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Testimonials |
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“I chose to study in Gigante because I believed there would be fewer foreigners and distractions from learning Spanish. This assumption proved correct as I quickly met the local community, many of whom were very supportive of my determination to learn their language. Escuela Bigfoot provided a customized, intensive Spanish immersion experience. My positive experience there has motivated me to continue learning Spanish.” -Rachel G., Escuela Bigfoot Spanish, Dec. 2008
“David and I are really enjoying our stay here...the food, lodging, people and waves have all been wonderful.” - Shannon V., September 2008
“Please tell everyone.....We want you to know from the bottom of our hearts that if it hadn't been for hotel brio the staff and volunteers, our trip would never have turned out as enjoyable as it did. We love the family style atmosphere and your place is as we describe it (a little piece of heaven on earth). Thanks for being part of our adventure in Nicaragua. We love you guys. Xoxo” - Shannon, Jenelle, and Bridget, surf August 2008
“Escuela Bigfoot was one of the best experiences of my life. One-on-one classes spoken only in Spanish helped me to learn a language I never thought I could grasp. Not only was my teacher a wonderfully patient person but she is now a life-long friend. I went to the local school and even had a cooking day to learn all the secrets of Nica's wonderful tacos and helados (ice-cream)!...Juan made our two months in Nicaragua unforgettable by being a guide, a teacher, and best of all, a friend. I went to Nicaragua to learn Spanish. I never imagined I would befriend so many amazing people! I recommend this school to everyone who is looking for a true immersion into a Spanish speaking culture. You don't just learn Spanish at Escuela Bigfoot, you become part of the culture, the town, and most importantly, the family of Hotel Brio.” – Rose N., Nov, 2007
“I'm back in the states now. The experience in Playa Gigante was unforgettable, living in Hotel Brio and attending Escuela Bigfoot's Spanish language program. Not only did we become very proficient in Spanish, we made lifelong friends with our teachers, Brio's staff, and members of the community…Juan is a good man and is a great asset to Brio. He really looked out for us when we were there…The two months was enough time to feel very connected to the community and enough time to feel very sad about leaving. I only wish I could have stayed longer and will definitely be returning. We had a blast at your place too [Casa Mono, “Maderas Monkey House”]. James was able to surf overhead waves at Maderas. We went from there to Costa Rica, rented a car and traveled all the way down to Mal Pais in two weeks. It was quite the adventure. Costa Rica was nice and all, but give me Nicaragua any day. I would love to come back to Nicaragua for a long length of time...I had the time of my life in Gigante. It was so hard to leave.” – Lindsey R., Dec. 2007
“It was a wonderful experience that I will forever remember...The classes were exceptional and I learned a great deal about the Nicaraguan people, culture and increased my Spanish speaking abilities with one on one instruction including daily written and verbal excersises and conversation. Aside from working, speaking and learning Spanish and hanging out with the locals in town I spent most of my time in the water surfing and fishing as well as bodysurfing and diving. The Nicaraguan experience in Gigante is one not to be missed, I'll be returning to relax with all the wonderful people that I have befriended at Hotel Brio as well as everyone else in Playa Pie de Gigante. Thanks again for everything Rob, I had an exceptional time there.” -Walter T., October 2007
“Que Paso Juan y Roberto este es Derek. el Capitan de cervezas. Hey is this a good email to send pics? I bought some [surfing pics] from Tony Roberts and I also have some I took of the WAHOO we caught AAAAYYYYYAAAaa. Tell Silvio and Flavio I say what up! Give me a reply when you can. I hope all is well in Nica.” -Derek R, August 2007
“Just wanted to send you a sincere thank you for introducing us all to Nicaragua…Everyone had a great time. It was great to hang with your boys too...they kept things entertaining… I imagine Zach will be surfing the big waves before you guys leave and make us all jealous. The hotel and transport on the way out was great and we all made it home safely.” - Stacy N., August 2007
“The beach was a wide horseshoe cove with good sized waves, but gentle. The ends of the horseshoe, holding the beach in, were formed by mountainous volcanic rock that jutted into the blue… The next beach/cove over to the north was much larger/ wider (probably a mile) and was a beginning surfers beach. The waves were much larger than at Gigante, but not terrible. The next beach up was like something out of a movie. The waves were breaking at about 8-10 feet and forming perfect tubes that peeled down the beach. A cool site to see in person… Jack fish and mackerel were plentiful with an occasional bonito. I used the two 400s as light tackle and we had a couple of good fights with some mackerel and a bonito… I hooked up with a nice yellow fin that came off the hook about 20feet under the boat, George brought in a small dolphin[fish] about an hour later, and then I had a good Wahoo on that probably went about 60lbs… All in all, we caught enough to feed 10 people every night for 5 out of the 7 nights we were there, plus a couple of lunches. This included one night of jack fish tacos!...” - Blayne M., August 2007, excerpted from blog on his fishing trip with Costa Nica tours.
“Rob, that was one of my best trips. I hope to come back soon. Thanks for everything.” - Chris M., surfing, June 2007
“I am not sure if I thanked you for all your help in June. Many thanks…Man, the students were really impressed by your place and the Gigante area. They loved the fishing and just being at your place.” - Matthew T., University Professor and student group leader, June & November, 2007
“Everything was fantastic...Juan was fantastic - he very patiently helped me with my Spanish, and every morning we had breakfast together and had great conversations about Nicaragua, the US, politics, our families, everything. I really feel like I made a good friend there. The breakfasts were tasty, and much more than I really needed to eat (but of course I ate it all). Jaime and Silvio were great, too. They made me feel right at home. The new boat is very nice, but I think I liked the funkiness of the old panga better. Of course, that's just me :-) But I know future guests will enjoy the boat as much as I did, whether for fishing or surfing. Basically, there was nothing about my trip to Nicaragua that I didn't like. And I am so happy I stayed at Hotel Brio and not one of the surf camps, as I had originally hoped...Thank you, and Juan, for helping me have a great vacation. It turned out to be exactly what I wanted - good surf, a mellow atmosphere, and really, really great people. I've already told several friends that if they are going to go to Nicaragua, they have to stay at the Hotel Brio.” - Scott J., May 2007
“Juan and Maria were both super and very nice...I have recommended the Brio to a few folks already.” - Tim G., April 2007
“Boy what an interesting place!! Hotel Brio was great, Juan & Maria are both fantastic!...Jaime is a great kid, really fun to hang out with. Hope that you keep getting customers who want him as a guide…Surfing was a blast, three outstanding days at first, some of the best waves I've ever surfed…Overall everything was great. Thanks again for all your time & input as we planned this trip.” - Tom E., April 2007
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Students Conquering Gigante Hill! |
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“Rob, The trip was great! Just had my last session at Amarillo with Mike. Waves were excellent the whole time. ...The crew you have down here is great! Here is a shot from wednesday at colorado. Broke my board on this wave. Well worth it though. -Morgan Faulkner, professional surfer, April 2009 |
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“AMAZING!...it was a GREAT trip...your crew was fantastic...THANKS! -Rick G. and Erin T., surfing, fishing, Spanish, April 2009 |
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Morgan |
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Erin & Rick |