LEON- old and new, NICARAGUA

LEON VIEJO (OLD):
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Leon Viejo is the old city founded in 1524 but abandoned a century later in 1610 after being hit by a series of earthquakes. The city was then buried under volcanic ash when Volcano Momotombo erupted. We made a detour to visit the ruins on our way to Leon city. There wasn't a lot to look at, but it was interesting to see the roofs of the houses that are now just above ground.

​NOTE: OUR CAMERA WAS STOLEN AT THE BEACH ( WILL FILL YOU IN LATER REGARDING THIS) AND WE LOST A LOT OF OUR PHOTOS, WE WERE LUCKY THAT MIKE HAD TAKEN A FEW PHOTOS ON HIS PHONE OF THIS AREA.
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LEON:

Leon was founded in 1610 when old Leon was abandoned. The city served as the capitol during the colonial period. It is similar in some ways to Granada but less touristy and many of the buildings remain unrenovated. It is also very hot.
We were lucky to find a hostel with a pool. We enjoyed walking around the streets for the afternoon. We visited a french bakery recommended by fellow travelers that was actually very disappointing. The cakes were average as were the lunches, not our favorite french bakery of the trip!

THE MAIN PLAZA, CONTAINING A HUGE STATUE OF A WOMAN (NO IDEA WHY?)

ONE OF THE MAIN BUILDINGS IN THE PLAZA

STATUES

WOMAN STATUE MADE OF CLOTH

A GROUP OF MEN HANGING OUT ON THE STEPS OF THE CATEDRAL

WALKING IN THE TOWN

​BASILICA DE LA ASUNCION - CATEDRAL

The other highlight was visiting the cathedral and walking on its roof. Strange you may think and we did also until we did it. The cathedral itself does not look particualrly special from the ground, but once on the roof, the starkness of its white domes and the shadows they create make it beautiful. 
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You have to remove your shoes to complete the walk so as not to mark the paintwork, but in return the soles of our feet were covered in white dust.
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THE VIEW OF THE CITY AND SOME OF THE VOLCANOES IN THE BACKGROUND

ONE OF THE BELLS OF THE CHURCH

MIKE WITH THE STATUES ON THE ROOF OF THE CHURCH

At this point we were done with being in towns and were anxious to return to the coast. We stocked up on supplies and a "claro" (phone company in Central/Sth America) card for data so we could access internet and headed to Playa (beach) Jiquilillo, and Rancho Esperanza, where stayed for about 5 days and then returned for an additional 11 days.

CLASSIC QUOTE FROM KEIRA:

" DAD WILL YOU STOP STEALING MY INTERNET!" - In many hostels your ability to access the internet and the speed of downloads is affected by how many other people are using the internet at the time. Mike and Keira often compete for internet when we are at hostels. 
We have learned a sneaky trick of locating the router in a hostel and secretly turning it off and back on again to kick other people off!! Thanks for that trick Gerrett!!
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