Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua

Ometepe

Ometepe is an island formed by two volcanoes in the middle of Lake Nicaragua.  The name Ometepe means two mountains.  It is the largest island on the lake as well as the largest volcanic island inside a fresh water lake in the world.... and it´s beautiful!

Volcano Concepción at sunset.

Lake Nicaragua is the largest lake in Central America....this map will give you some perspective.  In June 2013, the Nicaraguan government granted a 50-year concession to a private Hong Kong company (the Chinese government is not involved) to build a canal across Nicaragua - it would utilize Lake Nicaragua.  The $40 billion proposal is undergoing further feasibility studies.

Just a horse... on the beach...

Our day on the bike

With a little negotiating, Philip got us a motorcycle for the day.  With the motorcycle we were able to explore then entire perimeter of the island as well as hike to the San Ramón Waterfall on the opposite side of the volcano Madreas, down a rather rocky unpaved road.

Our Mighty One for the day . . . a bit undersized

For a little perspective, you can barely see me at the bottom of the San Ramón waterfall.

The San Ramón Waterfall is about 50 meters high.

Charco Verde

For the second time on our trip, we rent slightly larger bikes and ride out a couple hours to the Charco Verde Reserve.

The Ecological Reserve of Charco Verde covers 20 hectares of tropical dry forest which is home to many animals Within the reserve is the mystical lagoon of Charco Verde with its emerald green waters. The lagoon owes its peculiar color to abundant algae. In earlier times the Indians used to make sacrifices and supplications to their gods here. 

View of the lagoon and the point from Charco Verde Reserve

The islanders tell many legends about the lagoon of Charco Verde and its surroundings. The most popular story is about the demonic figure of Chico Largo, who dwells at the bottom of the green pond. Chico Largo materializes on the lonely roads surrounding Hacienda Venecia. Not everybody is able to see him, but those who do are lured into making an evil pact. It is also said that on the bottom of the lagoon is a village called "El Encanto" which is populated by people who picked fruits and hunted in Charco Verde. For punishment they were turned into cows, pigs, crocodiles or turtles. Butchers in the area claim that they found calfs and cows who had gold teeth like humans.

...yes, gold teeth like humans...

In front of volcano Madreas is the island of Quiste.  Philip swam to the island from the beach Bancón on the Charco Verde Reserve.

Ojo de Agua (Eye of Water)

A shortish walk down the road from our hotel was Ojo de Agua.  The pools here are filled with thermal spring water from an underground well at the bottom of the upper pool.  The pools are almost 2 meters deep and the lower pool is nearly 40 meters long. The water is cool and refreshing as there is a continuous stream of water flowing from the upper pool to the lower pool and out the other side.  Further down the stream you can find many locals enjoying the fresh cool water, bathing and doing their laundry.