Southern Mexico roadtrippin PT2

We arrived in Pelanque to visit the beautiful ruins, set in the middle of the jungle, crawling vines over the 1500 year old ruins and green grass surrounding the site. Then that night we drove on to Bonampak.

We found a great camp site for 30 pesos each and had a relaxing night, falling asleep to the sound of waterfall in the background.

The next day I went to the remote ruins of Yaxchitlan. you need to get a lancha there as they are so remote, set right on the riverside of Mexico and Guatemala. The ruins are similar to that of Pelanque, set deep in the jungle, and very green and lush. Spider monkeys came out to play at the tree tops which was a great sight. We also spotted a crocodile sunning himself on the river bank on the way there.

On the way back we had a quick stop over in Guatemala, got some Guatemalan quetzals and bought some snacks. There was no immigration or border patrol so Im not sure how they monitor crossings. But the same day we found out a war broke out at another place on the border, lucky it wasn`t where we were.

The next day we stopped in a tiny town to visit a family who own a bakery and they offered us cake, bread rolls, oranges and had their son take photos of us all. By now we`re quite used to people wanting to take photos of us, I guess its the blonde hair.. But they were a sweet family and when I showed them vegemite they thought it was hilarious. But the best was when I told them I gave them a postcard from Wagga Wagga- they didn`t even want to try to pronounce it!!

That night we slept in Chetumal, an uneventful night and unremarkable town.

The next day we jumped back in the kangoo and climbed up to Tulum, we spent the afternoon at th beach there then pitched out tent in a campsite on the beach for 80 pesos each.

We had a delicious seafood dinner in town then relaxed on the beach.

The next morning we had some more beach time, did some shopping then went to visit the ruins of Tulum but unfortunately then were closed already, so well have to return- What a shame!!

Then we made it to Cancun- finally! we'd all had enough of the car, as cool as it is, and were happy to have a few days break. Alvaro's parents and sister flew in that night and we greeted them at the airport, we knew immediately that it will great spending the next week with them- a great family!!

The next day we showed them the beautiful Caribeean beached, white sand and clear blue water. Palapa huts on the beach, and cervezas for lunch. Can't get much better. We had lunch at Hooters, an interesting experience. Average food, but everyone knows you don't go to Hooters for the food.

Then we had a big night, everyone had told us about the experience that is CocoBongo, and its true that you need to see it to believe it. A disco that costs $45 US to get in, open bar all night and impersonator shows all night, certainly worth it!!

They started with Frank Sinatra, moved onto Lady Gaga and Madonna and threw in Spiderman and Batman fight seen, I loved it. (Well the parts that i remember.... Lets not mention that...)

Southern Mexico roadtrippin PT1

One week down in a month long road trip through the south of Mexico... So far, so good!

I'm travelling with a group of friends, Ines, the eternally happy Parisian, Raphael, the Provencal French rugby man, Alvaro, the crazy Spaniard and Miguel, the balance between everyone- calm and studious.

We rented a kangoo, a ridiculous French van, piled our backpacks, tent and reserve in the back and set off from Mexico City.
The first encounter was the Guadalupeans, as we´ve affectionally named them. These Guadalupeans embark on a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City around the 12 of December from all parts of Mexico. They travel in big trucks and each person takes a turn carrying the torch along the highway all the way to Mexico City and back. and there were thousands of groups of them!

Mexico is a country of extremes, from the rich, US-styled Monterrey we arrived in the poor colonial town of Oaxaca. We slept in a freezing campsite and vistied the beautiful colourful Zocalo. The Mayan ruins of Monte Alban were impressive, as was the fiesta offering all sorts of Oaxacan delicacies such as banana tamales, balls of Oaxaca cheese and tarts. Delicious.

Next stop was Mazunte, a chilled out beach village. We got there very late so that only place we found to pitch the tent was in a the driveway of a lovely but crazy family. With hundreds of roosters going all night long!! Safe to say we didn't get much sleep that night. The next day we found a slightly more legit campsite called La Isla for 40 pesos each, set only 10 metres from the beach. We spent the day in the waves and the afternoon in the bar.

We changed it up a bit the next day and camped at Zipolite, an even more hippy relaxed campsite set on the beach. We spent a relaxing afternoon at the beach and the night in the bar. What a tough life!

We drove the next afternoon until dark and camped in the carpark of a roadside hotel for 100pesos in total. No the most comfortable night, but we were used to it.

We drove the next morning until San Cristobal de las Casas, and arrived in the freezing cold. After months in the steaming heat of Mexico we were in for a bit of a shock when night fell and the temperature dropped to freezing.

San Cristobal is a picturesque village, large but not overwhelming. It's surrounded by many tiny indigenous villages, thus you can buy local indigenous crafts and clothing everywhere and the local market is one of the most interesting in Mexico. The indigenous women and children still wear traditional clothing, very bright and colourful that begs to be photographed but they are very camera shy so its not welcomed. Ines tried to photograph one woman in the market and got a banana peel thrown her way.

We visited a Zapatista village (who demand democracy for all!) where we had to gain permission to enter, the village of Chamula with an odd church with pine needles on the floor and offerings of soda, eggs and chickens. Very eerie but incredible. We were swarmed by local children asking for money, food anything really, and Raph bought some fireworks which they seemed very pleased with. It was gorgeous!

After San Cristobal we returned to the heat of Pelanque.