2nd half of El Salvador

I met two people, one was Kelly Kingston that were here to give away Firewire™ surfboards to deserving kids, two boys here at Playa El Palmarcito. They are currently donating 100 boards to 10 coastal countries around the world. Right now Central America is their targeted area. They have been giving away donated used boards for years but now Firewire™ has donated new high quality boards with a promise to increase the number of donated boards each year, next year 200, than 300 the following year. The mission is to change lives by spreading love, hope and surfing along the way. Please feel free to checkout their site at www.Sharethestokefoundation.org

The other day while I was at the store, I met a very nice lady from New York her name is Emma and she is 76 years young and full of fire. I was invited to her place on the beach for dinner. She is renting a two bedroom apartment overlooking the beach for $360 a month that includes everything including cable TV and internet. I had a great time eating, visiting and sharing stories of our journeys throughout different countries. She has been living here full time for many years. She says it is a great way to stretch her Social Security money.

Archaeological Parks in El Salvador

The parks are windows into their Pre-Hispanic past. Many of the ruin sites have been destroyed throughout there turbulent revolutionary past. Today approximately 810 sites have been recorded ranging in age from several thousand years through their colonial period. There are only six sites San Andres, Cinuatan, Joya De Geren, Tazumal, Casa Blanca and Gruta Del Espirita Santoare currently open to the public. But as I drove around looking for some of these sites the lack of driving directional signs made it unrealistic to find the Tazumal and Casa Blanca sites; whereas the San Andres site had good signage.

Pupusas

Pupusas are stuffed tortillas made with chicken, fish, beans, rice, cheese or combinations of them. Here in El Salvador the tortillas are made more like flat bread and using white corn rather than the thin yellow or blue corn ones I have seen in Guatemala, Mexico and in the states. I watched a local lady make them to order. These are typically served from 5-9pm at a cost of 40-50 cents each.

 

Spain

There is a group of medical students from Spain here on holiday from their studies. They are touring El Salvador and happened to visit Playa El Palmarcito while I was here.

Vinalia - Celebrando El Vino

My friend Ernie is opening a wine and cheese restaurant in San Salvador. Ernie has a master’s degree in wine from when he lived in New York State. This restaurant will cater to tourist mostly to start because El Salvadorians do not drink much wine in dining situation. He hopes to introduce locals to its enjoyment as well. He will be bringing in wines from around the world. The planned opening is for the 25^th of July. 

Surf Camp

Across the street from the hostel I am camping at here at Playa El Palmarcito are Kim and Steve currently from Bend Oregon, but they have lived in Hawaii, and are opening a surfing camp with programs that are designed to help kids that get involved in their community to have access to surf boards and surfing lessons as rewards.

The plan is to open this year, I know it says on their website that they would be open by now, but they are almost ready. Check their website for the grand opening dates coming soon. It will be worth the wait.Facebook page at Hammock Plantation Surf Camp and Lodge shared El Salvador Impressive!'s photo and their website at www.hammockplantation.com

Ruta De Las Flores runs the coastline and up into the mountains. This is a very nice drive full of little villages to visit with crafts, woodworkers, food, basket weavers and much more displayed along the roadside. As a bonus these towns and National Park are of special interest: Three Volcanos at Cerro Verde National Park near Santa Ana is a reasonable drive up the mountain with many pullouts for great photo opportunities, the road had some pot holes to watch out for. The park at the top was well worth the trip. It is well maintained and user friendly in its layout. For foreign visitors the cost $3US per person and $1US for the car, locals pay $1US to get in. This seems to be standard here in El Salvador.

Juayua Village - Food Festival near Sonsonate on CA 12; I went to this little village because of its reputation on specialty foods like Iguana, crickets, frogs, snake, and many other meats. Unfortunately the most exotic food I found was rabbit but my lunch was delicious anyway. I had beef, shrimp with heads, cheesy potatoes, avocado, rice, chilies, grilled green onions, El Salvadoran tortillas, all for only $5US.

Apaneca Village – Coffee Plantations about 9km farther up the mountain from Juayua; I went here because it is supposed to be here all the major coffee manufactures buy their coffee and I would have an opportunity to try many different kinds. I did not try any but I think I got over caffeinated just from the aroma that filled the air. They had a lovely garden area around the grounds as well.

