In July 2008 we had two weeks vacation in Nicaragua.

In the middle of the rainy season all nature is in magnificent tropical greenery. From the plane before landing in Managua we saw mountain green land – “tierra verde”.

Traveling in Nicaragua is very easy, relatively cheap, fast and comfortable.

Managua International airport is few miles outside the city on the north side of the Pan-american highway – international road crossing Central America.
We took a taxi from the airport and to avoid the crowd of the big city we went to Granada via Tipitapa.

All the way about one hour ride we were contemplating the lush tropical vegetation in this rich agricultural region.
Bright orange-color-blossom trees and many other tropical blooms had been seen also. I was impressed how bright and beautiful the colors in Nicaraguan nature are – the green, the red, the orange…

In Granada we arrived at the Park Central where most of the tourists places are just few blocks around. The majestic Cathedral on the east side is one of the main orientation point.

We spent one week in Granada – one week is too little to fully enjoy but is enough to fall in love with Romantic Granada

During our stay in Granada we visited twice the greatest shopping attraction – the neighbor city of Masaya. It is only half an hour ride on a minibus to get there.

From Granada we decided to go north to Leon. We took first a minibus from Granada to Managua to UCA bus terminal. From UCA we got taxi to other terminal at Mercado Boer. There are minibuses leaving as soon as full for Leon, Chichigalpa, Chinandega.

We did a mistake to take the first leaving bus in that direction and it was to Chichigalpa. So we got off on highway with all the languages in the middle of a hot sunny day and needed other transportation to the city of Leon.

In León we were already missing the refreshing breeze of Granada. The center of Leon is a tourist attraction with historical colonial buldings.
We spend one only night there.

Early morning from the main bus terminal we took a minibus to Chinandega – a small town where the only place you can get coffee and snack is at the gas station’s food market “On the Run” close to the bas terminal “El Bisne”. We got a nice room with patio there in hotel San Jose but we could not find a restaurant.

In the morning after free breakfast in the hotel we took minibus back to Leon, taxi from the bus terminal to Mercado Sutiava were the public buses to Las Penitas – depart.

We realized how much fun is to ride with nica people – load latino music, vendors offering food and drinks, babies crying, young people laughing hard working people with heavy bags or baskets. In one such ride you can feel the spirit of the nation!

In about one hour we arrived at Las Peñitas – a beautiful large ocean beach, Leon’s favorite weekend place and world famous surfing resort.

After 4 days refreshing at the ocean side we headed to the mountains of northern Nicaragua – Matagalpa and Estelí.

From Las Penitas early morning we rode the first public bus to Leon then another public bus to Matagalpa (Leon-Matagalpa about 120 km).

It tourned to be the worst travel experience – the road was so damaged – holes and stones, the bus was jumping from one hole to another. The last 30km of our ride got better after we crossed the Panamerican and took the good road.

Altough the mountain sights on the road Leon-Matagalpa are beautiful we would recommend if you go North to Matagalpa, Estelí, Ocotal take a bus from Managua and you will get comfortable ride via the Pan-american highway.

After more then 3 hours painful traveling we got off at the bus terminal of Matagalpa – a beautiful big city spread on a valley between mountains. Unfortunately it was clouded and rainy – no good time for pictures.

Next day we hit the road again on a public bus to Estelí but the road Mataglpa-Esteli is good – it goes Matagalpa-Sebaco were you see the most piled produce market and from Sebaco to Esteli via the well-known Panamericana. Beautiful green mountains all the way to our final destination.

Couple of hours uphill and we arrived at a surprisingly pretty and clean bus station (Cotran Sur) of Esteli.

Estelí is a large progressive city with pleasant climate and many tourists destinations around. For two days we had been enjoying the tropical beauty of this mountain place.

On our departure day with luxury express bus from the same lovely bus station we went downhills to Managua for less then 2 hours and got off straight in front of the airport plenty of time before our flight.

Very good source of information that we used during our journey is ViaNica with lots of information on traveling, destinations, events, hotel and restaurant guides…

The trip was scheduled for 8:00 a.m.
We arrived early morning at this beautiful small town of Crystal River. Just across the dive center we had breakfast in open air enjoying the view of Kings Bay.

