FANTASTIC MEXICO CITY!

18th May - 24th May - MEXICO CITY

We have spent 6 amazing days in Mexico City, it is one of the best cities we have ever visited. Surprisingly clean, a very European feeling, wide boulevards, plazas, great cafes/restaurants, bars, museums with a lot of historic buildings and very peaceful for a city with 20 million people. We caught the coach from Acapulco, 5 hours drive with magnificent mountain views and we were conveniently dropped us at the metro station which made it very easy to get into the centre for 3 pesos a journey (30p/R2.5). We were in the city for 45 minutes before getting our haircut, the 80s mullets are at last history!
Our hotel was in Zona Rosa, the “pink” area which made partying very easy as there were lots of bars and clubs around. The street eating in Mexico is one of the highlights too…. fresh fruit salads cut fresh for 50p (R4), fresh juice (50p), hamburgers (50p), tacos, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches…everything seems to be 10 pesos.  We had some great Argentinean steak too in a very smart restaurant area, Condessa, and also ate some great meals with Adele’s friend in an area called Coyacoan, where Frida Kahlo lived, her house and museum was well worth the visit.
Transportation was very easy, good Metro system and the taxis were cheap. The one night we were “dragged” into one of the clubs, we did not want to pay the entrance fee as we only wanted to have night cap then the manager chased us down the road to ask why we were not coming into his club. He then frog marched us back to the front of the queue, stamped the hand and let us in for free….it was packed and we had a great time and many night caps! Don’t think that would happen in London!
Now we are heading back to our RV, left in Pie De La Cuesta, hoping all is well and looking forward to a much needed rest, the high altitude of Mexico City has taken its toll although it was a lot cooler up there.

8th May - 18th May- PUERTO ESCONDIDO/ PIE DE LA CUESTA (Acapulco)

A 7 hour drive from Puerto Escondido, which was another surf beach gem, we hit the outskirts of Acapulco and negotiated a stay in a beach side restaurant for one night. We are getting the hang of this boon docking! Then we made our way through Acapulco, got stopped by the police who obviously was looking for a bribe. They accused us of going over a fly over…AND…!!! After we pointed out all the other heavy vehicles going the same route they gave up on getting a peso from us. Pie De La Cuesta is 10 kms outside Acapulco, miles of deserted beach with a lagoon on the other side. We found a great campsite, right on the beach, with individual camp site pools, which we are dipping in naked. The roar of the sea can get a bit scary during the night, it seems so close. We have dusted off the fishing rod but only caught small fishes we are using for bait so far. This is a great spot.

To the West Coast of Mexico.

24th April - 26th April - PELANQUE - CHIAPAS - Mayabell (£8/night)

Another very famous Maya ruin in Pelanque, this one set in the jungle, more preserved than the others. The Mexican are very different this side, more indigenous Indians. Got talking to a couple of locals at a restaurant but did not appreciate it when she puked at her table, through drinking beer, and then continued to drink! It is famous area for Magic Mushrooms, which we tried, and it basically just sent me to the toilet.

26th April - AGUA DULCE - Ranch Hemanos Graham (£5/night)

A stop off on the way to Oaxaca Coast, but a nice surprise as it was a campsite in a nice shaded wooded area but gosh its getting hot!

27th April - TEHANTEPEC - Pemex Garage (FREE)

Another stop over required, this time we pulled into the truck parking in the garage. It was bit noisy but fine.

OAXACA COAST

At last beach and sea again, the West coastal road is extremely hilly but dramatic scenery, enjoying the coastal breeze again. We are now on the Pacific side of Mexico.
 
28th - 29th April - BAHIAS DE HUATULCO - Club Playa Tangolunda (£5/night)

This was a very tranquil campground, surrounded by all inclusive hotels, the beach was okay but the sea was very rough. When we arrived Adele went to explore the beach, in the meantime a Mexican guy came to the RV and came out with a story that he was a student studying reflexology. He needed to have some more “practical” sessions in particularly with foreigners to practice his English. Anyway niave Meylan fell for this story and agreed for him to massage the feet. By the time Adele came back to the RV, I was getting comfy for my massage by setting up the chair outside etc. she was very suspicious anyway (something for free? And to be filmed?) especially as she spotted that he had a huge tent in his shorts!! He obviously enjoyed his work and was very much wanting to get his hands or something, on my feet!! Once alerted he was sent off with not so much of a touch of a big toe. He came back 2 more times BEGGING for us to have a massage…it was time to move on….

30th - April - 4th May - ZIPOLITE - Ferannado’s La Pamera (£6.25/night)

Laid back, un-commercial, hippy vibe, surfers, good cheap restaurants, lovely bay and wild seas….this is heaven! Our first glimpse of the bay there were dolphins, we walk the 1 mile bay back and forth twice a day and we are enjoying being beach bums. When we arrived met a couple from Finland who roped all the bar into celebrating their National day, we had Finnish songs and streamers, stories about Finland, was a good laugh. They passed out by 7pm, all those vodka’s! We love this place and can see why many foreigners park of here and just don’t go home…There is just the start of commercialism ruining this place, there is one apartment block just being finished, how long can the beach shack owners hold on for. I hope it wont go the Goa route, similar places there are now like the Costa Del Sol.We are hoping to spend another 2 nights here then to the next coastal town, Puerto Escondido.