by Anne Watcher on Tuesday February 18th, 2014 at 10:50am
Telica Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes here in Nicaragua. It stands 1061 m. high and has a double crater. This amazing sight is 120 m deep, 700 m wide with lava easily seen bubbling below. If you are fortunate enough to be there when it is not cloudy or at night, take a peak over the crater edge to see a sight of a lifetime! Caution: there are no fences or barriers so be careful.
Part of the Maribios chain, Telica last erupted on September 25, 2013 when "jet engine" noises were heard and ash plumes as high as 1.5 km were seen.
Located close to Leon it has now become a popular tourist attraction. Many tour operators offer varying tours, so check out what is best for you. Trails are not well marked so going it alone is not recommended especially if you will be there at night.
Our Trek to the Top: Our group of adventurers opted to use Mas Adventures to do their night walk to see the lava. With this option we left at 2 p.m. and took a 2 hr. ride along highway and then "not" highway to get to the drop off point.
First 20 min. or so were fine then the fun started. The "road" was dusty, bumpy and extremely bumpy. I felt sorry for the driver's jeep!! and the 6 riding in the back. It was an interesting trip and before we knew it we were at the point of no return.
With our guide taking the lead we headed up and up and up. I found it best not too look up to the top as it seems like we would never get there. The lower part of the volcano is covered with vegetation, so take the time to check out the cool small plants and flowers growing in this harsh environment.
With some stops along the way to catch our breath and have a drink of water the climb to the top took about 1 hr. About half way up stop and look around, the views are amazing in every direction. You can see the volcanoes all the way north to Cosiguina, on the Gulf of Fonseca.
The last section looks the hardest but actually it isn't. As you wind along the gravel and rock path you can start to "hear" the roar of the lava in the crater. This makes you get your second breath and your determination to reach the top is renewed!
The reward for all our effort is standing on the crater edge listening to the power we know is beneath our feet. As we peaked over the edge we could see some glow of lava which made us all the more eager for the darkness of night to come.
To view the sunset we trekked part way down and across a grassy valley and then back up the east side of Telica. This took us about 15-20 minutes and we arrived just in time to watch the sun set. We sat down to have supper and admire the ocean view. It was truly a peaceful and beautiful sight.
After hiking back around to the north ridge of the crater I got to experience what I had come for (hopefully the rest did also) seeing lava with my own eyes! It was scary creeping close to the edge but we all used caution and got to see and hear the wonderful sight below us. The air was clear with only a slight smell of sulphur so there was nothing blocking the view. Truly amazing!!!
-------Of course what goes up, must come down. The walk down is probably more dangerous as it is now very dark with only flashlights to light you path. We all stayed close together, helping each other along the way.
The night sky was crystal clear and when you looked up the stars were endless! As you looked around you could see the lights of towns and cities miles away. This was the best trip ever, worth every ache and pain! When we got back to the jeep we piled in for the fun trip back home!
Link to Mas Adventures Website : masadventuresni.com
Check out our 360 degree Panoramic taken at the top of Telica Volcano
by Anne Watcher on Monday February 17th, 2014 at 9:30am
Although now abandoned and in disrepair, El Fortin was once a major player in the Revolution of 1979. Built in 1889 by then president Roberto Sacasa, it was used first as a military fort. It was also built for it's amazing city views.
It was left empty for many years until the Somoza's realized they needed to keep an eye on the city of Leon. It was the perfect vantage point so in the 1950's it was used as a military base and prison until the Sandinista's took it over on July 7, 1979, releasing all the political prisoners there.
Getting there: It is located south of the city along a 2.5 km long dirt road starting at the west side of Guadeloupe Cemetery. It is best to drive yourself or hire a taxi.
A family lives at the entrance and you need to ask permission to enter the fort. There is no entrance fee but is always best to leave a good will tip with the family when leaving.
Road leading up mountain to El Fortin
The fort was made to defend the city so was constructed on the perfect vantage point. The original part was made with thick walls of stones cemented together with mud/cement mixture. Later extension walls were made with more modern means, reinforced concrete decks and columns and concrete blocks.
As with all the forts we have seen here, the cells were dark with only small windows. They would be over crowded with prisoners and still today signs of torture methods can be seen--dunk tank in cell floor
Overview from roof and gangway
Interior view of main room
One of the side Entrances containing names of Martyrs and Heroes
Located on the Hill of Acosasco, El Fortin has the best view of the city of Leon and surrounding countryside. Also it has a great view of the Cordillera de los Maribios, a mountain range containing all the nearby volcanoes.
