Laguna de Apoyo is a beautiful crater lake just outside of
Granada. The lake is clean and blue, measuring 48 square
kilometers and 200 meters at the deepest point. The water is
refreshingly cool to swim in. Most of the lake is protected and
undeveloped (though some rico Americano has recently bought out a big
portion to develop vacation homes. He has sold a handful of lots
even though he does not have a permit yet!). There are lots of
howler monkeys living in the trees lining the lake, and are
entertaining to listen to in the evening.
There are a small handful of lodges around the lake, including 2
hostels: the Monkey Hut and Craters Edge. We stayed at the
lovely Craters Edge, run by Ann from Canada. We intended to stay
for 1 night, but had such a wonderful time we stayed for 3
nights. We met Jenny (from Oregon) and Jay (from Toronto) and had
a great time playing dominoes and other games with them. Jenny
and Jay are currently working for a school in Mexico, she as a teacher
and he as an IT director. Quite inspiring! We really
enjoyed their company during our trip.
We spent our days at the Lake swimming, kayaking, reading, playing
games with Jay and Jenny, eating, sleeping, reading more, swimming
more, eating more, laying in a hammmock.... the life of
leisure!
One night we ventured into the town of Masaya for their Thursday night
festivities. Every Thursday, the town puts on a touristy
celebration called Jueves de Verbena. Dancing, music, and lots of
food vendors set up inside of the Old Market (which looks like a cheesy
castle from the outside).
During one of our more energetic days, I swam the couple hundred meters
to the floating dock of the other hostel, the Monkey Hut and met a
great couple from the US - Tom and Anna. Check out their travel
website if you have a chance: www.PlanesTrainsAndDonkeys.com
Finally on Saturday morning, we paid our bill and caught a taxi to the
airport to buy a flight to the Corn Islands, which should be
renamed Gilligans Island.
Cheers,
Kay
More thumbnails ...
53 votes 
