Yesterday was one of those days, those experiences, that I will remember for the rest of my life. Not because I got another stamp in my passport, or because I got to "see" many of the major Tourist highlights of Nicarauga in one day. It is one of those Days, those experiences, for the sights of everyday life for the people of Nicaragua, for the conversations with individuals we met. It's a day that left me wanting more while also being thankful for what opportunities I have. It is experiences like the ones I shared with my husband yesterday that are the reason we travel. To learn, to explore, to meet new people and learn about them as individuals and as a culture.
Our tour was through Destination Services and our day started early. We were picked up from Secrets Papagayo at 5:30am and headed in to Liberia for breakfast at Donde Pipe. The breakfast was fresh fruit, traditional rice and beans, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and hash browns. After a quick bathroom stop we were headed north. Our guide, Francisco was very informative. He shared information about his experiences growing up in Costa Rica, history of Nicaragua as well as what to expect throughout the day.
The first experience was leaving Costa Rica and gaining entrance in to Nicaragua. First you have to pay a departure tax to Costa Rica...This was taken care of as part of our tour...then you have to find another building to show the immigration officer that to have paid the tax and get a stamp in your passport. On the bus between there and the Nicaragua customs and immigration we had a couple checkpoints to clear where we had to show our stamps again.
 |
| Nicaragua Customs and Immigration building. We waited in parking lot. |
While waiting at the Nicaraguan border we met our first new "friend" and had our second experience. A man named Elroy. He sells pens to the people crossing the border in order to make a living. We talked politics and about his family. He lost his father and uncle and was badly burned himself when his village was burned down many years ago during one of the revolutions.
Driving down the Pan-American highway a couple things struck me...1 - This same highway goes right past my town and I drive it regularly; and 2 - This is a place lost in time where horse and oxen drawn carts, were common sights and often held up traffic on the highway. There were very few distinct towns but instead a steady stream of houses. We were told we were seeing what could be considered the middle class although many argue that there is not much of a middle class but a very large lower class. Houses are made of sticks or old boards, and corrugated tin. The more expensive houses are made with cinder blocks, clay or brick.
 |
| Sweeping the sidewalk |
 |
| Typical home |
 |
| Upscale Taxi. Many were pedal bike powered. |
There was a lot of self exploration and reflection for me on this tour. Political thoughts are always best kept to oneself especially when you dont have a full understanding so I won't share my personal conclusions with you but would encourage you to take this tour and come to you own conclusions! Now on to the Sights!!!
The first tourist sight we saw was Catarina Market and Viewpoint the flee market is full of bright and colorful items: pottery, leather goods, wooden bowls, jewelry and clothing. Bartering is acceptable so explore and have fun and find that item that speaks to you. While there make sure you head over to the viewpoint. It is breathtaking. You are looking over an extinct volcano crater that is now a beautiful lake with communities and other volcanos in the distance.
 |
| Beautiful paintings |
 |
| Burning our name onto the hand carved wooden bowl |
 |
| Catarina Viewpoint |
Our next stop was the Masaya Volcano. This is in a national park with hiking trails and picnic areas as well as a visitor center. You drive right up to the crater passing old lava flows. The last major eruption was in 1772 but last eruption was in 2008.We were told depending on the wind direction our time would be limited. An employee stands guard and if the wind is blowing in the right direction, they will time you and blow a whistle once you have been in the gasses for too long. On a side note, my husband wonders what the life expectancy of these employees is.
 |
| Lava flow from past eruption |
 |
| Masaya Volcano |
 |
| Into the Crater |
From there was Granada. A colonial city that has maintained much of the architecture and charm from its original days. A great way to see this city is by hiring a horse and carriage. We also had lunch here at a stunning hotel in the center of town.
 |
| Hospital being rehabilitated |
Our final destination was the Granada Islets of Lake Nicaragua. Some of these islands have been passed down through many generations and have humble homes with inhabitants that live a subsistence lifestyle. Other islands have multi-million dollar homes owned by the political elite or foreigners. One island is the private home of rescued spider monkeys who are expecting!!!! Interesting facts about Lake Nicaragua...First it has the only Freshwater sharks in the world. The Lake Nicaragua Shark is a freshwater bull shark.
Second there has been an attempt to create a canal across Nicaragua that would utilize Lake Nicaragua. This has a lot of implications that it creates and part of the reason it is currently in hold.
 |
| Fort |
In summary do not miss this experience if you are ever in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. Even if all you see is the sights, it will be worth every penny!
