Posts tagged Thick Forests
Bluefields and Bluefields Bay – Nicaragua
Feb 28th
Named after the Dutch pirate Henry Bluefeldt who hid out here in the early 1600s, Bluefields is located at the mouth of Rio Escondido where it joins the murky Bluefields Bay on Nicaragua’s eastern shore.
Bluefields is the capital of the South Atlantic Coast Autonomous Region and Zelaya dept; its population is about 42,000 people. Bluefields is the ideal point of departure to visit the Monkey point, El Rama, Corn Islands and many other interesting parks and nature reserves, an ideal destination for the nature lover.
The area around Bluefields was never occupied nor explored by the Spanish conquerors due to the thick forests back then present on the entire Atlantic Coast, forcing the Spanish to use the Pacific area to settle down.
The English did not colonize the area officially either. They did, however, ally with existing tribes and promoted the creation of the Mosuitia Worsens, which was subject to the British crown.
If you don’t want to fly to Bluefields or have enough time, you can go by bus to El Rama; you can get the bus in Managua at the Mayorero bus station. The bus can go no further because this is where the road ends and the marsh begins. From El Rama you must take a small boat that goes down the Escondido River to Bluefields. The complete trip takes about 6 hours by bus and another hour and a half by boat. Total cost is about $15 one way.
Bluefields is Nicaragua’s chief Caribbean port, from where hardwood and seafood, mostly shrimp and lobster, are exported. Bluefields was a rendezvous for English and Dutch buccaneers in the 16th and 17th century and became capital of the British protectorate over the Mosquito Coast in 1678.
During United States interventions (1912-15, 1926-33) in Nicaragua Marines were stationed there. In 1984, the United States mined the harbor (along with those of Corinto and Puerto Sandino). Bluefields was destroyed by Hurricane Joan in 1988 but was rebuilt. The population of Bluefields is mixed mestizo, Indian, and black.
Bluefields is indeed ethnically diverse. There is a wide cross-section of Afro-Caribbean, miskito, suma, garifuna and mestizos,
To reach Bluefields overland it is necessary to travel by road to the town of El Rama. From El Rama you go by launch down the Escondido River to Bluefields on the coast. Bluefields, Puerto Cabezas to the north and the Corn Islands, offshore in the Caribbean from Bluefields, can all be reached by air or by water. Two airlines fly the route from Managua.
Bluefields, and much of the Caribbean coast was hit by the 200-mile an hour winds of Hurricane Joan in October, 1998. Today, the architecture of Bluefields reflects its racial mixture and its colorful past… a mixture of British colonial, West Indian cottages and Louisiana-style plantations. Two of the most colorful carnivals in Nicaragua are in Bluefields.
Also known as the ¡Mayo Ya! Festival, Bluefield’s May Day celebration is unique in Central America, a mixture of the English May pole tradition and local music, folklore and dancing. In North America, this pagan-rooted party is about springtime, fertility, and the reawakening of the earth after a long winter. In Bluefields, May falls on the cusp of the rainy season, and the entire month is a bright burst of colors, parades, costumes, feasting, and, most importantly, dancing around the Maypole.
Every night is a party, and the festival comes to a rip-roaring peak at the end of the month. Look for it every evening May 1-31 (see the Palo de Mayo special topic). Fancy dress parades and all sorts of fun activities are on the program. The Fiesta of San Jerónimo is a similar festival held on September 30.
The image of the Saint is normally installed in the beautiful local church, La Iglesia de San Jeronimo. Ceremonies begin on September 20th with La Bajada de San Jeronimo when the image is removed from its permanent altar and placed on a pedestal that is beautifully decorated with flowers.
The most important of these processions takes place September 30th when nearly fifty thousand devotees from all over Nicaragua get toghether to take part in a mass led by the Archdiocese in San Jeronimo Church. Tourists are often taken aback to see hundreds of devotees rush towards the statue after the mass.
They pray before the image for a personal miracle or to thank the saint for an answered prayer. Eight days later, on October 7th, the image is once again carried out in a procession. This celebration la Octova de San Jero lasts twenty-four hours without interruption. The final festivity is on the first Sunday in December, with Las Tarimas.
National Parks Of Nicaragua – Teaming With Wildlife and Diversity
Jan 31st
Nicaragua possesses a system of Protected Areas that shelter a wide variety of ecosystems which include thousands of flora and fauna species.
