Destination El Salvador: Embracing a New Country and Cruising Style Motoring over a glass calm sea towards the coast of El Salvador, the excitement of getting to a new country is palpable. To the east, the sun has just come up and is throwing golden light on conical volcanos and then spreading out across the water. Behind us some 200-plus miles and over 30 hours of sailing is Guatemala and the southern border of Mexico. We’re in Central America now, and I can feel it. I throttle the engine back while Jill and the boys get ready to set the anchor. We’re early. Getting