BACK IN MEXICO!

We are back in Mexico and in the BajaCalifornia . The RV was waiting for us at the San Diego KOA with a flat battery. The storage manager was lovely and helped us no end to get us back up and running. Note to ourselves, have time to disconnect the battery before flying out. With no time to waste, one day preparing we were over the Tijuana border, the busist border in the world, in about 20 minutes. The first night we spent just outside Ensenanda at Punta Banda, Mi Refugio overlooking the estuary. The fish market at Ensenada was impressive and our fridge is now stocked with large prawns and fish. The next day up early (jet lag has been hard to shake off) and headed down to San Quintin, Fidel's El Pabellon, miles of deserted beach. We stayed here for 2 nights and was nice to see the beach was full of sand dollars. Not that it is warm up enough to spend too long on the beach. A long 7 hour drive to Guerrero Negro and unmemorable RV park, Malarrimo RV Park and then up early to get to the Sea of Cortez on the East Coast. The drive down was spectacular and the Bahia Conception, just outside Mulege, provides pictursque beach camping with so many bays to choose from. We stayed at Playa Santispac and then El Requeson, but have been driven off the beaches due to the strong northerly winds (and lack of water in our tanks!). At the moment we are in the oldest settlement on the Baja, Loreto at Rivera Del Mar RV Park which is within walking distance to old quaint town. The Baja so far is more remote than we expected but the Mexicans have had more exposure to the Americans and therefore prices are very much higher than mainland Mexico. Tomorrow we head further South  to look for a good spot for Christmas. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! X X

Utah National Parks, Vegas then UK

We have be hiking and cycling around pretty much all the National Parks in Utah. Capitol Reef was very strenuous, made worse by the lack of Jan's map reading without her glasses turning a hour walk into a 3 mountain peak expedition with only a litre of water each. Kodachrome NP was a small area but had great mountain bike trail, great fun especially with no back brakes!

The highlight for all the NP’s is Bryce Canyon, it is stunning scenery and camping at 7000 ft in the forest. Loved it!

We have just spent 4 nights at Zion NP, moving camp sites most days as it was so busy for Labor Day. So well organised there, easy to get into the little town of Springdale, sweet place with restaurants and trinket shops and then you hop on the shuttle bus to all the walks.

A 5 day trip to Las Vegas was a surprise, what a good fun place and you can survive on a budget. Then a brief stopover in San Diego before heading back to the UK for 3 weeks. 

ThelmaandLousie is having a well earned rest in San Diego KOA!

Monument Valley, Canyonlands, Moab - 10th Aug - 20th Aug

Too many highlights this week! Monument Valley, Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park and Moab.....our last day in Arizona was spent on the cliff overlooking Monument Valley,incredible view, on the Navajo Indian reservation. It is shocking what happened to the native Indians here and the land they were allocated is so barren and harsh but very dramatic. It brought back all the images of the Western movies we watched as a kid and now we are in that scenery. We passed on the 78 dollar each drive trip into the valley and opted to walk some of it instead. How can families afford that! We had the campfire going watching the sunset and u early to watch the sunrise.
Then on to Utah. We spent 2 days in Canyonlands NP, we rode our bikes on the scenic road to go for a 5 mile hike,
then the lock would not open so had to trudge miles back to campsite with little water...it's nearing 100 deg F at the moment. The park ranger went out with bolt cutters and eventually brought the bikes back. Wed 17 Aug arrived in Moab, really cute touristy bless morman town (Utah is Morman country), luckily the liquor laws have just been relaxed so that can serve beer without you having to buy a meal....there are 2 microbreweries here which we are going to try out. We camped next to the Colarado River and headed to Arches NP early morning for a 8 mile very demanding hike. The amount of people heading out at midday on this hike with hardly any water was madness, my face was bright red after....it was hard...but my leg is getting stronger.
We did get to camp in the Arches NP got in on a cancellation (school holidays, great time to be touring!). Staying in Moab at the moment, in private RV park so we can get Internet and watch a bit of Tv. It's our once a week treat.

