Playa Maderas

Yesterday we went to Playa Madera. Something for everyone to see. Great surf. Great bods. I heavily recommend the smoothie at the Pepsi shack. Peruvian Fred offers the best smoothies around. I enjoyed a banana-pineapple smoothie. No additives.

House Sitting

We are currently on a house-sitting assignment at Nacascolo Bay (the bay north of San Juan del Sur Bay.) The house belongs to our friends Tim and Anna Webster who are attending a family reunion back in the states. Villa Laguna is as beautiful as the view of the Bay and Ocean. The house has 2 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms, huge kitchen/living/dining area, a garage, several decks, a swimming pool with a swim-up bar, and a separate guest house with two rooms and a bathroom.

Poker Night is hosted at Villa Laguna, which will continue with us as hosts. Anna's cooking classes are also offered at the spacious kitchen. Tim and Anna return on 25 July.

Street Repair

For those of you who know this little town, getting a street repaired is a big deal. On our first visit to San Juan del Sur in 2000 only the major streets were bricked or paved. The rest were either dirt, gravel or just neglected. One by one the Alcaldia (City Hall) is repairing the streets. This particular street, in front of Hotel Villa Isabella, is financed in part by Paradise Bay Development. Other developers have stepped in to help repair the village streets.

Restaurante Reconcito Mexicano

This little restaurant located near beach offered delicious Mexican food prepared Nica style. We shared a plate of chicken and pork tacos. We went with a group of friends from water aerobics.

Afternoon BBQ at El Nido Bed and Breakfast

We went to an afternoon barbecue at El Nido Bed and Breakfast. The B and B, owned by friends Pat and Cheryl Lynch is located a few kilometers north of San Juan del Sur. We swam in the pool and chatted with friends before we shared a BBQ lunch prepared by the hosts and Tim and Anna.

Night of the Iguana

Iguana Cafe & Bar reopened last night after undergoing many months of renovation. Under new management (Henry), the bar has a new look that opens up to both the town and to the beach. The second floor bar is the perfect place to people-watch or to just kick back and enjoy a nice cold cerveza. Stop by and check it out! Photo gallery, click here.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Fourth of July (American Independence Day). We went sailing aboard Pelican Eyes sailboat with a group of friends. It rained during our beach time and a sprinkled on our way back to San Juan del Sur. Tonight we had a special 4th of July Happy Hour with hot dogs, onion rings, barbecued chicken wings.

Sandino Gets A Facelift

This well known mural in San Juan del Sur received a face lift this past week. The mural shows Sandino (Augusto César Sandino) behind guerilla fighters. Underneath reads, "Jamas Nos Vencerán" which kind of translates to: "They will never beat us." Nicaragua has been involved in military conflict in the 1970's revolution and then in the 1980's Contra War. This mural has been around for as long as we've been visiting San Juan del Sur (since 2000.) Nicaragua is known for its colorful murals depicting history, scenery and people.

Canada Day & 4th of July BBQ

Canada Day & 4th of July BBQ at Big Wave Daves was on 1 July, 2007. The joint event was a fundraiser for Stones & Waves Veterinary Clinic. Many local residents from Canada and the United States as well as Nicaraguans and visitors from other countries came to celebrate, dance, win prizes, eat burgers and hot dogs, and have a great time. The evening ended with a mini fireworks display in front of Big Wave Daves. Photo gallery click here.