Day 94: Ometepe, Nicaragua
Ometepe is a must-see tourist attraction in Nicaragua. Its name means two mountains due to it being twin volcanic islands in lake Nicaragua. Some say it’s overrated and others, overwhelmed with its beauty, stay much longer than they expected.
I’d love to tell a fantastic story about how I climbed the volcano, swam in the crater lake, struggled against all odds and realized my true potential.
But I did none of these things. I enjoyed the island by sitting on a hammock, enjoying great company. I didn’t kayak or hike or swim. I just relaxed.
All was not uneventful, on the way back from a fish dinner, I walked beneath an infinite sky along a road lined with fireflies. I had never seen fireflies before and I’ll always remember that night.
I'm Ayngelina and in my mid-thirties. I left an amazing job, boyfriend, apartment and friends to find inspiration in Latin America. I'm creating a new life choosing what I want instead of what other people think I should do.
I am really starting to appreciate the days where I do “nothing” – so much to see & do, but rest days are important.
That’s coming from someone who spent an entire day in bed, sitting at a cafe and walking through a park – nothing took any real exertion today!
It is good to have a relaxing day–we all need those every now and then. Fireflies are spectacular, aren’t they?
The goal of my trips is, essentially, to do “nothing,” by vacationing standards. These empty days are so important and sometimes more fulfilling since you’ve given yourself the time to appreciate life.
Haha… you’re honesty is hilarious! I’ll be honest in telling you I did the exact same thing. How are people realistically supposed to be able to get out of hammocks? They’re so comfy! And you need a hammock day every now and then on the road!
Hey Ayngelina
Did you happen to take pictures of the fireflies?As a little kid in Dresden, Ont. my cousins and I would collect them in jars and we really thought they were magic!!
Sometimes its hard to do nothing but relax and I know that you are the ultimate napper…….
How have you never seen fireflies? We have them in Toronto.
What? Where are they in Toronto?
We had them in the backyard when I lived over in High Park – you were there before, I’m surprised you never saw them. Now I’m not talking swarms of them where they light up the whole yard, but you’d see a dozen or so flying around.
You know I don’t think I was ever in your backyard, just inside. Regardless I didn’t see them so don’t ruin this special memory for me
Glad you went to Ometepe. Also agree there are lots of volcanos to climb. I passed on a bunch after climbing a few early on. ALthough I did climb one of the ones on Ometepe, (Maderas). It was rainy, muddy, and I didn’t see a thing. It was cool anyway though. Did you stay in Merida?
@Marc We ended up staying in Santa Cruz which is a pretty small area but was really cheap and nice.
Relaxing is good. Travel is suppose to be fun andfeelgood, nor for feel pressure or anything.
stunning.
When I was in Taipei for few days I shamely admit that I didn’t do or go out much. Well it was raining the whole time, but I met the best friends in hostel and really relaxed. Good!
Really great picture btw.
I haven’t commented but have been following your travels, mostly because it reminds me so much of my trip last year…it’s like I get to do it all over again! I skipped Ometepe too…we’d already hiked every other volcano we passed and everyone I met said it was so muddy it was miserable and you couldn’t see a thing from the top the day we would have gone. Sometimes it pays to sit in the hammock!
@Kimberly
Thanks for the comment, nice to see I wasn’t the only one who skipped it.
And don’t be shy about commenting, people seem to feel pressure to write something profound but really it’s just nice to know someone’s reading.
I hear ya on the rest days, I’ve been having a rest month in Cambodia hehe.
When I get to that part of the world, I’ll climb it for both of us and you can scope out the pictures. Virtual reality yay
Gorgeous photo though! You hiked Pacaya, right? I think one volcano is plenty…though that crater lake sounds pretty amazing…wishing I had gotten down that far.
@Dustin
If you could also just photoshop me in doing something amazing that would be great.
@Ayngelina when I get there, you can send me a goofy photo and we’ll paste it right on top. Easier than trekking!
Looks lovely! Such a serene location.
I spent a couple of months on a farm on Ometepe and fell in love with the place. One of my favourite things was sitting in a hammock in a treehouse on the side of the smaller volcano looking down at the forest below. The sky was filled with stars and the forest was full of fireflies. It was difficult to know where the land ended and the sky began. Pretty amazing place! Also a great place to chill out.
Would love to go there! Good for you for relaxing in a hammock
I love volcanoes so I think I’d be tempted to hike it then laze in the hammock!
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I LOVE days like that … I had a few of those on my trip when I was at tourist hot spots and opted to just relish in the beauty and relax versus take on a mountain, etc. Good on you.
And, yay for fireflies. I LOVE them!
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There is something absolutely magical about fireflies. When I moved to Austin from El Paso, it was my first experience with them and nothing on this world can beat that balmy summer night with a beer in hand and a natural light show playing out in front of you. How AMAZING!
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These are my favorite types of days! I’m in love with Nicaragua, and I haven’t been near Ometepe. Just saying. Maybe next time!
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Haha, I know exactly how you feel. Sometimes we just can’t bring ourselves to see another “stunning view” or “magnificent site” There are times in travel when all you need to do is relax and your time in Nicaragua sounds perfect.
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I took that smae photo many years ago! And I alos lost a baseball cap on the ferry that takes you to the island. A great place!
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