A holiday in the mouth of Hell

Central America Caribbean » Nicaragua » Capital Region » Masaya Volcano
April 15th 2016

Published: April 21st 2016

So my Central American adventure continued, after a fun week in Crica I got on a plane and headed north over the boarder to Nicaragua (I could have just stayed on the rafting river) for the next part of my exciting trip. As a lapsed scientist I decided as I’m taking some time off it might be fun to try and do something a bit scientific again and thus I found myself heading off for two weeks work... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 75, Displayed: 21

Santiago from top of Nindiri

It doesn't look it, but the climb up was a little hairy

The Santiago Crater

They haven't had a lava lake there for about 15 or so years, so we were very lucky to see it

Enjoying the gravity of the situation?

The team doing some microgravity measurements, science in action.

To the Bat Cave!

An old lava tube (formed by hot lava flows after an eruption) where bats reside, they do have vampire bats locally, watch out...

Inside the Bat cave

Also known as the Tzinaconostoc Cave, it was easier just to call it the Bat Cave

Crazy Nicaraguan Roundabouts #1

A lovely representation of a volcano in Masaya

Crazy Nicaraguan Roundabouts #2

The patron saint of Masaya, San Jerónimo, adorns this rather special example.

Plaza de la Revolución

The Catedral de Santiago was damaged in the 1972 earthquake which decimated the city.

Rosario's 'Trees of life'

The President's wife has been planting trees all over Managua, at $33k a pop, each tree comes with an armed guard.

Managua has a quick airport transfers

Paseo Xolotlan park on the lake shore has a model of pre-1972 earthquake Managua and an old plane to allow those not able to afford flights to experience what it is like on a plane.

The ruins of Old Leon

Established by the Spanish in 1524 in the shadow of Momotombo, they only stuck it out for 84 years and ran off after too much volcanic aticity and built new Leon 30km to the west.

Praying that Momotombo doesn't erupt

Shake your Maracas!

I was amazed to find out that these fruits of the Calabash tree are dried and made into Maracas. It looks like someone has just stuck them onto the trees. Don't sit under the trees though, they were a bit like cricket balls and would give you a nasty lump.

Under the volcano

The view from Old Leon of Momotombo, a bit too close for comfort.

I think this is Las Pilas volcano

If you look closely you can see the crater hole at the top

The Cathedral of new Leon

Known as the "Real and Renowned Basilica Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary"(Spanish: Real e Insigne Basílica de la Asunción de la Bienaventurada Virgen María, a bit of a mouthful.

New Leon square

It's not a Colonial town without a cathedral and square.

Up on the roof

You are allowed to walk on the newly painted roof of the cathedral as long as you took your shoes off.

Telica volcano

Well I think it is

I'm not even sure which volcano is in the background here

Might be Rota or San Cristobel or even another one, there are lots around Leon and I lost track.

The arty shot

22nd April 2016

Dancing Dave
David Hooper

Sensational
Love volcanoes...this pic is hot, hot, hot. Brilliant!!!

24th April 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Phenominell
Now this was an adventure. Always good to volunteer and they provided you and education. Wow.

25th April 2016

Mrs Sheila Carney
non-member comment

Mary what a wonderful two weeks that must have been, I have loved reading all about it and your photos were excellent what an adventure you are going to have a hard time to follow this. Look forward to your next trip which mum says is about to begin.

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A holiday in the mouth of Hell

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