Rivas and Hacienda Amayo, Nicaragua
In 1989, after a long history of civil wars, dictatorships and natural catastrophes, Nicaragua finally entered a period of democracy and prosperity. In spite of several drawbacks now the country is finally getting its act together and Nicaraguans are proudly opening themselves to receiving foreign visitors to share with them their beautiful country. Perhaps the best feature they have to offer is the warm hospitality of its people.
This morning our ship anchored off the coast of San Juan del Sur, a small fishing village that is growing into a tourist center. Year after year beautiful mansions and hotels are being built on the cliffs of this charming setting. After breakfast we had our first dry landing of the week. On the pier we met our Nicaraguan guides who led us through the cattle fields into the colonial town of Rivas. We visited the local museum where we attended a typical dance show performed by the school children. From there we took a tour of the city on “pepanos” which is the daily means of transportation of the natives. These are modified bicycles with a front seat for two passengers while the driver pedals on the back. We entered the local food market where we could appreciate the great variety of foodstuff which Nicaraguans produce and consume: plantains, cassava, spices, cacao, achiote, squashes and all kinds of large and delicious fruits. Then we headed to the Church of Saint Peter where we got back on our buses and continued to Hacienda Amayo.Hacienda Amayo is located on the banks of Lake Cocibolca with its two spectacular volcanoes in the middle: the Concepcion and the Maderas. This hacienda is the home of the prominent Barrios family. After a delicious typical Nicaragua buffet called “caballo bayo” our young ones participated in a soccer match followed by a baseball game against the local Rivas team. Then we had a piñata for the little ones and we returned to San Juan del Sur to the Sea Voyager. It was a short but intense visit to a country that is really captivating.
In 1989, after a long history of civil wars, dictatorships and natural catastrophes, Nicaragua finally entered a period of democracy and prosperity. In spite of several drawbacks now the country is finally getting its act together and Nicaraguans are proudly opening themselves to receiving foreign visitors to share with them their beautiful country. Perhaps the best feature they have to offer is the warm hospitality of its people.
This morning our ship anchored off the coast of San Juan del Sur, a small fishing village that is growing into a tourist center. Year after year beautiful mansions and hotels are being built on the cliffs of this charming setting. After breakfast we had our first dry landing of the week. On the pier we met our Nicaraguan guides who led us through the cattle fields into the colonial town of Rivas. We visited the local museum where we attended a typical dance show performed by the school children. From there we took a tour of the city on “pepanos” which is the daily means of transportation of the natives. These are modified bicycles with a front seat for two passengers while the driver pedals on the back. We entered the local food market where we could appreciate the great variety of foodstuff which Nicaraguans produce and consume: plantains, cassava, spices, cacao, achiote, squashes and all kinds of large and delicious fruits. Then we headed to the Church of Saint Peter where we got back on our buses and continued to Hacienda Amayo.
