Nicaragua

I know you'll be shocked to hear this, but I'm a slew of countries behind, and Asa is in the office, so we all know that means it's catch-up day! 

Continuing on with our Survivor inspired countries, we headed to Central America for the setting of Survivor seasons 21, 22, 29, and 30. 

Known as the 'land of lakes and volcanoes', Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, and for reference is just a tad bit smaller than the state of New York. It is however, the least densely populated country in Central America. 

It is a country where 72% of the population is under the age of 30, and 75% of the population live on less than $2 a day (48% are below the poverty line). 

The Nicas (as they're known), are a resilient, proud and persistent people who love their poetry, coffee, and baseball. 

Nicaragua is one of the few places on earth that has two coasts on opposite sides of the country, so you can visit the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean in the same day.  (And I thought going to the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico on the same day was cool) It does make them more susceptible to hurricanes though. 

It has a history filled with dictators, revolutions, a civil war and economic collapse. But today it is considered one of the safest countries to visit in Central America. Tourism is growing here because it's very budget-friendly. It's a country with a lot to offer: world class beaches, colonial cities, coffee farms, active volcanoes, and the largest rainforest north of the Amazon. 

If the colonial cities interest you, visit Grenada and the Canary Cathedral- which has been an icon of the city in some form or another since 1583. Or you could visit the oldest city in Central America in the Ruins of Leon Viejo, which is over 1500 years old. 

If you're into astronomy, you should totally visit Nicaragua. Apparently there are 88 constellations. and you can see 86 of them in Nicaragua. 

Our landmark, was Lago De Nicaragua (or Lake Nicaragua) the largest freshwater lake in the Americas after the Great Lakes. This lake was once part of the Pacific Ocean until seismic activity created the plain that now separates the lake from the ocean. Fed by freshwater rivers, the lake gradually lost it's salinity. What makes this interesting though, is that the fish trapped in the lake evolved, creating some of the most unusual types of fish found anywhere on earth, including freshwater swordfish and sharks! 

So there's the lake post in the 'Land of Lakes and Volcanoes', on to the Volcano part! 

Nicaragua has tons of volcanic islands, and 19 active volcanoes, all of which could erupt at just a minutes notice.  But the country is home to one very unique volcano- The world's only Dual Volcano, meaning that it is fed underground by two different magma flows. It's the only volcano in the world that can erupt twice in one eruption! 

But perhaps the coolest thing we learned about Nicaragua is that it is the birthplace of Volcano boarding. Apparently the dark grey slopes at Cerro Negro peak is the first place you could hop on a sled, and slide down the side of a volcano. (You get covered in dust and ash on the way down!) 

The boys made their Nicaragua postcards. 

Calib gave a nod to the fact that to many visitors 'Nicaragua is the new Costa Rica' thanks to it's surge in tourism. (Don't say this IN Nicaragua, however, they don't appreciate it'. )

Peyton made some freshwater sharks, and some guys sledding down the volcano. 

While Hayden had his volcano erupting twice for the dual volcano. 

Nicaragua was a simple dinner. We had Salpicon De Res, or Central American Shredded Beef Salad 

This dinner earned four spoons up. 

We used a slotted spoon to put the meat on our tortillas (we used flour instead of corn- I'm all for authenticity to a point, corn tortillas are not awesome), but Peyton still thought it was a little too soupy, and he's weird about textures. 

The rest of us would have it again, it was a fun new take on tacos. 

We colored Nicaragua in a light green. 

82 down, 111 to go! 

Next Up: Panama