Holy smokes!

The volcano spewing ash in Nicaragua was a highlight for many on the MV Explorer (certainly not so for the farmers who live within a few miles of San Cristobal and were being "strongly encouraged" by local authorities to leave the vicinity).

In addition to watching the active volcano, we wandered the local fishing village were we found horses roaming free and pigs and baby racoons on leashes. After leaving the menagerie, we managed to find a restaurant with good seafood, $1 beers and a view of the fishermen bringing in the catch of the day.

The volcano isn't the only thing that has been blowing up these days.  In many ways, life on the ship parallels college life.  During breakfast the dining hall is a buzz with reports on the shenanigans of the prior night.  Recent highlights include a fight on Christmas eve, which was ended by ship security and shutting down the piano bar.  Reports on sightings of the overall "favorite" (aka freak) passenger and strategies to avoid the guy you just can't shake (I'm starting to think he must have planted a tracking device on us).  The biggest news - DJ Dave, likely the most hated person on the voyage, was canned on Christmas Day.  As a result, last night the disco was hopping!