Karen's Island

So, the blog stopped abruptly as it was going so well and I didn’t have much to say. Ha, silly me. It then didn’t continue as everything started falling apart (bit dramatic, but still…) This is my second trip since my creative juices stopped flowing. In a nutshell, I decided to put spa island on hold due to cost implications (Don’t get me wrong, I would love to do it, I just need to reign things in a bit).  I then tried to renegotiate on the mainland as a 10 year contract just isn’t enough. Edgar gave me 15 year proposal, which quite frankly is inconceivable – the costs would render the project impossible. So, I have to look at other possibilities. This now holds up applying to the environmental agency for permissions, and a host of other stuff – aarrggh. It was going too well!

Couple all of this with the global economy falling apart and you can imagine what a “fun time” I’ve been having. Time in the UK has been rounds of bank managers, trying to persuade them to release MY equity (bloody hell, it belongs to me – why can’t I have it) in arduous deals that involves pulling apart my life and businesses. It’s been dull and frustrating. Hopefully when I get back this time, I’ll have some deals in place – thanks to Gordon Brown nationalising a couple of banks, they may start lending again.

Anyway, I have a busy few days ahead – Hans is arriving tomorrow and we have stacks to get through (if we can dodge the rain and mosis). Watch this space…

Structures!  

Arrive at home number 2 to find that my clothes are gathering mould due to the humidity here – now that’s humid!

First day back and over to the island to see the progress and fantastically, there is progress. Mind you, I did get warned that the start of projects was always the calm before the finishing storm. Still, I’m happy. Life settles into it’s Nicaraguan way . Up at 6 to work with the UK, possibly the gym, then site visits, tedious trips to Managua, meetings and paperwork interspersed with meeting friends and work colleagues, eating and drinking. I could get used to it here! It’s strange leading a double life but I have to admit to rather enjoying it!

This passes in an exhausting blur of meetings, stag night, wedding, parties (it appears it’s everyone’s birthday this month), race days, meetings, running around like a crazed crazy thing, more meetings and then, suddenly I find myself back at terminal 5 and Nicaragua bound again.

Aerial view of the Isletas  

The Cenote                   

Francois picked me up and took me to his place in Managua where we pored over kitchen equipment and he negotiated his way to the best deals. After this, a meeting with Matthew and then dinner with the boys. and drinks and more drinks. You knew it was going wrong when all the remaining half empty bottles were put out on the kitchen table!! Still, I coped and didn’t feel too terrible, unlike some, the next day to get onto my flight.

First off was a visit with Evan to the owner of the land across the lake from my island, at the foot of Mombacho volcano. My, it’s beautiful. We took a long walk in unspoilt rainforrest looking at ancient petroglyphs and strange clearings (imagining witch’s covens), past 4 troups of howler monkeys, tiger eagles, contless butterflies and other birds. It was truly spectacular and would make a fabulous half day trip for the guests. I was also really pleased with myself at being able to understand a good part of the commentry in Spanish (it was spoken slowly and I had to concentrate really hard!)

Next, a trip to San Juan Del Sur (feeling not great having been clubbing with Jen the night before) to meet up with Glen and Sunshine and talk spa budgets. They have a house also designed by Matthew in the most beautiful peaceful place, close to secluded and surfing beaches. So, we talked figures (looking , well not brilliant but not bad at all, certainly good enough to go ahead – phew!), went to the beach, ate and slept!

So, off we go to the bank. I’ve given them 2 personal references from people here (one is from one of the bosses in the bank – Edgar who owns the”spa island”), one reference from my UK bank, 2 bank statements, proof of ownership of the island, a legal document from my lawyer (once altered to their liking), a copy of my passport, copies of the Mathew’s passport and residency and now, the final piece of the jigsaw – the RUC (along with the copy of the POA for my accountant and his resident’s card)……Don’t hold your breath…..now I need 2 references from suppliers of the company. Hang on a minute, how can I have suppliers if I don’t have a bank account? At this point I was ready to scream. Oh wait a minute, if I want Ben as a signatory, I also need a letter, in Spanish from myself with his details authorising it. OK then. So, off I trot to Managua to get all the relevant paperwork from Matthew and Omar the lawyer. The journey back is in a mini mini-bus, standing bent over double. aarrggghhhhhh.

Lilly’s (my landlady) martinis were oh so very welcome at this point. Drinks were with Chiles and Nacho (apologies for what is probably the absolute wrong spelling) as well as Lilly and Kathy and later joined by Jen (the other tenant here). Chiles and Nacho are also building a hotel but on Omatepe, so we swapped stories and problems.

Later, myself Jen and Kathy went to the infamous karaoke night (and still din’t sing).

The following morning I handed over the paperwork to the accountant to present to the bank.

Hahahaha. How could I be so stupid, now the need a “matriculation” or something of the sort that will cost me another few hundred bucks and to get this, we need copies of all the permissions from the planning department. Oh yes, and also, copies of Ben’s passport and residency. aaarrrgghhhhh. We arrange to reconvene at 3pm.

Sitting in the bank and now being told that the legal department had to check on the papers checked by the bank manager before an account could be opened which would take another 3 days prompted me to 1) nearly throttle the manager, 2) take all the paperwork with me to another bank that wasn’t so rule book orientated. Oh yes, and now we needed 2 references for Ben too. aaarrrrggghhhh.

Saturday rolls along and guess what, the legal department need something else from the lawyer. How about some blood. Don’t forget, I want to give them money, not get a loan. However, allegedly, if Ben and I turn up on Monday, we will be able to open it .hahahaha. I’ll believe that when I see it. I started this process about 2 months ago…..

A call from my lawyer causes me to have a significant hissy fit. Despite him telling me that he was absolutely sure and had double checked at the relevant office, we still didn’t have the correct power of attorney to get the “RUC” This was meant to be done 4 weeks ago, the same problem they had today they had then. It should have been sorted whilst I was away. aaarrrgghhh. Anyway, it transpires that he can do a different POA there and then for the accountant and get it all done. Why didn’t he say that in the first place??

Anyway, the first people to arrive were Matthew and Cesia to go over developments, changes, time lines etc. Then off to the bank to take out yet more money to pay someone something. I feel like I’m putting my hand into my pockets constantly. Oh for a bank account!

Then come Francois, Glen and Sunshine (spa man and his yogi wife). I’d decided it would be nice to take the boat to the island rather than the bone rattling road. We met up with Ben and Chris (plants) at the dock.

We arrived at the island to find my brand new dock. I’d seen the pictures but it was overexciting to see it in real life!

With all the workers, I guess there must have been 30 of us on the island checking the progress and talking foliage.

Whilst on “Spa Island” Chris and Matthew go off on flights of fancy with what sounds like preposterous ideas. However, the outcome is to have a “living spa” with the walls of the rooms all being built out of plants and woven in and around the trees. I belive it would be the first of its kind anywhere. 

Francois turned up with kitchen equipment prices and I finally received a translation that meant we could progress at the bank. My accountant and my lawyer will go to Managua tomorrow to sort out the “RUC” – a registration required by the bank to proceed with my account.

I even managed 2 hours of Spanish classes today and later went out with Kathy, one of the women staying here and we had a lovely evening chatting and sipping mojitos.