There are about 12,000 known flora species besides another 5,000 not yet classified and there are more than 1,400 known animal species. This is a real biological treasure.
Nicaragua is divided into three eco-regions. These are the Pacific, Central and Atlantic.
The Pacific is mainly made up of volcanoes, lakes, low altitude dry tropical forests and fog forests in higher areas. It also includes the Pacific beach and mangrove systems.
The Central region includes mountain systems, thick forests and vegetation, lots of rivers, agricultural and cattle areas.
The Atlantic region prevails over the low altitude rainforest going down towards the Caribbean Sea where there are marine lagoons, mangrove systems and coral reefs.
In a country teaming with wildlife and diversity, there is little mystery as to why so many tourists are choosing to visit National Parks in Nicaragua instead of cities and beaches.
Nicaragua has about 78 nature reserves, parks and wildlife sanctuaries filled with amazing diversity.
Many of Nicaragua’s National Parks provide nearby lodging to limit wilderness camping and further damage to the environment.
However, with so many to choose from, it is often difficult to decide where to start. Here is a brief description of several National Parks and Wildlife sanctuaries in Nicaragua…
Indio-Mais Biological Preserve
This reserve features the largest and finest expanse of lowland rain forest in Central America. While it features a number of endangered species like jaguars and giant anteaters, it is also home to over 400 species of bird, four species of wild cat and over 200 species of reptiles.
Los Guatuzos Wildlife Refuge
Located on the southern side of Lake Nicaragua as well as on the western shores of the San Juan River, the Los Guatuzos Wildlife Refuge features a variety of environments.
It has a wetland, a gallery forest and a tropical wet forest Wildlife Park. It is one of the best spots for bird watchers to don their binoculars and also features monkeys, sloth, caiman, iguanas and agouti.
Most of the traveling and game viewing in this reserve is done by boat.
Mombacho Cloud Forest Reserve
A botanists dream, the Mombacho Cloud Forest Reserve is situated on the dormant Mombacho Volcano.
The reserve features some of the most beautiful cloud forest flora in Latin America. More than 800 species of plant life can be found here, including bromeliads and orchids.
However the sides of the volcano are also home to a number of animals and howler monkeys have claimed dominance here. The park has brilliant trails and on a clear day you can see Granada, Lake Nicaragua and the Las Isletas Archipelago as you make your way around the volcano.
Chocoyero Nature Reserve
This nature reserve may be small but it is rich in wildlife. It’s most notable creature is the chocoyo which nests along the cliffs next to a tiny cascade.
Besides the more than 800 chocoyos nesting here, you will find toucans, deer, agouti, humming birds and howler monkeys.
The park is largely tropical dry forest and has wonderfully diverse flora.
La Flor Wildlife Refuge
The la Flor Wildlife Refuge is a coastal sea turtle nesting sight.
It protects over 30,000 olive riddle turtles that come here to nest each year between August and December.
The refuge features beautiful beach, tropical dry forest and mangrove swamps. You will find the La Flor Wildlife Refuge on the southern pacific seaboard just south of San Juan del Sur.
Isla Juan Venado Nature Reserve
This reserve is considered to be an important coastal wetlands reserve and as such is part of the national park system. The island is roughly 22 km long and half a kilometer wide.
It features a nesting site for sea turtles as well as an estuary for water fowl, iguana, crocodile and caiman. It also features some ecologically important mangroves. It can be explored by motorboat or kayak.
Montibelli Nature Reserve
The Montibelli Nature Reserve is a privately owned park in Managua. It is the best forest reserve in the Pacific basin for bird watching.
You can spot mot-mots, manikins, hummingbirds and trogons, amongst other things. If you visit during the right time of the year, you will also be able to enjoy a wide variety of butterflies.
Selva Negra Cloud Forest Reserve
This is a privately owned reserve with a difference.
The reserve forest is part of an organic shade coffee operation and hotel project. This coffee hacienda is praiseworthy as it is 100% ecologically sustainable. Everything here is carefully recycled.
The forest is a great place to go hiking and you are likely to see howler monkey as well as plenty of birds along the way.
El Jaguar Cloud Forest Reserve
The El Jaguar Cloud Forest Reserve is also a privately owned forest reserve with an organic shade coffee farm. It is situated 1,300 meters above sea-level and features prehistoric ferns, giant oak trees, bromeliads, orchids and strangler figs. It is also home to over 150 species of birds.
Enjoy these parks and more and remember, you are the guest so tread lightly, and carry a big stick if you like…
