Packing basics

Heading for La Libertad in about a week and a half, it's time to get the basics into the suitcase.  I call basics swim trunks, koozies, t-shirts, and my toiletries case.  I carry a man-purse through airports and when I might need the important stuff.

This year we went through the steps to get permanent "TSA Pre-Check" status, which should get us through TSA with markedly less hassle.  I also purchased an International Driver's License.  The license was probably a waste of money as I have been pulled over once in a foreign country, but the officer had a rifle!  The license actually doesn't mean too much other than it translates the information off of the one from the USA into several languages.

I can almost taste the fresh shrimp from the pier.

Probably a week from today I will decide to pack and close my suitcase for the upcoming trip to St. Louis Then I'll fret for a few days and nights reassuring myself that I have not forgotten anything.  I travel with the mindset that you can usually buy anything you might forget to take. My wife has already repacked her suitcase three times.  I am sure she has more than enough clothes and extras to last the entire trip.

Weather is always a worry when traveling.  If you can trust it, the two week forecast for Missouri and El Salvador does not predict anything significant, other than frigid air in Missouri when we are scheduled to leave.

Travel Safe and Often.

The twelve days of waiting.

In twelve long days we will be back on the beach at Playa San Diego, El Salvador.  Suitcases are prepacked and include a few gifts for some needy people there. Children have to supply everything from toilet tissue and Kleenex to erasers and chalk for school. We are also going to give and place a cross for our cook's grandfather who died last year when we were there.  Our expectations of sun, waves, and personal interaction with those who live there are gaining momentum.  Follow us for stories and pics.

Regresar a El Salvador

Casa Cajun

Playa San Diego

La Libertad, El Salvador

Readying for our return to Playa San Diego.  The comfort and safety

of the house was and is a huge draw for us.  Weather, the Pacific, and 

modest pool made the decision to return a no brainer.  Oh, Ice Cold Beer

also played a part as well.  We will be doing a guided city/volcano tour

this year.  Hopefully El Rosario is included with its beautiful array

of stained glass windows.  Whatever we see, we will attempt to post here.

Follow us and enjoy our pictorial and verbal travel blog.

For more information Click Here 

Returning to sun surf and relaxation.

After our first visit to El Salvador we can't wait to go back. We are going to stay at Casa Cajun again as there is nothing not to like. Take a minute to look at this property and more at www.elsalvadortravel. net 

217 days

Only 217 days until we will be live blogging again from El Salvador. Meanwhile take time to visit our web site: elsalvadortravel.net . There is some great information about rental homes and surf hostels.

Hangin' at the House

Here at Playa San Diego it is a very warm sunny day with a nice afternoon breeze.  I walked down to the ocean's edge before noon.  Not thinking I neglected to wear my beach shoes. It was a quick dash down and a quick dash back when I got to the dry HOT sand.

It has been a quite day here with no beach merchants and no one else visible for miles on the shore.

Time in the pool has been very enjoyable.  The temperature under the patio shade tree is warm but not hot. 

It seems like the breeze has kept the waves down, but the surf is constant and calming to us. 

Friday, leaving day, is quickly encroaching upon us with mixed feelings.  We would just as soon stay, but jobs and family await as does a new hip for my wife. As said by General MacArthur " I will be back". And we will, with any luck.

For more information on this wonderful property, please visit:

http://www.vrbo.com/425359

Travel Safe, Travel Often.

 

A typical breakfast fixed by Jackie and her staff. 

El Tunco

We ventured over to El Tunco today. El Tunco is basically a surf destination with several restaurants and souvenir shops.

As with many of the smaller beachfront towns here,  space is very valuable. Parking is at a premium if you are not staying at one of the hostels or hotels.

The shops are full of trinkets,  bathing attire,  and sandals.  Prices are negotiable.  If you are "el gordo" like myself you probably won't find a tee-shirt to fit.

As I have said before, most of my pics of town are on my camera so they may show up here in a week or so.

I did not see the remarkable surf when we were here that we did at El Zonte. It is probably there, just not when we were.

I compare what I have so far seen to west coast Mexico around Manzanillo, 30 years ago. Manzanillo at that time did have several large resorts, however. The beach area is grossly un-commercial,  and still laden with locals living within sight or at least hearing distance of the shore.

Watch in February for our El Salvador trip web site. Sponsors are showing great interest all ready.

Travel Safe, Travel Often.

What I notice at Playa San Siego

As one of us has bitten into the Montezuma Revenge pill, the day has been spent at Casa Cajun.

Families came to the beach mid morning and left before noon. Now at 3 pm, they seem to be back in force.  Fewer people are working on Sunday which for the most part is dedicated to church and family time. Don't we wish more of that happened at home?