ARIZONA STATE PARKS - 5th - 10th August ($16/£10 per night)

If any of our family and friends reading this like camping, hiking and the bush you would love the Arizona State Parks. Amazing scenery, no electricity so no excuse to not enjoy the sunsets,  open fire and cook on the fire and look at the stars. We managed to get in on a cancellation at the Grand Canyon (its school holiday...thats not good planning!) and ticked a box, to see the Grand Canyon in person, there are so many pictures of this and seeing it for yourself gives such a good panaroma that the pictures you take yourself just do not do it justice.We are ejoying all the other National Parks as well and the road journeys are very scenic.

ARIZONA - NOGALES- MOUNTAIN VIEW RV PARK (4th August 11)

We finally have torn ourselves away from Mexico and made the 800 mile trip up the West Coast via Huatahampito & San Carlos - the latter was very Greek island like but extremely hot, arid with dry heat. Over the border no problems, hid all the contraband in the settee storage and sat on the thing while the customs agents looked around. We were in Mexico exactly the amount of time allowed on a visitors VISA - 6 months. Now we start the Canyon tour of Utah and Arizona, Grand Canyon included. Back on American soil and taxes added on everything, paying $31 for a very cramped unintersting site....hope we haven't been too spoilt. Move on tomorrow to Flagstaff.

MAZATLAN - VILLA TRANQUILA

4th July - 11th July 11

After a very hard negoitiation the owner let us have the 2 bed 3 bathroom beach house for a third of the normal price. We did have to cook him a meal the one night though in return for him denoating some fish. This week has all been about cycling and spoiling Adele with some great food to celebrate her 45th birthday. We went to the workshop everyday to visit Thelma&Louise, a minimum of 15 miles, we have also been sorting out our teeth and found a very good dentist. We leave the Villa tomorrow and go back to the RV park, we have enjoyed being in a house for a little while but looking forward to sleeping in my own bed. No photos to show you yet as have "killed" my pc with a water spill, keeping everything crossed that drying it for a week is going to do the trick.

MAZATLAN - PUNTA CERRITOS RV PARK

21st June - 4th July 11

As soon as we pulled into Mazatlan we instantly liked it. It has an old colonial town, tourist strip, marina, the RV park is the other end of town on the point overlooking sea from two ways. Its a great spot, and have been socialsing with some of the longterm RVers at the campground. They are all older than us, US and Canadian they are intersting, friendly folk. Most have sold up assets and now live at the RV park permantely, what is great about this park is that they allow you to personalise your space, with palapas, outside kithens etc. We had few nights out with an interesting guy from Oregan, 75, Lyle, he really seemed impressed that 2 women were doing this trip, we have done almost 7000 miles since we bought the RV. Most of our days have been spent trying to get some local to quote to do some repairs on the RV and finally have a quote we are happy with. This will mean 7 days in the workshp so found a nice beach house to rent for a week.

Journey To Mazatan

21st June 2011

We left Lo De Marcos in a bit of  hurry, a hurricane was about to hit the West Coast. It was raining and have now learnt that a place normally safe to stop in the dry is certainly not the case in the wet. We pulled over and Thelma&Louise just sank in the red mud. 2 hours later, 2 tow trucks later we were finally out.We arrived in Mazatlan 6 hours later, a little red faced, and  caked in red mud.