 

Bienvenido El Salvador

I made it through the border without any major problems. It cost me $10US for one month car insurance and $5US for road toll! 13Q for copies of all the paper work I needed. I did opt to use help from a local in the CA 2 (Pacific Hwy) town of La Hachadu Ra; his name is Jorge and/or Koky and phone number is 7295-0413. I recommend him. He has a friend at El Amatillo El Salvador/Honduras border his name is Rony and the number is 7579-2682. I Just might give him a call at that end.

The exchange rate from Guatemalan to El Salvadoran money is just about one to one or 12 USD to 100Q or Colon according to the online money exchange site. But as it turns out El Salvador uses US dollars exclusively, so I will not be able to have any souvenir money from El Salvador.  

I camped overnight in the National Park El Imposible. It is extremely rustic and beautiful. I pitched my tent on an elevated spot next to a small running creek with several waterfalls. The water is cold and refreshing and with no one else around I was able to take a modified cool down dip. Boy it was needed with the temperature, humidity and driving around in the car I was overdue for a cool down. Camping for people over 60 is free, but I did have to pay $1US to park my little trailer by the ranger station. I am glad that I have the low 4 wheel drive in my 4Runner. It came in handy, driving the road up here and with the clay dirt once it is wet is extremely slippery. I am glad I was not pulling my trailer since I got stuck several times in and around the rainforest.

My night there was just me, the trees, bamboo, ferns, birds, crickets, babbling, gurgling water in the creek; no cars, no people, just heaven. The next morning, I did a walk about through the rainforest. 

To my surprise I found a rainforest crab he was so cute and totally unexpected. The forest was extremely lush with many different ferns, bamboo, trees, and some plants that I have seen for sale back home. It was an immensely enjoyable side trip.

Back on CA 2 or also called the Pacific Hwy heading south toward the city of San Salvador. On the internet, I found some possible places to camp. One was Hotel Playa El Palmarcito, (https://www.facebook.com/Shelter.SurfLodge) at the 50 km mark $5UD for tent per night if you use the electricity and $8-12US for a basic room. I have a shower, flush toilet, hammocks, coconut trees, mango trees, chickens, and an exceptionally enjoyable family that runs this little place that is just about 50 yards from the beach. It was a little hard finding it as I drove south, but when I turned around to back-track it was well signed. But to give you a better idea it is about 30 minutes north of the airport and the only right turn just before the first bridge after the restaurants on the cliffs edge at the 51km mark.

 

You can contact Ernie Solorzano at winesurferernie@gmail.com or call him at 7965-7095 the locals call this place El Palmarcito Hostal.

 

A family arrived here on Friday, traveling by bus, a husband, wife and their 14 month old little girl. They are planning on staying for a few days, then off heading south. They have been to Mexico, Guatemalan, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rico, and are now returning home to Ecuador which is on my list of places to visit once I cross into South America. Now I have another family to visit when I get there.

 

I had dinner on the beach at the Donde Tiola where the food was excellent. I had Camaron Al Ajo (shrimp in garlic sauce, rice and salad) for $7US and a large very cold beer that was $2US. It is a family run restaurant, Tiola (Carlos Abarca), his wife the chef Elsy and their two children. Check out their website at https://www.facebook.com

/DondeTiola. The environment, people and the beach are outstanding as a bonus for those of you that are brave; there is even a nude beach just around the point to the south.

Surfing Lessons

My first time surfing was fantastic, I do not think anyone has to worry about me being a surfing queen this week at any rate. I had an hour lesson but quit after only one half. It is a lot harder than you might think. It reminded me of the first time I went snow skiing; the first day out I did nothing but fall down and today was not any different. I think I swallowed half the ocean and got at least two pounds of sand in my swimsuit. But guess what I made an appointment to do it all over again. I thought that you need waves to learn to surf, but for the first few times out; I now think it is better to have baby waves.

My instructor was Tiola the owner of Donde Tiola Restaurant on the beach and an artist here at Playa El Palmarcito, El Salvador (https://www.facebook.com/DondeTiola).