Nicaragua_Feb-08_Part2

On the way to the NW, myself and Gabriel. Daniel Ortega is still putting up his slogans all over Nicaragua. But he and his Sandinista party is not at all popular now.

2008-11-11T06:27:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
On the way to the NW, myself and Gabriel. Daniel Ortega is still putting up his slogans all over Nicaragua. But he and his Sandinista party is not at all popular now.

This is truly a land of volcanos.

2008-09-03T02:34:46Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
This is truly a land of volcanos.

I believe this is Volcan San Christobal. one of the most active in Nicaragua.

2008-09-03T02:44:48Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
I believe this is Volcan San Christobal. one of the most active in Nicaragua.

At a lunchstop in Chinandega. A fresh tropical fruit smoothy is about to be made.

2008-09-09T04:36:17Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
At a lunchstop in Chinandega. A fresh tropical fruit smoothy is about to be made.

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

We were headed for the NW tip of Nicaragua, the Gulf of Fonseca and also to climb Volcan Cosigüina. But after driving 3 hours on rough dirt road we were blocked by this.

2008-09-09T04:36:50Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
We were headed for the NW tip of Nicaragua, the Gulf of Fonseca and also to climb Volcan Cosigüina. But after driving 3 hours on rough dirt road we were blocked by this.

Not too deep for the trucks, but too deep for my small rented car.

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Not too deep for the trucks, but too deep for my small rented car.

So, we turned back, drove some more rough roads and ended up in this funky beach resort in the remote fishing village of...

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
So, we turned back, drove some more rough roads and ended up in this funky beach resort in the remote fishing village of...

Jiquilillo. Main street. A perfect little fishing village with less than a handful backpackers in sight. How long will it stay like this? But for now, it is nearly perfect.

2008-12-24T03:11:05Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Jiquilillo. Main street. A perfect little fishing village with less than a handful backpackers in sight. How long will it stay like this? But for now, it is nearly perfect.

Jiquilillo beach at low tide.

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Jiquilillo beach at low tide.

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

Life in Jiquilillo. The outdoor kitchen and washroom of one of the locals. Her husband is probably out fishing.

2008-12-24T03:12:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Life in Jiquilillo. The outdoor kitchen and washroom of one of the locals. Her husband is probably out fishing.

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

Beach access from our "resort".

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Beach access from our "resort".

Fisherman's home.

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Fisherman's home.

Late afternoon on main street

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Late afternoon on main street

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

Shark fishermen return after sunset. I was certainly not happy to see shark fishing on this scale going on. The fins are sold at lucrative (for them) price to chinese restaurants in the ca ...

2008-09-09T04:39:20Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Shark fishermen return after sunset. I was certainly not happy to see shark fishing on this scale going on. The fins are sold at lucrative (for them) price to chinese restaurants in the ca ...

Evening at the lodge. These are traveling Nica musitians.

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Evening at the lodge. These are traveling Nica musitians.

Next day we did a day boat trip. We launched from another little village into the Eco Reserve Padre Ramos. (That reserve is a great place for watching leatherback turtles nesting, but thi ...

2008-09-09T04:40:17Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Next day we did a day boat trip. We launched from another little village into the Eco Reserve Padre Ramos. (That reserve is a great place for watching leatherback turtles nesting, but thi ...

Into the mangroves.

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Into the mangroves.

Getting denser...

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Getting denser...

....and denser. We almost got stuck. And the tide was going out.

2008-12-24T03:14:26Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
....and denser. We almost got stuck. And the tide was going out.

Muddy start to a climb to a nice lookout.

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Muddy start to a climb to a nice lookout.

No trail here, but it is not that hard.

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
No trail here, but it is not that hard.

Steep climb, but nice views.

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Steep climb, but nice views.

Telephoto shot of volcan San Christobal (I believe that is it) in the distance.

2008-09-09T04:41:05Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Telephoto shot of volcan San Christobal (I believe that is it) in the distance.