Lo De Marcos, Mexico West Coast

Dear all, been some time since I last blogged due to poor connections. We are now on our last leg of Mexico trip and in a small resort on the West Coast, 50 miles from Puerto Vallarta. From Pie De La Cuesta we stayed a couple of nights at Ixtapa and then went inland to Lake Chapala, biggest lake in Mexico. On the way, hit a roadblock, burnt out cars and armed men which was our scariest moment so far driving. We turned around sharpish and found another route. Before leaving Pie De La Cuesta we went to the Paella Festival in Acapulco, we were on the British Consulate table, most couples were Brits with Mexican wifes who now have South Welsh accents and the like. It was great fun and toasted the Queen and the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, no singing of the National anthem though..... After we went to Kathy's place, what a magnificent home, overlooking the Acapulco bay, we rounded off a great day with champers in the pool with the best veiw.
We have just spent 3 nights in Guadalajara, old colonial city, very impressive and clean. The big city's here have been a very pleasant surprise. Then on the way to the coast we visited Tequila, well you have to..."when in Rome"!! There are agave plants everywhere and had a try at getting to the pineapple like "fruit" which they steam for the juices to create tequila. Everywhere you can taste different tequilas and we did a few, learnt the process and have started to gain some appreciation of the different tequilas. For the drink to be called tequila the agave plant has to be grown in the state of Jalisco. You never know pub quizers, that could be some useless information for you.

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.

LIMPING TO CAMPECHE

20th - 22nd April 2011- Campeche - Nautico Club - (£17.50 per night)

After Cancun, we drove 3 hours to a place called Valladolid, an inland town, famous for its sausage! We stayed in a place that had its own ceynote, a cave with a natural swimming pool with a ole for light in the roof. It was eerie in there with bats but so cool and the water clear and cold. Later we went into the town to sample the sausage,  spicy and thin, enjoyed it.
The next day we drove to Merida and then South towards Campeche. About halfway in between the 2 cities we heard a massive bang, our two back tyres on the passenger rear had exploded and were in tatters. Interesting, we only had one spare! Also our levelling jacks had stopped working and we had no other jacks. Luckily not too long after a Canadian RV passed us and stopped. Bear in mind, this is only the 2nd RV we have seen on the road in Mexico. He promised to stop at the nearest place and send help. This was on a very busy road, but only 2 lanes, no hard shoulder and the trucks were flying past us…we had no cones and had to tie a “flag” to the stepladders in the end to stop the cars and trucks hitting us. It was so hot on that road I was getting redder and redder and Adele’s flip flops were melting, oh and they hadn’t long burnt the bracked on the side so we were black from the ash. About 45 minutes later a man came with cones, a jack and tools but still took him about 3 hours to get the tyres off and the only spare on. We then went to his garage. He did not have another tyre of the right size so he fitted a slightly smaller one with our good spare. So we hit the road again but by this time it was getting dark, There was funny noise coming from the tyres so eventually we decided to stop at a little restaurant. Our spare tyre was just about to burst, it had no tread on at all, gosh if that blew again in the dark…we were I the middle of nowhere and we would have had to leave the RV. Anyway luckily the man had a tyre “garage” thing next to it. He had old tyres and tools for getting rims off etc. He let us stay there and the next morning rang the police who rode around the local area looking for tyres for us. (All this by the way, no one spoke English but we managed). They found one tyre so we limped into Campeche, driving 15 miles an hour and then found a Continental dealer who had the right tyre in stock. We have realised that we play Good Cop Bad Cop very well and reduced the price of the new tyres by 600 pesos each (£30). Me amiga (that’s Adele) wants check precio) and then he caves. We have now replaced all the tyres on the RV since we bought it and now have 2 spares, not taking any chances.
We are now in a very upmarket resort with the wealthy Mexican’s, enjoying Semana Santa, overlooking the Mexican Gulf by the infinity pool. All is good again and the levelling jacks are working again and new tyres for our journey to Pelanque.

Happy Easter everyone!

Leaving the Caribbean.

