The colonial city of Granada was founded in 1524 by Captain Franciso Cordoba and sits on Lake Nicaragua next to Mombacho volcano. It such a pretty town with colourful houses and buildings.
Wonderful day today exploring the lakes and volcanoes around Granada. We started with a boat ride on Lake Nicaragua and saw an amazing number of birds – herons, egrets, osprey, cormorants, royal tern, kingfishers, grackles and many more
We heard the amazing booming sound of the howler monkeys and watched them playing in the trees.
It was a shame to leave the lake but lots more to see including the port area
Then into the town and La Merced Church climbing the many steps of the bell tower for great views of the town
Then onto the San Francisco convent, one of Nicaragua’s oldest buildings, the galleries contained lots of interesting items, paintings and basalt statues from Zapateta island.
The old railway station with the steam engine. They no longer have a railway system in Nicaragua.
Polvora Fortress
The old hospital of San Juan, sadly in disrepair and probably destined for demolition
Iglesia de Xalteva
Around the town and some of the lovely buildings
Time for lunch and Minor took us for some traditional food
A lovely coffee shop next. The Central American countries take their coffee very seriously and we were given information about the coffee being served before indulging in an frozen mochaccino – delicious
A drive to Masaya Volcano. We began with a visit to the museum and found out all about the geography of the country and how it sits between two tectonic plates. Left just as the sun was going down and walked up to the steam vents
A drive up to the main event and what an experience standing on the edge of the crater looking down, seeing the glow and smelling the sulphur.
After a very tiring day back to the hotel and a couple of drinks round the pool
