The Isletas of Lake Granada and the River in the Commode

As I mentioned in the previous post - we are spending today in our room, close to the bathroom.  But heck - that's ok!  It is incredibly relaxing, I am writing, and Marci is sleeping.  The room is almost 90*, but there are two fans, and that really does make a difference.

About the heat.  It's hot.  Really hot.  So what?  We come from a mild dry climate and were prepared to experience very hot humidity (and we do - day and night).  But that is Central America - so if you want to stay cooped up in a boutique 'American standard' hotel -go ahead.  But if you want to see and love these people and their country, don't turn on your air-conditioner this summer.  You'll be fine.

After looking at the nice home outside Granada (asking price $290,000 (but an El Principe birdy says it can be had for a less that $275,000) we went out on the lake to Allan's fisherman's friends home.

Getting on the boat

The boat ride into Lake Granda

Marci sipping Tona beer

After about 45 minutes, we reached an island with monkeys on it.  These monkey come from nearby Mt. Mochambo, and they DON'T like water.  A local vet put them on the island so that tourists could see and feed them, in the hopes that an appreciation for wildlife would increase.  They won't leave the island because they don't swim and they are fed bananas by the passing boats.  We took our turn as well and it was pretty cool to see a monkey eating from Marci's hand.

This monkey will eat from your hand

Watching Marci to see if she has more

A little while later we landed at Allan's friend's island.  It is about the size of a large American house lot.  There is a decent home, wide open seating for the family or guests, and a washing area on the lake.  We were lucky enough to come on wash day.  The kids were very nice and the baby adorable.  I have never tasted fish that was better in my life - and Marci really loved it too.  Along with the fish we had Tona beer and the National drink of Nicaragua (local rum, coke, lime juice, and salt over ice).

We had a very nice afternoon with Allan and the family - but hastily left after a monsoon like downpour descended.  But the rain was warm, the 'pilot' accomplished, and it was uneventful back to the dock.  Besides,  the liquid courage had ahold of us all.

Wash day on the isleta

Momma doing her hair

The best tasting fish I've ever had!

PS I should mention that as a lover of all things archeological (antiguo) I noticed a mono and matate in the fireplace.  The island's owner (Allan always calls these women 'mama' posed with it for me to photograph).  Originally I thought it might still be in use, but it turns out that it is many hundreds of years old (Mayan).  Allan explained that it would be illegal to transport this outside Nicaragua (sorry James) but if you have a residence here you may keep as many as you can find or buy.

An ancient mono and metate