29th March - 19th April 2011 - Cancun - El Mecoloco - £10 per night
With a little tear in our eye we are leaving the Caribbean behind and heading out of the Yutacan and to the other side of Mexico. Cancun was a bit of a surprise, in a good way, we stayed in the “Mexican” area near Puerto Jaurez, and by a local beach with seafood restaurants within easy walking distance. We took a ferry from here to Isla Majueres, 30 minute boat ride, spent the day  with a Canadian girl we met, Lisa, and we had really enjoyable day, good company , seafood and a few beers. We have met some really great people here and will keep in touch. Katie, a mad Scottish lass was a real hoot.
We spent the last weekend at the  Zona Hotelera, miles of big, beach front hotels, it is commercially obscene but we can see why people come. It must be one of the nicest sand and clearest bright turquoise seas in the World. There is everything here in Cancun, most people speak English to the detriment of our Spanish, living here would be relatively easy.  Have a feeling we will be back some day for another visit.

More Beautiful Mexican Beaches

Tulum - 25th March - beach road - (FREE + £2 tip)
We parked overnight on the Tulum beach road, in front of a little Mexican man’s yard so gave him a tip to watch things. We wanted to be close to the famous Mayan ruins here and we were knocking on the gates at opening time to avoid heat and crowds. It was not as impressive as other ruins we have seen but at least we had very few Americans in our photos.

Xpu-Ha Camp site- 26th - 29th March- (£10 per night)

Guys, more gorgeous beachy spots I’m afraid, this is the best yet. A spot 20 miles South of Playa Del Carmen, parked on the beach, not a lot there a bar/restaurant, couple of small resort hotels and best bay we have come across in Mexico so far. We are considering coming back here but have been warned sea, sand and Easter = hordes of Mexican families. Now to Cancun…..

CHETAMUL - YAX-HA RESORT (£12/night)

20th March - 26th March - we are camping in one of the best RV parks so far, grassy site overlooking the Chetamul bay. Went over to the duty free shopping area in Belize yesterday, easy to get to by bus (Mexico public transport is very good) but not nuch to buy. It was full of Chinese copy clothing and Chinese restaurants, we are being taken over! We have decided not to go to the Belize Cays and as we have plenty of time are going to head back up to Cancun. More to see there like Tulum and Cozumel so heading up there tomorrow...after we have listenend to the South Africa v New Zealand cricket game.

Matahual/Xcalak - 12th March - to date (FREE)

We are camping right on the beach in Matahual not far from Belize. Matahual is a bizarre place, a very laid back place with paradise like beaches and bright blue seas, has a hippy cummunity,chilled. Then the Cruise ships arrive Tues - Friday and then it becomes the touristy resort, madness for 8 hours and kicks into life, beaches packed, donkeys rides for $5! Get the picture.Then everyone leaves and it is empty again.... We are already seeming to know every one in town and they all know that the girls in the motor home are camping behind the lighthouse. A developer guy has given us permission to camp on his land and is very private and a view to die for. When we arrived it was the day of their carnival so there was procession and dancing. We have been making fire virtually every night apart from the time we visited the next town down Xcalak, nothing there, small local restaurants. Then a brilliant find, Little Palapa, which had the most fantastic international cuisine, run by 2 ladies from Canada. It was so good we stayed there right by the beach to go the following night but to our disappointment was shut when we arrived…d’oh! Today Adele goes on another scuba dive. It is going to be hard to tear ourselves away from here but  have had no electricity now for many days and the batteries are running down. We do have to go to Chetamul over the next few days so maybe can last until Sunday.

Goodbye to Puerto Morelos

11th March 11 - We awake to a Tsunami warning today, luckily was on the Pacific coast of Mexico as we are stilll in Puerto Morelos, right on the beach. We have enjoyed the quaint town (2.5km bike ride) and the promimity to the beach.  Was a great fruit and vegatable market 5kms away and we brought fresh fish from the town, we saw the boat coming in, eyed up the one we wanted and within a couple of hours was on our plate. Tomorrow we leave and heading 200 miles South to Xcalac, right on the Belize border.

AT LAST AT THE BEACH.

