Several hours westerly from Managua, and its legions of bus window washing compadres, lies Leon. Nestled against the bosom of the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by volcanic cones, this pastel-hued colonial city has been the domain of Padres, Pirates and Somosasitas. This is a University town as well, a town of cathedrals, many of which were connected by tunnels in which the townsfolk hid during pirate raids.
Leon, is, well, we did not learn anymore as we drove through its narrow streets. Our destination was Las Penitas, a very laid-back and very funky beach community twelve miles south of Leon. Tired and bleary, we arrived at our beach-front hacienda. A quick snack and a juego fresca later and I was stripping down, getting into my trunks and running for the surf. Body-surfing while sleep deprived!!! I was cackling and spitting salt water as I let the high-tide waves slosh me up the sand, trying to ride off the beach surface on the palms of my hands. A few washing machine incidents aside, it was glorious, with pelicans overhead and warm surf packing my ears with sandy bits.
Snacks were huge thick homemade tortilla chips and fiery red salsa. Dinner was a seafood feast of red snapper and camerones fresh from the local waters. The dinner was was a dream at the end of a hard day's travel and it was followed by fresh banana flambe. Unbelievable.
We dispersed to our various lodgings, stowed gear, and regrouped for the evening as the sun dropped into the ocean. Some of the Bozos wandered off for the Super Bowl while a few of us lingered on the raised rancho, watching the moon and the surf and enjoying a last cigar.
Las Penitas is my idea of a beach hide-away. There are lots of funky casas on the beach, a nice mix of local folks and travelers, and a distinct lack of speedo bathing suits on big, hairy Euros. I have a strong feeling that I will be back.
And now, well-rested and well-fed, it was time for the Bozos to mount the Mighty Bozo-Bus for the short ride back to Leon proper and our first full day in Nicaragua.
Leon, is, well, we did not learn anymore as we drove through its narrow streets. Our destination was Las Penitas, a very laid-back and very funky beach community twelve miles south of Leon. Tired and bleary, we arrived at our beach-front hacienda. A quick snack and a juego fresca later and I was stripping down, getting into my trunks and running for the surf. Body-surfing while sleep deprived!!! I was cackling and spitting salt water as I let the high-tide waves slosh me up the sand, trying to ride off the beach surface on the palms of my hands. A few washing machine incidents aside, it was glorious, with pelicans overhead and warm surf packing my ears with sandy bits.
Snacks were huge thick homemade tortilla chips and fiery red salsa. Dinner was a seafood feast of red snapper and camerones fresh from the local waters. The dinner was was a dream at the end of a hard day's travel and it was followed by fresh banana flambe. Unbelievable.
We dispersed to our various lodgings, stowed gear, and regrouped for the evening as the sun dropped into the ocean. Some of the Bozos wandered off for the Super Bowl while a few of us lingered on the raised rancho, watching the moon and the surf and enjoying a last cigar.
Las Penitas is my idea of a beach hide-away. There are lots of funky casas on the beach, a nice mix of local folks and travelers, and a distinct lack of speedo bathing suits on big, hairy Euros. I have a strong feeling that I will be back.
And now, well-rested and well-fed, it was time for the Bozos to mount the Mighty Bozo-Bus for the short ride back to Leon proper and our first full day in Nicaragua.
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