Today’s goal is to climb to the topmost point of El Salvador. Got a first glimpse of it as we got out of San Salvador. Of the three mountains, the right one is the tallest one. If I can climb to the top of that 7,812 feet high crater rim of Ilamatepec volcano (also called Santa Ana volcano), I am told there is an amazing view waiting for me. The challenge is that the last one third of the trail after you clear the tree line is less of a trail and more of climbing on rock juttings with no shade whatsoever.

That one last erupted about seventeen years back.

So, two things. I have to survive the trip up and down. And the volcano needs to hold off any more eruptions for a few hours.

Wish me luck!!

Victor Gabriel Hernandez joins my long list of driver-guide in a foreign country. Like the fourteen before me, he has been teaching me all the details of culture, politics, education and history of the country. Over lunch together, I got to know about his life journey. He has now convinced me to make a 4 hour trek to the top of Santa Ana mountain and back tomorrow!

Had not seen a cashew tree in a very long time. We used to have two of these in the first house in Durgapur that we grew up in.

One was taken down by the wave. The other stood up.

The surf capital of El Salvador. I learnt that the beach gets its name from that volcanic rock right in the middle of the water. It kind of looks like a pig on its back with its feet upward. In Salvadoran Spanish, Tunco is a slang for a pig.

Ergo…

Playa El Majahual – apparently this is where all the families from San Salvador swarm to on a sunny day like today. Very kid friendly (down to the numerous ice cream carts and horse rides) and laid back. Spent a few minutes there. It was too crowded for me. You can get an idea from the picture.

Unlike the Caribbean beach, the sand here at first sight looks very dirty. Upon closer inspection, you realize that the sand is really black in color. It is as fine as the Caribbean but because it is mostly pulverized volcanic rocks, it gets this black color.

This is a close up picture of the sand.

We reached La Libertad after about a 45 minute leisurely drive. Very active with all the Sunday holiday crowd. Check out the size of the waves.

One thing I did not realize is how much China is investing in El Salvador. They are now building a new port right next to where we were.

First day is for the beaches. Headed down Highway 4. So far, the country looks very green. And the roads are in very condition. The traffic is very disciplined too.