At 8:00 we were still the only two people for manatee tour and they suggested us to rent a pontoon boat and make the trip ourselves.
So we did – my husband was the captain and i was helping with the map.
We were boating around Kings Bay along Buzzard Island around Banana Island where is the Big Spring or King Spring and we made a stop to look for manatees.
There were few of them around but too shy to come closer.

Then we drove the boat back and under a bridge on the way to “Tree Sisters Spring”

We made our second stop and we took a bath in refreshing pure cold spring water.
Back on the boat we got warm again on the sun.
We had beautiful weather and made gorgeous pictures of water sights – an example how happy life in nature could be.
More pictures of our Crystal River boat trip

Rainbow spring is the third largest from all Florida’s Springs and the source of the beautiful Rainbow River. The headspring is a complex of four vents(outlets). Numerous smaller vents and boils contribute to the average flow of 450 million gallons per day.

Rainbow River, once known as Blue Run, flows about 5.6 miles and joins the Withlacoochee River on its way through Lake Rousseau to the Gulf of Mexico.

The headspring is a natural swimming pool with crystal clear and purest water.

The feeling of this pure cool freshness is an unique experience of joy for the skin, the whole body and soul that will attract you again and again.

Canoes and kayaks for rent are available for those who want to explore the river’s abundant wildlife, including otters, alligators, many species of turtles and fish and also variety of water birds.

All around the headspring there is a beautiful park with picnic areas surrounded by green lush vegetation, blossoming bushes full of butterflies and mixed forest providing fresh cool air and shade. The famous azalea gardens are in bloom In February and March.

The park is huge with nature trails for those who want to stroll and enjoy the butterfly garden, man-made waterfalls and the sandhill pine forest.

Rainbow Springs State Park is located 3 miles north of Dunnellon, Marion County, Central Florida

Open 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year.
An entrance fee of only 1.00 per person is required.
Parking lots are in the forest very near the entrance of the park

During the hot summer days the many Florida Springs are some of the most attractive places to go. Clear water with constant temperature year round and many recreational possibilities, including scuba diving,snorkeling, canoeing, fishing,swimming and others, are just perfect alternatives to the busy city life.

Silver Springs is a small town in Marion County, North Central Florida, several miles east of Ocala.
Silver Springs on Google maps

Silver Springs provide the headwaters of Silver River – nearly 550 million gallons crystal clear water are being delivered every day.This forms the largest natural artesian spring system in the world. The water purity is 99.8% and temperature is 72 degrees F year round. The water is so clear and transparent that the place became favorite for filming and TV shows’ underwater scenes.

The high visibility makes things look nearby as the bottom might be dozens of feet away from the surface.

This park is open every day from 10am to 5 pm and combines the natural environment with family entertainment of different kinds (glass bottom cruises, concerts, animal shows and others). Admission is $34 for adult and includes all the features inside the park.

From the glass bottom boats you can see all underwater habitants and feed them

Have fun and enjoy!

We moved to Florida in the early spring of year 2002 and the first destination to check out was Tampa. Since we loved to have beaches nearby and the city of Tampa seemed to have pretty much ocean water around. The next morning after our arrival I bought a detailed map of the city and for my big surprise I did not find beaches almost anywhere on Tampa Bay. So, that was the end of our search for a new place to live in here.

This is how we went on south and stopped in Sarasota – nice and clean city with some of the finest beaches.

During the winter of 2002/2003 while watching the weather forecast on the TV one thing caught my attention. Anytime the temperature showed for Saint Petersburg, which is 40 miles north of Sarasota, was up to several degrees higher than in Sarasota.

Then we decided to take a day or two and visit Saint Petersburg.
…. and we ended up in one one of the most beautiful places in Florida to make it our new home.

Saint Petersburg is situated at the southern part of Pinellas Peninsula, on Florida West Coast.
St.Pete Google map

Surrounded by the waters of Tampa Bay and Gulf of Mexico the city has 244 miles shoreline and intracoastal waterways.

This perfect location also determines the very specific climate conditions – constant breeze cooling down the land summertime and mild winter.

The name Sunshine City comes from one very impressive record in Guinness World Record Book – most consecutive days of sunshine – 768 days that began in 1967.

With its many parks and some of the nicest beaches Saint Petersburg is an ideal place for sport and outdoor recreation.

Some information can be found at the city’s web site St. Pete

Topic to be continued on this blog with facts, information and photos from our home city – Saint Petersburg.

God bless