Foto: The cathedral of Granada (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Nicaragua - I’m on my way to Granada, an old colonial town located on Lake Nicaragua. Granada was founded after the Spanish invasion in 1524 and named after the Spanish city of the same name. Thanks to its favorable location 20 kilometers inland, it was an ideal base for the Spaniards. The city was very wealthy during that time. Many colonial houses were built. A later ruler, William Walker, completely destroyed the city in 1857 before his defeat. Luckily, many buildings have since been restored. My hotel is near the center and built in colonial style. A charming and atmospheric place. I walk into the city center around noon. Opposite the Convento de San Francisco, I find a cozy spot for lunch. After lunch, I walk toward the central square. I arrive at the “Casa de tres mundos.” I try to figure out what it is. The caretaker explains it’s a cultural center. For ten Córdobas, I can enter. The way he casually pockets the bill and doesn’t give me a ticket makes me doubt if I really needed to pay. I walk around inside, greet the artists, and take a photo of the tiny radio station, Radio Volcano. In the courtyard, there’s a mosaic made of tiles, best viewed from the balcony. From above, I can clearly see the face of an old man in the mosaic. Back outside, I head to the city’s central square. On the south side stands the yellow-painted cathedral. The building is simple and relatively modern inside. Based on its exterior, I expected something more ornate. Next to the cathedral is the former bishops’ residence, a beautiful red building with white pillars. I cross the square diagonally, decline a horse-and-carriage ride, and wander into the narrow streets, ending up at the local market. A lively trade surrounds the central market hall. Eventually, I arrive at La Merced. While taking a photo, I’m waved over—do I want to climb the tower? Of course! Up a narrow spiral staircase, I reach the platform near the bells. From here, I have a stunning view of the city. I was clearly instructed not to ring the bell. The rope lies temptingly on the ground. I’m surprised the bell is still rung by hand. Every half hour, someone climbs up to do it. I don’t wait for that loud moment. It’s hot in the streets of Granada. I find a nice inner courtyard, mainly filled with men. Everyone has liter bottles of beer on the table. I also order one—for less than a euro. It’s clearly a local spot. As the final part of my city walk, I head to the lake, about a kilometer away. The hotel receptionist warned me beforehand that not all areas near the lake are safe. On my way there, several people warn me to watch my belongings. I’m very alert. The boulevard is deserted, and a few vagrants are lingering in the nearby park. To the left, houses are boarded up, and fences are topped with barbed wire. Combined with the warnings, I don’t feel safe here. I quickly walk to the next street and return to the center. A pity, because it could be a beautiful spot by the water. I head back to my hotel.
By car to the Masaya crater
Nicaragua - After about half an hour, Belisario turns off the main road, and the bus drives into the parking lot of Masaya National Park. The gate is still closed. It turns out the staff is in a meeting, so we have to wait. The Masaya volcano is one of the most active ...
Kayaking among the Isletas de Granada
Nicaragua - I take a minibus to the lake to go canoeing among the Isletas de Granada. Off the coast of Granada lie numerous small islands, which were formed by a volcanic eruption of the Mombacho volcano. Francesco is the guide this morning. He hands me a life jacket ...
Lava at the Telica volcano
Nicaragua - After more than an hour and a half, the Jeep stops at the base of the volcano. I see the mountain giant towering in front of me. A thick cloud of volcanic gas rises from the crater. Miguel, my guide for this volcano, hands me a flashlight. He also distributes ...
Sliding down Cerro Negro
Nicaragua - Cerro Negro is a relatively young volcano, formed in 1850. The 400-meter-high volcano is very active. In recent years, it has erupted frequently. Like the Telica volcano, Cerro Negro lies on the boundary of tectonic plates, about 35 kilometers outside ...
The Concepcion on Isla de Ometepe
Nicaragua - At a local family’s home, a small table is set up in the yard. In the little kitchen, my breakfast is being prepared. I also meet Louis here. Louis is my guide for today, an enthusiastic 24-year-old guy. After breakfast, I'm driven to the starting point ...
The historic city of Leon
Nicaragua - In just over an hour, I arrive in León. On the way, I have a view of the Momotombo volcano. The old city of León used to lie at the foot of this volcano. When it erupted in 1523, the city was completely destroyed. The old city, León Viejo, is now on ...