| My own visit to El Salvador (sometimes misspelt El | | | | lake at Coatepeque or Lake Suchitlan. The Rio |
| Slavador or El Salavador) was a delightful experience. | | | | Sumpral enters and exits L. Suchitlan - a tranquil river |
| The contrast between those who are wealthier and | | | | allowing you to daydream gently as you paddle its |
| those who are not is never far away in developing | | | | course. Flocks of birds fly up from their perches on the |
| countries. What was different about El Salvador (El | | | | banks encasing the river as you go by. The river |
| Slavador or El Salavador), was the attitude of the less | | | | quietly clears its throat only when a fallen log |
| financially endowed. | | | | temporarily divides its course, imperceptibly causing it |
| Poorer people often have to vend to earn a living and | | | | to cough and splutter on the surface. |
| vendors can be unobligingly persistent in their pursuit of | | | | Other rivers, like the Rio Lempa give a more |
| sales. Not so, the Salvadorans. Dignity, cheerfulness | | | | adventurous ride. This one runs through the Eastern |
| and innovation are more their trademark. What a | | | | parts of El Salvador (El Slavador or El Salavador), |
| people to embrace! What ingredients in their history | | | | down to the coast. |
| have wrought such grace? How often do you find | | | | Then there is the coastline itself. Jiquilisco Bay kayaking |
| these attributes? What other nation has such treasure | | | | trips allow one to enter the deep mangrove swams of |
| within? | | | | San Dionisco's Island. Mangrove swamps, with their |
| Then there is the beauty of the land itself. Go inland | | | | theatrical separated roots rising up out of the water |
| from the 200 miles of coastline and you sweep | | | | like dried up broomsticks of long ago, are often found |
| upwards towards the 25 volcanoes that range along | | | | at the point where the rivers enter the sea. |
| its inland borders. Only 6 of these have been active | | | | Parts of the coastline challenge the skills of many |
| over the past 150 years, and then seldom drastically | | | | surfers, kayakers and canoeists, while other areas are |
| so. They do provide however, dramatic vistas when | | | | better suited to beginners. All along the coastline one |
| you climb up some of them, and an equally dramatic | | | | can find places to stay. Some are more developed |
| return to ground level in the case of the volcano Izalco. | | | | than others - resorts especially set up for the |
| It's steep sides are invariably negotiated by a slide | | | | 'greenback' tourist industry, but for those who want to |
| down to the bottom. | | | | just experience El Salvador (El Slavador or El |
| Geographically El Salvador opens its doors to lots of | | | | Salavador), smaller, less conspicous, equally enchanting |
| warm days and sunshine, shutting them on the cold | | | | places exist right on the beach front. The La Libertad |
| draughts of winter climates endured elsewhere. Add | | | | stretch of coastline, less than an hour's drive from San |
| to this warm rain in due season and you have a jewel | | | | Salvador, is a good place to start. |
| of a country. | | | | Want a free copy of 'Slow Bus To Ahuachapan' by |
| Tourism is not a highly developed industry in El | | | | author John Drewman to give you more information |
| Salvador (El Slavador or El Salavador), yet | | | | about travel and life in El Salvador? Use the email |
| opportunities for tourists abound. There are 14 lakes to | | | | address below to request it. |
| choose from on which to go boating. Try the crater | | | | |