Mombacho and Masaya Volcanoes, Masaya Market, Nicaragua
Our morning found us tied to a buoy just outside the port of San Juan del Sur, in the southwest coast of Nicaragua. In recent years this little town on a big bay has become a popular escapade both for Nicaraguans and foreigners avoiding the larger built-up beaches further south. We disembarked early today to begin our voyage en route for two entirely different volcanoes.
We reached the entrance to the park and met with the trucks that would help us conquer the almost 45˚ angle and 5.5km long climb to the top of the Mombacho Volcano. Just 10km outside of Granada, on this volcano is one of the two cloud forests found in Nicaragua’s Pacific lowlands. For those (that would be us) wanting to see a pristine forest, this area is perfect. We had the chance to take two different hikes. Those of us who wanted a more strenuous hike took the walk around a crater; the summit has five craters in all. Those of us wanting a shorter walk took the trail leading to a phenomenal “tunnel” between two tall rocks, cut partly by nature and partly by man, which allows access to the water from a spring down below. One of the groups coming up that way were surprised by the sighting of a couple mantled howler monkeys! We later took our trusty trucks down the same steep hill, met our bus and headed for our lunch stop.
Caballo Ballo is the name of the most typical Nicaraguan dish which consists of hand made tortillas, beans, cheeses, meats of all sorts, salad, green plantain chips, avocado, several spicy sauces, sour cream, and yet some more. After most of us had eaten more than any human being should, we headed to our second volcano of the day: the very active Masaya Volcano. As one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas and reported to be one of only four volcanoes in the world that maintain a constant pool of lava in its open crater, the “mouth into hell” – as the natives used to call it – greeted us with rain and clouds, a rugged landscape, delicate plant life, and an impressive view of the great lake valley. This is without a doubt one of the most accessible volcanoes in the world!
The day still had more to offer: the Masaya Marketplace! Even under the pouring rain many of us had never seen before, we were game for shopping. Anything from cowboy hats, to colorful dresses, candle holders, and hand made rope, we wandered the market to and fro.
But the day had still one more surprise in store for us, a third volcano. The Concepción volcano, one of the twins of the Ometepe Island inside the Nicaragua lake, led us home to our faithful ship. Once back on board, Julio presented Part II of his lecture on Central American History.
How many people can say that they saw three volcanoes in less than eight hours! What a great day!
Our morning found us tied to a buoy just outside the port of San Juan del Sur, in the southwest coast of Nicaragua. In recent years this little town on a big bay has become a popular escapade both for Nicaraguans and foreigners avoiding the larger built-up beaches further south. We disembarked early today to begin our voyage en route for two entirely different volcanoes.
We reached the entrance to the park and met with the trucks that would help us conquer the almost 45˚ angle and 5.5km long climb to the top of the Mombacho Volcano. Just 10km outside of Granada, on this volcano is one of the two cloud forests found in Nicaragua’s Pacific lowlands. For those (that would be us) wanting to see a pristine forest, this area is perfect. We had the chance to take two different hikes. Those of us who wanted a more strenuous hike took the walk around a crater; the summit has five craters in all. Those of us wanting a shorter walk took the trail leading to a phenomenal “tunnel” between two tall rocks, cut partly by nature and partly by man, which allows access to the water from a spring down below. One of the groups coming up that way were surprised by the sighting of a couple mantled howler monkeys! We later took our trusty trucks down the same steep hill, met our bus and headed for our lunch stop.
Caballo Ballo is the name of the most typical Nicaraguan dish which consists of hand made tortillas, beans, cheeses, meats of all sorts, salad, green plantain chips, avocado, several spicy sauces, sour cream, and yet some more. After most of us had eaten more than any human being should, we headed to our second volcano of the day: the very active Masaya Volcano. As one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas and reported to be one of only four volcanoes in the world that maintain a constant pool of lava in its open crater, the “mouth into hell” – as the natives used to call it – greeted us with rain and clouds, a rugged landscape, delicate plant life, and an impressive view of the great lake valley. This is without a doubt one of the most accessible volcanoes in the world!
The day still had more to offer: the Masaya Marketplace! Even under the pouring rain many of us had never seen before, we were game for shopping. Anything from cowboy hats, to colorful dresses, candle holders, and hand made rope, we wandered the market to and fro.
But the day had still one more surprise in store for us, a third volcano. The Concepción volcano, one of the twins of the Ometepe Island inside the Nicaragua lake, led us home to our faithful ship. Once back on board, Julio presented Part II of his lecture on Central American History.
How many people can say that they saw three volcanoes in less than eight hours! What a great day!
