Mexico and the road home

It’s been a while since I updated. We stayed in Oaxaca for a bit and rented a car to see a few more sites and to check out the other trailer park. The San Felipe Trailer park is a little difficult to find but quite a nice spot sort of in the country and very rustic although some sites did have electricity – it was a difficult road and anything over 22 feet would have a hard time manoevering. Afterwards we headed south of Oaxaca to see the ruins at Yagul, Lambiteca and Dainzu. It was very interesting as each site had different aspects that were quite unique. We had Tlayudas for lunch – a different Mexican food that is common in Oaxaca. All of the ruins were interesting but having seen Monte Alban first they seemed not as impressive. Also went to El Thule to see the large tree – more than 2000 years old. This was our last day in Oaxaca – we haeded towards Izucar de Matamoros Wednesday Jan. 23. On our way we stopped at an old monastery at Yanhuitlan that is being restored. We resumed our travels down the narrow, windy moutain hwy 190 and as we pulled into Huajuapan our brake pedal went down to the floor and we were not stopping. finally slowed down and got out to check things – the cap on the fluid reservoir was loose and fluid was dripping out. found a fellow in town to check things out – couldn’t find anything wrong except the loose cap so we carried on towards Acatlan and found a restaurant beside a Pemex to boondock at. Left the next morning for Izucar but didn’t stop – no balinerios. Finally found one along the road to Atlixco/Cholula. It was a neat place down a little dirt road – nobody there but the four of us – waterslides, pools and a huge picnic area that we parked in. We had loads of fun on the slides – which they turned on for us. This is the first time they have had motorhomes camp there. The next morning we drove to Cholula and walked through the tunnels underground in the pyramid structures that they found underneath the church. Cholula is a small suburb of Puebla, 50,000 people with 365 churches. Next we headed to Tepoztlan to climb the mountain to see the pyramid ruins there and we boondocked at Finca Manur – and of course we’ve shopped at all of these places we stopped in. The walk was 2 km into town and then 3 km straight up to the top of the mountain.

We started off to Cuernavaca and driving into the city had brake problems. It’s Sunday and nothing is open. We stopped on a side street where we spent the night – a fellow down the raod was a mechanic and was willing to help us out but no parts places were open – he thought we probably needed a pump. He had to work the next day ( 7am – 7pm at an armoured vehicle company and so couldn’t do the job). When we woke up the next morning the quiet street we had stopped on was a zoo ( we were parked across from a school ) – the road was narrow and cars were parked on both sides and there was one lane for two way traffic. With difficulty we managed to extricate ourselves and get out of town. On the south side of Cuernavaca we found a garage – stopped there and waited for them to open. Had the pump replaced and had an oil change. We are off again headed south – we stopped in Grutas to see the caves and on the way there had to stop by the side of the road as the brakes disappeared again. Got into Grutas, spent the night in the parking lot and in the morning toured the caves – they were impressive – it was about  a 2 hour walk with a guide. Toluca was our next destination to find a Ford dealership and have the brakes checked – this didn’t work. Got brakes checked by a mechanic across the street and headed out. Mitch and Heather were waiting for us down the road as we were going to see the Monarch butterflies at El Rosario. The road was awful and butterflies were fantastic – it was a long drive and then a long walk up to see them – but worth it.

Jan. 30 we headed to Patzcuaro after the butterflies and spent a couple of restful sightseeing days here.  Feb. 1 we went to Queretero – it was a neat place to visit with a huge aqueduct still working. We took the bus in from our campsite and as we got off we saw an indigenous male in costume walking down the street – followed him and came upon a huge celebration with several groups in full costume dancing.  We shopped , we walked , we did some sightseeing.

Feb 4 we headed for San Miguel de Allende – a very nice place to visit but very American – not typical of Mexico. We did visit some very nice thermal pools just outside of town and we did take the motorhome in to a garage to have the brakes checked again as they are not right and the rear antilock light came on. Nothing was found.  Feb. 6 we headed for Guanahuato – what a lovely and interesting city. It was Ash wednesday, a holiday and the city was packed people celebrating the holiday. We toured downtown and went to see the mummy museum. Next we were in San Loius Potosi – it was a nice place with historic buildings and a centro area with many strolling lanes that gave it a relaxed air. We are now in Zacatecas and will be heading for the border in the next few days. We will miss the warm weather here but it’s time to be heading home.  

It’s Been A While

It was lovely in Zihuatanejo and we spent alot of our time on the beach – even did a little snorkelling. We did some sightseeing and shopping – bought Tequilla of course along with other liquers.

