León
León is a land of volcanoes, hot weather and interesting cities. Leon has one of the most impressive colonial cities in the country. Here, you will find hotels, restaurants, bars, tour operators, museums, cultural centers, several colonial churches and the largest cathedral in Central America. Leon has 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites that are located in Leon a city we will visit, the two sites are The Ruins of Leon Viejo &The Leon Cathedral
Leon also has a couple of famous beaches: Poneloya and Las Peñitas.
Leon has eight volcanoes, all of which are part of the 'Cordillera de Los Maribios'. The most interesting might be Cerro Negro, which is a young, small volcano that offers incredible views and slopes to practice ash boarding!!
Ok so the story begins.
We arrived at Managua within 2:20 from Ft Lauderdale , a smooth quick flight. Once we arrived we were met by the VIP agent from Mukul, this was an excellent service. You hand over your passport to VIP they escort you to a private lounge and while you are enjoying complementary cocktail as they are checking you in with customs and immigration. When they came to get us at the lounge around 10 mins later they had all our luggage and our private car ready for us.
We arrived at our Hotel El Convento which was founded in 1639 and was the first convent in the city. It is located in the city center walking distance to everything we wanted to see. So we dropped our luggage off in our room and headed to our first Uneseco World Heritage
We arrived at Managua within 2:20 from Ft Lauderdale , a smooth quick flight. Once we arrived we were met by the VIP agent from Mukul, this was an excellent service. You hand over your passport to VIP they escort you to a private lounge and while you are enjoying complementary cocktail as they are checking you in with customs and immigration. When they came to get us at the lounge around 10 mins later they had all our luggage and our private car ready for us.
We arrived at our Hotel El Convento which was founded in 1639 and was the first convent in the city. It is located in the city center walking distance to everything we wanted to see. So we dropped our luggage off in our room and headed to our first Uneseco World Heritage
site the Leon Cathedral. Took a brief 45 min tour then off for some cocktails and snacks at El Seteo.There is a church in just about very corner of this city and it is also the most safe citie in the country for tourist to roam around.I must say it's little nerve wracking Nicaraguans love fireworks and they shoot them off in the early am,day and night.Sounds like gun fights outside. Woke up this morning to them and a parade at 8 am with a giante float of St. Theresa on a float going by the hotel.
Today we were up early because of the 2 hour time change. Vapues tour company picked us up at 9 am for our ash boarding. It was an 1 1/2 drive on a dirt road by 4x4,I set up a private guide so it was just Mike and I and what a better way to celebrate your
21st anniversary by throwing yourselves down a volcano.
On the way to the volcano is saw what I thought were odd looking goats in people's yards but we got a closer look ant they were pigalopes or maybe we had discovered a new species. I had to get a closer look so I had the driver stop, they were pigs that had 2 twigs placed on their heads to keep them from going through the fence to neighbors yards, a very innovative Nicaraguan invention. Below is a picture.
Leon Cathederal
We arrived at the ranger station at Cerro Negro and looked at our gear, unfortunately the snowboard was not usable for me my feet were to small for the bindings so I was a little let down, I was going to do it anyways but it was so loose I would have twisted an ankle. Since we have snowboarded for so long we really wanted to board down so Mike had a board and I had a Nicaraguan sled which turns out to be much faster you can clock up to 90 kilometers.So we headed up for our hike with our gear. It was 1hr walk up to the summit of the volcano. We had cloud coverage and a breeze so it made it comfortable but it was strenuous and steep in some areas. In the steep area there was loose rocks and stones,looking down at my every step gave me nausea so next thing was I hurled , Jojo left here mark on Cerro Negro. I got over that quick drank some water and continued. I was determined because this was the reason I came to Nicaragua. I recently read an article of the 20 most adventurous things to do before you die and ash boarding at Cerro Negro was number 2.
In my mind I had thoughts that this may turn out cheesy but when we got up there Mike looked at me and said you are Loca... Crazy in Spanish! It was steep! A 40 degree face.We put on our suits, goggles and gloves and off we were. I knew that sled was going to fly down and it did! You start off slow but once you get momentum your flying! To control the sled you use your feet, you dig them in to slow down or place them On the sled in front of you to fly there is also a hand cable to manuver right and left.On the way down sand and pebbles are blasting on to your face and body but you don't really feel them with the suit. It was very adventurous and exilarating. You can see previous tracks in the pics.
Of course when the guide went to take photos of me going down and he said the camera had error. But I have a great go pro video just can't post with this slow internet.
After the boarding we returned back to our tranquil hotel and had a late lunch by the pool. Shortly after the peace BOOM the fireworks started again. Leon is a very festive city. Also every thing is very inexpensive, $8.00 for 3 beers 1 lemonade and a snack!
Well it is 7:00 am and the alarm at the hotel has gone off again, sounds like an evacuation alarm and it goes on for a full minute. I think it has always gone off to wake up the Nuns for prayer.
Getting picked up at 8:00 by Mukul to head to some pure relaxation now and we are ready. Off to Mukul we go with a scenic 3 1/2 hour drive.
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