Barefoot in the mud.

2008-09-09T04:41:31Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Barefoot in the mud.

Mangroves with heron.

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Mangroves with heron.

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

We passed other small fishing villages.

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
We passed other small fishing villages.

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

Then, arrived to this very calm and protected beach with great swimming, and another nice (and muddy) mangrove walk.

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Then, arrived to this very calm and protected beach with great swimming, and another nice (and muddy) mangrove walk.

This is Volcan Cosigüina, to the north. The one we could not get to.

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
This is Volcan Cosigüina, to the north. The one we could not get to.

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

End of boat trip. More mud.

2008-09-09T04:42:39Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
End of boat trip. More mud.

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-03T04:20:42Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

Our food is being cooked here at the place where we started and ended the boat trip. Fish, of course.

2008-09-09T04:43:01Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Our food is being cooked here at the place where we started and ended the boat trip. Fish, of course.

Gabriel's first attempt at surfing.

2008-09-03T04:20:43Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Gabriel's first attempt at surfing.

Not highly succesful, but he had fun.

2008-09-03T04:20:43Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Not highly succesful, but he had fun.

Jiquilillo beach at high tide.

2008-09-03T04:20:43Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Jiquilillo beach at high tide.

Family life in Jiquilillo.

2008-09-03T04:20:43Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Family life in Jiquilillo.

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-03T04:20:43Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

More volcanos on the way back. Note that there is another (slightly darker and smaller) volcano visible in front of San Christobal. I believe that may be La Casita.

2008-09-03T04:20:43Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
More volcanos on the way back. Note that there is another (slightly darker and smaller) volcano visible in front of San Christobal. I believe that may be La Casita.

Battery repair, Nica style. How to make a funnel.

2008-09-03T04:20:43Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Battery repair, Nica style. How to make a funnel.

The next day, I flew by myself to San Carlos, to explore the Rio San Juan area. Frm the air this is San Carlos, and the origin of the Rio San Juan In the southeast side of Lago de Nicaragu ...

2008-09-09T04:44:35Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
The next day, I flew by myself to San Carlos, to explore the Rio San Juan area. Frm the air this is San Carlos, and the origin of the Rio San Juan In the southeast side of Lago de Nicaragu ...

Typical Rio San Juan weather - rain. But I was lucky, the next 3 days were beautiful.

2008-09-03T04:20:43Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Typical Rio San Juan weather - rain. But I was lucky, the next 3 days were beautiful.

Local transport on the Rio san Juan, as seen during the boat trip to Boca de Sabalos village.

2008-09-03T04:20:43Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Local transport on the Rio san Juan, as seen during the boat trip to Boca de Sabalos village.

Boca de Sabalos village, at the confluence of the Sabalos river with Rio san Juan.

2008-09-03T04:20:43Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Boca de Sabalos village, at the confluence of the Sabalos river with Rio san Juan.

Public transport boat pier at Boca de Sabalos

2008-09-03T04:20:43Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Public transport boat pier at Boca de Sabalos

Village life.

2008-09-03T04:20:43Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Village life.

Arrival to the Sabalos lodge (just 10 min of private boat ride from the Boca de Sabalos Pier).

2008-09-03T04:20:43Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Arrival to the Sabalos lodge (just 10 min of private boat ride from the Boca de Sabalos Pier).

Lovely little bird at the dock.

2008-09-03T04:20:43Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Lovely little bird at the dock.

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-03T04:20:43Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

Start of a day trip down the San Juan river (with stops). This is the historic La Forteleza de la Pura y Immaculada Concepcion (full name). In front, the rapids El Raudal del Diablo.

2008-09-09T04:52:24Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Start of a day trip down the San Juan river (with stops). This is the historic La Forteleza de la Pura y Immaculada Concepcion (full name). In front, the rapids El Raudal del Diablo.

We stopped at a restaurant (seen on the left side over the water) to order my lunch for on the way back.

