Folks swimming and otherwise just cooling of in the fresh water of Lake Nicaragua.

These were they kind of boats used for the tour. Our boat that day lacked a canopy.

A park lined the shore of the lake.

The wind was mild that day, but he water of the lake very choppy. Here, one of the crew watched the approach of the islands.

A channel marker showed the entrance into the maze of islands.

Old stairs led up from the water. They were covered with growth and hardly visible as they led up to an old stone wall.

A tall Great Egret was seen standing just off shore from one of the islands.

The only way to travel between the islands and the mainland was by boat. Here was a water taxi rapidly passing us by.

Even though the water in the lake had been rough, the water between the islands was placid and smooth.

An old floating dock built atop old fuel containers.

This lavish home was just one of many dotting the islands. It turned out that the islands were not a preserve, but mostly private property.

Nests of the Montezuma Oropendola hung from a tree.

A rowboat was hauled up on shore near the base of stairs leading out of the water.

A boat dock cover was in evidence on one of the islands. Also note the power lines that ran overhead through most of the islands.

On one of the islands was a small cemetery.

One island had a huge mansion on it.

One of the really small islands had been turned into a preserve for rescued spider monkeys. There were perhaps a dozen living on the island.

The spider monkeys were very curious and here was one on a low branch watching the boat.

A Christmas Tree greeted visitors to a restaurant located on a small island.

This macaw had gotten into a tussle with the birds on the other side of the restaurant. He was placed on the back of a chair at our table, and kept us company while we ate.

The local beer of Nicaragua was served over ice. This was the day before we learned that ice could be bad for our health.

At the back of the restaurant was a swimming pool.

The kitchen of the restaurant was built of bamboo and open to the outdoors. Wood fires were used for cooking.

A sailboat was tied to shore. Clearly the water around the islands was deep enough to accommodate its keel.

The trip back was not part of the tour. Generally, in Nicaragua, tours are slow going out, and fast returning. It is as if the tour is only half of the travel.

Back on shore and among folks there to enjoy an outing by the lake.

On a later tour of Mombacho Volcano, this view of the Isletas was slowly revealed as the fog cleared.