Nicaragua
Tropical Depression Number 24
Feb 8th
Tropical Depression Number 24 is growing in the Caribbean with winds over 33 miles per hour and looks as if it will soon break the threshold to become a Tropical Storm. Normally Tropical Storms in October are not all that uncommon in the Tropics, but there is significance in this Tropical Depression Number 24; when it becomes a Tropical Storm. This Tropical Storm will tie the 2005 Hurricane Season with the all time high as the most number of named storms in the history of the recording storms.
Tropical Depression Number 24 is growing and it is already 60 miles wide and could move in any direction. It will deliver more rain to Kingston, Jamaica. Nicaragua and Honduras will also get rain. When Tropical Depression 24, makes Tropical Storm Status, she will be named Wilma and if she moves North, becomes a Hurricane she might wipe out your offshore bank accounts in the Grand Cayman Islands. If Wilma goes West or North West she will further flood already flooded regions of Central America and that could spell even more problems to the area, just barely done burying the dead from the remnants and flooding from Hurricane Stan. This Hurricane season has hit Central America hard and has killed about the same number of people there that Hurricane Katrina did in the United States
Tropical Depression Number 24 looks as if she will become Wilma and although it is too early to tell, Welma could grow up to a full-fledged Hurricane and if she gets into the warm Gulf Waters, God help us all. Think on this.
Isla De Ometepe
Feb 7th
Rising from the “sweet waters” of Lake Nicaragua, Isla de Ometepe is the largest freshwater lake island on the planet. Essentially two volcanic islands connected by a slender piece of land, the 171-mile Ometepe is one of the most bio-diverse places in the world. The tropical island has two wonderful volcanoes rising from the blue waters; the dormant Maderas and the active Concepcion, for which the volcanic ash has made the soil extremely fertile. The undulating landscape is green and lush, with an amazing range of species and habitats. This beautiful, unspoiled and remote, which can make this a challenge to reach, but once there it will prove to have been well worth it. Ometepe is being developed as an ecotourism hot spot, with jungle canopy tours, beautiful beaches, adventure hikes up volcanic slopes and stays on organic plantations and farms. You may have to rough-it a bit as development is in it’s infancy.
Due to Ometepe’s tourist infrastructure is rudimentary, you will find the roads here are potholed, bumpy, dusty and rough. So if you wish to get around on your own, you will need a 4WD or a motorcycle. A mountain bike or motorcycle are a good way to see the sites and rentals are available through your hotel. The hotel or inn also can arrange most tours and activities for you as well. The hotel can also arrange for a car and driver to show you around. If you choose, the island does have a bus system, which is inexpensive, but said to be quite slow.
For the adventurer, if you are planning to hike up the volcanoes, especially Concepcion, it would be highly recommended that you hire a guide. To hike up Concepcion is very strenuous and the trails very steep and approximately several hours long. But along the way, you will scenic views, banana and coffee farms and a tropical forest. The hike up Maderas, make certain that you bring along a good pair of hiking boots. Although this hike is not as long as the one for Concepcion, this hike will take you through forested terrain, which leads you to the volcano’s crater lake. After giving in to your adventurous side, some have been know to spend a few days on the beautiful black sand beach at Playa San Domingo, the most resorty place on the island.
For those who have a taste for the wildlife that inhabits this island, the forest of this island is the home of the mantled howler monkeys and the white Capuchin monkeys, the yellow neck parrot, the Mexican anteater and the Northern naked tailed armadillo.
So if you enjoy a challenge and don’t mind getting a little dirty or sweaty, this is the island for you. Come take a break on the Sweetwater Island of Nicaragua.
