La Libertad (Liberty) … is one of the main tourist attractions in the country. …
The resort includes a boardwalk, restaurants and an amphitheater, while small seafood markets and craft shops are located at the wharf.
… one of the best right hand point breaks in Central America, and is El Salvador’s surf capital …
GRACIAS Irving, Laura and Andres.
Laura took myself and Andres out to dinner at a popular restaurant with one of the best views of San Salvador.
Vista, ambiance, company and food all excellent. I had ribs with “local” side dishes.
Andres testing his new Sony phone.
more San Salvador photos
First night in San Salvador, we went out for the most popular local food. What else?
They eat these morning, noon and night.
A pupusa … is a traditional Salvadoran dish made of a thick, handmade corn tortilla (made using masa de maíz, a maize flour dough used in Latin American cuisine) that is usually filled with a blend of the following:
cheese (queso) (usually a soft cheese called Quesillo found in all Central America)
cooked pork meat ground to a paste consistency (called chicharrón, not to be confused with fried pork rind, which is also known as chicharrón in some other countries)
refried beans (frijoles refritos), or queso con loroco (loroco is a vine flower bud from Central America).
The two most common pupusas are the pupusa de queso (cheese) and more popular pupusa revuelta with mixed ingredients of cheese, beans, and chicharrón. Pupusas are typically served with curtido (lightly fermented cabbage slaw with red chilies and vinegar) and a watery tomato salsa. …
Last night in Panama our host Andres arranged for Humberto and myself to stay with friends at their Ranch.
They compete Peruvian Horses, a breed of light pleasure saddle horse known for its smooth ride. It is distinguished by a natural, four-beat, lateral gait called the paso llano. …
Over time, Peruvian breeders kept the bloodlines clean and selectively bred primarily for gait, conformation, and temperament. They wanted strong, hardy animals that were comfortable to ride and easy to control. Over four centuries, their dedication to breeding only the best gaited bloodstock resulted in the modern Peruvian Paso. …
It’s a gorgeous and unique home.
Berto and I spent most of our time taking photos of the many, many animals — missing only the Zebras and Caiman.
Loudest were the parrots and peacocks.
Most menacing the ostrich family.
Cutest, the miniature horses.
We took a sidetrip to El Valle de Antón,
… generally called El Valle, or Anton’s Valley in English … a town of 9,000 in … Panama.
… about 25 km off the Interamerican Highway by a two-lane road. The road is generally in good condition, with a few potholes that are repaired regularly. …
Surprisingly colourful and interesting.
more full size photos
EVERYONE in Panama City tries to head for the Beach on weekends.
Year round.
I joined a group of gymnastics coaches for a weekend to Bijao.
The Sheraton Bijao Beach is a big, beautiful resort.
I never get tired of Infinity Pools.
We stayed at the nearby condos. On the golf course.
My host Andres LOVES LOVES LOVES Ceviche.
That was my first of many in Central America. 🙂
The day before our gymnastics coaching camp began, my host Andres Llanos Gerardino took me for the classic tourist visit. There’s a terrific museum including a 3D documentary video.
Andres treated me to a buffet dinner overlooking the locks themselves.
The ships are huge.
Most interesting are the machines that guide the various sized ships safely through. Like land tug boats.
We watched 4 ships pass. … That took a goodly amount of vino tinto. 🙂
The hundred year history of this massive venture is fascinating. An expansion will open 2014.
The Panama Canal (Spanish: Canal de Panamá) is a 48-mile (77.1 km) ship canal in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean (via the Caribbean Sea) to the Pacific Ocean. …
There are locks at each end to lift ships up to Gatun Lake (85 feet (26 m) above sea-level). The Gatun Lake was used to reduce the amount of work required for a sea-level connection. The current locks are 110 feet (33.5 m) wide. A third, wider lane of locks is being built.
… ownership of the territory that is now the Panama Canal was first Colombian, then French, and then American before coming under the control of the Panamanian government in 1999.
Saturday I’m headed to Panama City for a week.
And then San Salvador.
Volunteering in both nations for the International Gymnastics Federation. 5-day coaching courses.
The reason? … It’s freezin’
From there I’ll join my parents, brother Rob, dog Pete and entourage in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
Weep for me.
That was the observation made by John Howard to this photo on Facebook.
