Volcanoes Floating a Lake

Trip Start Dec 03, 2007
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Trip End Mar 29, 2008


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Flag of Nicaragua  ,
Saturday, December 29, 2007

After another short 4 hour trip, we arrived at the edge of  Lago de Nicaragua, also known by Colcibolca or 'the sweet sea', the largest lake in Central America. It is 177 km long and 58 km wide and has an average depth of  70 metres. The lake is home to many interesting fish - freshwater sawfish, tarpon and a freshwater bull shark that is about 3 metres long.

In the middle of this large lake is an amazing sight - an island formed by two large volcanoes, each a perfect cone and rising up about 1600 metres. The lava flowed inbetween the two volcanoes, uniting them and formed the island of Ometepe. This island has a population of about 35,000 and people live by fishing and farming. A lot of the island is still covered in primary forest and there is abundant wildlife all around.

We waited on the shore for our booked ferry and were told that the boat had left 10 minutes earlier because it was full and it was suggested that we take the next boat going. So we did but... WHAT A BOAT!!!! We boarded the 'boat' along with pepsi bottles, beer and oil via a rickety moving gangplank and half the group settled on the roof of the boat while the others were shooed down into the hold with other people who were already sea sick from the rocking. We spent the next 1 1/2 hours travelling to the island standing in the creaking hold hanging onto the roof rafters with water pouring in wetting our feet, sticking our heads out of the 'windows' at times to get some cool air and just trying to keep our balance. The people on the roof got rained on but generally had a good view from their tire perches. It was not very reassuring when the captain came around asking us for our names,  nationalities and ages, just in case... 
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