Volcanoes: So Hot Right Now
Nicaragua is known as the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes, and so with good reason when our student group set out to make a comparative study of the country just north of Costa Rica's border, our first stop was the island of Ometepe: a land mass composed of two volcanoes on Lake Nicaragua.
It was truly one of the most incredible experiences. We arrived by ferry at the center of the town Moyolgalpa which had some decent shops and coffee bars. It was nice to cool off with an iced coffee in one of the seemingly hottest places on Earth. Once we piled our baggage and the students into several vans barely holding themselves together, we arrived at paradise: Charco Verde.
We were spoiled in a lavish hotel complete with queen sized beds and air conditioning, not to mention the delectable food served at every meal. From the restaurant was the view of the shore of Lake Nicaragua, a tranquil body of water and the stage for some of the most spectacular sunsets every night. At our disposal was a nature reserve, a lake shore with smooth waves for a refreshing swim, a 24/7 view of Volcan Concepcion, and a field filled with cows and goat-sheep. This was our home base for the next 4 days, and we loved every moment of it.
For the next 4 days we traveled around the island, always with the same bubbly taxi drivers, exploring the history and rural culture of Ometepe. We hiked Volcan Maderes, swam in a natural spring-fed water hole, discovered ancient and little-understood petroglyphs, interviewed tourists on waste management practices, and even met a cooperative who taught a class on up-cycled art.
With happy hearts full of energy from the short week in the wild island of Ometepe, we made our way across the lake once more to spend our last two nights in the historic town of Granada. Once there we piled into our gorgeous hotel complete with a vine-filled terrace around a pool the length of the courtyard.
For the next three days we traipsed around the rim of a dormant super-volcano at Masaya Volcano National Park, discovered the artisan's market in the city of Masaya, and explored the oldest city in the country: Granada.
Towards the end of one of our last days in the city, we climbed to the top of a bell tower in an old church that was once nearly burnt to the ground, where we were greeted with an incredible 360-view of the city. We stood as the breeze gently flew by, and took in the splendor that had laid before us over this past week.
It was truly one of the most incredible experiences. We arrived by ferry at the center of the town Moyolgalpa which had some decent shops and coffee bars. It was nice to cool off with an iced coffee in one of the seemingly hottest places on Earth. Once we piled our baggage and the students into several vans barely holding themselves together, we arrived at paradise: Charco Verde.
We were spoiled in a lavish hotel complete with queen sized beds and air conditioning, not to mention the delectable food served at every meal. From the restaurant was the view of the shore of Lake Nicaragua, a tranquil body of water and the stage for some of the most spectacular sunsets every night. At our disposal was a nature reserve, a lake shore with smooth waves for a refreshing swim, a 24/7 view of Volcan Concepcion, and a field filled with cows and goat-sheep. This was our home base for the next 4 days, and we loved every moment of it.
For the next 4 days we traveled around the island, always with the same bubbly taxi drivers, exploring the history and rural culture of Ometepe. We hiked Volcan Maderes, swam in a natural spring-fed water hole, discovered ancient and little-understood petroglyphs, interviewed tourists on waste management practices, and even met a cooperative who taught a class on up-cycled art.
With happy hearts full of energy from the short week in the wild island of Ometepe, we made our way across the lake once more to spend our last two nights in the historic town of Granada. Once there we piled into our gorgeous hotel complete with a vine-filled terrace around a pool the length of the courtyard.
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| La Posada del Sol Hostel Photo Cred: Peter Weddell |
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| Left- Me, Middle- Peter, Right- Travis Photo Cred: Peter Weddell |
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| The town of Granada as seen from the bell tower |
I know that I will be seeing you again soon, Nicaragua. Until next time, stay hot.
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