Sunday on Lake Nicaragua

Today I wake to a clear blue cloudless sky.  at 7:30am its already very very hot.  Forecast is for temperatures in the high 30's.  It's Sunday and I have only one plan for the day.  Explore the lake.  But first breakfast and a swim.  Breakfast at Casa Silas is, as always a very relaxed affair by the pool.  This morning Claudia and Rob prepare nacatamals.  Nacatamals are a very typical Nicaraguan meal of course corn flour molded around chicken, potato and vegetables then wrapped in a plantain leaf and boiled.  It's more delicous than it sounds. Pleasant smokey tobacco kind of flavour from the leaves.   Of course  we have also fresh tropical fruit and excellent coffee.   I swim and read for a while (just started "Hologram for the King" by Dave Eggars.  Already I have trouble putting it down).  Then to the lake.

Lago de Nicaragua (or Cocibolca in the Nahautl language) is the largest lake in Central America and the 19th largest in the world.   The lake is ringed by volcanoes and there are two volcanic islands in the centre.  It's visually stunning and there is nearly always has a cool easterly breeze flowing across toward the pacific.   Just off the shore from Granada there is an archipelago of 360 tiny island formed during a violent volcanic eruption more than 10,000 years ago.  I take one of the little boats that make a tour of las isletas.  It's a pleasant hour of voyarim checking out all the amazing vacation homes on the privately owned islands.  Most are just big enough to support a regular sized mansion, pool, lush gardens and of course all have their own private dock.  Apparently you can buy an island with a one of the more modest houses for around 120,000 USD.  We also visit Monkey Island and I feed the spider monkeys.  I feel kind of sorry for them - 4 spider monkeys marooned on this tiny rocky island.  Apparently they hate the water so are not going anywhere. There are a few trees. No food but they get fed by the tourists.   My boat captain didn't know how they got there.  

I go back into town for a late lunch and a gelato at the very excellent gelateria (today's flavour - chocolate and tiramisu).  Stroll back through Parque Central and decide to finish my book by the pool.  Not a bad way to spend a Sunday.  I'm pretty happy.    Would highly recommend Casa Silas as a place to stay in Granada.  Its a lovely spanish colonial home in the centre of town.  Two guest rooms both with private bath.  Courtyard garden and pool.  Breakfast included.  Rob and Claudia are wonderful hosts. http://casasilas.com.