Hey guys! Hope everyone is having a great week.
Whenever I get a break from the busy Jakarta life, my first instinct is always to pack my bags and head straight for the mountains. Iām not a fancy gear guyājust give me my trusty, beat-up trail shoes and a simple backpack, and Iām good to go.
Recently, I ended up in San Vicente, El Salvador. Most people head straight to the popular beaches, but trust me, the real heartbeat of this country is tucked away in the highlands here. Itās got that raw, slow-paced mountain energy that instantly makes you feel at home.
Here are a few experiences from my trip that absolutely blew me away:
š Hiking the Lava Trails at Lago de Boquerón
This isn't your average lakeāitās actually inside a volcanic crater! The hiking trail around the lake is made of cooled black volcanic rock. Walking on it felt incredible; the ground still holds a bit of the earth's natural warmth. I rented a kayak for about $6 (around 90k IDR) and just drifted in the middle of the lake. It was so quiet, with the massive volcano peaks reflecting on the deep blue water. Just peaceful, pure nature.
šØ The Coolest Art Space in an Abandoned Sugar Factory
Since I work as a curatorial assistant back home, Iām always curious about local art scenes. I visited the Ex-Ingenio San Antonio, which is a century-old abandoned sugar factory that local youth have turned into a creative hub. It is honestly so cool. They have giant murals of Mayan mythology painted on rusty iron walls, a vinyl record bar inside the old boiler room, and pottery workshops. I sat down with a cup of spiced rum-coffee cold brew and just watched some locals jam on their guitars. No pretentiousness, just pure community vibe.
ā Real Bean-to-Cup Coffee at Casa del CafĆ©
I love a good cup of coffee, but here, you get to do the whole process yourself. You pick the coffee cherries, peel them, roast them over charcoal, and brew it. Drinking it out of a cup made of local volcanic clay was such a warm, grounding experience.
š” A few practical tips from my run:
Ā· Getting around is super cheap. The local colorful buses are just a few cents. Personally, I rented a local scooter to explore the mountain roads at my own pace.
Ā· It felt very safe. Even at night in the old town, people were out chatting, and local grandmas were selling grilled bananas on the street corners.
Ā· Donāt worry about not speaking perfect Spanish. A warm smile and a simple "Muxu" (thank you) goes a long way.
Honestly, San Vicente reminded me why I love traveling so much. Itās not about ticking off famous landmarks, but just sitting under a massive fig tree, listening to the cicadas, and sharing a laugh with a local farmer.
Iād love to chat with you guys in the comments! š
1. Whatās your absolute favorite way to unwind? Are you a mountain hiker or a beach lounger?
2. What is the most memorable local art space you've stumbled upon during your travels?
āHey guys!ā@VelvetVortex Ā· 2 years ago