2nd - 3rd March - Puerto Morelos, Cancun -Acumaya Cabanas ($33)
At last we have hit the beach, and now we know where all the tourists are, here in Cancun. The massive hotels run all the way down the coast to beyond Plays Del Carmen, except our little cabana and RV park which looks lost surrounded by the big hotels. The town of Puerto Morelos is sweet. It has been so hot over the last few days, 105 deg, that it is a joy to be near the sea breeze and easy for a dip. Adele has just been snorkelling as saw a massive stingray, over 5ft long. She is going on a wreck scuba diva tomorrow. The prices here are high so we are going to try and park the van besdies someones property for a couple of nights. Then we are heading down to towards the Belize border. Great scuba diving down there too.

1st March - Chitchen Itza -Pyramide Inn (£7)
A very well preserved Mayan site and full of tourists coached in from Cancun. It was a bit of shock to see so many Westerners, especially the Australian woman with white cowboy boots, and Australian T shirt and hat, what style and in this heat!! It was a sight to behold and we could not help people watch more than checking out the ruins. Adele is now convinced that the idea of the game Harry Potter came from the game palyed within the Maya culture, the losers being sacrificed. I will try and upload a photo but it involves getting the ball into a ring.

MERIDA, YUTICAN

26th - 28th Feb - MERIDA - Rainbow RV Resort - (£13)

The Rainbow RV park is like a park in the middle of the city, could be that the 50 site RV park has only us in it. This time last year it was full, swine flu, recession and drug wars have taken its toll. Located perfectly to bus it into el centro and opposite a shopping mall called “Liverpool”and a cinema which we have made the most of. We saw SANCTUM and BLACK SWAN, was great to cross the road and be in the cinema. Merida looks quite wealthy, clean streets, colonial Spanish, safe and home to a lot of the Mexicans who have the Mayan indigenous bloodline and they are so kind, friendly and…VERY short. Adele looks like a giant or like she is the parent with her kids around her. (They keep asking whether she is German!) The town is famous for hammocks and panama hats to which we are now proud owners. Sunday afternoon the Meridians go to town and hang out in the main plaza where there is a market, free music and then they dance. It is so sweet to  see the old couples dance salsa together. It is incredibly hot here around 32 deg, should be hitting the beach and coast within the next 2/3 days.

Arrived in the Yutacan Penisula

25th Feb - UXMAL  SITE  - (£6)
We are camping in a car park at one of the most important Maya sites in Mexico and going to the Light & Sound show tonight. Its not bad here, no other RV's so private and has internet! We have just hung up our washing so looking a bit like gypsies. This area is famous for Maya ruins and have been wandering around the sites today the Pommie's  face getting redder and redder (its very hot here now). These ruins are impressive but full of iguanas and big ones too.


24th Feb - CAMPECHE - HA KIN AQUATIC PARK (£8)

Campeche is a really charming old quaint colonial Spanish town, narrow streets, buildings painted different colours. We went to for a beer at a bar where they filmed Original Sin (Anthony Banderos). Easy to get in on the bus and had a really good experience. The people in Mexico are just so friendly and cute (they are so short).

23rd Feb - VILLAHERMOSA 

Just a stop over in Vilahermosa but we got an oil change and fuel filter change on the way. Result, all for £5, we supplied the parts.


18th Feb - 23rd Feb - LAke CATEMACO - El Mirandor (£5)

We really loved Catemaco, an easy small town to be in and the lake view...amazing. Our neighbour, Silva,
took us out to waterfalls, no touristsand  into the jungle for 2 hours. On the way back we were invited into a Mexican ladies home for food, what a pleasure to see and experince the locals way of life if only briefly. They sat us straight away at the kitchen table and then brought out of the food cooked on fire. Rice, tortillas with cheese, spicy hot vegtable salad and black beans. Her daughter sat opposite and stared at the white people.
It was very cool. Silva is a mechanic so got him busy on our RV checking out a few things.
We both got haircuts in Catemaco, Jan's a bit 80's in style but it will soon grow!!