Rivas, Granada, Volcan Masaya and La Flor Nature Reserve, Nicaragua
What an absolutely incredible day we experienced today. In the space of twelve hours we were transported across the ages, from present day discoveries, to Spanish Colonial times, to geological phenomena and even a primeval “arribada.”
First was a journey through Rivas on “pepanos” a form of bicycle taxi, developed only recently by a Rivas resident known as “Pepano.” It was great fun to explore this bustling modern day town, at bicycle speed, to wander through a local market and to enjoy some ice creams served by some local vendors. We then headed to Granada, one of the oldest Colonial cities in the America’s, established in 15XX, it still has many fine colonial style homes with the lush interior courtyards enticing looks in through the arched doorways. We wandered through an old Convent now a fine museum, through the main square and to a delicious Nicaraguan lunch known as “Caballo ballo.”
Our next stop was to drive to the lip of the Masaya Volcano, still actively spewing forth sulfurous gases and the occasional shower of rocks and debris - surprisingly Pacific parakeets nest inside the walls of the crater, and we were fortunate enough to see several pairs. We then visited the Masaya Handicrafts Market and were able to pick up some fine pieces of artwork, hammocks, pottery and other goods, in a delightfully restored former fruit and vegetable market.
Our day ended with witness to an age-old phenomena, found in only a handful of places on earth, and only during very short time windows. We were extremely fortunate our visit to the La Flor wildlife refuge coincided with an “arribada” of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles. Once or twice a year, on specific nights, when the moon and tide are just right female Olive Ridley Sea Turtles come ashore in an “arribada,” with literally thousands of turtles crawling ashore to excavate their nests, lay their eggs and re-cover them. Driven by ancient instincts, the turtles bump into one another, hauling their heavy bodies up the beach to above the high tide line. What a scene.
The whole day today was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of us.
What an absolutely incredible day we experienced today. In the space of twelve hours we were transported across the ages, from present day discoveries, to Spanish Colonial times, to geological phenomena and even a primeval “arribada.”
First was a journey through Rivas on “pepanos” a form of bicycle taxi, developed only recently by a Rivas resident known as “Pepano.” It was great fun to explore this bustling modern day town, at bicycle speed, to wander through a local market and to enjoy some ice creams served by some local vendors. We then headed to Granada, one of the oldest Colonial cities in the America’s, established in 15XX, it still has many fine colonial style homes with the lush interior courtyards enticing looks in through the arched doorways. We wandered through an old Convent now a fine museum, through the main square and to a delicious Nicaraguan lunch known as “Caballo ballo.”
Our next stop was to drive to the lip of the Masaya Volcano, still actively spewing forth sulfurous gases and the occasional shower of rocks and debris - surprisingly Pacific parakeets nest inside the walls of the crater, and we were fortunate enough to see several pairs. We then visited the Masaya Handicrafts Market and were able to pick up some fine pieces of artwork, hammocks, pottery and other goods, in a delightfully restored former fruit and vegetable market.
Our day ended with witness to an age-old phenomena, found in only a handful of places on earth, and only during very short time windows. We were extremely fortunate our visit to the La Flor wildlife refuge coincided with an “arribada” of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles. Once or twice a year, on specific nights, when the moon and tide are just right female Olive Ridley Sea Turtles come ashore in an “arribada,” with literally thousands of turtles crawling ashore to excavate their nests, lay their eggs and re-cover them. Driven by ancient instincts, the turtles bump into one another, hauling their heavy bodies up the beach to above the high tide line. What a scene.
The whole day today was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of us.
