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English Blog Your Nicaragua blog 2012-02-06T01:56:41-06:00 DotClear daily 1 2012-02-06T01:56:41-06:00 Relax in Managua’s Parque Japón Nicaragua 2012-02-06T01:56:41-06:00 2012-02-06T01:56:41-06:00 http://www.nicaragua.com/blog/relax-in-managuas-parque-japon-nicaragua Editor Features

Considered to be unique in Central America in terms of theme and design, the Japan Park Nicaragua, or Parque Japón Nicaragua, was inaugurated on 28 February 2005. Covering an area of more than eight thousand square meters in Managua, the park is an attractive blend of Japanese and Nicaraguan cultures, with traditional Japanese architecture, masses of huge bamboo plants, and other landscaping features typical of Japan. The park even has a replica of the famous Mount Fuji of the Empire of the Rising Sun, as well as a multistory pagoda-style temple. Taken from the Chinese language, the word pagoda literally means "eight corners tower", and these distinctive buildings which are usually associated with the Buddhist religion, are found in many Asian cultures, including Japan.

As part of the historic Group of Twelve, Nicaraguan writer and politician Sergio Ramírez features prominently in the history of his home country's struggle for freedom from the Somoza dictatorship. In 1985 to 1990, he served as Vice President of Nicaragua under Daniel Ortega's presidency, and served in the Government Junta of National Reconstruction prior to that. In addition to his busy political life, Ramírez has continued to contribute to the literary culture of Nicaragua through his writings, for which he has received numerous commendations and awards.

The Earthship Pitaya Festival, known locally as Pitaya Fest, takes place in February every year in Nicaragua's seaside town of San Juan del Sur and the neighboring community of El Carizal. Coinciding with the full moon, the week-long festival aims to raise awareness of environmental issues, while at the same time offering music, the full moon, sun, sand, surf and a party atmosphere like no other. The festival is named after the local Pitaya fruit and the Earthship – a unique self-sustainable structure constructed from tin cans, bottles, tires and other items which would otherwise have landed up in already overfull rubbish dumps.

Continued from: Lake Nicaragua's History of Piracy and Filibustering During the 18th century, conflict between Spain and Britain in the West Indies region kept authorities busy, providing an opportunity for piracy and filibustering to flourish. Miskito Sambu filibusters joined pirates in attacking the Fortress of Immaculate Conception, with the most noteworthy of these attacks taking place in 1762 during a period that came to be known as the Seven Years War. By this time the British and Miskito Sambus had become allies with the common goal of attacking Spanish settlements. With a combined force of around 2,000 men, the Britons and Sambus sailed up the San Juan River, laying siege to an estimated 100 Spaniards in the fortress on 26 July 1762. Although outnumbered, the Spaniards held their position, inflicting heavy losses on the allied forces. However, a subsequent attack by the British in 1780 resulted in the fortress being captured.

Connected to the Caribbean Sea by the San Juan River, Lake Nicaragua is Central America's largest fresh water lake offering many water sport activities such as fishing and scuba diving, along with stunning scenery and tranquility. But there was a time in Nicaraguan history – between 1665 and 1857 - when the lake was used by pirates and rogue soldiers, known as filibusters or freebooters, who enriched themselves through terrorizing and looting lakeside communities. As the main trading center on Lake Nicaragua, Granada was a primary target of marauding pirates, with Admiral Sir Henry Morgan and US journalist and lawyer William Walker earning a place in history as being among the most successful of these so-called privateers.

Covering an area of around 1,428 hectares, and located along the road between Jinotega and Matagalpa, the Cerro Arenal Natural Reserve consists primarily of forested mountain slopes, with the highest point of the reserve being a tropical cloud forest located at 1,570 meters above sea level. The various habitats of Cerro Arenal support a wide diversity of flora and fauna, making it a popular destination for visitors who enjoy tranquility, nature and a host of hiking options to suit all abilities.

For holidaymakers who enjoy exploring off the beaten track attractions, the Salto de la Culebra Waterfall is a treasure not to be missed. Located around fifteen kilometers southwest of Diriamba in the Carazo Region of Nicaragua, this natural attraction may not be easy to reach, but if you are a nature lover the effort will be worthwhile. Playa Maderas – Surfer’s Paradise 2011-11-03T11:42:09-05:00 2011-11-03T11:42:09-05:00 http://www.nicaragua.com/blog/playa-maderas-surfers-paradise Editor Features

Located on the Pacific coast of south-western Nicaragua, Playa Maderas has a well-earned reputation for its scenic setting and superb surfing. The beach consists of soft white sand, with some rocky areas creating interesting tidal pools to explore. From the surfer's point of view Playa Maderas has a slow wave in reasonably deep water, with four breaks getting hollow on a rising tide – rated good for beginners. As one of Nicaragua's premier surfing spots, there are a number of accommodation options, some of which offer surfing lessons along with spectacular views of the Pacific shoreline.

Defined as the study or collection of currency, numismatics goes beyond mere coin collecting to analysis of the history behind items used to trade throughout the ages. El Ceibo Museum on the Nicaraguan island of Ometepe has an entire section devoted to this fascinating subject, offering visitors the opportunity to view the extensive private collection belonging to Moises Ghitis Rivera. Inaugurated on 31 March 2007, the Museo Numismático (Numismatic Museum) is housed in what was originally the collector’s home before he decided to open his collection to the public.

Ranked as number 20 on the list of 100 top punchers of all time by US boxing magazine The Ring, Nicaraguan Alexis Argüello was a professional boxer turned politician, elected to the office of Mayor of Managua in November 2008. In his boxing career Argüello, also known as El Flaco Explosivo, claimed the world champion title three times, and was readily acknowledged as being one of the greatest boxers of his era. He had never lost any of his world titles in the boxing ring, but had relinquished them in favor of competing for higher weight class titles.