Nicaragua
From the highlands of Honduras to the highlands of Nicaragua . . .
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| We crossed the border from Honduras to Nicaragua and were relieved to find ice cold Toñas waiting for us. |
Esteli, Nicaragua
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| The Esteli Cathedral glowing in the night. |
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| Salto de La Estenzuela. A nice waterfall and swimming hole north of the city. . . we had it all to ourselves. |
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| Big Buddha Mama |
Tabacalera Santiago
In Esteli, the scent of award-winning cigar making was around nearly every corner. We popped in one of the local factories for a tour and to our delight were able to roll and smoke a few stogies...
Link to videos from the Tobacco factory (these are GOOD):
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| First we toured the area where the cigar boxes are designed and hand crafted...check out the videos for more on the boxes. |
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| The tobacco is fermented using water and controlled temperatures. Santiago uses organically grown tobacco. |
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| More fermenting tobacco |
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| The women sort the tobacco based on color and quality. The leaves with the least imperfections are used as the casing or outside of the cigar. |
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| Prior to the second and final casing or outer layer, the cigars are pressed in this contraption. |
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| Ladies labeling and packaging |
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| ...drawmaster |
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| Aside from house brands, Santiago also makes cigars for brands such as Cohiba. |
Matagalpa, Nicagua
Although our photos don't reflect it, Matagalpa is cocoa and coffee country.
We went on a hike that followed the route the Somoza forces took when they were chased out of this area by the Sandanistas during the civil war.
Videos of the Matagalpa Valley:
Selva Negra
Selva Negra is a combination resort and coffee plantation near Matagalpa with a large nature reserve. We visited the forest in hopes of a glimpse of the evasive quetzal...no luck, but we did find this beautiful little chapel.
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