Bahia Del Sol, El Salvador

S/V Further crossing the bar.

Bahia del Sol is the hotel and resort that hosts the Annual Cruiser's Rally to
El Salvador. I signed up for the rally 'cuz: 1). It's free 2). There are only
two marinas to choose from in El Salvador and it's on the way North from
Panama 3). I thought I'd probably at least get a t-shirt out of the deal.

The downside is the notorious sand bar that has to be crossed at the entrance.
The bar shifts so often one of the hotel's pilot boats has to guide you across.
Also, you can only cross at slack high tide to safely draw enough water. Surfing
the waves into the estuary turned out to be pretty tame (although watching the
depth sounder tick down to 3-feet of water under the keel is pretty stressful). Breaking the waves leaving was a pretty wild ride. You have to try and time the
waves to balance possibly getting swamped versus launching off the back of the
wave. Also, I suppose if you got turned sideways and you got hit with a big
wave you could get knocked down or even rolled (and likely dis-masted in the
shallow water).

The rally turned out to be a lot of fun. The hotel staff is very friendly and
helpful and some even speak a little english (be prepared though, it ain't tourist
Mexico). El Salvador has some world class surf spots. More information here:
elsalvadorrally.blogspot.com


I feel a long way from the hills of San Salvador
where the sky is ripped open
and the rain pours through a gaping wound
pelting the women and children
pelting the women and children
into the arms... of America
- Bullet the Blue Sky, U2