Lake Coatepeque

This weekend we visited Lake Coatepeque. A 120 metre deep and 6km wide volcanic crater lake. Located on the Eastern slope of Volcano Santa Ana, which last erupted 2 years ago. It's pretty exclusive as most of the shoreline is taken up with private homes belonging to wealthy Salvadorians. A trip around one side of the Lake on a jetski revealed some pretty impresive and large properties including one with a helicopter parked in the garden. Luckily,Mirna, my teaching assistant has a place there so we got to visit this Sunday. Even nicer is the fact that they have said we are welcome to go and stay anytime, so people planning on a visit can look forward to a stay at the lake. It's v. nice, as hopefully these photos will show.

The view from the road approaching the lake.

Simone and I in the classic "couple by a lake photo".

Down at water level.

The water was amazingly clean and nice and warm for swimming.

A nice view from the garden.

I feel as if the theme tune to Jaws should accompany this picture.

There was a selection of "boys toys" to keep me entertained.

Also a trampoline. No hilarious you've been framed type incidents to report though.

Big thank you to Mirna and Martin furthest right for their generosity and hospitality.

Cricket Season starts proper

Cricket season has now properly started with the first game of the season now over. After last week's joy came the disappointment of defeat. Although with some personal glory as I managed to be our teams top scorer. Nobody else got into double figures so it wasn't too difficult.

Follow the season and keep up to date with stats by checking out the website

http://www.elsalvadorcricket.com/

Nice to see England managed a win though.

El Salvador cricket comp

After what seemed like an age the El Salvador cricket season got under way on Sat 19.9.09, with the McHugh/Alexander trophy. A one day limited overs tournament for the four teams in El Salvador. Lots of fun, made even funner by the fact that my team the Cuscatlan Chiefs ended the day with the trophy. I also managed to bag 3 wickets for 0 runs in my first over. My batting was rubbish though.

Pre tournament preparations.



The crowd were riveted!



Action from the first minute to the last.



The winning team.

It's good to get your hands on the trophy. This was solid gold and very heavy.

Central American football

Went to see El Salvador v Costa Rica in a World Cup Qualifier. It was a fantastic night. El Salvador is home to the biggest stadium in Central America "Estadio Cuscatlan" although it's not that big by UK standards with a capacity of 35,000.
Last night's game was pretty important and it was vital that they won. There are now two games left to play and they have to win them both if they are going to stand any chance of making the World Cup. They also need other results to go their way and even then they might only make the play off place. In that case they have to play the 5th placed South American team, currently Argentina. Oh dear!

The National Anthem


Traditionally, during the opposition's anthem, the El Salvador fans turn their backs on the pitch and raise their middle fingers.


Obviously, I had to join in!


Sim looks on unimpressed.

Not exactly Match of the Day, but the best I could do given my limited equipment. Enjoy!!

Simone's birthday. The weekend.

This was where we spent the weekend. An eco hotel called Cocotera located on Barra de Santiago. About 2 hours from San Salvador on the coast road to Guatamala.
Our apartment from the beach.

It was a pretty big bed and very comfy.

Sim relaxes after lunch. The gentle waves of the pacific lulling her to sleep.

From the balcony.

The view in the morning from bed. Pretty nice to be able to look out straight on to the beach.

This is the estuary at the back of the hotel. It's a nature reserve with mango swamps further up. We had a very nice kayak trip up the estuary on Saturday morning.

The hotel pool. A lovely place to relax.

Is it possible that we could put many more hammock based photos on this blog. I can't promise this will be the last one, but I'll try.

Sim gets all artistic with the sunset.

Paradise? Maybe not, but it's still pretty nice.

Making use of the 4 x 4 on the beach.

The main road to the hotel. Why is there always so much traffic on a Sunday.

Although when there is traffic there's no telling what it might be carrying.

See what I mean!

But there are some nice views.

Simone's birthday.

Went to a very nice Japanese restaurant for Simone's birthday. Then at the weekend we went to a lovely hotel, pictures are on the blog you've probably just looked at them.


The classic, "couple in a restaurant" pose!

Although it looks like I've drugged Simone she is there of her own free will.

What a delicious spread!!

Only 2 minutes later the plate was empty. Mmmmmmmmm!!!