We stayed at Crater's Edge hostel which is located on a volcanic lake. The hostel itself is located in an ecologically protected area.
Here's a little tidbit about the laguna from the hostel's website: "The laguna was formed by one of the largest volcanic eruptions in Nicaraguan history over 21,000 years ago. The result is this spectacularly lush crater lake, 6km in diameter and with a depth estimated to be 200m at its centre (supposedly the deepest body of water in all of Central America)."So welcome to...
This place is absolutely wonderful! We had only planned on spending a night here, but we ended staying for two weeks! As you look through the pictures you will understand why. It was a holiday within a holiday. A great place to relax and hang out. It also became a nice place to work too...At the Laguna, we were able to watch the first SUNRISE of our trip...it was amazing, and all we had to do was roll over in bed and look outside. For our first night, we stayed in the dorm which has a mosquito net wall that let you look right out into the sunrise...
This is the Laguna from the top edge of the crater.
As well as a few good shots up close and personal.
Here's a few shots of the property. This is the Rancho down by the waters edge where during our first week here, we spent almost every waking minute, just lounging around, visiting, reading. It has the lounge chairs, hammocks, and of course a bar...with really good chocolate rumballs.
This is a view of the dorm from the Rancho.
A view of the outdoor dining area where we ate under the stars every night and a view of the main house from the dining area.
These pictures are from within the main house, including the patio area and the upstairs where the guest rooms are.
And a view of the laguna from the patio.
Here some shots of the various rooms we stayed in. During our first night, we stayed in the dorm (bunk in the far corner)...
...and the warning sign for guests!!!
During our second night, we moved up to the main house to a private room.
Here's a few shots of the property. This is the Rancho down by the waters edge where during our first week here, we spent almost every waking minute, just lounging around, visiting, reading. It has the lounge chairs, hammocks, and of course a bar...with really good chocolate rumballs.
This is a view of the dorm from the Rancho.
A view of the outdoor dining area where we ate under the stars every night and a view of the main house from the dining area. These pictures are from within the main house, including the patio area and the upstairs where the guest rooms are.And a view of the laguna from the patio.
Here some shots of the various rooms we stayed in. During our first night, we stayed in the dorm (bunk in the far corner)...
...and the warning sign for guests!!!
During our second night, we moved up to the main house to a private room.And lastly, the room we moved into during our last week at the Laguna...during our last week, we volunteered at the hostel...but we'll save the story for the next post.
So like we said, every easy to get used to...nice place, great people, wonderful food, and plenty of relaxing and lounging...
Oh yes, we did it well! How can you not be relaxed in a place like this?!
We met some great people too...this is Michael and Sam from the U.S. and on the hammock is Evan from Vancouver (who we first met briefly in San Juan, ran into again in Granada, and now we hung out with them for a few days here).
Here is Kyle, Phil and Evan (both from Vancouver) at the Rancho bar.
And the boys started the "Inner Tube Club". They drank the days away...each time sending the next person in for fresh beers... The club also included Dimitri who spent a couple days here and then went back to San Juan for the surf.
And they're good again!
This is one of the blue butterflies that are found here. Kyle chased this guy until he got a decent shot.
Misc shots...due to our Malaria pills, we were photo-sensitive to the sun...ya tell me about it, I burnt the tips of my toes from being out in the inner tube too long!
I can't remember the name of this guy, but he's like a grasshopper. We saw some in Jaco too. They look like a leaf.
Day trip to Managua...this is Lefty, a local dog who adopted himself to Ann (the owner from Vancouver) and her hostel. Ann had to take him to the vet one day in Managua, and since we hadn't been there, we went along too.
We dropped Lefty off at the vet, and carried on with the rest of the "Managua Monday" errands. But poor Lefty, no sooner we're home from the vet, and his cheek which was infected, was fuller than before!
Also the same day, Ann had taken us up to the top rim of the crater...which is were we got some of the great shots that were posted earlier...here's a few more.
Here's one of Kyle, Ann and Lefty.
The people here were great, and we became good friends, especially with Ann (the owner, and Yvonne (from Devon, AB who has worked with Ann since the hostel opened a year ago). Here we all are right before we left...we had fun and it was hard to go, but we had a few more places to see and things to do before we head back home.
This is Ann, me and Yvonne.
And Kyle with the girls.
What a ladies' man!
So like we said, every easy to get used to...nice place, great people, wonderful food, and plenty of relaxing and lounging...
Oh yes, we did it well! How can you not be relaxed in a place like this?!
We met some great people too...this is Michael and Sam from the U.S. and on the hammock is Evan from Vancouver (who we first met briefly in San Juan, ran into again in Granada, and now we hung out with them for a few days here).
Here is Kyle, Phil and Evan (both from Vancouver) at the Rancho bar.And the boys started the "Inner Tube Club". They drank the days away...each time sending the next person in for fresh beers... The club also included Dimitri who spent a couple days here and then went back to San Juan for the surf.Oh no, no beer!
Other than being in the "Inner Tube Club", Kyle and I went out kayaking a few times...we wanted to go kayaking when we were in Manuel Antonio too but it was a pretty rough day...so we finally got our chance.
One afternoon, Kyle got a little stir-crazy and went out for a walk...here's some of his pictures.
One afternoon, Kyle got a little stir-crazy and went out for a walk...here's some of his pictures.
This is one of the blue butterflies that are found here. Kyle chased this guy until he got a decent shot. Misc shots...due to our Malaria pills, we were photo-sensitive to the sun...ya tell me about it, I burnt the tips of my toes from being out in the inner tube too long!
I can't remember the name of this guy, but he's like a grasshopper. We saw some in Jaco too. They look like a leaf.
Day trip to Managua...this is Lefty, a local dog who adopted himself to Ann (the owner from Vancouver) and her hostel. Ann had to take him to the vet one day in Managua, and since we hadn't been there, we went along too.
We dropped Lefty off at the vet, and carried on with the rest of the "Managua Monday" errands. But poor Lefty, no sooner we're home from the vet, and his cheek which was infected, was fuller than before!Also the same day, Ann had taken us up to the top rim of the crater...which is were we got some of the great shots that were posted earlier...here's a few more.Here's one of Kyle, Ann and Lefty.The people here were great, and we became good friends, especially with Ann (the owner, and Yvonne (from Devon, AB who has worked with Ann since the hostel opened a year ago). Here we all are right before we left...we had fun and it was hard to go, but we had a few more places to see and things to do before we head back home.This is Ann, me and Yvonne.
And Kyle with the girls.
What a ladies' man!
Anyone who is planning on travelling to Nicaragua...this hostel on the lake is a must see! We recommend it to everyone!