There are horses all over the beach for rides, music abounds,  and kites are flying.  Horse rides can range from less than a dollar to over twenty dollars, depending on the color of your eyes. Locals pay  a lot less and have a lot less.

We found out that there was a dolphin stranding Wednesday.  Fishermen tried to turn it back to the sea unsuccessfully.  A sling was fashioned and a government agency took the mammal for care.  Word is that the dolphin will recover and be able to be released back into the sea at some point.

Vendors were a bit more prevalent on the beach side of the house today. One person with a horse stopped and asked if he could drink from the spigot outside the fence. No problem. 

There is a good breeze here this afternoon which actually keeps the waves down somewhat.  There is still surf, but the wave action is less than most days.

You do not hear shouting and arguing with all the people out front. Everyone seems to be getting along, knowing it's back to work tomorrow. We still have four days to enjoy this country.  I am sure we will venture out tomorrow to see more of El Salvador.

Travel Safe, Travel Often. 

Esencia Nativa

Esencia Nativa is a surf hostel in El Zonte. Just off highway 2. It is very unassuming until after you enter the gates.

We found people of all ages there. Some reading books, some making new friends, and others surfing the last waves of the day.

The hostel is nestled in a small beach community of families who have lived there for generations.

Alex has taught numerous locals the are of surfing and how to teach it. It has become their passion as well as their livelihood. We watched surfers out on the big waves and tykes near shore with boogie boards riding the remnants of the big ones.

Alex told us how he had extended his surf teaching to down syndrome victims. He is very proud of being able to accommodate these challenged people. When Esencia was last remodeled care was taken to make most parts of the comples handicap accessible.

This is not a one time destination. Those who come here make friends quickly and return as a.group. the commeradery is uncanny. 

We had a beer and a pizza while we were there. The beer was frosty cold and the thin crust pizza was absolutely delicious.

If you are a surfer or want to be a surfer Esencia Nativa is the place to go without draining your bank account.  Tell Alex Roberto and Roxanna said Hola if you go.

Again, the better pics are on my camera and we will edit this page in a week or so.

Playa Dorada

Yesterday we drove to Casa Tortuga.  Ok I missed the turn. To me the road to the beach  looked a little rough. I guess I was expecting four lanes of black top.

When we got there we were greeted at the gate and given a complete tour by the caretakers. They then sat us at a magnificent wooden table and served us red snapper, rice, and fresh cucumbers and tomatoes.  DELICIOUS.

The property only looked similar to the photos I had seen at Elsalvadorbeachrentals.com. Everything was better.  There were virtually no " duct tape" type repairs and everything was sparkling clean.

We couldn't resist the sun drenched huge swimming pool.  In we went. Chilly but comfortable.  We were later told by the property manager that because they are having a cold front come through weekly on average that this cooled swimming pools quickly.

We used a bedroom as a changing room and again clean and comfortable with lots of storage space for clothes and travel items. Impressive.

The beach is long, sparsely utilized and beautiful. There are fishermen just down the beach and for swimmers the surf could be a bit intimidating without a board. Most of the beaches we have seen in El Salvador are more for wading or playing in the surf. Surfboarding opportunities are seemingly everywhere in El Salvador. 

We did have a visit from Alex Naboa from Esencia Nativa. He was informative and a joy to visit with. More on Esencia later.

There were five tunnels to go through going to and returning from Playa Dorada. They were very dark, unlit, and the walls were the rock they were cut through.  On our return there were people walking along the roadside and a few within the tunnels.  One guy was carrying a goat that we presumed was roadkill. He probably was a hero when he got home.

Casa Tortuga is a wonderful property. Pictures here are ok but there will be more from my camera in a week or so.

Casa Tortuga

Today we spent most of the day at Casa Tortuga.  As it has been a rather long day,  I will just say this about C.T. Pictured don't do it justice.  I will post more info and pics tomorrow.

Friday

Sitting on the patio at Casa Cajun this morning it is relatively cool 73 degrees.

As I watch the waves break in the ocean out front I see the pelicans following the crest of the breakers. To me it appears they are playing the waves. To them, I presume, they are looking for small fish jumping out of the fury of the crashing water.

Breakfast will be served soon, and then on the road to Casa Tortuga for the day. With decent roads the trip there should take no longer than an hour. With five tunnels to go through and many large trucks on the road the trip could take longer, however. If it happens the highlight of our visit will be a turtle release into the mighty Pacific.

More details tonight when we return to our base at playa san diego, El Salvador.

Travel Safe, Travel Often.

Casa Tortuga tomorrow.

