Spectacular Tree on Ometepe

It feels good to know and how to pronounce. It was the most spectacular of any I saw on Ometepe, although there are some more nice specimens down on the north side of Vulcan Maderas.

It looks like they use this wood for great big beams. The locals had taken a huge branch and chainsawed it square for the main beam in their cantina. It was from another tree, luckily.

Thanks for the education!

-Carl

It's way different than oak. There are quite a few of them on Ometepe and around the south of Nicaragua, but they are going way too fast.

they consider shade cast by trees unlucky! this tree would not help

If you are in San Jorge before catching the ferry to Ometepe, there is a tourist booth to the left (north of the pier before the little soda) with pamphlets and the phone number to Charco Verde. I cannot remember the gentleman's name that runs the booth, but he is very helpful in English and Spanish. Or, if you are in Mayogalpa, you can catch a cab for 10 dollars. The bus runs along the highway too. Much cheaper, but make sure to tell them you want to be dropped off on the highway @ Charco Verde. Charco verde and the beach are about a 400 meter walk down the road.

I would tell you it's 1/2 mile before the end of the pavement on the road to the west side of the island, but I'm sure they have extended it by now. There are no landmarks to make the road to this, that I recall... Hmm, maybe one... It's the first place that I recall beginning to see any hills to the right of the road (between the road and the water. If you begin to go up even a slight hill, you are just passing the Charco Verde area. There is also a large dock for loading pretty good sized boats near the lagoon. You are about 1/8 mile from the lake where the driveway to Finca Venecia takes off. I think it was either 5 or 8 miles from Moyogalpa proper. Gomez or any taxi can take you there.

Yes, there are many many monkeys out in the trees on the promontory that juts west from the lagoon. I would give my right arm for that property! Glorious views towards Maderas, the mainland, and a very small, private island from the top of the promontory there. I believe they do have a phone out there.

When I was there the guy operating the place was from Costa Rica, I think, and his girlfriend was down helping him,,, from Las Vegas, Nevada! Very good food, and about the cleanest rooms we stayed in all of our trip, except for Fyl's place. This place has only cold water showers, and Fyl's were hot, too!

The best spot we saw on our trip to Ometepe (although the lagoon comes close) was the waterfall on the west side of Maderas. Long long trip down there, though, but worth it. Make sure your transport has 4 wheel drive.

All the best,

-Carl