15.12.2019 - First bike ride - Masaya Volcano

Today we are all getting our mountain bikes. They are almost new bikes (Specialized). I'm having my own pedals screwed on and mounting my bike computer. The bikes even have disc brakes.

Today we are first riding through the city, then a quiet, unpaved side street past simple houses and then it goes 5 km up to the viewpoint Catarina, from which you can see the Laguna de Apoyo wonderfully. My fear that I might not be able to keep up is completely unfounded. The beautiful viewpoint is very busy because it's Sunday. Since it is steep, some visitors ride horses to the Mirador. To prevent the horses from running away while waiting, their heads are strapped tightly so that the animals can only look down. This way they don't run away --> animal cruelty.
We have now completed half of the route and are heading back to Granada. At first it goes downhill so steeply that some of us, including me, get off. Then it goes downhill less steeply, almost to Granada. That's fun.

I quickly shower and take a taxi (1 €) to the city to eat. I order pasta with shrimp. It takes forever and I have to be back before 3 p.m. because we're going on a bus trip then.

Visiting the Masaya Volcano is on the program. The active volcano, located at 635 m, has the special feature that you can see into the crater and see the lava boiling. The place has something mystical about it. Not only does the lava glow red, but the sunset also colors the sky reddish. In addition, you have a great view from here and can see Lake Nicaragua.

We then drive to the small town of Masaya and visit the souvenir market. Many stands have already closed. Nothing inspires me, although there are beautiful things. I get tempted to have a smoothie. Absolutely fresh and delicious.