Journey to El Tunco
The original plan was to travel from Antigua to La Tortuga Verde on El Cuco Beach, but the direct connection via Gekkotours were no longer available.
Taking the shuttle, I made my way to El Tunco beach, which cost GTQ 148 (USD20) and took 6 hrs, including the border crossing at Guatemala and El Salvador.
I was fairly surprised that at the El Salvador customs, there was no immigration stamp. Apparently there is an agreement between the 4 countries (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua) that immigration stamp is only required at the 1st point of entry in any of these 4 countries, if travelling by road, and a total of 90 days is given during the stay in these 4 countries.
My passport was however singled out when the immigration officer came on board our shuttle to check our passports, and subsequently brought into the immigration office.
My guess is they needed to check Singapore holders visa requirements . They don't get many visitors from Singapore in this part of the world!
It was shortly returned back to me, and we made our way.
Everyone was super relieved when we finally arrived at our destination.
I can't fathom how some folks survived the 16 hour journey to Leon from Antigua in such cramped seats!
About El Tunco
“Tunco” means pig, and is named because of the famous stone “statue” in the sea, that used to look like a pig lying on its back, with its leg in the air.
El Tunco is famous as a surf beach.
As I don't surf, I spent my days doing almost absolutely nothing and lazed by the pool at Tunco Lodge, a great reprise from the heat and humidity in El Tunco. Super relaxing.
And of course catching the sunset each evening.
The town of El Tunco is made up of primary 2 small streets and can be easily covered in 15 mins, mostly comprising restaurants, and swim wear and surf stores.
On my first day of arrival, I met a local Salvadorian, Alejandro, who stayed in Tunco Lodge on his day off from work. He was interesting because he shared with me a number of things about El Salvador and El Tunco, which I would never had known as a tourist.
According to Alejandro, the number of tourists had dwindled over the last couple years, due to media publicity indicating that El Salvador is a dangerous country.
He clarified that there is danger, but mostly for the locals, caused by local gangs in each town, whom target locals and business owners by collecting “protection money” from them. Tourists are rarely disturbed or “attacked” on, since the business owners rely on tourism to bring the tourist dollar in, which in turn finance payment of the “protection money”.
Within El Tunco, there are 2 main gangs, and likely even Tunco Lodge had paid protection money to ensure a smooth daily running of its business.
Food
The local delicacy that one must absolutely have is the pupusas. It looks like a pancake, but made from maize and stuffed with cheese and other different type of fillings such as chicken, frijoles, minced pork etc.
And it was CHEAP! Costing about $0.75 to $1 per piece, it became my breakfast each morning and sometimes lunch / dinner, and can be easily found on the street leading towards the beach.
Fresh fruit smoothies was also another of my daily staple, with a variety of different fruits combined with either ice or milk, and costing an average of $2.50 for a large cup.
Refreshing and healthy!
Another must try is the Banana Cake, sold by an old lady carrying a tray on her head, whom will make her rounds on the streets and even into Tunco Lodge on a daily basis.
Coated with a layer of honey on top, the cake is super filling and sinful, with a rich taste of banana melting into the mouth.
No comments:
Post a Comment