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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:08:34 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:09:11 -0700

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

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:09:42 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:10:03 -0700

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

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:48:09 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:10:43 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:11:08 -0700

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...

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:24:44 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:22:07 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:20:50 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)
Jiquilillo beach at low tide.

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:21:29 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:23:21 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:23:59 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)

Beach access from our "resort".

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:25:27 -0700

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

Fisherman's home.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:26:03 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)
Fisherman's home.

Late afternoon on main street

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:26:56 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)
Late afternoon on main street

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:27:33 -0700

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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:28:19 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:29:04 -0700

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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:29:43 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:30:19 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)
Into the mangroves.

Getting denser...

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:31:01 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)
Getting denser...

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:31:50 -0700

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

Muddy start to a climb to a nice lookout.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:32:54 -0700

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

No trail here, but it is not that hard.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:33:34 -0700

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

Steep climb, but nice views.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:34:10 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)
Steep climb, but nice views.

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:35:11 -0700

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

Barefoot in the mud.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:53:08 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)
Barefoot in the mud.

Mangroves with heron.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:07:07 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)
Mangroves with heron.

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:54:37 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)

We passed other small fishing villages.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:55:16 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)
We passed other small fishing villages.

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:55:53 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:08:35 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:57:17 -0700

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

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:57:58 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:37:36 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:59:07 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:59:46 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)

End of boat trip. More mud.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:00:32 -0700

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

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:01:12 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:20:15 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:36:34 -0700

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

Not highly succesful, but he had fun.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:36:55 -0700

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

Jiquilillo beach at high tide.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:37:33 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)
Jiquilillo beach at high tide.

Family life in Jiquilillo.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:38:07 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)
Family life in Jiquilillo.

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:38:43 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:39:16 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:40:33 -0700

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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:59:01 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:59:32 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:00:07 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:00:48 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:01:17 -0700

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

Village life.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:01:54 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)
Village life.

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:02:51 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:02:13 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)
Lovely little bird at the dock.

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:03:13 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:03:52 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:50:13 -0700

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!

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:05:00 -0700

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

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:05:39 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:06:03 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)

He got it!

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:06:31 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)
He got it!

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:07:15 -0700

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

Further down on the mighty Rio San Juan.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:04:31 -0700

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

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:05:07 -0700

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

A colorful trogon.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:05:38 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)
A colorful trogon.

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:06:14 -0700

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

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:06:42 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)

But a few km further...

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:07:11 -0700

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

Look at those teeth!

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:07:42 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:08:54 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:08:12 -0700

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

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:09:39 -0700

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

And fauna. Here, a toucan.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:10:07 -0700

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

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:10:16 -0700

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

Sunset at the Sabalos Lodge.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:10:36 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)
Sunset at the Sabalos Lodge.

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:10:58 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)

A full visit to the Forteleza.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:26:06 -0700

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....

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:26:44 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:27:25 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:28:03 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:28:42 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:29:18 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)

Local boy trying to impress two girls.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:29:54 -0700

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

This beautiful lizard was not very shy.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:30:29 -0700

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

Andrew (oldtiger)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:31:08 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)

Back to San Carlos.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:31:39 -0700

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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:32:14 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:32:47 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:31:29 -0700

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...

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:30:50 -0700

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..

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:32:05 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Andrew (oldtiger)) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:32:36 -0700

Andrew (oldtiger)
This is lovely Laguna de Ticapa.