9th Feb - 11th Feb - Costa Esmeralda, Gulf coast, Mexico - De Alba RV Park (£7.50/$12)
3 day of hectic travelling to get to the Coast and to the area a little safer than the North. This is normally a big area for RV’ers and we have seen 4 other rigs. This is very sad that the recent drug wars have put tourists off by this extent. Until now we had not seen any other RV and only a handful of tourists at El Tajin - an archaeological ruins by Poza Rica. The drive from Matehaula to Ciudad Valle (7th Feb) was mountainous and slow, but magnificent scenery. We then stayed one night at El Banito Balneario at the grassy back, it had a natural hot spring swimming pool. I managed to negotiate the price down in Spanish (this is essential) and paid only £5 per night. The journey from Ciudad Valle to Poza Rica (8th Feb) short cut was so slow, but it was interesting to see the villages and buy fresh juice, we must have gone over 100 topes (speed bumps) and the pot holes were horrendous. Our golden rule of not driving at night went out the window., we had no choice and was very relieved when we got to the campground, Condado Western Auto Hotel (£5) although we had to park in the field by the road. On the way to Costa Esmeralda we were stopped by police and our lack of Spanish I think held in good stead, we just looked blankly at them. They did mention they wanted coca cola so we thought it best to give them a bottle we had, rather than then coming in the van and asking for money. Eating out at the moment is somewhat of a surprise with our lack of knowledge of culinary words in Spanish. Really there are so few people who speak English you just have to try and make yourself understood. The Mexican people so far have been so friendly and we have also been invited out for a spag bol night by one of the American RV long termers here, he use to leave in SA and every Friday a group of people take it in turns to cook. (it was suppose to be Fish & Chip night…d’oh!). Tomorrow, up early and we continue to Vera Cruz.
3 day of hectic travelling to get to the Coast and to the area a little safer than the North. This is normally a big area for RV’ers and we have seen 4 other rigs. This is very sad that the recent drug wars have put tourists off by this extent. Until now we had not seen any other RV and only a handful of tourists at El Tajin - an archaeological ruins by Poza Rica. The drive from Matehaula to Ciudad Valle (7th Feb) was mountainous and slow, but magnificent scenery. We then stayed one night at El Banito Balneario at the grassy back, it had a natural hot spring swimming pool. I managed to negotiate the price down in Spanish (this is essential) and paid only £5 per night. The journey from Ciudad Valle to Poza Rica (8th Feb) short cut was so slow, but it was interesting to see the villages and buy fresh juice, we must have gone over 100 topes (speed bumps) and the pot holes were horrendous. Our golden rule of not driving at night went out the window., we had no choice and was very relieved when we got to the campground, Condado Western Auto Hotel (£5) although we had to park in the field by the road. On the way to Costa Esmeralda we were stopped by police and our lack of Spanish I think held in good stead, we just looked blankly at them. They did mention they wanted coca cola so we thought it best to give them a bottle we had, rather than then coming in the van and asking for money. Eating out at the moment is somewhat of a surprise with our lack of knowledge of culinary words in Spanish. Really there are so few people who speak English you just have to try and make yourself understood. The Mexican people so far have been so friendly and we have also been invited out for a spag bol night by one of the American RV long termers here, he use to leave in SA and every Friday a group of people take it in turns to cook. (it was suppose to be Fish & Chip night…d’oh!). Tomorrow, up early and we continue to Vera Cruz.
Hey you guys!! We so look forward to your next epic episodes, what a great adventure! Keep them coming and load up the pics. 2707 not the same without you.
ReplyDeleteWe may be off to Kaap stad in March, will we see you there?