Granada- Day 1

Yesterday at Casa Marimba

I didn’t blog yesterday because we hung out mostly in the hammocks and lounge chairs at Casa Marimba, only getting out to eat, swim, kayak and visit the facilities.

Early Morning Birding

Today we get up at 5:30am and our birding guides, Eddy and William meet us at Casa Marimba. We don’t need to walk far before they start spotting birds. I still don’t know how they are able to find them in the trees. It is a real talent.

Upon returning to Casa Marimba, we have breakfast, relax in the hammock and catch a taxi for the thirty minute drive to the 500 year old, Spanish colonial city of Granada.

Granada

Granada is really pretty with brightly painted old buildings. I love many of the old doorways.

We check into our Airbnb which is a block from the central plaza. Our host Juan is very friendly. Another Canadian is staying at his Casa.

It is hot and sunny (31 degrees). We walk around Parque Centrale (Central Park), which is a large plaza in front of the cathedral,before heading to a restaurant called “The Garden Cafe”. It is a beautiful place with a garden and a fountain in the centre. They have a large selection of vegetarian options. The patrons are all gringos…we fit right in. Our meals are fresh and healthy. Yum.

We walk to a number of bank machines where we have problems getting money out. Finally, I don’t know why, we get money out and we are back in business.

We spend the rest of the afternoon walking around the area and head down the pedestrian only road, La Calzada, to the lake front area called the Malecon.

It is a Saturday and everyone seems to be out.
Locals all over the city are playing or watching soccer or baseball in numerous parks, a band is practicing and people are strolling.
We see two girls in ballgowns and tiara; dressed for their quinceañera. This is a Spanish tradition for when a girl turns fifteen…it marks her change from child to woman.

Saturday Night in Granada

In the late afternoon, many people are celebrating mass in the numerous old churches, their singing voices flowing out of the building into the areas around.We head back to our Airbnb for a rest (in the airconditioning) before heading back out to the Parque Centrale.The moon is a thin sliver, almost like the mouth of a smiley face. A stage is set up to the side of the cathedral. Dancers are performing local dances while lots of locals and tourists watch. Click here to see a video. We walk down La Calzada which is filled with restaurants. Music blasts from many places. Granada is really hopping on a Saturday night.We go to a TripAdvisor recommended Middle Eastern restaurant called PitaPita. It is a pretty place with a garden and fountain in the centre and wine bottles hanging from the ceiling. Once again, it is mostly gringos here. I have a natural watermelon juice and salad, John has the Chicken Fatoush. There is so much food that we can only eat half….lunch tomorrow.Even though it is 8:30pm and dark, it is still 27 degrees. We feel safe here.