Magnific Rock & More

A few of the final photographs I took in Nicaragua (during the smallest surf day of the trip).

The Colonial City of Granada

Granada is a city in western Nicaragua. It has a rich history and is perhaps the most important city, politically and economically. Granada is located on the edge of Lake Nicaragua, which has some scary freshwater sharks (didn't see any people swimming in the lake).

When I first visited Nicaragua several years ago, I wasn't that impressed with Granada. It didn't seem to have much life to it... and when I came back a second time, I wasn't planning to visit the city. However, my body needed to rest from the non-stop surfing (and my mom wanted to visit a market to buy some toursity stuff)... so we decided to make a stop. I was very impressed! The city has come back to life. Apparently, it is in the midst of a "real estate boom". There were a lot of new cafes, art galleries, restaurants, and beautiful hotels. It reminded a bit of the transformation that Todos Santos, Mexico went through over the last several years. What I liked most about Granada is that even with all the renovations, they managed  to preserve the colonial architecture.

These were a few photos I took while strolling around in the afternoon sun (I didn't make it too far before needing a cold Toña).

Ventana a las Olas

Reminiscing on villa I stayed at while in Nicaragua. Miss the view, sunsets, and food! (and the warm water)

Rock Dancing

Some local fisherman catching dinner at Rancho Santana. 

A Late Morning Jog

Not the best day of my trip in terms of wave height... but it certainly was a beautiful morning. The sky was crystal clear and the offshore winds were creating a misty effect on top of the ocean's surface. It looked like the water was glowing.

Low Tide Rock Formations

Low tide at Rancho Santana. Beautiful reflections and colors.

Low Tide Drainers

Low tide at Rancho Santana (it is much shallower than it seems). 

The Catch of the Day

Preparing lunch at Rancho Santana. 

The Seventh Day of Sunsets

Sunset - Day 7. A fitting end to the Nicaraguan holiday. A calming palette of color as the sun dipped below the horizon. 

Sun Flare

Sunset - Day 6. The most spectacular sunset of the trip! 

Million Dollar View

Sunset - Day 5. Photo taken just before the sun dipped below the horizon. Missing this view at Ventana a las Olas! 

Sunset, Dusk, and Night

Sunset - Day 4. These 3 photos were taken within 30 minutes of each other. It's amazing how quickly the scenery can change... and how quickly the sun goes to sleep during the winter months.

A Dragon's Flame

Sunset - Day 3. Not the most spectacular sunset of the trip, but still incredibly beautiful. It almost looked like a dragon was floating through the sky...

Sunset - Day 2

Not the most spectacular sunset of the trip... but I loved the blue shades in the sky (and in our "plunge pool").

Enter the Darkness

After a long day of travel (bus ride, 2 airports, and a long/bumpy drive), this was my reward. We arrived at the Ventana a las Olas villa (in Nicaragua) just as the sun had dipped below the horizon. I quickly took this shot before the darkness took over. 

Nicaragua - Surf, Sun, Naps, and Food

These 4 photos pretty much sum up my trip to Nicaragua (just missing a food picture)... fun surf, incredible sunsets, relaxing vibes, and beautiful scenery.

I had not been to Nicaragua for about 8 years and A LOT has changed. The infrastructure has improved dramatically (better roads, more consistent power, etc), the government has stabilized (no protests this time), and the country has spent quite a bit to encourage tourism. The last time I visited, I stayed at Playa Montelimar (close to the capital of Managua)... and I did not see another surfer my entire trip. This time I went further south and stayed at Rancho Santana. It was a bumpy 3+ hour drive from the airport, but it was worth it! My adventurous parents flew down flew down with me and we stayed at an amazing villa called "Ventana a las Olas" (courtesy of Waterways). The villa was perched on top of a hill overlooking Playa Santana. We saw some of the most incredible sunsets from the patio and enjoyed delicious, freshly cooked meals every night (lobster, fresh fish, pork, steak, and even a Thanksgiving dinner!!!!).

The great thing about this part of the country is that the wind blows offshore for 300+ days of the year!.. and there were about 15 different surf spots within a 15 mile radius (I surfed about 6 of them). There is everything from hollow beach breaks, to rivermouths, to cobblestone reefs, to scary outer reef breaks. Something for everyone!

La Fin!

The final posting from my trip to Paris last summer. It took a while to go through all of the photos, but it was nice to re-live the experience. Hope you enjoyed the photos! (next photos will be from trip to Nicaragua)

The Basement Cafe

Second to last photo posting from my last trip to Paris. I loved this little cafe in the 1st Arrondissement. It looks almost as if the building has been lifted up one level... and the basement has become the first floor. The contrast of textures were really cool. 

Miscellaneous Parisian Architecture

Love the old Parisian Architecture!... random shots from around the city.

The Triumphal Arch

If it's your first trip to Paris, I would recommend marching down Champs-Élysées as Napoleon, Nazi Germany, and the Free French forces did after military victories. The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is a street in Paris, France. With its cinemas, cafés, luxury specialty shops and clipped horse-chestnut trees, the Champs-Élysées is arguably one of the world's most famous streets, and is one of the most expensive strips of real estate in the world. Several French monuments are also on the street, including the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde. The name is French for Elysian Fields, the place of the blessed dead in Greek mythology. According to a much used description, the Champs-Élysées is la plus belle avenue du monde ("the most beautiful avenue in the world").

The Arc de Triomphe (in English: "Triumphal Arch")  de l'Étoile is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. It stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle (originally named Place de l'Étoile). The Arc de Triomphe honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. There is also a beautiful view of the city from the top of the monument.

Following its construction, the Arc de Triomphe became the rallying point of French troops parading after successful military campaigns and for the annual Bastille Day Military Parade. Famous victory marches around or under the Arc have included the Germans in 1871, the French in 1919, the Germans in 1940, and the French and Allies in 1944 and 1945. A United States postage stamp of 1945 shows the Arc de Triomphe in the background as victorious American troops march down the Champs-Élysées and U.S. airplanes fly overhead on 29 August 1944. After the interment of the Unknown Soldier, however, all military parades (including the aforementioned post-1919) have avoided marching through the actual arch. The route taken is up to the arch and then around its side, out of respect for the tomb and its symbolism. Both Hitler in 1940 and de Gaulle in 1944 observed this custom.