2008-09-09T04:54:18Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
We stopped at a restaurant (seen on the left side over the water) to order my lunch for on the way back.

These young men are fishing for my lunch!

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
These young men are fishing for my lunch!

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

He got it!

2008-11-11T06:38:25Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
He got it!

All for me. It will live in a bucket, untill I return at lunchtime.

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
All for me. It will live in a bucket, untill I return at lunchtime.

Further down on the mighty Rio San Juan.

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Further down on the mighty Rio San Juan.

Muddy birdwatching hike near the River Bartola (a tributary).

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Muddy birdwatching hike near the River Bartola (a tributary).

A colorful trogon.

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
A colorful trogon.

I am swimming in the jungle river. Hopefully no caimans here!

2008-12-24T03:16:57Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
I am swimming in the jungle river. Hopefully no caimans here!

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

But a few km further...

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
But a few km further...

Look at those teeth!

2008-11-11T06:39:34Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Look at those teeth!

Oh that fish! A type of bass (róbalo in spanish), it was one of the best fish I ever had.

2008-09-09T04:56:16Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Oh that fish! A type of bass (róbalo in spanish), it was one of the best fish I ever had.

Watched the cormorans fishing while I ate.

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Watched the cormorans fishing while I ate.

Another birding walk. this one not as muddy. Some interesting flora.

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Another birding walk. this one not as muddy. Some interesting flora.

And fauna. Here, a toucan.

2008-11-11T06:40:29Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
And fauna. Here, a toucan.

I don't know the name of this pretty bird.

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
I don't know the name of this pretty bird.

Sunset at the Sabalos Lodge.

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Sunset at the Sabalos Lodge.

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

A full visit to the Forteleza.

2008-09-09T04:57:30Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
A full visit to the Forteleza.

Much history here. Pirates, including Henry Morgan and Sir Francis Drake came pillaging. And even a later to become famous young commander....

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Much history here. Pirates, including Henry Morgan and Sir Francis Drake came pillaging. And even a later to become famous young commander....

Yes the young Nelson was here, and briefly conquered. But in the long run it was a disaster. The winner: Malaria

2008-11-11T06:42:33Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Yes the young Nelson was here, and briefly conquered. But in the long run it was a disaster. The winner: Malaria

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

A fantastic lunch with the famous giant river shrimp as the treat. I thought it was fantastic, as good as lobster, but different.

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
A fantastic lunch with the famous giant river shrimp as the treat. I thought it was fantastic, as good as lobster, but different.

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

Local boy trying to impress two girls.

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Local boy trying to impress two girls.

This beautiful lizard was not very shy.

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
This beautiful lizard was not very shy.

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)

Back to San Carlos.

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Back to San Carlos.

San Carlos Airport has a constant military presence. The San Juan is entirely in Nicaragua, but there are disputes with Costa Rica. Nicaraguans are rather paranoid about the need to defend ...

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
San Carlos Airport has a constant military presence. The San Juan is entirely in Nicaragua, but there are disputes with Costa Rica. Nicaraguans are rather paranoid about the need to defend ...

The takeoff from the dirt strip was rather sketchy in the high wind. But here we are safely on the way back to Managua.

2008-11-11T06:43:49Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
The takeoff from the dirt strip was rather sketchy in the high wind. But here we are safely on the way back to Managua.

A half day in Managua. The monument to the martyrs of the revolution, with the ethernal flame in the middle

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
A half day in Managua. The monument to the martyrs of the revolution, with the ethernal flame in the middle

The ruins of the Somoza palace. Above you find...

2008-09-09T04:54:32Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
The ruins of the Somoza palace. Above you find...

Sandino. Somoza may have killed him, but here he is, He looks out over the city and over..

2008-09-09T05:04:05Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
Sandino. Somoza may have killed him, but here he is, He looks out over the city and over..

This is lovely Laguna de Ticapa.

2008-11-11T06:44:44Z

Andrew (oldtiger)
This is lovely Laguna de Ticapa.