Churches, Chocolate and a Carriage ride in Grenada, Nicaragua
During our stay in Catarina we decided to check out Granada. It was a particularly hot day so we were very pleased that the winds were blowing.
Having been a tour guide, trolley driver of Old Town Trolley in Key West, I am a big fan of sharing my thoughts regarding tours about the town. They are WORTH IT! You get to tour around town with a local guide and then later you can go back and further dive into specific locations that suit your fancy. Hence the reason we agreed to take a horse and carriage tour.
Naturally there are always photo opportunities whenever you go on tour. Our tour guide was kind enough to stop whenever I yelled with glee! Who wouldn't want to have their picture taken by this ginormous LOVE sign right next to Lake Nicaragua.
Lake Nicaragua or Cocibolca or Granada (Spanish: Lago de Nicaragua, Lago Cocibolca, Mar Dulce, Gran Lago, Gran Lago Dulce, or Lago de Granada) is a freshwater lake in Nicaragua. You probably already know this, it is full of bullsharks!
Did you also know there are crocodiles in there too! Yep.
Now, obviously we weren't getting in the water. That wasn't our plan. Our guide assured us that the spot we were at wasn't dangerous. Crocodiles or bullsharks aside, we had to move on with our tour.
Orange Spanish tiles give the pop of color against the vibrant blue skies dotted with fluffy white clouds. I know, I know....sounds so hokey, but man, this is true. How else can I describe it?
Look at my first born taking the steep stairs down from the bell tower! He was smiling all the way up and down! This should give you an idea of what climbing up and down the stairs meant for Enzo.
If you are claustrophobic don't worry, the dark spaces are few and far between. Light shines through open air windows.
Passing by so many buildings, we stopped to take photos. It all took time. Enzo didn't want to get in and out of the carriage so we have to make do. Yes, think "outside of the box." Scott and I tag team. Once person goes with Eli, then we swap. It's the way we live. It's our normal.
Gusty winds made for a refreshing day of touring. 
Bate Bate, Chocolate. I think Eli's favorite part was the chocolate factory where you are encouraged to dance while making chocolate. Warning, he'll have you convinced you need to try 100% chocolate. DO NOT DO IT. 😂
Not a bad day in Granada! We enjoyed it and highly recommend it!
The churches are a must see in Granada. The main ones are the churches of Xalteva, La Merced, San Francisco, Guadalupe and the Chapel of Maria Auxiliadora. Each of them majestically stood the test of time (think wars, revolutions, earthquakes and fires).
I am so blown away by the architectural designs of each of these churches. The intricacies, the details down to the knobs on the doors demonstrated the passion of the designer of the churches. Something that is lacking in a lot of modern day buildings, IMHO.
We were able to walk into the Iglesia La Merced built around 1534. Iglesia Merced church has a spiral staircase to the bell tower for some breathtaking panoramic views of Granada. Just pay a small fee to the "guard" too busy to look up to say hi because he is on his phone...ha ha ha and climb up the stairs.
Eli counted the steps. I can't remember if it was 72 steps or what. Whatever it was, it kept Eli busy while we encouraged Enzo to climb the stairs on his own. Enzo was uncertain but determined to show us he could handle the stairs. This kid can do anything!
Heck, I can remember the days where we avoided stairs at all cost. Enzo did not like them. He would ask us to carry him down or even up the stairs. He wanted nothing to do with them. As he grew Enzo learned balance and stairs but he was still doing the two steps per stair. Now he is alternating stairsteps.
But wait, this was a spiral staircase that only allowed room for one person at a time (gets awkward when other visitors are coming up or down and you're all hot and sweaty). Enzo still did it without any hesitation!
The final steps down.
Views towards Lake Nicaragua.
If you're wondering. No, we can't stay long in any one building we stop to enter. Besides the fact that Enzo doesn't want to hop on and off his transport, we had to be mindful of other guests who were paying their respects. If Enzo began to hear an echo inside, he'd begin with a soft giggle and then burst out something, a laugh, a yell, anything, just to hear it echo. Yikes!
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