I returned to Magnific Rock one week later. I had been robbed of my trade tools upon my return to El Gigante but not of my life, my memories, my ideas, or my excitement and desire to make more images. An angel loaned me a camera and I set about recapturing and reframing. It was a rewarding exercise. I knew the value in spending time with a subject in many different types of light and now found another benefit. A memory mapping of viewpoints and compositions.
There are two kinds of sculptures here at Magnific Rock, both of them natural. The second set of sculptures can be found up on the cliff inside the restaurant. Nightly artful creations come out of the kitchen. The dinner menu includes three selections; a fish, a meat, and a vegetarian option. The head chef, Scott, is the visionary and the sous chef, Craig, a culinary artist, seek out the freshest ingredients, from lobster caught on the beach below to lemongrass grown in their herb garden. The surfer sized portions come ringed with pumpkin salsas, buerre blanc sauces, vegetables in birds nests, or displayed on sushi nori. The food is undeniably world fusion with a taste of something familiar for everyone. Fanciful gourmet comfort food, creative, uninhibited, combined styles for a unique experience. I am still dreaming about the isreali cous cous in a basil pesto sauce topped with oven roasted vine tomatoes, eggplant, spinach, zucchini, feta, and green olives. Fresh, flavorful, and inventive.
The restaurant is a classic old lodge building built of wood with a 270 degree view of the rock, the horizon ahead, stretches of beach North and South leading to the popular surf breaks (Popoyo and Santana’s). Wide open windows, breezes flowing and swirling, sounds of the wind and the surf mixing with itunes selections, colorful hammocks heavy with bodies swinging…various limbs peeking out….white fluffy cloud shapes moving and shifting, sunsets and moon risings, the vibe here is magnetic and magnific.
To date, this place, has been the highlight of my time in Nicaragua. Come for a week of surfing and replenishing healthy food. Or come for photo opportunities and long walks on the beaches. And be sure to stay for the sunset.