Exploding fireworks. Tolling bells. High volume music. Tooting car horns. Sound is omnipresent in Latin America; the vibrant soundtrack of every day life. But from the cozy sling of a hammock on the veranda of a private casita at Hacienda Puerta del Cielo Ecolodge & Spa, it felt as if Nicaragua had gone silent.
It was early December, mid-way through a three-month stay in the nearby Colonial city of Granada where the town had been rocking for days in boisterous preparation of the upcoming Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebration. At the Hacienda, however, perched atop a remote hillside with unimpeded views of tangled jungle, smoldering volcano and glistening lake, there wasn’t even a whiff of noise on the balmy breeze. As if to make the point, soundless butterflies the size of dessert plates fluttered about the resort gardens.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
After all the stress of planning and hosting the Thanksgiving meal, you may want to treat yourself to this Spa-Tacular Holiday Package from the Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle and Vida Spa.
The spa package includes:
- overnight accommodations in a Premier King room,
- $100 gift certificate from Vida Spa,
- choice of valet parking or breakfast for two
- Winter Essential Kit (retail value of $129) conveniently packed in a Lug travel bag (as featured in O magazine) filled with $100 spa gift card as well as wonderful all-natural goodies by Niche including Whipped Body Butter, Hydrating Face Serum, Hand, Foot & Heel Crème, and Nail Fuel.
Rates start at $269*, and are valid before January 31, 2010.
For reservations and additional information, visit www.panpacific.com/seattle or call 877-324-4856.
*Rates are based on availability and may fluctuate due to seasonal demand. Rates are also subject to prevailing government taxes as well as service charges, where applicable.
Source: Seattle Travelgram (http://www.seattletravelgram.com)
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".