Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala

Posted by Fin on 30 January 2010

Eric and Paul passed us on their motorbikes again on the way south through the Volcanos to Antigua. We told them to reserve a room in the hostel for when we eventually caught up with them in Antigua. After catching up on stories from when they last passed us in southern Mexico, we decided to ride out on the back of their motorbikes to Volcan Pacaya. Paul had a spare helmet, a crappy pink thing he had invested in for all the hundreds of 'hot chicks' he was going to pick up on route. Sadly, I was the only 'hot chick' he had had on the back of his bike in the 4 months he had been travelling.

Leaving Mexico

Posted by Alex on 21 January 2010

Some places will strike a chord within you and make you never want to leave. Barra de la Cruz was one of those places... A small community ran beach, kept impeccably tidy, with fantastic surf. A small fee to access the beach and the community operated restaurant and facilities on the beach ensured that this sand bar provided the perfect chill out spot for travelers but also economic benefit for its owners, most of the money going towards local clean water infrastructure projects and schooling.

3 comments. Tags: Alex, fin, beach, mexico. Location: Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico

Oaxaca and over the Mountains.

Posted by Alex on 21 January 2010

Like the history of all countries, Mexicos past is infinitely more complex and eventful than the simple dichromatic picture of Aztecs and Spaniards that I entered the country with.

Beauty and the Beast

Posted by Alex on 7 January 2010

Turning inland from San Blas, we started climbing into the Sierra Madre and caught our first glimpses of the volcanoes that characterise this whole area. We were told that the colonial towns in the mountains were stunning and we were not disappointed.

Surf, sand and Sea Bream

Posted by Alex on 29 December 2009

After several months of cold weather, we thought it only fair to treat ourselves to a little beach time, basking in the sun and providing an "all you can eat buffet" for the sand flies and mosquitoes that have made San Blas nationally infamous. This is one of the few times on the trip that we are actually hoping for wind to give us a little respite from the clouds of bugs that automatically gravitate towards the new Gringos.

Old Mazatlan

Posted by Alex on 18 December 2009

Arriving in Mazatlan was, for us, a real high point, bringing together beaches, warm weather and the prospect of plenty of tasty food. Having initially planned on staying for 2 nights and then heading on down to San Blas, after the first few hours walking around town, we then decided to prolong our stopover and really make the most of this lovely colonial town.

The Fruit Basket of Mexico

Posted by Alex on 16 December 2009

Bike touring can't always be stunning landscapes and breathtaking views. Along any trip, there are bound to be "less impressive" places that need to be crossed before the next wonder of nature. The northwestern Mexican coast might be such a place.

2 comments. Tags: Alex, Fin, agriculture, mexico. Location: Los Mochis, Mexico

Mexico Border Crossing - Change of Plan

Posted by Alex on 9 December 2009

Having arrived in Columbus and planned on crossing the border to Las Palomas, we were slightly thrown by the constant stream of warnings and advice from border patrol officers and anyone we crossed not to cross the border there. It appears that there ahas been a recent increase in violence in the area, and two "Gringos" on bicycles with plenty of easily sold gear would be like hanging the proverbial carrot in front of the "Bandito's" noses.

5 comments. Tags: Alex, fin, mexico border, juarez. Location: Chihuahua, Mexico, USA

Chilly Desert

Posted by Alex on 6 December 2009

Having chosen to cycle East to cross the border into Mexico, we rode across the desert of southern New Mexico, expecting mild temperatures and plenty of sun.

2 comments. Tags: Alex, Fin, Ice, New Mexico. Location: Columbus, NM, USA

The North Rim

Posted by Alex on 3 December 2009

Having heard that the Grand Canyon was visible from space, I was already expecting it to be rather larger than a ditch. Walking out of the forest to the viewpoint on the Northern Rim however still blew me away. Just like Death Valley, the sheer size of the spectacle removes you from the human scale and makes you feel like an ant... and a very lucky one at that.