On Jan. 6th we left for Acapulco. Arrived late in the afternoon after a scenic drive along the coast and set up at Playa Luces RV park on La Pie de la Cuesta. Had a tour of Acapulco that lasted all day and of course saw La Quebrada – the cliff divers. It was a very informative tour – given by a local who drove us all over. We had a trip in a glass bottom boat -saw the movie star places, fish and sites in the bay along with the history of  the city. At the Rv park we celebrated the feast day of the Three Kings – with special bread and hot chocolate – if you get a baby Jesus in your piece of cake you are required to make tomales for everyone in Feb.

The morning we left Acapulco we walked the beach and saw an amazing site – 3 skates ( rays ) frollicking in the surf and we saw them riding in on a wave.  On our way south to Huatulco, Mitch and Heather lost their battery box on the highway – we managed to retrieve everything and travel down the road. We stayed in a Pemex station in Pinotepa that night – it only cost us a few beers and a little tequilla. Next day in Puerto Escondido we found a Hojaleria – to weld and fix up the battery box – then Larry and Mitch had to figure out how to reconnect everything so that the Solar would work. Arrived in Huatulco on the 9th and relaxed here for a few days. No services here in this park but close to the public beach. Lots of parrots here.  Our Solar system started acting up. On the 14th we left heading south towards Salina Cruz – on the way a small truck was over the center line in a corner and hit Mitch’s mirror and smashed the window on that side – it would ahve been alot worse. Got to Salina Cruz found a glass place and an adjuster and got everything repaired there and were on our way again in the afternoon. We looked for a place to stay in Tehuantepec but decided to carry on down the highway.Stopped at Don Tonio’s restaurant and parked behind it for the night – you don’t want to drive on the roads at night in Mexico. We stopped for enchiladas – freshly made somewhere along the road – we were running low on gas – no Pemex in site and the brakes not working.  Bought 20 litres of gas at a small town – El Camaron and drove cautiously on. Found gas before empty and went on. Stopped at Mitla and looked at the ruins. Met a missionary couple who told us about a good garage – Morga’s in Tlacolula. Got there in the evening and brakes were done the next day – we spent the night in the yard behind the shop.  Brakes fixed and headed into Oaxaca. We’re hear for a week – have done banking, shopping cultural things and visited the ruins at Monte Alban. Our Solar fixed itself and Larry helped Mitch fix his plumbing problems. We have done a lot of walking here and seen the colonial buildings and churches. Planned our route back – did not want to think about it but it had to be done.          – Hasta Luego

Zihuatanejo

We are in Zihuatanejo now – we arrived Dec. 30 and will be spending New Years here – probably stay about a week. While we were in Villa Corona we took the bus in to Guadalhara one day – we did some shopping, visited the parks and plazas in the old part of town. The mural in the Government Palace was very impressive. We had a big meal at a Sanborns restaurant – a large Mexican chain restaurant – and had a beef dish with a spicey green sauce. Also checked out a huge fabric store, a whole street of shoe stores, one of musical instruments and a huge building filled with 3 large floors of only jewellery. We also checked out the gigantic mercado Libretad which is a huge square building, with three floors crammed full of stall type stores carrying almost everything you could possibly imagine – the aisles were so narrow and crowded you could hardly move. It was overwhelming and claustrophobic – we didn’t stay there very long. This was too much for me. We did manage to get our headphones for the computer so we can call the family on Skype from our computer – it’s been working very well whenever we get someplace with internet.

We left Villa Corona on the 29th and made along drive to Zihuatanejo with a short stop in Colima and an overnight at a beach resort – Tecuanillo ( south of Tecoman ). On the way we luckily ran across some conservationists who were releasing a basin full of baby sea turtles they had gathered the night before. We were lucky to find a spot to park the RV’s, everything is full of Canadians down here, but we got set up in time to book dinner and enjoy the New Years celebrations here at El Manglar Rv park and restaurant. We had a lovely evening with lobster and prime rib for dinner along with killer marguerita’s of course and then there were fireworks on the beach at midnight – this was a great way to see in the New Year. Hope everyone back home had as good an evening. Today we started off the New Year with champagne and orange juice along with crepes drenched in brandy and orange juice a la Mitch. It was 39 degrees here today so we spent it on the beach. Wishing you all - Prospero Ano Nuevo (Prosperous New Year)

