Posts tagged Volcanic Ash
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.
The Capital of Nicaragua, Managua
Jan 23rd
The capital city of Nicaragua, Managua is situated on the south shore of the Lake Xolotlan (or Lake Managua).
The capital houses several major business centers, several main banks in Nicaragua; it is also the chief industrial city of the country, and it provides a number of tourist attractions, though not as many as other Nicaraguan locations.
Lake Xolotlan itself is not of great interest for the tourist, although there are places in Managua from where splendid panoramas of the lake are made possible; nonetheless, the lake is rather polluted and the tourists’ attention is redirected to the other much nicer attractions in Managua.
An impressive tourist attraction is the building of the National Palace, a genuinely giant construction, situated near Lake Xolotlan, in the Square of the Republic (Plaza de la Republica).
One of the institutions sheltered by the National Palace is the National Museum, exhibiting various collections of ceramics, pre-Columbian sculptures and figurines and many other objects of interest for the national history of Nicaragua.
The Acahualinca setting, supposedly 6000 years old, is another remarkable tourist attraction. The site reveals the renowned Huellas de Acahualinca, footprints on the shore of the Lake Xolotlan, belonging to a group of no more than 8-10 people, walking on the bank of the lake 6000 years ago.
Their perfect preservation is tributary to the volcanic phenomena in the region. The footprints are visible in a blend of volcanic ash and mud. On the same site a museum is located, exhibiting a number of pre-Columbian urns and tools, some prehistoric animal footprints (most likely belonging to a mammoth) and other such curiosities collected from Managua and locations near Managua.
The Rubén Darío Theater is also worth paying a visit. It is Nicaragua’s national theater, where noteworthy national and international artists have had the opportunity to perform their shows. The building is impressive for a Nicaraguan, and can be for the tourist as well. The main hall in the theater – the main space dedicated to representations – houses a huge stage and more than a thousand seats.
The Old Cathedral in Managua is located in the historical center of the capital. The 1972 earthquake caused serious damage to this cathedral and therefore visits within the construction are not allowed. However, one can stroll in the surroundings of the cathedral and admire its still impressive architecture, although it preserves a touching air of ruin.
The more adventurous tourist, however, may find a particular attraction coming from the lagoons which can be found within the city. One of the lagoons is the Acahualinca, near the Huellas de Acahualinca, next to Lake Xolotlan. Swimming is not possible here, however beautiful views can be enjoyed from the nearby hotels. It is still the hotels which offer great views towards another lagoon where people cannot swim, namely the Nejapa.
The most spectacular, however, is the lagoon of Tiscapa, where canopy tours are allowed. The last lagoon in the city is the Asososca, important because it is the capital’s main source of potable water. Due to this latter reason, the lagoon of Asososca can only be viewed, other activities are interdicted here.
One could label transportation in the capital city of Nicaragua as another exotic “ingredient”. Generally, travelers are advised to trust taxi drivers to deliver them to their selected destinations. In Managua, taxi cabs are fairly inexpensive, one can even bargain with the taxi driver, and, as a plus, choosing this means of transportation will save you from some other complications you may encounter.
Of course, car rental agencies are available, and cars can be rented at prices that won’t damage a foreign tourist’s pocket. However, it is advisable that along with renting a car you also hire a driver who knows the way of the outlandish streets of Managua. Here lies the exoticism of the whole situation: streets do not have names in the way that a foreign tourist is used to. Street signs rather display indications as to the locations one may reach, a situation which can be pretty confusing for a non-local.
This is why taxis or car rentals with an “included” offer of a local driver are preferred. Of course, bus transportation is also existent, yet a bit risky if you are attached to your money. Moreover, if you are used to air-conditioning made possible in the public means of transportation, do not expect the same thing here: the air in Managua’s buses can sometimes be very hot. Of course, no one stops you from trying the rather unusual – from a foreign tourist’s point of view – and somewhat adventurous drive on a bus in Managua.
All in all, though not such a marvelous tourist center as other sites in Nicaragua, Managua does have its resources of entertaining its visitors. A plus is the fact that many of the expeditions through the rest of the country start from here. Moreover, the city is happy to present its visitors with an array of modern hotels, restaurants and bars.
