San Salvador + Volcano Camping Adventure 🌋️🏕️

San Salvador is the first capital city on my Central American journey. While the capitals of Central American countries may not be very exciting, San Salvador offers a unique experience. It's a stopover point on the way east, where I spent a night. The city center's main square is worth a visit, featuring a grand cathedral and the National Palace. But the highlight is the modern National Library, built with Chinese aid, standing on the other side of the square. I also visited a cemetery, which was quite extravagant and ostentatious, giving me a deeper understanding of the Chinese-Filipino cemeteries in Manila, a blend of Spanish Catholic influence and Chinese elements. A 4-hour drive east from San Salvador leads to the border city of La Union. Before crossing the border, I camped at a volcano here, offering a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Fonseca, where El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua meet. From the volcano, I could overlook the volcanic islands and the bay. I discovered that the owner of the travel agency/campsite (last picture) is one-quarter Chinese. His grandfather moved from mainland China to Taiwan and then here, married a Spanish woman, and established a Chinese restaurant that has now been passed down to his grandson (a man in his 50s).🌋️ He inherited the restaurant and opened this travel agency, developing the volcano as a tourist spot. Although the weather during the rainy season wasn't perfect, the view of the bay was spectacular. It's highly recommended, with affordable prices: camping for $7, rental equipment including tent for $10, mat for $5, and sleeping bag for $3. You can hike up and down the mountain on your own, or take their shuttle for $5 per trip. The restaurant at the top is also reasonably priced. They are also working hard on development, hosting the Central American and Caribbean Games this year and the Miss Universe pageant this month. Yet, the people here are not just money-minded; they are chill and relaxed. In terms of scenery, there aren't any particularly spectacular views, but Santa Ana is quite nice. There are many places in this country that can be developed for tourism, with more than 20 volcanoes, making it a place to return to.🏕️ #UnknownJourney #BackpackerTravel #DigitalNomadWannabe #Volcano #Camping #ElSalvador #Sansalvador #Salvador #SanSalvador #LaUnion