Dec. 24 – Mexico

We’ve been travelling again. Met up with Mitch and Heather in Puerto Vallarta in the afternoon of Dec. 20 and we made some plans. We decided to go to Villa Corona for Christmas. We left the next morning and drove south towards Manzanillo. We stopped at a beach – Villa Polinesia near Chamela and caught a lovely sunset. The next day we stopped at Boca Beach to see the crocodiles and had lunch on the beach. We forgot how twisty the roads could be and how long it can take to go a few kilometers so we had a bit of night driving to do – which is a big no no in Mexico. We did arrive safe and sound and will be staying here for a week. Chimulco is a very nice Rv park with a hot pool that we can use each morning and we can do internet- very good eh? We’ve also downloaded Skype so we will make some computer phone calls. For Christmas we will be joining 50 other people here at the RV site and have a pot luck dinner with turkey and all the trimmings. We have decorated the Moho – put up our lights and will be thinking of all our friends and family and having a tequila tonight. Take care everyone – enjoy the season.       Feliz Navidad    and Buenos Noches to all.

Photos

Puerto Vallarta

From Mazatlan we headed south and payed muchas tolls. Left the main highway and went towards San Blas. We finally found the Playa Amor campground which is very nice but we have little gas – the gas station here is not open yet. We left the next morning hoping to find a gas station before reaching empty and we did at Las Varas. Reached Puerto Vallarta that afternoon and with a little circling found the RV park. Talked to Leigh and Kelly on the phone and went to Yelapa the next morning. took the bus, the water taxi and were dropped off at Isobel’s beach. We trekked up the mountain to Isobel’s Casa and she indicated that Leigh and Kelly were even further up the mountain. It’s an interesting place – no walls, palapa roof. open air shower and bathroom. the bed on the second floor hangs from the  rafters and every bed has mosquito netting that you have to tuck in early to keep the bugs out. We went out and trekked up the mountain to a waterfall and the pool above it – very cool. That night we went to Mimi’s Bar for a jam session with drums, piano, flute, guitars and a world class violinist. Great evening. Eveing also included Raicilla – the local moonshine – very potent. Caught the water taxi home the next day, Leigh and Kelly followed two days later. We all went to the beach at Lo de Marcos and I am sending this blog from a beach palapa tonight.  We’ll take them back to catch the plane on the 20th and we’ll await the arrival of Mitch and Heather.         – Buenos Noches 

When last we left our merry band of travellers they were on their way to the Cabos (Los and San Jose del).  We stopped in El Triunfo a small town of 327 where the is a piano museum and concert pianist who will play at the drop of a hat – Bach, Chopin…. – he was very good. Because we had spent to much time trying to arrange the for the ferry ( and couldn’t ) and then spent time at the piano museum we couldn’t make it to San Jose del Cabo – we stopped in Los Barriles, a very nice small town with a great beach and losts of properties for sale. We went into San Jose del Cabo the next day, met up with Terry and Flo Reeb from Kamloops. Then we found a place to park – Villa Serena just outside Cabo San Lucas. Went in for dinner at the Office – a great open air restaurant on the beach in the sand with lots of atmosphere. It was a great evening and we walked along the marina, checked out the shops and finally stopped in a small bar with a good band before catching a cab back.

Time is short and we had to leave for Todos Santos, stopped on the surfing beach Los Cerritos for lunch and a swim and then on to Hotel California. From Todos Santos went to Playa Tecolote to meet up with Joan, Jim, Jeff and Jay. Great beach – went for a long hike around the cliffs at low tide, there were some interesting rock formations and lots of sea life. It started to rain but we all prevailed – drinks on the beach, stir-fry supper and guitar, harmonica sing along under the awning of the Taylors ( they had an accident in town earlier that day – everyone ok and only a little damage to the Van. We  will be up early in the am to take the ferry across to Mazatlan/Topolobampo – this is another story.

Arrived at the Ferry Terminal at Pichilingue and stood in line – it was raining. Mitch & Dick bought coffee for drivers waiting in line for the office to open. The power was out so they hooked up a generator – the office opened almost an hour later. We got our vehicles measured and then stood in line. At about 11 am we finally got our tickets to Topolobampo which is 5 hours north of Mazatlan because the 18 hour ferry ride to Mazatlan was $1200.00 and the 6 hour ferry ride to Topolobampo was $760.00. After getting our tickets we parked the Mohos in the line-up to get on the ferry, cooked our breakfast and waited. The loading started at about 12:30 and it took almost 3 hours - the BC  ferries are way more efficient at this. We sailed at 3:30 and were unloaded just before 10 pm so we parked at the terminal for the night. Jesus, the ferry attendant, helped us get our dinner which was included in our tickets – we missed it as it was only served 2-4 pm – anyway we survived the crossing. Up in the morning, said our good byes as we are headed to Mazatlan, while Mitch and Heather , Dick and Terry are going to El Fuerte. We took the toll highway. There are 500 less Rv spaces as three parks have closed down. This update is coming from Mazatlan.    