Tomorrow we will be doing a day visit to beautiful Casa Tortuga west of La Libertad.  See Elsalvadorbeachrentals.com .  We also are hoping to meet with Alex at Esencia Nativa where he has a hostel and restaurant.  Alex is a local surf icon. See you all tomorrow.

Travel Safe and Often.

Day three La Libertad

Yesterday was remarkable in many ways. Our cook prepared a wonderful dinner last night. Fresh shrimp for me and steak for my wife.

As a funeral director,  I had the opportunity to attend a local funeral.  A huge treat for me.

Last night there was a big wind storm that brought down palm branches and cut off power for a couple hours.  No significant damage at our house.

We will be going into town today to shop and have lunch.  

It was a fun time driving around La Libertad today. Restaurants were virtually empty beachside. A quick drive through the commercial area could have been interesting were it not dor my wife's hip problem.  Crowds abound and shops are plentiful for just about anything you might want or need. I will say that shopping there you should have your wallet secure. Very crowded with all sorts of people, not so much of a slam against locals here.

El Salvador

After a long, arduous day of travel we arived in El Salvador. Imigration and customs was a relative breeze. most of the people we interacted with spoke relatively good English.

Directions to La Libertad were spot on. the scenery on the way to the beach ranged from dramatic to spectacular, with sharp cliffs, fields of sugar cane, and lush valleys. That's the good part.

The country, from the little bit we have seen is rather poor (generally speaking) and very colonial.  It is not out of the ordinary to see goats and cows tied up along the side of the road grazing. Chickens appear free range, using the side of the road for a gravel source. If you or your dog happens to kill one you have to pay the owner a dollar.

The beach house we rented is feet from the blue Pacific ocean with nice waves and a beautiful sandy beach. Fishermen are active right out front.

It is not paradise found here, but a beautiful respite from the cold of middle America. 

More later, almost time for breakfast.

Speed Through the Airport

One of the worst travel snags ever created involves the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) in the United States.  Long lines, shoe removal, 3-1-1 rule, unpack your laptop, etc.  The good news is that there is an alternative, well sort of.  The TSA has a program called TSA Pre Check.


Pre Check allows passengers to basically go through the lines that pilots and plane crews go through without the hassle.  By completing the Pre Check process you can skip the long lines and inconveniences.  TSA says the cost to enroll is $85, but at the current configuration, add on a trip to Indianapolis.

Part one is the application and money, part two is the face to face interview and fingerprinting.  Seems a bit cumbersome so far, but the TSA, with an unlimited budget expects to open as many as 300 sites for travelers to enroll at.  Hmm  I see another problem brewing here.  30 Divided by 50 states is six locations in every state (average).  If a simple majority of travelers sign up for Pre Check, the long line moves to the current fast lane, and the short line for on-Pre Check fliers becomes the quick way through.

Currently you do have other options for speeding through the TSA checkpoint.  You can qualify by going through a similar process with U.S. Custom and Border Protection’s Global Entry program.  Then you can,easily application, be a Pre Check traveler.


Evidently you can qualify for Pre Check through many airline frequent flier programs.  I have grilled my airline and frequent flier program to no avail.  Now I don't travel weekly, but we do put quite a few miles on in the air.  You would think I would at least get a reasonable answer of either how to qualify or why I do not.  

My editorial on the whole process is as follows:  First, the last Caucasian to hijack a plane was D. B. Cooper.  Those of you who remember the story are probably too old and disinterested to want to disrupt your own flight.  Secondly, even though the FBI has my fingerprints, I am not sure giving Big Brother EXTRA information about myself is prudent.  Heaven forbid if I were a Tea Party Member trying to start a conservative political group.  Lastly, As most US Government programs are not self sustaining monetarily.  I would be willing to venture a guess that for every $85 collected the Government will spend $500 to process the application and produce an ID card.  All  this to protect us against people who can probably outsmart TSA when they want to.  We have had the shoe bomber, the underwear bomber, what's next, the armpit bomber?


For years my travel mantra was "If you can't carry it on (for a week vacation) you can't take it."  The ever changing rules are such that now I travel heavier, check aerosols, liquids, electronics (to some extent), and hope my luggage takes the same route I do.  I am sorry to make this posting into a travel gripe list, but it doesn't have to be this hard.

Travel Safe, Travel Often. 

La Libertad, El Salvador

We will be leaving early next week for El Salvador.  We will be staying East of La Libertad for ten days.  Crossing my fingers, I hope my portable electronics and local technology will allow me to put out daily blog postings.


