it with the next plane and would then bring it to our hotel by taxi. Franzi was first shocked, but after all it happened as promised^^ It then took us almost 3h to get into the city from the airport. We chose the wrong bus... we should have taken the airport express bus which does not stop everywhere. So we ended up hopping off the bus in the city, walked through a park and then entered a taxi in order to circumvent some traffic jam. We stayed at Hotel Centroamericano as we disliked the hostel we stayed at during our first visit. We then took a walk along the promenade. I like the look of skyscrapers at night. And by that time Panama City also has a christmas tree^^ we ended in Multicentro Mall where we had dinner.  The region's culinary variety is poor... at least the meat is good here :) Back at our hotel Franzi's luggage was already waiting for us.

view of Panama City's skyline at night is simply cool...

another christmas tree when temperature is above 25°C

pretty^^

The next day (6.12.) we asked at the reception for a good beach we could go to by bus for our last day in Panama. The receptionists recommended us to go to Playa Coronado. So we went to the bus station and took a bus towards Playa Coronado. We shopped some water and snacks at the shopping mall and took a small bus that was supposed to bring us to the beach. Quite surprised we were by an identity check - private only. Which means the area is only for people living there. Interesting tip we got there. So we went to the next free beach in San Carlos. We were the sole people there... beach and water was so so, but a good break from the city. When a storm approached we went back to Panama City, simply stopped one of the buses at the highway and hopped on. We were eager to go out in Panama City at least once to have some drinks and enjoy some music in a bar. On the way into the center we asked a few young girls - about 18 probably - if they could recommend a bar where people usually meet up for drinks and music that day. They were happy to tell us that the next McDonalds was straight in front of us... and yes, they were serious... that is the place to be in Panama... very telling :/ All in all, that day summarized our experience from Panama... many people there are not smart by our standards :P We then went to the Hard Rock Hotel, were happy to see an old Trabant in the building, enjoyed a drink and some music. On the way back some raccoons greeted us at the promenade^^

Trabant in Panama!

Raccoons greet us at the promenade at night.

The last day (7.12.) we went shopping at the Albrook Mall... new shirt and trousers for me, shirts and shoes for Franzi... quite successful :) As we didn't have a very good Bus experience we decided to take a taxi to the airport. All luggage arrived with us first in Amsterdam, where we saw a nice sunset at the airport and then followed us to Frankfurt without hassle. On the last flight the view from the plane was amazing! Back in Germany at 8.12. - Christmas time now combined with proper cold weather :P

sunset at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

gorgeous sunset from our plane Amsterdam - Frankfurt

9) Granada and around - the region's cultural center

In Granada we struggled to find a good place to stay... 3 nights at 3 different places... the last one was good, the first two rather not^^ The first evening (02.12.) we walked around the cities Parque Central with Granada's landmark: the cathedral. Next to the cathedral stood a big christmas tree. The cathedral was so packed, that some people had to look and listen in front of the open gates. We enjoyed dinner at Calle La Calzada, which is the main tourist street starting near the cathedral. Later, the local people were going through the streets carrying a symbol of holy Marry from church to church - every evening another church. Interestingly, the people in Granada always lighted firecrackers after church^^ 

Granada's cathedral at night, including the christmas tree

A horse car in front of Iglesia de Guadalupe

Horse cars with phone company ads - somehow bizarre^^

The next day (03.12.) we visited the chocolate museum, walked through the city at daylight and enjoyed some icecream :D Strangely, the city is filled with horse cars that are fully painted with phone company ads :P At the afternoon we joined Leo Tours on a trip around the Granada Islands on lake Nicaragua. It was a great trip... the islands were pretty, although the water wasn't really in proper quality for swimming... some of the islands were private... one had monkeys on - much fun! We visited one of the local families and drank some Coco Loco (coconut water + rum^^). Besides the alcohol and our great guide, a lovely sunset made this trip awesome :) For dinner we tried some local food at Parque Central... can't really recommend that^^

Granada's market street

chilling at one of Granada's Islands

Monkey Island - a funny companion

lovely birds

and a sunset for me^^

give me more...

... coco loco!!! :D

The next day (4.12.) we viewed the city from atop Iglesia de la Merced and found the best bakery in town. At the evening we joined Leo Tours again for a trip to Volcano Massaya. There we were lucky to get a glimpse on lava within one of the active craters and enjoyed a great sunset. We also saw lots of bats and visited a cave made by lava, which was like being in a different world :D
The last day (5.12.) we bought some food from the great bakery before we left for Managua airport by taxi to fly back to Panama City.

view from Iglesia de San Francisco to Granada's cathedral

at the tower of Iglesia de la Merced

good views over the city :)

the air at Volcano Massaya was not the best^^

A king overviews his kingdom ... erm... the view from Volcano Massaya I intended to say :P

another great sunset :D

so romantic :)

like another world - a cave made by lava

8) Isla Ometepe

From Playa de Coco we went to Liberia to change bus for the Nicaraguan border where we took a bus to Managua but hopped off in Rivas. A short taxi ride brought us to the small harbor of San Jorge. There we started the worst over-water-travel I endured to that day. Our tiny wooden ferry was pushed around by the 1-3m waves. Probably due to bad distribution of its cargo, or maybe worse due to more severe problems, the ship leaned towards the right. When we crossed the large Nicaragua Lake towards Moyogalpa on Isla Ometepe, the boat made cracking sounds as it would break apart when hit by the next wave. Several people puked on the ride, while Franzi and I struggled not to join them.

One of the tiny wooden ferries crossing Lake Nicaragua

After we arrived on the island and gave our stomaches some time to settle, we took the local bus and hopped off at Hotel Finca Venecia. The hotel was very pleasant and we stayed for 2 nights. We jumped straight into the lake and enjoyed the sunset while having a swim :D

Swimming near the beach of Hotel Finca Venecia...

...while the sunset...

...romantic views^^

Later, we had dinner at Hostel Sinai and at first we were a little scared walking the streets at dark. However, the local people celebrated the fest of holy Mary, carrying her Icon from one altar to another. While doing so, everyone shot fireworks. We were especially scared when walking back to our hotel at night, when suddenly we heard something approaching us fast from the back. Just when our hearts beating fast and we popped up our flashlight, we saw two locals on a bicycle that greeted us and passed on to the hotel as well^^
The next day (01.12.) we rented two bicycles, although my ass still hurt from the bicycle ride to Playa Hermosa. I wanted to rent a motorbike in the first place, but Franzi cheered when she saw me suffering and thus insisted on a bicycle :P So with pain we started our ride - uphill ofcourse ;) Views of the two volcanoes were gorgeous and riding through the villages was fun (especially since this part was downhill^^). Next we went to Ojo de Agua, a lagoon supposed to contain water with healing capacities. Well, we expected a spring but it was a simple pool after all. Instead of healing, local people used it to wash. This place is not to be recommended! We continued to Play Santo Domingo that offers great views of the volcanoes. There we chilled at the beach before we went back to our hotel.

Franzi on Playa Santo Domingo in front of Volcano Maderas.

Luckily we just heard the next day that there are supposed to be large fresh water sharks in the lake which can be dangerous for human too^^ The next day we took the ferry back to San Jorge. After our bad experience, we made sure to catch one of the big ferries made of steel (this is a must! rather wait 2h and pay triple instead of taking the wooden ferry!). A taxi brought us to Rivas where we jumped on a bus to Managua, dropped off at Masaya where we took a taxi to Granada... (easier would have been to take the bus to Managua right from the pier ;))

Isla Ometepe. Volcano Concepcion (l) and Volcano Maderas (r)