In August & September of 2005 we headed south to Nicaragua, a country that amazed us and exceeded all of our expectations. Our journey took us from Rivas, San Juan del Sur, San Jorge, Isla de Ometepe, Lago de Nicaragua, the Chaco Verde Reserve, colonial Granada, and finally to the volcanos of Masaya. Nicaragua is raw and its beautiful. Below is a compilation of some of our black & white digital photos taken mostly in the city of Granada, Nicaragua. My table at the El Flamingo Bar on Calle Altraveseda in Granada, Nicaragua. We encountered these Nicaraguan children playing inside an old American school bus before its departure to Managua. A Nicaraguan "hyena" standing guard at the Parque Central Cathedral in Granada. The graveyard of the elite. Granada, Nicaragua The crucifix near Parque Central. Granada, Nicaragua A display depicting Jesus Christ after the crucifixion in a Granada cathedral. A Catholic Mass in Granada, Nicaragua. A dramatic sky around sunset over Granada. Our son McKinley introduces himself to the local Nica girls. McKinley getting practice in at an early age. The ferry boat which took us from the small mainland town of San Jorge in Rivas to the small island port of Moyagalpa on Ometepe Island. Our view from Charco Verde out onto Lago de Nicaragua. Volcan Concepcion is one of two volcanos on Isla de Ometepe. It's the only active volcano on the island. The active Volcan Concepcion rumbled to life during our stay on Ometepe Island. McKinley & Jennifer viewing Volcan Concepcion from our kayak on Lago de Nicaragua. Volcan Concepcion erupted two weeks before our late August visit and spewed ash over a 10 mile radius. It was still active during our stay on the island. We paddled our Kayak around a point and Mac was the first to step foot on the black volcanic sand beach. This beach was all ours, not a sould was in sight where we landed. McKinley enjoying the warm waters of Lake Nicaragua. McKinley will make the perfect exlorerer! The mangrove swamp near Charco verde. A Crane hunts the warm waters of Lago de Nicaragua. Our son McKinley negotiating the wood plank bridge near a hidden lagoon. McKinley on the trail through Charco Verde Reserve. The secret lagoonalong the trail in Charco Verde. On the trail through Charco Verde our first sign of primates came in the form of a jaw bone. McKinely took notice of the Howler Monkey remains. After finding a break in the jungle we came upon this deserted stretch of beach where we swam the afternoon away in solitude. McKinley taking a swim in the bath water warm waters of Lago de Nicaragua. The little "survivor" resting on the beach with a dormant volcano looming in the background. Time to head back into the jungle to look for those Howler monkeys! This Howler monkey spotted us first from above the trail. McKinley went running after hearing the spooky sounds of the Howler Monkeys from high above. After a long day of exloring we made it back to our beach front bungalow in Charco Verde. While Mom & Dad rested McKinley headed out on the trail with his NIcaraguan amigo Emilio. Local farmers take their cows to the waterfront for a drink. There is always time for relaxation. Our time to relax came at sunset when the sky over Lago de Nicaragua would light in the brightest shades of reds & purples. Still finding the time to play on the beach. Little friends Emilio and McKinley on the beach at Charco Verde. Ahhh...finally time for a Victoria beer!