Hasta Luego

On The Road To La Paz

From Mulege we headed south to Loreto. On the way into town we missed the turn for the Rv park and then lost Dick and Terry. We had to request the use of a friend’s truck to try and locate them – their walkie talkie unit had quit so it took awhile to find them. Larry caught a bug of some sort and was not well so we took it easy and went to bed early. The next day we all decided to head into the hills – it was listed as agood day trip from Loreto – if you have a vehicle with good clearance – the road to San Javier mission is 35 km, very scenic and often in poor shape. Dec 3 is the fiesta day of the patron Saint of San Javier so it was a really big festival for the town. Our big Mohos couldn’t make it up these roads so we went in two vehicles of friends who are puling trailers. There were 10 of us in two vehicles. What a ride. It was a very narrow dirt road, very rocky, with sharp cliff drop offs, arroyos in the down parts and many sharp switchbacks – we took many pictures. On the way up we stopped at a site with cave paintings – very interesting.  The mission was picturesque and there were a lot of people – we had a good time, bought some things and had a bite to eat. Parking was crazy and when we tried to leave – Jay was backing up down a narrow road with cars parked on each side and everywhich way and another car was backing up as well ( we think because he just suddenly appeared ) – there was a slight thump and there we were side by side. A policman came right over – oohh nooo ! and Jay got out very calmly talked to the other driver and even though it was probably an equal fault accident, offered him 500 pesos – he said ok. The policman then waived us over to the side came over and said infraciones – dos cientos. Jay paid the bribe and we quickly departed rather than argue. How they got the two vehicle apart was very interesting – about 10-15 guys bounced the other car up and down and slowly inched the cars apart. The ride back to Loreto was just as nerve sracking as the ride out of course ( same road ). Our driver Jay was in need of a stiff drink as were all of us.

Larry still not feeling well so went to bed early. Did some shopping in Loreto the next morning and decided to head out to Juncalito Beach to boondock for at least one night. Nice beach but hard to get to – you have to drive down 1-2 km in a rocky dry river bed to get to the beach. It’s Dec 4 and I along with a few others of the group went for a swim in the Sea of Cortez – the water was very nice and warm – hoping it even gets warmer yet. We had a potluck dinner and campfire. We stargazed for quite awhile – the stars were fabulous.

I lost the internet connection at this point and thought all of my blogging was gone as well – but Larry found it and although we didn’t have internet for some days now I can send this along and continue updating everyone.

Dec 5 we headed for La Paz. It was a long drive day but we started out with a relaxing breakfast with coffee on the beach. We said goodbye to our amigos, Jim, Joan , Jay and Jeff, drove like mad, got in late, set up camp, met Angel and his wife Brenda who diagnosed Larry’s problem as Salmonella. Farmacia-drugs- we’re all healthy again.

San Ignacio/Santa Rosalia/Muleje

We’ve been a few places since we sat down to send off a post. San Ignacio was a quaint very small town we stopped in when it was raining. The local historian had a bed and breakfast place as well as a book store. We stopped in for tea and a chat – Juanita Bane has a wonderfullly colorful home with lots of artifacts and history books of the area. She gave us a lot of information about the area – it’s a great place to stay if anyone is thinking of heading down this way.

Next we went to Santa Rosalia to see the famous church that A.G. Eiffel designed and had constructed in France before shipping over. It was a bit of a disappointment but the town was very interesting to wander around in and we shopped at the famous bakery and got some very deliciosa buns. We stopped next in Mulege at La Serenidad Motel and RV park – they have a pig roast and live Mexican music every Saturday night – good timing on our part. We had a great meal with muchas margueritas and muchas dancing.  Til next update – Hasta Luego

If this is Thursday, it must be GUERRERO NEGRO

This is comming to you from the bar. We are now in Baja California sur, in Guerrero Negro which is small town just over the border in the southern

Baja. We saw the sea turtle conservatory this am, have had several good Mexican meals, alot of Tequila and beer.

We stopped in San Quintin and had fresh sandy clams, saw La Bufadora just outside of Ensenada. Long day of driving

with very narrow roads. Tomorrow we will head further south and stop to see the cave paintings.

Sorry we don’t know how to send pictures yet but we will work on it.