Days 218 – 222: Estelí to Managua and our first week in Nicaragua’s capital

On Monday, February 26, the four of us loaded our respective bikes, once again, and set off for another day of travelling, but no border crossings this time. It was a hot day and around three hours to Managua, where Phil and I were staying for two weeks.

Our first days in the city were low-key and then on Wednesday, we met up with Tim and Marisa to visit the Masaya Volcano. It is an active volcano and you can go right up to the crater that spews sulfuric smoke. Lava has not flowed from the volcano in over 200 years; however, explosions are said to be fairly frequent, with the most recent one in 2001 that injured two people and damaged some vehicles in the parking area.

 

 

 

 

 

After visiting the Masaya Volcano, the plan was to have lunch at the mall in the city and then go visit the Chiltepe Volcano. Plans changed; however, as we enjoyed the cool air-conditioned indoors during lunch. We decided stay out of the heat and watch Black Panther. The movie was enjoyed by all and I wish for Wakanda to be real so I can visit it and maybe never leave. I also wish that for Halloweentown, but different movie.

On the following day, Phil and I explored Managua a little. We went to the Puerto Salvador Allende, which is a beautiful and colourful port area by Lake Xolotlán that has a number of restaurants and a few shops. We had lunch at one of the restaurants (decent food, but huge portions that made for another meal for us) and then took a stroll by the lakeside before leaving to check out the Old Cathedral and the National Palace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We spent Friday in our apartment, out of the unforgiving Nicaraguan heat, and catching up on some work with plans to do a day trip outside the city over the weekend.