Massaya

Here is a typical Nicaraguan bus station scene.  Rows of colorful buses with tons of street vendors selling everything from ice cream to empanadas...

...to live chickens.  And everything in between.  We walked past vendors selling toothbrushes, shirts, produce, brooms, haircuts, everything you could possibly imagine. 

We kepts looking for the "nice" part of Massaya. Well, here's the truth.  There is no nice part of Massaya.  It's all totally sketchy.  However, we did find a decent hostel after an hour walk around town. 

The main reason we came here was to walk along the edge of Volcan Massaya.  Unfortunately, when we arrived at the gate they said it was closed for two weeks because the volcano was too active.  It was throwing huge chunks of lava all around and producing bug gusts of smoke.  Bummer! 

Fortleza de Coyotepe

Now tourist attraction, this fort was once a compound run by the Sandistas until 1912 when the US marines intervened. 

The fort has a prison underneath he fort, and we took a tour.  This is a picture of one of the few light holes the inmates had. 

They were kept in cells of 15-40 people.  There was no electricity.  The tourguide told us not to walk in the cell areas, but in the hallways.  I'm not quite sure, but I think it's because this beateria-fest was only closed about 30 years ago, and he was afraid we might get ill.  It reeked of urine.

The people in captivity were usually considered traitors of the government or such.  They were often tortured.  There was one room that was pitch black, and they put people in there for years at time, and they went blind.  Another room still had the blood on the walls of victims of torture: tearing out fingernails, whipping, etc.  I asked if the torture was effective.  The guide said, "Yes, but often the information was false, and then they would kill the person for that." 

Bicycle Tour of Granada

Granada is a lovely town.  It was one of the more touristy places in Nicaragua, but we definately found some old world charm.  We went on a bike ride down to the penninsula and through town.  Here is my cute blue bicycle, complete with horn and basket. 

El Merced is my favorite cathedral in Granada.  Not only is it exquisite, but youcan climb the bell towers. 

We walked up a winding staircase and several sets of stairs.  Here is a view of Granada from on of the windows. 

This is the best view of Granada! 

Dona Elena Cigars

 If you go to Granada, you can't leave without a visit to Dona Elena Cigar Factory.  Ask for Kerri; I hear she's a really good tour guide. 

 This guy rolls 5 different  kinds of tobacco leaves into each cigar.  He's so fast. 

They compressed them for 20 minutes.  Then, finished off and ready for smoking.  They are supposed to have a slight raisin flavor.   

Granada

Granada is known for its grandiose colonial architechture which always includes a beautifully tiled floor, very tall ceilings and doors fit for a king. 
 
 It was the most expensive town we visited, and with that came the beggars.  There were lots of children who sold trinkets or simply asked for some of our food. 

San Ramon Waterfall

Alfonso rode in the front of the motorcycle while I rode on the back.  I figured if a 3 year old wasn't afraid to ride the gnarly, unpaved roads of Ometepe Island, then neither was I. 

Volcan Concepcion, one of two volcanoes on the island, is 1647 meters tall and last blew in 2011. 

 Elmer shows off his huge avocado. 

At 60 meters tall, San Ramon Waterfall is refreshing on a hot and humid day. 

Tour of Ometepe

Volcan Concepcion is the other volcano on the island in Lake Nicaragua.  It has erupted 25 times, last year it threw a tantrum, and everybody was evacuated.  

 I ordered a delicious curry with grilled banana by the beach. 

I rocked the rope swing. 

Little Corn

 Our view from Sea View Hostel.  Muy bueno! 

 How many Nicaraguans does it take to move a boat?

 Sunset over Little Corn. 

Cabbage is a typical garnish on Nicaraguan cuisine. 

Flying to Big Corn

It's always a good indicator when you are weighed before the flight. 

    
 Small villages and farms dotted the beautiful countryside.  What a great view!

My laminated boarding pass issued by La Costena boasted a map of the airlines flying routes and indicated my Seat number which turned out to be 1.  I got to see how little a pilot actually does during a flight.  In fact, the assistant pilot did nothing but record numbers on a sheet of paper.  Hey, I could do that.  (Notice the end of the runway in this picture.)