Mombacho Volcano, Isletas and Granada
Today’s expedition started with the climbing of Mombacho volcano where we visited the Cocibolca Cloud Forest. To get there we had to get on special military vehicles which were the only ones capable of climbing the steep slope of the volcano: they took us from approximately sea level to 3,600 feet. The change in the vegetation and the climate were amazing. The cloud forest is a fascinating habitat unlike anything we had seen so far in our trip. Due to the altitude this forest is always covered by clouds which gives its trees enough water to sustain an evergreen vegetation. But altitude can also have negative effects of plants since the cold winds may damage leaves and flowers. It is for this reason that plants and trees have adapted to these challenges. Trees allow mosses, ferns, parasites and epiphytes to grow on their trunks and in exchange they are protected by their guests from the cold and are able to hold humidity, what a marvelous adaptation process.
After hiking through the trails of Cocibolca we were ready for lunch and this was served back in the lowlands, to be more specific, in one of the many islands which occupy lake Nicaragua, in the private home of the Estrada family where we enjoyed the famous Nicaraguan hospitality.
Due to its vast extension the Spanish explorers of the 16th century referred to Lake Nicaragua as “El Mar Dulce” (the Fresh Water Sea). This body of water covers approximately 8,264 square kilometers and contains some 430 volcanic islands. It is not surprising that humans would find the lands around such an abundant source of fresh water as an ideal place for their settlements. In 1524 conquistador Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba founded the city of Granada which in time became the commercial center and one of the most splendid cities of Central America. Granada had two advantages: it was far enough from the ocean from where pirates could attack it and yet had access to the only waterway in Central America to the Atlantic Ocean via the San Juan River. Throughout its history both nature and human actions have brought destruction to Granada, yet the city has survived up to our days and now it stands as a symbol of Nicaraguan courage and perseverance.
Today’s expedition started with the climbing of Mombacho volcano where we visited the Cocibolca Cloud Forest. To get there we had to get on special military vehicles which were the only ones capable of climbing the steep slope of the volcano: they took us from approximately sea level to 3,600 feet. The change in the vegetation and the climate were amazing. The cloud forest is a fascinating habitat unlike anything we had seen so far in our trip. Due to the altitude this forest is always covered by clouds which gives its trees enough water to sustain an evergreen vegetation. But altitude can also have negative effects of plants since the cold winds may damage leaves and flowers. It is for this reason that plants and trees have adapted to these challenges. Trees allow mosses, ferns, parasites and epiphytes to grow on their trunks and in exchange they are protected by their guests from the cold and are able to hold humidity, what a marvelous adaptation process.
After hiking through the trails of Cocibolca we were ready for lunch and this was served back in the lowlands, to be more specific, in one of the many islands which occupy lake Nicaragua, in the private home of the Estrada family where we enjoyed the famous Nicaraguan hospitality.
Due to its vast extension the Spanish explorers of the 16th century referred to Lake Nicaragua as “El Mar Dulce” (the Fresh Water Sea). This body of water covers approximately 8,264 square kilometers and contains some 430 volcanic islands. It is not surprising that humans would find the lands around such an abundant source of fresh water as an ideal place for their settlements. In 1524 conquistador Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba founded the city of Granada which in time became the commercial center and one of the most splendid cities of Central America. Granada had two advantages: it was far enough from the ocean from where pirates could attack it and yet had access to the only waterway in Central America to the Atlantic Ocean via the San Juan River. Throughout its history both nature and human actions have brought destruction to Granada, yet the city has survived up to our days and now it stands as a symbol of Nicaraguan courage and perseverance.
