Granada

The town of Granada is another one of Nicaragua's highlights apparently, and indeed it was a lovely town. We only stayed two nights (Hostal Esfinge), but since we arrived early the first day we had time to stroll about and pretty much check out all the local attractions. These are mainly lovely old churches and impressive colonials buildings, with some nice cafes and restaurants too.

The following day we got a local bus out to the National Parque Volcano Masaya, another cluster of volcanoes. The main volcano here is the most active one in all of Central America, and constantly belches out sulphuric clouds (apparently it can emit between 300 and 3000 tonnes of toxic gases every day, making it one of the world's largest naural polluters). It was certainly in a very toxic mood when we arrived, with the entire wide crater emitting a steady stream of burning cloud. We hiked around the neighbouring crater rim too. It doesn't emit any stream and appears a lot smaller. It makes for fantasic views though, all very Jurassic Park-looking.

Back in the town we strolled about some more and splashed out on dinner in the very fancy El Zaguan, having a gorgeous steak and the local vigoron (the vigoron we'd had the night before on the central square was both cheaper and nicer though!).

Next morning another very early start to try and get through the border and into Honduras...