Untethered : May 5 to May 14, 2015 La Colorada to Suchitoto, El Salvador

We took our first long trip up the estuary by dinghy to La Herradura to explore and get provisions. This is a small village at the end of the small island in the mangroves with one street that runs the length of the island to the Pacific Ocean. After grocery shopping we walked through a small market to see what the vendors had to offer. This was an off day since the fresh vegetables come in on Wednesday and Saturday, we were there on a Tuesday. After walking around we ended up right where we wanted to be at a "T" intersection with the ice cream store right in front of us. Unfortunately for Keith he had been trying to get over some intestinal virus for a couple of days, he opted out on the ice cream.

Life along the estuary, so peaceful and beautiful

We took another excursion on Wednesday, May 6 to La Colorada. We, Keith, Kathy and Wayne grabbed the ponga with a group of other cruisers (Gayle Permanently Temporary, Sherry Nirvana, Betsy Alcyone, Harald and Live Ilaga, Ron Dawn Trader, Pamela Rapscullion, Jean, Greg and Marianna Irie, Nonnie Dual Dragons and Albatross). We had a slow and sometimes wet trip to La Colorada to the Women’s Collective. We visited the women that sewed handbags, pursues and sachems then to the jewelry cooperative. Clean village with dirt paths within barbed wire fencing to keep out the cows. Some homes had beautiful gardens but all clean and free of much debris but for the cow pies, on the walkway. Watch your step! Back out to the boat and the ride back, we stopped at one of the floating restaurants for a drink before arriving back at the resort.

Mariana (Irie), Harald and Live (Ilaga), Nonnie (Dual Dragons), Ron (Dawn Trader), Wayne and Keith in the background

Craftswoman with their goods for sale

All handmade handbags and purses, willing Cruisers to buy happily and support the trade

Mariana (Irie) waits by these beautiful hammocks

The colors are amazing in this small village

Cow patty in the middle of the walkway...better watch your step. Since most of us are wearing flip flops.

Just before we return to the resort we stop for a drink at one of the island restaurants

Live and Harald (Ilaga) enjoying conversation

Wayne spent his birthday working happily with Dan manufacturing the shelves and fiddles for the shelves to the forward state room then went ashore to cool off in the pool. We met Margie and Dave, Ben and Nonnie and Harald and Live by the pool. A refreshing swim and much conversation. Harald and Live Ilaga were leaving the next morning at 5:30. Gayle came over and said she was making a birthday cake, so we stayed for dinner. We pulled together two long tables and had dinner with Ben and Nonnie Dual Dragons, Harald and Live Ilaga and the four of us. We then wandered over to Permanently Temporary for peach cake where we were met by Debbie and Rego Heavy Metal. Received a thoughtful gift from them 2 card holders for playing Baja Rummy. After full bellies we went back to Lungta and had some great chocolate cake made by Kathy that morning. Never too full for chocolate anything. Great birthday!!

Good morning World, the simple pleasures of life.

Keith and I spent a quiet morning on Saturday, May 9 walking the beach to the ruins and just enjoying some time alone. We walked the beach, while getting our feet wet in the surf. Peaceful and wonderful day just walking and chatting. We ended up at the pool and relaxed. Gayle and Don passed by with the dogs and asked us if we wanted a lift back to the resort across the street, then they set off on their walk with the dogs. Kathy, Keith and Wayne went ashore to play cards with Gail and Debbie around 17:00 the game started and lasted until 23:30 with Keith the final winner.

Water was great and not too hot

Peaceful day to walk along the beach at low tide

Amazing that this building has survived, tides comes right upon it now

Looking out towards the Pacific from La Puntilla

Our Couchsurfing friend from San Salvador came back to visit us in Bahia del Sol, Julio Colorado. 05/10, We him with us to the cruisers Sunday get together at Lynn and Lou’s for turkey dinner and potluck. Another great time at Lynn and Lou’s using the pools and enjoying each other’s company. Kathy returned to the boat with Dan and then she came back to join us for a beach play in the surf at sunset. We body surfed for a while and then watched the sun go down over Costa del Sol.

