Mombacho and Masaya Vocanoes, Masaya Market, Nicaragua
Continuation from yesterday’s Daily Expedition Report: Last night some of us returned late from having visited La Flor, an Olive Ridley marine turtle nesting beach. Although no adult females were coming up, we were surprised and delighted to see hatchlings! Each of us chose an individual and quietly accompanied it down the sand into the water, impressed that such a small creature had that much energy and determination.
Our second day in Nicaragua was a day of volcanoes, active and inactive. After arrival at the base of the volcano, we transferred to a specialized motor vehicle belonging to the Cocibolca Foundation to explore Mombacho Volcano first. This is not an active volcano and is well covered in cloud forest, protected as a nature preserve of about 700 hectares. Powerful ex-army trucks, the only ones capable to deal with the climb, are among the few vehicles that can drive to upper elevations.
Once on top, we experienced one of the richest ecosystems in the world, where there is an amazing number of epiphytes living on top of the trees. Thanks to the humidity of the forest, the treetops become one of the highest places in biodiversity in this tropical rain forest, and where air plants impressively cover the trees.
After our walks, we descended into the lowlands once more and drove to a nearby local restaurant where we had lunch and were soon ready for our second volcano (which was quite different). This one wasn’t covered by much of what you would call forest, and it is considered one of the active volcanoes of Nicaragua, easily confirmed by the smell of sulfur coming out of the crater from the fumaroles, and the old lava flow surrounding the place. With little growing on it, Pacific parakeets were nesting on the inside walls (heard, but seen with difficulty).
On our way back to the ship after these two volcanoes of different developmental stages, we paid a little visit to the Masaya craft market to look for souvenirs, take pictures, and experience some of the local life. The Spaniards established this market in 1548 and it is still in use nowadays.
On our way back to the ship, we had twin rainbows over Concepión Volcano, one of the two volcanoes on Ometepe Island in Lake Nicaragua, and a beautiful sunset to end our second day in this country.
Continuation from yesterday’s Daily Expedition Report: Last night some of us returned late from having visited La Flor, an Olive Ridley marine turtle nesting beach. Although no adult females were coming up, we were surprised and delighted to see hatchlings! Each of us chose an individual and quietly accompanied it down the sand into the water, impressed that such a small creature had that much energy and determination.
Our second day in Nicaragua was a day of volcanoes, active and inactive. After arrival at the base of the volcano, we transferred to a specialized motor vehicle belonging to the Cocibolca Foundation to explore Mombacho Volcano first. This is not an active volcano and is well covered in cloud forest, protected as a nature preserve of about 700 hectares. Powerful ex-army trucks, the only ones capable to deal with the climb, are among the few vehicles that can drive to upper elevations.
Once on top, we experienced one of the richest ecosystems in the world, where there is an amazing number of epiphytes living on top of the trees. Thanks to the humidity of the forest, the treetops become one of the highest places in biodiversity in this tropical rain forest, and where air plants impressively cover the trees.
After our walks, we descended into the lowlands once more and drove to a nearby local restaurant where we had lunch and were soon ready for our second volcano (which was quite different). This one wasn’t covered by much of what you would call forest, and it is considered one of the active volcanoes of Nicaragua, easily confirmed by the smell of sulfur coming out of the crater from the fumaroles, and the old lava flow surrounding the place. With little growing on it, Pacific parakeets were nesting on the inside walls (heard, but seen with difficulty).
On our way back to the ship after these two volcanoes of different developmental stages, we paid a little visit to the Masaya craft market to look for souvenirs, take pictures, and experience some of the local life. The Spaniards established this market in 1548 and it is still in use nowadays.
On our way back to the ship, we had twin rainbows over Concepión Volcano, one of the two volcanoes on Ometepe Island in Lake Nicaragua, and a beautiful sunset to end our second day in this country.
