September 13 to September 20, 2015 - Our first trip to South America and Brazil

This is the first time in South America and we are Off to Brazil!  After a very busy and fantastic summer in Sutton with many guests traveling in from India, France, Germany and especially family from Michigan and Scotland/Switzerland.  We thoroughly enjoyed spending time with everyone but most importantly was family time.

Wayne worked at the Drew Quality Group table at Worcester Pride in the morning then rushed to help Keith lock up the house and grab our ride to Logan International.  We started our trip from Boston to Atlanta then to São Paulo arriving in Brazil on 13.09.2015 in the morning. Our ride to Santos was waiting for us as we had a 2 hour drive south to the Mercure Santos Hotel, home base for 2 weeks.

Our first day in Brazil, it poured rain but did not soak our spirits of looking forward to seeing this massive country.  Keith worked daily, catching a bus with his team to Cubatão.  Cubatão is a city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, 12 kilometers away from Santos seaport, the largest in Latin America.  Wayne walked the beaches starting at Canal 3, location of the hotel and investigating the beaches and garden park.

Spring rain heading to Santos from the São Paulo airport, it poured in sheets

Our first view of the beaches from our room on the 18th floor

Walking the beach was relaxing and fun, there were always people walking, running, playing in the waves, surfing or just enjoying their families in the mornings and afternoons.  Exploring the area was fun. You cannot mention the beach without the Guinness World record for the longest beach garden in the World. The garden is 5.3 km (3.3 miles) long with a total area of 218,800 m2 (2,355,143 ft2) making it the largest beach garden in the world. Walking from Santos, Gonzaga beach to São Vicente and back is fantastic, water is clean, the beaches are large compared to any we have seen any where in the world.

São Vicente and Santos share the island of São Vicente the location of the first permanent Portuguese settlement in 1532.

Canal 3 runs parallel to our hotel and empties onto the beach

A view of the Santos skyline from the Mercure

Beach garden

Mercure Santos Hotel from the beach, gives you an idea how wide the beach is from high tide line on the beach

View of Canal 3 from beach garden to beach

Monument to Japanese Immigrants

Tomie Ohtake Sculpture Park celebrates 100 years of Japanese immigrants on a peninsula that juts out to Baia de Santos

Statue of a surfer at the beach front garden

Wayne's view many days while in Santos, walking from Canal 3 to São Vicente then to Canal 7 and back to Canal 3 

São Vicente looking back towards Santos

Praça 21 Irmãos Amigos Plaza, Sao Vicente                           

Walking in the opposite direction of the beach past Canal 3 toward the Port of Santos has a different feel to it but the beach is just as nice and garden extends to a rocky wall.

People playing paddle ball on the beach in the morning. The beach dominates this vibrant coastal city and features 12 kms of a wide sandy strip that houses many cafes and all sorts of organised activities such as beach volleyball , beach soccer and even beach tennis. Apart from that you can also walk or jog along the beach 

Looking from Gonzaga beach towards the opening to the Port

Fishing boats off the pier

Museu de Pesca (Fish Museum)

Fish market

Fish market is large and very clean

Fortaleza De Santo Amaro Da Barra Grande 

Walking back to Gonzaga, Santos Beach looking back to where we were

Symbol of Santos found all over the City painted by different artists, this one is in the garden beach park

Wayne and Keith met a couchsurfer from Guarujá, Camilla Correia and a colleague of hers for dinner and tour of São Vicente.  We had a really nice time with them at a Japanese sushi restaurant. She then took us up Ilha Porchat to Monumento Niemeyer overlooking the island.

São Vicente

Santos

Camilla's colleague, Camilla, Wayne and Keith

On Wednesday, 16 September, Wayne decided to walk to the historic district of Santos, know as Valongo from the Hotel. Map had it as a 4.6km walk up Canal 3. No problem with all the walking we do, except the temperature kept rising. Finally arrived near the area but the temperature was 40C (104F).  

Parque Patriarca Jose Bonifacio

Catedral de Santos built 1907, Church of Our Lady of the Rosary

interior of this beautiful cathedral

Old trolley car still running in this area, part of UNESCO area

Walking back to Mercure along Canal 3 to beach

We went to Van Gogh for dinner with Keith's colleagues, Scott and Bill and then went to the weekly Couchsurfing event in Santos. Van Gogh has the most amazing pizza anywhere (sorry to say that considering we love Tony's Pizza in Sutton).

Wayne, Keith, Scott, Philippe, João, Monica and Bill 

CS da Baixada Santista at Conversa Fiada Bar at  R.Ceará, 68. Pompéia - canal 2

To end the week, Wayne continued daily routine of walking every morning while Keith was at work and coming back to the hotel to work in the afternoon. Each day the weather improved and more and more people were on the beach.

Clear view from the balcony of the room towards São Vicente

Looking at the Garden Park and Beach in Santos

Beautiful day for beach 

Perfect waves and sun is shining on Gonzaga Beach

Parque Santo Antonio Do,  St. Anthony Embare Basilica

Parque Santo Antonio Do,  Basílica Menor de Santo Antônio do Embaré. In imposing neo-Gothic style, the church was inaugurated in 1945, was elevated by Pope Pius XII in 1952, the basilica category. It dates back to a small chapel built in 1875 by Antonio Ferreira da Silva Jr., the Viscount of Embaré, and wife, and was delivered in 1913 to the Franciscan friars, who initiated the new building in 1930.

Saints Peter and Paul are on either side of the entrance

Igreja de Santo Antônio

Incredible baroque style ceiling

Basílica Menor de Santo Antônio do Embaré

On Saturday, 19 September we walked to Mar Sub to book our scuba diving trip with them and verify the equipment.  We would get two at Laje do Santos,  a National Park area to preserve the sea life.  We then went to lunch at Van Gogh with Scott Schultz.

To end our first full week in Brazil, we went left early for the boat in São Vicente.  Marina Capri The boat, Cachalote was already being loaded when we got there. Our dive master, Celso came over and gave us our information in English and once everyone else was on board gave it in Portuguese.  We had a good 21m dive that ended over the shipwreck and the second dive went in the opposite direction.

Dive boat, Cachalote

Laje do Santos

Laje do Santos

May 5 to May 14, 2015 Exploring 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. 

Boomwalos in Los Planes de Renderos

What a treat from our table to see the lights of San Salvador

Naked Man on the Modern Art Museum

Next stop Guatemala..