Spectacular view of Volcanos and City of Leon
Point of Interest: Good time to visit is July 7th when there is a celebration including historial reenactments and fireworks.
Click Here to view Panorama from the top of El Fortin
by Rob Watcher on Friday January 3rd, 2014 at 8:03am
A nice shot of Anne and I arriving at the Detroit Airport - sent to us by our friends Rick and Michelle Gowan.
My old bandmates from the early 1970's, their wives, myself and Anne, and Anne's sister Joan and her husband - got together for a nice weekend of music at Joan's Bed and Breakfast in Stratford Ontario.
I like this shot that Anne took of me on her iPad Mini
And here are the other two characters, Verne (left) and Rick (right).
Of course, we were so excited to be able to see our newest grandson, Jett - - - who was just six weeks old when we left for Nicaragua. What a shock to see a big sturdy block of beautiful smile. So nice that we had this time to play and connect with him.
We asked our neighbour kids Brandon and Valinca in Nicaragua, where to get hold of "Trompos" to take home to our six grandchildren. After telling us, their father and mother said that they would go to the market and purchase them for us. I had to take a photograph of the six with their toys, to take back to Brandon and Valinca to show.
We purchased hand-made Nicaraguan baseball gloves from William. These were to take back to our son's Robert and Ryan, our son-in-law Jordan and our grandsons, Mason and Jett.
Anne even found a small sized glove for Jett that he should be able to use in seven or eight years. William "branded" each glove with the name of the recipient. I will be taking a print of this image back to William that he can use to show others, his foreign customers using them.
DETROIT AIRPORT: A shot of ground crews getting our plane ready to leave in the cold and snow. We were one of the first to go through security in an empty airport - - - it was a breeze.
The flight down was uneventful and smooth. It is nice to be back in Nicaragua.
by Anne Watcher on Wednesday December 18th, 2013 at 11:09am
Tuesday December 17'th, 2013
8:00AM (Central Standard Time Zone): We are currently in Managua Airport getting ready to board the plane for our trip back to Canada. We are looking forward to spending the next 2 weeks with our family and friends - before we head back to Leon, Nicaragua for our lengthier five month extension.
Awesome view of Momotombo and San Cristobal from airplane.
2:15PM (Eastern Standard Time Zone): Ready to depart from Atlanta in three quarters of an hour.
5:15PM (Eastern Standard Time Zone): Arrived early at Detroit Airport where our dear loyal friends Rick and Michelle, were waiting for us - winter coats in hand. Lots of snow and cold cold cold. Roads were getting pretty slick by the time we got to London Ontario to stay the night at our daughter Roslyn's house.
8:30AM (Eastern Standard Time Zone): Woke up early to the girls (our granddaughters Myla and Enza) getting ready to head off to school. This is the reality of home at this time of year. Good thing that we at least kept one winter coat and set of boots each. We didn't anticipate seeing winter again for at least the next 2 years.
by Anne Watcher on Thursday December 5th, 2013 at 9:47am
History of the Spanish conquests of the Americas is full of stories about how they subjected the indigenous people to their ways of life and religion. Here in Nicaragua it is no different.
The part of Leon know as Sultiava is a testament to the strong will of many of these tribes. Cacique (Chief) Adiact tried to live peacefully alongside the Spanish. Ultimately the Spanish rulers wanted more control, and in the early 1600's Adiact and his people revolted. To once again gain control, Cacique Adiact was hung from the branches of a large tamarind tree on April 25, 1614, a sign for all to see who was really in control.
Cacique Adiact is therefore by many considered to be a symbol for the resistance of the indigenous population to foreign occupation.
This plaque on the base of the tree is a remembrance to the brave leader of the Chorotega people. Calle de la Ronda, which marks the border between Leon and native Sultiava, has a park, Parque Adiact, dedicated to this brave leader and his daughter, Xochitl Asalt. She is said to have committed suicide when she learned of her father's death when she returned home from a mission.
Point of Interest: The daughter's name means Flor de Cana.
Sadly due to a lightening strike in 2010, there is only a small remnant of the tree left. However from the base of this 400 + year old tree (maybe 600) new growth is once again sproating.
Directions: Heading west (abajo) from Mercadito (market in Sultiava) - turn left (south or sur) at first street - go straight four blocks - then turn right (derecho) - the memorial with the remnants of the tree, is maybe 25 metres down on the south side (your left).
