WhereIsSteve's Guestbook

I loved my visit to Cinquera
After visiting the more popular tourist hub of Suchitoto, El Salvador I was looking for somewhere I could chill for a while and experience the flavor of rural life. I found the nearby community of Cinquera to be an ideal fit. The town is a municipal seat so it offers numerous tourist activities while also preserving a taste of the more quiet rural life. The community is located an easy bus ride from Suchitoto and has many treats for the slower moving traveler. The hostel is clean and lovely, and attached to a restaurant with tasty, affordable meals. I particularly enjoyed hanging out in the hammock just outside my room under the cool, sleepy shade of the mango trees. As a history buff it’s invigorating to visit a place where it’s history is so alive and present. The town square boasts the relic of a helicopter fuselage shot down by FMLN guerillas during its bloody civil war in the 80’s. After the war the only thing left standing in the town was a wall of the church which has since been rebuilt and adorned with colorful murals. The two old bomb shells that stand out front serve as makeshift church bells. My favorite part of Cinquera is the nearby Ecologicial Park (More info here: ardm.org). A short walk from the town center and you’re in a beautiful forest with a well maintained path. During my stay I frequented the waterfall and swimming hole in the forest for a refreshing dip during the hottest part of the day. Aside from some local school kids, I generally had this little slice of paradise all to myself! I also highly recommend the guided tour that takes you up further into the mountains and through historic sites like the “Vietnamese Kitchen”, modeled after the Vietcong, which the guerrillas used during the war. And if you’re lucky you’ll run into Don Rafael, the park’s main curator, who will happily bend your ear about the biological diversity of the park and share war stories from his time as a guerrilla. Cinquera is full of many welcoming characters who are happy to share their history and how “The Bosque” (forest) protected them during the war and so now they are protecting the forest. It’s also important to note that Cinquera, unlike some parts of El Salvador, is really safe. During my stay I felt fully safe walking around during the evenings, talking to locals in the pupusarias, and hanging out in the town square where local youth practice their dance routines. Overall, I would highly recommend this community to any more adventurous traveler interested in true ecotourism, history, and connecting to an authentic cultural experience.

about the rules
no, there isn't a competition! (but there are usually strong rivality)...each group has his own goals, for this reason a group who apparently do the "smaller" castells is at the end the most happiest, because they are reached an inedit until this day (for them) castle!! this implies, of course, that supporters and enthusiast knows more or less the castle who do each group each year or season!!

no lord chocolate!!!
there´s not such thing named lord chocolate!!! his name was Jasaw Chan K´awil

Hacienda
Hi, wondered if you could help. We are also going with explore in about 10 days and I was wondering if it is really necessary to bring sleeping bags ? when did you go ? do you think it would be cold at night and do they not have blankets ? The tour organiser said we should take them but they are rather bulky just for a couple of nights. Obviously Feb. is not going to be that warm... we do have silk sleeping bag liners but wouldn't want to risk being cold either ! Thanks for you reply.

Hi Steve
Stumbled on your blogs this evening. So you are a self proclaimed "old hippy" Looks like you've had some great adventures. I'm looking forward to reading more. You should add a couple of photos.

Topes details
Hi Steve, Thanks for sharing your travels. I was just wondering if you could provide some details on your journey through Topes in Cuba? Was it an independent venture with your group or organized through a tour? If independent, how did you find your accommodations and tour guide? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Much thanks!

Lovely orchid
Very nice photography.

Very interesting
Enjoyed you web page about your search well laid out and a great read , my interest is the reverse , my uncle went missing in 1966 and we believe he went to cape town . As yet and after many years i have had no luck , he seems to have vanished off the face of the earth , i contacted the tv station from the area he last lived " Worthing " and they filmed a article with me , but still no luck . Anyway keep on digging you never know what else you may find Kind regards Kevin http://www.itv.com/meridian-east/have-you-seen-him64384/ http://www.splashfm.net/splashstory.asp?id=3553 http://twitter.com/meridiantonight/status/53895150216282112 http://www.knowhere.co.uk/town/user_board/messages/458

Just a tiny correction
Still enjoying your stories but for a guy studying his Lonely Planets I would'nt think you would make a mistake.... but here is a small correction. On Plaza de la Revolucion is absolutely a beautiful and very famous picture of Che. But the other mural on the Ministerio del Informacion (?) building is comrade Camilo Cienfuegos. With a greeting I guess: Vas bien Fidel!

Amigo!
Wow I am impressed! Just stumbled into your blog by accident end I enjoyed it very much. Sets me back to the few, but very nice days we spent together in Cuba. Although I admit that my thoughts most days linger in Havana so I am working towards spending more time there too. Very impressed with how fast you learned spanish too - you must be an expert by now. Hope to hear from you whenever the opportunity is right. Buen viaje! Salud