El Lago de Nicaragua y la Isla de Ometepe

Though I am now in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras (like most Central American capitals it's a noisy, smoggy slum crammed between surrounding volcanic peaks) the last few days I spent in the idyllic surroundings of yet another volcanic lake.

This time it was el Lago de Nicaragua, the largest inland lake in Central America. We were staying on the biggest island, slap in the middle, la Isla de Ometepe. The island is constructed out of two volcanoes, and is extremely dramatic when viewed from a boat on the way there.

We stayed in a room right by the black sand (read: dirt) beach. To be honest, the actual possibilities for beach-bumming were slim to none, since though the water was volcanically warmed it was also not very clean and then floor of the lake was covered in rocks that were hard to negotiate, especially not being able to see them due to the aformentioned lack of cleanliness. The higlight of the area, though, was the Green Lagoon nature reserve, a lot of jungle and in the middle, a green lagoon (duh). This meant lots and lots of birds of all shapes and sizes, and also monkeys. Unfortunately it also meant insects galore. So many insects that the strip light and sink outside our room resembled a Papa Roach video at night. This must be where all insects are born, before heading out to the rest of the world.

It wasn't all bad, though - saw some massive great vultures sitting in trees, and various other interesting birds and creepy crawlies, and the boat trip out there and back was pleasant.


Tomorrow we'll probably head to Tela, on the Caribbean coast, for some real beach action.