Nicaragua 2022

Sunday30October

Here we are near the city of Granada on the shores of Lake Nicaragua where las Isletas begin. We are welcomed by a magnificent Geoffroy's spider monkey taking a foot bath... It is one of the largest monkeys in Central America with an arm span reaching up to 2.5 meters, and a tail allowing it to hang from tree branches, giving it its name of spider monkey.

We embark on a lancha with its driver for more than an hour of navigation on a 10 km circuit.

The Mombacho volcano where we were yesterday. And in the distance, the Conception volcano, one of the two volcanoes on the island of Ometepe where we will be the day after tomorrow!

All styles of houses are found on the isletas. From the most modest cabins to villas, some are even rentable by tourists.

In this period, some accommodations are flooded...

An egret (Ardea alba).

Towards the end of the course, tree acrobats make themselves heard loudly... These are mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) that we had already met in Costa Rica and Guatemala.

Back on land.

And to enjoy the setting a little more, we have lunch at the restaurant Puerto Asese located not far from our pier.

Back to Masaya.

We are Sunday and again, the inhabitants will appropriate the streets of the city as last Friday but this time during the day. The festival is linked to the tradition of San Jerónimo and is called Torovenado. The origin of this festival would be linked to the symbolism of the toro, representing the Spanish people, and the venado, representing the mythical power of the natives.

The float of the queen of Toroverano?   The mannequin with a white beard and dressed in a blue cloak represents San Jerónimo, the patron saint of Masaya.

The agüizotes masks from Friday are recycled for the occasion...

Costume of the natives who resisted the Spanish conquistadors? Anyway, in his hand, it's a dry boa!  

The various associations of the city parade with their signs or floats.

The police and gendarmerie frame the parade to avoid any overflow...

In the evening, our restaurant hosts a traditional dance group.