Rivas and Hacienda Amayo, Nicaragua
Nicaragua is a country that has been the ground of innumerous battles. Finally, after the revolution during the 80’s, the country has recovered the long-waited democracy and has started its preparation for diverse industries. Their friendly spirit translates in a warm welcome to those who visit them.
This morning we were already anchored in the bay of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. This fishermen town has been an important port since old times. Thousands of adventurers from the East Coast of U.S.A. crossed the south of Nicaragua in the steamboats of Commodore Vanderbilt. From the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific coast, people came with their hopes based on the gold of California.
Now, as we were disembarking in the pier, a group of musicians playing the marimba and other instruments were part of their warm welcome. Our Nicaraguan guide received us and soon we started our journey into historical sites. Our first stop was in the city of Rivas. The city has an old colonial architecture, and a mixture of times, since you can see horse carts and regular vehicles as means of transportation.
We made a visit to the museum of Rivas, which shows a bit of the history and nature. Later, we attended a presentation in the backyard of the building, where a local preschool has prepared a set of typical dances. At the end, the children of the ship danced with the locals, breaking the ice.
From there, we had a local transportation experience: the pepanos. These tricycles or cycle-taxis consist of a double seat in the front of the vehicle and our driver pedaling in the back. So, forming a caravan of pepanos we visited the colorful local market, with plenty of fruits, vegetables and clothing. Later on the caravan continued to the church of Saint Peter.
After the visit of Rivas, we took our buses to Hacienda Amayo, property of a dynasty that includes personalities like the former president Violeta Barrios de Chamorro. The hacienda is in front of the Lake Nicaragua and the island of Ometepe, which has two volcanos named Maderas and Concepcion.
We were received with coconut drinks and pitaya fruit juice. Lunch was also typical, known as caballo bayo, and later we had a baseball game with the local children's team of Rivas. For the first time in years our team won the game. To close the activities of the day, we had a piñata for the players that partook in the game of victory!
The visit to Nicaragua was full of cultural experiences and surprises for everyone.
Nicaragua is a country that has been the ground of innumerous battles. Finally, after the revolution during the 80’s, the country has recovered the long-waited democracy and has started its preparation for diverse industries. Their friendly spirit translates in a warm welcome to those who visit them.
This morning we were already anchored in the bay of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. This fishermen town has been an important port since old times. Thousands of adventurers from the East Coast of U.S.A. crossed the south of Nicaragua in the steamboats of Commodore Vanderbilt. From the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific coast, people came with their hopes based on the gold of California.
Now, as we were disembarking in the pier, a group of musicians playing the marimba and other instruments were part of their warm welcome. Our Nicaraguan guide received us and soon we started our journey into historical sites. Our first stop was in the city of Rivas. The city has an old colonial architecture, and a mixture of times, since you can see horse carts and regular vehicles as means of transportation.
We made a visit to the museum of Rivas, which shows a bit of the history and nature. Later, we attended a presentation in the backyard of the building, where a local preschool has prepared a set of typical dances. At the end, the children of the ship danced with the locals, breaking the ice.
From there, we had a local transportation experience: the pepanos. These tricycles or cycle-taxis consist of a double seat in the front of the vehicle and our driver pedaling in the back. So, forming a caravan of pepanos we visited the colorful local market, with plenty of fruits, vegetables and clothing. Later on the caravan continued to the church of Saint Peter.
After the visit of Rivas, we took our buses to Hacienda Amayo, property of a dynasty that includes personalities like the former president Violeta Barrios de Chamorro. The hacienda is in front of the Lake Nicaragua and the island of Ometepe, which has two volcanos named Maderas and Concepcion.
We were received with coconut drinks and pitaya fruit juice. Lunch was also typical, known as caballo bayo, and later we had a baseball game with the local children's team of Rivas. For the first time in years our team won the game. To close the activities of the day, we had a piñata for the players that partook in the game of victory!
The visit to Nicaragua was full of cultural experiences and surprises for everyone.
