Our Man in Granada

I'm still here, honest

My apologies for disappearing and somewhat dropping the ball on the Great Turtle Race (which even more embarrassingly my turtle won).  I will do a final round up.

In short, things got busy, I've briefly lost internet and my blogging time is limited. 

Normal services will soon be resumed. In the meantime, enjoy the movie which updates current progress at CafeChavalos.  Please watch, post, share, digg, and spread the word (and visuals).

We need the money.

In honour of the raindrops

Ahhh the rain. It came.

It's been stifling hot the last few days and the storm had been brewing but it took it's time.

As it starts to slow outside, everywhere is just a little cooler.  That smell is intoxicating too - the aroma of rain on long dry tarmac, dust and dirt.  Nothing smells better than rain.

Hope you like the film.  They're even riding in the Nica-style.  Two to a bike.

This song also has one more significance.  Me, the girl who would become my girl, lots of tequila and us sharing her bike back from the pub.  And me singing this song.

She arrives tomorrow.  All is good.

Croc of ....

These are as popular here with backpackers and assorted gringos as they were in Asia.

Is it just me or are Crocs the ugliest fashion item ever?

Okay - they look just about passable with a pair of jeans.

But on the feet of some lardy gringo in tiny shorts?  Has anything looked more ridiculous?

Be free people.  Speak out against fashion crimes.  Crocs really are horrible.

Aren't they?

Hot Nicaraguans and a Red Faced Gringo

I think last night was the hottest evening since I arrived.

Mosly it cools down to a point where it's okay to pull on some long trousers and stroll out into the breeze.

Last night though, there was no breeze.

Concern mounts over Drexelina and Sundae

The Great Turtle Race continues - expect a full update soon but it's pretty much as you were.

Unfortunately that includes Drexelina and Sundae who continue to do..well..nothing.

I'm concerned.

So much so that for a millisecond back there I considered heading for the border and crossing over to Costa Rica to find them and push them off in the right direction - go little ones, swim - tasty sea grass awaits in the Galapagos.

Luckily however, absolute laziness intervened and instead I have resorted to emailing the race press office.

It's a long shot but I'll let you know if they tell me anything.

They should be Huge in Asia and everywhere

Way way way off topic again but...

Firstly I don't get the whole Lost Girls blog thing. So much so that I actually almost didn't link them but.. well that would have been too petty. But to me it's traveling for the Sex in the City generation. 

Like people who tell you a place is great because it has "fantastic shopping".  Traveling to me is getting away from consumerism, not seeking it out.

So, moving on before I upset anyone even more and add to a growing reputation as a grump,  check out the guys of Huge in Asia.

The fact that this phenomenal vlog (is that the correct term?) remains so low-profile is a mystery to me.

When I first heard of it I really expected to hate it.  I thought it'd be all MTV haircuts and people saying "wicked" while laughing at the locals. 

I also was prepared to go to comment war with them - I anticipated their disrespect of my beloved Vietnam.

Not so.  There is a type of person that flourishes in Vietnam and you can tell these guys have the attitude you need.  They are also genuinely very very funny.

Hanoi Hustle is a work of genius and is already up there with my most-listened-to tracks on my Ipod.

Other favourite films of their's include: Mountain Wisdom, No Walk in the Park and the truly hilarious Chuc Mung Nam Moi.  Meanwhile their words are here.

If only they knew how to market themselves as well as they entertain they'd be superstars by now.

Somebody give Nate and Kai a travel show.

Nicaraguan Organic Chocolate

You might remember (link here) that, before I even arrived on these shores, I had discovered El Castillo Del Cacao.

With it being based in Matagalpa, I had given up on trying their organic chocolate until I found the time to take a trip over there.

However, it turned up today, here in Granada at Mavericks - a book shop and cafe. At 40 Cs, a little over $2, I bought a bar - then struggled for 10 minutes with the robust wrapper.  Embarrassingly, scissors were eventually produced.

Stephen Colbert on soup and Stephanie Colburtle

Nice mention for Nicaragua and turtle soup.

Great Turtle Race update: Still no movement for the worryingly inert Drexelina and Sundae while Windy, cheered on here by YGYHF, opens up a 30 mile lead.

She's got to stop for a jellyfish snack soon, right?

Worried for Drexelina and Sundae

As Windy backed by YGYHF absolutely flies into the lead - 20 miles ahead of his nearest competitor, the LFD-backed Stephanie Colburtle, it's still the two slowest turtles that remain the biggest talking point.

Further Reading

Two links for you but only one post:

I wrote this for Travel Happy.  One of the lengthier piece I have written in a while.  It basically outlines my transition from Vietnam to Nicaragua and draws parallels between the two countries.

I'd obviously like to hope that it's not as dull as I just made it sound. Go read it...it's really not that long.

Anyway, thanks to Blogburst, it has also cropped up in SFGate which appears to be the online sister of the San Francisco Chronicle.  Article here.

Sounds exciting, huh?

Well..

According to Technorati - SFGate has 116,121 links (actually make that 3 more now).

But I've had maybe two visitors from there all afternoon.  I'm afraid there's little more than tumbleweed blowing through here this evening.

Hmmmmm......

Whistles

Drums fingers

Checks watch

Coughs.

I'll just check my stats one more time before dinner.