When the Spanish conquistadors stumbled into Masaya Volcano in the 16th century, they were horrified by what they found: a lunar basin with a glowing core. They heard stories of the indigenous people throwing human sacrifices into the lava-filled opening. They decided that Masaya was “La Boca del Infierno,” or “The Mouth of Hell,” and they erected a cross to exorcise its presumed evil.
In this second excerpt from our Nicaragua travelogue, Bill Holman and I visit Masaya and admire its primal beauty. With our gentlemanly guide Jairo Tenorio, we hike the outer rim, watch sunset fall over the valley, and descend into the cave where virgins were allegedly prepared for sacrifice.
In case you missed the first episode of our weekend in Nicaragua, check it out here.
