Magic on the beach. El Salvador.

The central square was so serene this morning when I arrived and slowly the town came to life. 

On one side they are chopping up the road; the usual just like home - one worker 3 watchers.  
On the other side people going where I have just been - to La Casa de Abuela - for the best coffee. There are a few people, like me, just hanging out and an ever growing line of people queuing for something. The fountain is asleep for the time being. Maybe its too early. 

Behind me is another coffee shop with a cabinet full of delicious looking pastries. There is one in my bag for later. 

I’ve had my coffee at La Casa de Abuela and pleased I got in before the rest if the group did. They have just returned from a kayak adventure which from the photos looks as though it was fun. As has been my chilled morning. 

Soon we are leaving for the coast where we spend two days on the beach. I must learn to read trip notes more thoroughly before I book as I had not appreciated how little time we spend in towns and villages that I enjoy. Being in a place that is remote means I can’t spend my free time with the locals and narrows down my eating options. Luckily I am with a great bunch of people so it will still be fun. The good thing is that our next destination is on the coast. Coast = seafood.

Google tells us this about El Cuco our destination:

“Considered one of the favorite destinations in eastern El Salvador, El Cuco beach is a place that, due to its beauty and attractions, you cannot miss.

It is located 170 kilometers from San Salvador, in the department of San Miguel, and stands out for its very long beach of black volcanic sand, where fun in itself is to undertake an excursion to collect its multiform and multicolored shells.

The waves in this area of ​​the country are gentle and constant. It invites you to take a bath in its refreshing waters, especially after sunbathing, playing a game of soccer or volleyball, jogging, walking or flying a kite”

I guess I will be relaxing for a day or two and certainly won’t be getting my step count up. The other day when we went over the rough road to the hot pools my FitBit counted every bump in the road as a step. Without moving my legs I did over 12,000 steps. 

What a pretty drive though to El Cuco surrounded by hills and greenery. A quick stop at a mall let me satisfy my craving for KFC. It didn’t help my craving and was pretty crap. 

We arrived at La Tortuga Verde  (The Green Turtle) and shown to my room. Basic but real damp. I signed up for aircon and that makes a difference. Then I wandered to the beach. OMG. 

Not only were we right on a vast beach on the Pacific Ocean but we were face on to the best sunset. Idyllic.   
Lined up on our big table it was dinner time and there looking at me on the menu was lobster.  I could not turn that down. 

It came dry and overcooked but still damn good.   

Helped by a few Pilseners it was a great night sitting under the canopy  right on the beach. Dance came later and then the Chivas. My knee had been bothering me but a bit of can can did the trick and the pain disappeared straight away. Magic. 

I left them to it around midnight when we were asked to move out of the restaurant when it closed. The others migrated to the beach. Me to my cabana.