Photo-op with Wayne, Greg and Mariana (Irie)

We made plans to leave the boat for 2 weeks, first stop San Salvador to catch the bus the following day. All buses run through San Salvador to other areas of the country. We left on Tuesday, May 12 for the bus at 11:30 for Arcos then San Salvador. We head from South Station toward Libertad Plaza then grab Pupusas for lunch then walk 9 blocks to East Station (Oriente).

We get on the regional bus to Suchitoto and arrive around 16:30, found the Hostel El Gringo and took two private rooms at $18.00. We take a walk up to see the lake view and walk down to Hotel Balanza, which has a fantastic view of the lake. We were honored to see the turquoise-browed motmot fly us while we were looking at the lake. While walking around a small square we met Jose, he once lived in the US and was so proud of Suchitoto. His enthusiasm and pride spilt through as he talked about life in the US and El Salvador. We were so taken with his joy for his life and being El Salvadorian. We walk over to Restaurant Balanza and have a very nice dinner with American rock music playing, so surreal to be having a fantastic local meal with music from the USA 1970's and 1980's playing.

Walking around Suchitoto, El Salvador after we checked into the El Gringo

View of Lake Suchitoto from Hotel Villa Balanza la Barranca

View of Lake Suchitoto

The bird was too fast for us to capture on film, this is from wikipedia.

Keith, Dan and Kathy at Restaurant Barranca

When we return to the hotel, we are greeted by Roberto,who was originally from California, El Salvadorian decent. He and his wife own the hostel and another hotel in town. He also runs Gringo Tours.

Early the next day we took a walk up to the church square at 6:30 and then around the square towards the school and back to the hostel. Sat and had coffee then a huge bowl of granola with fresh yogurt and honey, mango and apple. The granola and yogurt are made by Roberto.

An amazing breakfast

Good morning Mr. Keith, photo was taken and sent to Ashley.

We sat and chatted with Roberto and got ideas on where to go, direction for the waterfall and hiking path, art park and galleries, and walk toward the lake where there is an artist with his personal gallery. Got an understanding on the community and what occurred during the revolution here.

After breakfast we take the hike out of town to the waterfall, we hiked for about a couple of hours to the falls and got into the first pool then climbed the wet rocks to a deeper pool, Keith jumped in an rustled the bats that flew out from the side walls. We then hiked back to town, grabbed a needed shower then changed and headed to the square and lunch.

Some houses are marked this house is safe from violence to woman

View of the valley we are descending too gain access to the river

Walked through the fields and came along these calves

Keith climbing down the slope, why not take a photo...

We made it to the waterfall, time for a swim

Waterfall and first lagoon

You can add words to this shot... :)

Quiet streets of Suchitoto, you would never know a large part of the revolution was fought here

heading back to the hostel for a much needed break

Iglesias Santa Lucia built in 1853 is a unique and beautiful church.

Highlight of the Suchitoto's center square is dominated by this republican style church.

Interior of Iglesias Santa Lucia

Main square

Walked back to the Hostel and washed out the clothes and then hung them up, then chatted with Teagen. We decided to have dinner at the hostel.

Life in El Salvador is flying by, it is now Thursday, May 14th. We have breakfast with Roberto. Secured information on buses to Guatemala City, must see in San Salvador. History 23 people killed in plaza by the government for protesting around 1979. Bodies left in the plaza for families to claim but families would be tortured as sympathizers but we're never claims by the families. The monks took the bodies in and were buried in the floor of Iglesias del Rosario.

Finished breakfast got ready to leave for a bus to San Salvador.

(Offer for crew to Teagan, and the South African/Russian couple)

Took the bus back to San Salvador, took a taxi to Meson de Maria got our Teca bus tickets to Guatemala. After checking into our rooms we walked down to restaurants down the street to Artesanias full of booths of local art and crafts and tourist items.

Wall in the artesian market

Plaza Italia, even in San Salvador there is a plaza to Italy

Julio Colorado, our couchsurfing friend stayed in touch with us. He met Keith and Wayne after he got out of work and took us to Boomwalos in Los Planes de Renderos. We had the best pupusas to date. The view of the City is amazing, Julio got the staff to let us go to the roof top for the best photos and then we sat overlooking the City. We had a really nice time then he drove by the Modern Art Museum to show us the famous "naked man" artwork on the front of the building. Nice to see Julio again and just chat, he has planned to visit the U.S. for 15 days. He has a jam packed itinerary.