Highlights of our trip will include a day visit to Casa Tortuga, West of La Libertad, and Esencia Nativa.  Alex there is a nationally known celebrity for his surfing prowess, his beachfront hostel, and his foundations
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g303858-d1238258-Reviews-Esencia_Nativa-El_Zonte_La_Libertad_Department.html



Casa Tortuga



Most of our time will be spent at Rancho Cajun.  Dianne there is very easy to work with, is English Speaking, and quite specific in her communications.

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Travel Safe, Travel Often.

The Perfect Surf Rental

We have listed this "sleeper" property before, but for those who like to hang ten, STOP here.  Located west of La Libertad, ON THE BEACH, this property, Casa Tortuga, http://elsalvadorbeachrentals.com/casa-tortuga/ offers more than ocean waves and wonderful accommodations.

Alex, their property manager, is a perfect example of the friendly people of El Salvador. He is fluent in English (BONUS), extremely knowledgeable about the area, and also happens to be the 2007 El Salvadoran long-board champion. He can bring surf boards for your use and offers surfing lessons on the waves in front of the house or can guide you to the best breaks along El Salvador’s coast.

The house offers stunning views, comfy accommodations, and a staff that is second to none.  You can surf all day, sit under the lanai next to the sparkling pool whenever you want , catch a nap in one of the FOUR bedrooms, or walk the beach for miles in either direction.

As Bob Barker would say "Come On Down".  The property owner speaks English, and is quick to reply to email inquiries.  What are you waiting for?

Travel Safe, Travel Often.

Surfing Central America

For those of you who know the difference between a rail bang, perl, noodled and party wave, Central America is a must travel to surf destination.  Most Central American countries have both Caribbean and Pacific ocean surf beaches.  Getting there can be a TINY bit of a challenge, but hostels abound, there is usually public transportation (if you are patient), waves are remarkable, and food and drink can be quite reasonable.

Costa Rica has too many surf destinations to list them all, but you might take a look at Cabo Matapalo provides visitors with backdoor access into some of the country's most beautiful and least visited place, multiple spots on the Guanacaste peninsula, Jaco, and Puerto Viejo.  Many of the best destinations here are a bit of a challenge to get to, even if you are driving.  Busses do go to most areas of the country, but you best know more than just a little Spanish.  First timers can easily find expert instruction and appropriate waves to start on.

What is it that makes Nicaragua so special for surfers? Well, for one thing, the massive Lake Nicaragua means that there is a constant off shore trade wind which blows nearly 330 days of the year. This means that you’ll almost always be able to enjoy good surf.  San Juan Del Sur would be a good starting point either to use as a base or as a search reference point for that perfect surf beach.

One of the top Panama surfing destinations is the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Found on Panama's northwest coast, this region is a wonderful place to get away from it all. Most surfers heading to Bocas del Toro base themselves on Colon Island. It's the most developed Bocas del Toro island, and you'll have plenty of great surfing beaches to choose from. At the Bluff, right and left breaks are common, and you can expect a bunch of them to be quite strong. Dumper is another Bocas surf area where you can surf in style. If you like surfing tubes, then it's hard to go wrong at Dumper.

Travel Safe, Travel Often.

La Libertad is waiting.

Just over a week before we land in El Salvador.  We have been busy doing last minute checks.
Our list consists of:
1 Touch base with landlady
2 Reconfirm rental car
3 Have the appropriate amount of cash
4 Go over all travel documents
5 Review driving directions to USA hotel and house in El Salvador
6 Mentally review packed luggage contents
7 Make a paper with contact information in case anyone needs to contact us from the USA
8 Call credit cards
9 Pay upcoming bills
10 Review side trips we are interested in
11 Take a deep breath.

Being a type A personality I have to work very hard at not micromanaging every day of a trip. We know a few sights we are interested in visiting.  When we go day touring it's probably best decided no more than a day ahead.

There is always a concern that flights could be delayed, especially this time of year,  so we are always ready just in case. Phone numbers for home and the landlady are at the top of the list. Regardless, we will go with the flow and enjoy.

The real upshot is that the more prepared you are when traveling, the less likely a bump in the road is to derail your plans for fun.  With smart phones and tablets today there is no reason not to have every piece of information you could possibly need at your fingertips at all times.

Travel Safe, Travel Often.

LAST CHANCE El Salvador Rental

January 14 through the end of the month is available at this wonderful property in El Salvador.  Located just north of La Libertad on a beautiful beach, this property is unique and gaining in popularity.  Take a look, and then follow the link at the bottom of the page for more information on the area, the property, available dates and rates.

We will be in El Salvador soon and expect to visit this property for a more in depth review.

Gorgeous grounds.

Peaceful and relaxing.

For more information please go to:

http://elsalvadorbeachrentals.com/

Travel Safe, Travel Often.