Most of the electrical retailers knew what I wanted in terms of an adaptor but nobody could oblige with the correct product. Security seems less obvious here than in other places visited; even the guards at the cash machines stay inside rather than parade their weapons in front. The main cathedral was both simple and colourful whilst the views from the bell tower displayed the town to great effect.
Having bought some post cards I walked down to the lake to sit in the sun and write them but soon attracted the attention of a beggar so felt it best to leave. Horses are widely used as beasts of burden here as well as to pull carriages for the tourists.
Some of the afternoon was spent at a café and the group returned to eat in the evening. There can’t be many places where it is possible to eat in the street, wearing only a tee shirt and shorts at ten in the evening with no need for additional clothing.
Christmas has arrived early here and everywhere is getting decorated. The roundabouts in Managua all had large cone shaped light displays whilst the hotel already had a tree to greet us.
It seems strange that the decorative décor is firmly north European with holly and the ivy! Opposite the hotel, re-roofing was in progress. I’ve often wondered how these U-shaped tiles are fixed all over Europe and now I had the answer. Nothing more than a piece of wire holds the entire column of clay tiles to the main roof beam.
The next day we assembled early for an upgrade transport to San Juan del Sur, Andres’ home town. After breakfast, four of us left to try our hand at fishing. The haul was disappointingly small but it was very pleasant out on the water, especially when we could see land under a rain cloud!
The stiff breeze kept up all day so when we arrived at Lake Nicaragua, the second largest freshwater lake in the world, to catch the ferry across Lake Nicaragua to Ometepe Island, the waves were crashing over the sea wall and a rough crossing seemed likely.
In the event, the vessel proved remarkably stable and no ill effects were experienced by any of the group. The island itself, dominated by the twin volcanoes, Conception and Maderas, looked an idyllic destination in the setting sun.
I had hoped to climb Conception, a challenging 8 hour walk but now it is not possible to do this without the services of a guide and at a cost of $25 so plans had to be changed.
The accommodation at Finca Venecia is very private, much like Tortuga at Rio Dulce and, like Tortuga, the restaurant closed at 7.30 with the bar following it at 9 pm. Beers were made to last and a pack of cards helped the evening’s entertainment. Our now familiar triple room is comfortable enough and the shower provides plenty of hot water; something of a luxury this. It even has it’s own gecko, which helps to keep the bugs down.
Wednesday has been another quiet day before we head off into Costa Rica. Some brave souls have headed off to explore the island but most haven’t strayed too far. I walked out along the road for a couple of miles and in so doing, managed a lot of photos. The houses here are very basic but most seem to support the government and the red and black flag of the Nicaraguan Revolution can still be found in many places.
As ever I photographed the crops and cows which seem to have free reign here and cross the road at will. A couple were sporting a Y-shaped branch around their necks. I can’t imagine what this is for.
I came across sorghum for the first time. Farmers are now being encouraged to grow this but there is some resistance as it is traditionally the ‘poor mans’ crop. I found a quarry where they were excavating the volcanic cinder and a field where blocks of lava reminded one of the impact an eruption would have.
There were a number of workers in a field of what seemed like weeds but a little later I realised that they were harvesting melons. We were told to look out for the local magpies, with their distinctive blue colouring and I even found some of these. The triumph was a bullock cart. I’d seen plenty from the coach but thought there was no way I’d get a picture of my own; I was wrong.
Just to rub it in about my decision not to climb the volcano, the cloud lifted mid afternoon to offer the following scene.
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