For our stop on Feb 5 in Guatemala we had booked an excursion, but Oceania cancelled it. Since the excursion we had picked was the least undesirable among the choices, we didn't select a different one. The ship was docked in an industrial port, there was nothing to walk to nearby, and health and safety recommended not going into the area outside the port.
Another glorious sunset at sea.
Fortunately, as is almost universally true, there was a small shopping area immediately adjacent to the ship, so we wandered over there for an hour or so. So we actually got off the ship and stepped on Guatemalan concrete.
On Feb 6 we docked in Acajutla El Salvador, where we had planned a sightseeing tour. We were met by local garbed dancers as we debarked.
We were also met with intensive health screening. Coronavirus is frightening even the people in tiny El Salvador. We had a non-invasive temperature screening as we departed the ship, then as we boarded the tour bus we had two guys with infrared cameras checking us for temperature.
Our first sight was the volcanoes that give El Salvador its character. The "photo stop" didn't allow for getting out of the bus, so this is the best. We actually made two stops, once for the left hand side, then again, after a U turn, for the right hand side.
Sugar cane is the primary agricultural product.
We stopped in the city of Izalco to view the church.
Local business
In the city park you may sit on the benches and be quiet.
Local market on wheels
We then traveled to the city of Nahuizalco to visit the market area. The drugstore is not self-serve.
We arrived about 10:30am and the street was full of students as classes were ending for the day.
The local bus system also provides for school transportation
According to our guide the schools have two sessions, a morning and an afternoon. Each session, for different students, lasts only about 3 1/2 hours. Eduardo felt that this was inadequate and the country needed to do a better job of educating its children.
Radishes were both huge and colorful.
After purchasing some local fruits from the market, our guide Eduardo instructs us in the proper way to throw a fastball.
Another glorious sunset at sea.
Fortunately, as is almost universally true, there was a small shopping area immediately adjacent to the ship, so we wandered over there for an hour or so. So we actually got off the ship and stepped on Guatemalan concrete.
Furniture manufacture is a local business
The farmers market was in full swing along the main street
1 comment:
Very interesting photos in El Salvador. Looks like you don't have to worry about lurkers at the park!! I imagine from now on, you'll be temp checked when getting off the ship. I feel so sorry for those cruisers quarantined on the 2 ships in Asia. Stay healthy!!
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