Colonial grandeur in Granada

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As a city, Leon is crumbled and diminutive in comparison to its ancient rival Granada. The elder and more impressive of the two cities, Granada has a fine cobbled plaza, picture-postcard churches and outdoor cafes. At these alfresco spots, we found groups of children and teens break dancing, hoping to impress the diners enough for loose change. On another occasion, a cute bunch of kids walked by eyeing my camera, before shyly asked to have their pictures taken. When they saw the images of themselves on the screen they squealed with delight.

One of these kids took modelling VERY seriously...
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We spent a couple of nights at Hostal Oasis. Like Lazybones hostel in Leon this was another colonial building with rooms centred by an open-air courtyard complete with banana trees and hammocks. In the city we strolled around the streets, taking pictures of the churches and buildings before clambering up Fortaleza La Polvora, an old military garrison.

On Calle La Calzada, the cobbled street where most of the outdoor cafes can be found, an Irish couple we had befriended travelling to Nicuragua tipped us off about an Irish pub, where owner Tommy was serving up REAL baked beans. Funny what you miss when you're travelling!

Hostal Oasis
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Our friend Ellie still in-tow, after another night at the Oasis hostel we headed off on the ferry to Isla de Ometepe, in search of twin volcanoes...