Malinche

This time of year this tree, called Malinche, flowers into some of the brightest orange flowers you have ever seen. Actually, by July these flowers are almost gone so I wanted to share them with you.

This tree, named the Delonix regia, is nattive to Madagascar but can be found in many parts of the world. You'll see a lot of them here in Nicaragua.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delonix_regia - English

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delonix_regia - Spanish

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Posted by Editorial Team on 3:22 p.m. in Nature/Naturaleza

Cashew/Marañon

Sometimes when you learn a new language, you also learn to eat new foods. Did you know that there exists a cashew fruit? In Nicaragua, "marañón" is used to refer to the toasted nut, the fruit itself and it's even a last name. You have probably tried the toasted nuts. Here they are served plain, without salt. They are slightly sweet and delicious. The fruit itself has a sweet, pungent taste (imagine sweet battery acid) and is used to make fruit-juice based drinks.

A veces cuando uno aprende un nuevo idioma, también aprende a probar alimentos nuevos. Aquí está el marañón. El nombre marañón se refiere a la nuez que se come tostada, la fruta misma e incluso es un apellido. Seguro ha comido las nueces tostadas. Aquí se comen simples, sin sal. Están un tantito dulces y deliciosas! La fruta tiene un sabor raro - dulce y amargo (hacéte que es ácido de batería dulce) y se ocupa en hacer frescos naturales.

Posted by Editorial Team on 9:02 p.m. in Curiosities/Curiosidades, Nature/Naturaleza, Nicaraguan Food/Comida Nicaragüense

Mirador de Catarina

The Laguna de Apoyo near Masaya, Nicaragua is a blue jewel among a volcano rich area.  Of course, the best views of this treasure can be had from its upper rim, especially from the Mirador de Catarina (Catarina Lookout).  There is protected parking, artisan vendors, food and a lot of interesting people.  And you will always have a great view of the Apoyo Lagoon.

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Posted by Editorial Team on 9:51 p.m. in Catarina, Destinations/Destinos, Laguna de Apoyo, Masaya, Mirador de Catarina, Nature/Naturaleza, Tourism/Turismo

On the coast of Mérida

Just off the coast of the small town of Mérida, on the island of Ometepe in Nicaragua, you will find some charming views of Lake Nicaragua (or Cocibolca as it is known by the locals).

Afuera del pueblo de Mérida, en la isla de Ometepe en Nicaragua, encontrarás unas vistas encantadoras del Lago de Nicaragua (o Cocibolca por su nombre local).

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Posted by Editorial Team on 9:25 p.m. in Beach/Playa, blogsherpa, Nature/Naturaleza, Ometepe

Volcanoes and sugarcane

If you go to the Pacific side of Nicaragua (which has a very large coastline), you will see lots of volcanoes and sugarcane, especially in the NW part of the country.  Both are a very important part of Nicaragua's landscape...and of course the sugar production and the sugarcane production lead to some of the best rum in the world: Flor de Caña...or so they say.

Flor de Caña Centenario 18 (Photo credit: SBPR)

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Posted by Editorial Team on 9:03 p.m. in Curiosities/Curiosidades, Nature/Naturaleza, Nicaragua

Hacienda Iguana

 We spent a couple of days at Casa Marisombra in the Hacienda Iguana Golf & Beach Club in Tola, Nicaragua.  Hacienda Iguana is a gated community with 24-hour security on one of the excellent beach areas that Nicaragua offers.  Most of the houses are privately owned.  Many are available for weekly and monthly rentals.  There is a restaurant and beach club with food offerings as well.

  

This picture courtesy of Nicaragua-magazine.com

There is also a 9-hole golf course designed by Niels Oldenberg, carefully blended into the natural beauty of this reserve.

There are 8-10 foot breaks in two particular spots on the mile-long beach.

 

It is a wonderful place to spend a week (or just a weekend like we did).  If you plan to go to the beaches in Tola, make sure you check out Hacienda Iguana. 

For rates and more information, please see the following site: http://www.casamarisombra.com/

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Posted by Editorial Team on 12:49 p.m. in Beach/Playa, Destinations/Destinos, Nature/Naturaleza, Rivas

Spectacular view outside Managua

I was able to take this panoramic shot outside of Managua from the carretera suburbana, just a little to the west of San Judas in Managua.  Managua is indeed beautiful...from a distance!  Click on it to see it a bit bigger.  It's worth it!

Logré tomar esta foto de vista panorámica en las afueras de Managua desde un punto sobre la carretera suburbana, al oeste del barrio San Judas de Managua.  Está bella la ciudad de Managua...de una distancia.  Hace clik en la foto para agrandarla.  ¡Vale la pena!

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Posted by Editorial Team on 4:57 p.m. in Managua, Nature/Naturaleza