Managua - 2006-04-23-MA
Our introduction to Managua, Nicaragua.
Very green and very bright, and when we arrived it was the tail end of the dry
season. Managua was damaged by an earthquake of 6.0 on the Richter scale
and a fire on March 31, 1931 and by fire again in 1936. On December 23, 1972,
the city was very severely damaged in an earthquake that took more than 10,000
lives. In the aftermath, when international help came in to rebuild the town,
the dictator Somoza and his troops allegedly took the donations and either hid
them from the public or used the donations for themselves. As a result, the
downtown area, devastated by the earthquake, was never rebuilt, and it remains
half-empty even today. Those actions were a contributing factor to the communist
backed Sandinistas' takeover of Nicaragua in 1979.
Managua is considered very confusing for visitors, because it has
no street names or addresses. After the 1972 earthquake the city regrew
organically and street signs were generally not replaced. Directions are always
given relative to landmarks, but landmarks are often used which no longer exist.
Managua - 2006-05-07-MA
A short drive outside the city.
Managua - 2006-05-28-MA - 2006-07-14-MA
A drive to the Pacific coast, including the Montelimar area. About an hour or so away.
Managua - 2006-06-04-MA
Downtown area of Managua. The malecon, destroyed cathedral, and other areas not rebuilt after the 1972 earthquake.
Managua - 2006-06-25-MA
About an hour outside of Managua heading towards Masaya is Lago Apoyo.
Managua - 2006-11-19-MA
About an two and a half hours North of Managua heading towards the Pacific border with Honduras is Chichigalpa, in the Chinandega district. The volcano is named San Cristóbal. It is the tallest volcano in Nicaragua, and quite active, continuously expelling of gas and smoke.
Managua - 2006-12-25-MA
Christmas, 2006!
Managua - 2007-02-04-MA
Some pictures of Managua and a few focusing on the "rotunda" figures that punctuate the city.
Laguna de Apoyo - 2007-02-04-AP
Lake Apoyo, a defunct volcano crater. Located inbetween Granada and Managua. Taken from a much higher altitude than previous pictures of this lake.
Masaya Volcano - 2007-02-10-MS
Masaya Volcano is located about 20 kilometers south of Managua, Nicaragua. Two lava flows have occurred since the 16th century. One in 1670 and the other in 1772. The last eruption occurred in 2003. Elevation is 2083 feet above sea level. It is part of Nicaragua's first and largest National Park. There are several craters within the park.
Fort Coyotepe - 2007-03-25-MA
Fort Coyotepe, outside Masaya, from the 1800's.
Pochomil, Nicaragua - 2007-07-28-NI
This place is a tourist resort on the Pacific coast, fairly close to Managua. It cost about 30 cordobas (appx $1.50) to enter, and once inside you have your choice of many different places to park, eat, and enjoy the beach.
New & Old León Highway - 2007-07-29-NI
A recent trip to the Chinandega & Chichigalpa area. Closer pictures of San Cristóbal volcano reserve, as well as some pictures of León city. The outbound trip was via the New León Highway, and the return trip via the Old León Highway. León was at times the capital of Nicaragua. It was first established around 1524 by Spaniard colonialists.
Pochomil revisited, Nicaragua - 2007-08-11-NI
Return trip to this "beach" resort. Mostly pictures of the kids this time.
Managua, Masaya Highway, and a smoker - 2007-10-07-MA
Keilani and Leilani's second birthday - 2007-11-08-MA
Patrick's thirteenth birthday, and a turkey - 2007-11-22-MA
Xiloa, a small lake, and the kids decorating the Christmas Tree - 2007-12-01-NI
Managua - 2007-12-08-NI
Pictures of the "downtown" area of Managua, government buildings, the central cathedral, and Lake Managua. Then some pictures of Masaya Volcano and the surrounding areas.
El Tránsito - 2008-10-05-NI
This was an overnight trip to the "Ocean Hotel" with Patrick and Penelope, operated by an expat from the United States. Nice crashing waves 24/7 and a nice experience overall.
El Tránsito - 2008-10-12-NI
Another trip to the beach, this one just as enjoyable. The white car in the pictures taken from the back of the car, the mud was courtesy of my Subaru.
El Tránsito - 2008-10-31-NI
Yup, you guessed it. Pictures of a stunning sunset.
El Tránsito - 2008-12-08-NI
Doris and all the kids this time at the beach.
Nicaragua - 2009-02-07-NI
Houses of Nicaragua.
Nicaragua - 2009-02-21-NI
Pacific Coast of Nicaragua.
Nicaragua - 2009-05-30-NI
Ocean Hotel in El Tránsito. Our last weekend at the beach while residing in Nicaragua.
Nicaragua - 2009-11-20-NI
Ocean Hotel in El Tránsito. Our first return since moving to Tegucigalpa.