Jordan and Judy by Mexican beach
Our Favourite Beach was Zipolite - also called Beach of Death due to its strong rip tide! We found several deserted beaches but Zipolite, with only a few tourists, was our favourite. Long stretches of flat sand with the sun rising at one end and setting at the other. We found ourselves postponing leaving here more than once! (Zipolite, State of Oaxaca: Lat. 15 39N Long. 96 31W)
Sun rising at east end of Zipolite beach...
...and setting at west end - fabulous!
Bahia de Conejos in Huatulco (favourite beach of locals)
Bahia San Agustin (16 km from Huatulco) with Jordan
Jordan's Mom and Dad - morning walk at Zipolite
Sunrise on Fisherman's Monument at San Agustinillo (near Zipolite)
Okay, okay - enough beaches!
Our Favourite Activity was going out in a small boat where we saw manta rays and a blue whale AND swam with wild turtles and dolphins! We were also given the opportunity to snorkel, seeing beautifully coloured marine life after boating to another location. We were very happy to discover that Mexico now is very protective of all sea turtles. (San Agustinillo, State of Oaxaca: Lat. 15 41N Long. 96 14W)
Guide with Jordan's son, Aaron
Our Favourite City was the very quaint Taxco, a world UNESCO heritage site. This colonial city of 75,000 was built from silver booms. It lies on the surface of a steep mountainside where all the roads are more like narrow alleys that meander and zigzag throughout the city. Taxis are all Volkswagen beetles that fit the roads perfectly! The church, Santa Prisca Parish, located in the main zocalo (city square) and built in the 1700s has the most impressive baroque exterior. Close to Taxco, we walked a couple of kilometres through the outstanding caves called Grutas de Cacahuamilpa. (Taxco de Alarcon, State of Guerrero: Lat. 18 33N Long. 99 36W)
Incredible view of Taxco
Santa Prisca Parish (in background) in zocalo
View from Hotel Victoria
Our Favourite Road, known as The Road of 3,000 Curves, was riding from Durango to Mazatlan. From Durango, the road goes along a high altitude plateau to El Salto (about half way) where the ride was great. But from El Salto to Mazatlan is the most incredible, scenic, winding road that snakes along the edge of the plateau with canyons and vistas below. (Durango, State of Durango: Lat. 24 01N Long. 104 40W) (Mazatlan, State of Sinaloa: Lat. 23 13N Long. 106 25W)
Most impressive
View of a village nestled below
Devil's Ridge (straight down on both sides of road!)
Other Highlights:
1. We watched a man with his donkey making Mezcal - a prized alcohol similar to Tequila in Mexico - which we purchased on the spot and thoroughly enjoyed later!
2. We ate roasted corn at a roadside stand after hiking to the top of an inactive volcano, Nevado de Toluca.
3. We had the opportunity to visit former Fleet friends on SV Dolphin Tales at a marina in Mazatlan who took us on a day sail to an island for swimming and tanning.
4. Did Jordan get any gas from this pump in San Miguel? (State of Guanajuato in Central Mexico)
5. An actual street name, also in San Miguel...
6. We also visited beautiful Finca El Pacifico, a 5th generation coffee plantation, and drank fabulous freshly roasted organic coffee. Did you know Mexico is the world's 4th largest producer of coffee?
7. We hiked to see Las Cascadas Magicas de Copalitilla and swam in one of the 40 waterfalls surrounded by a rain forest atmosphere.
8. Near Barra de Viejo, we released newborn sea turtles into the ocean - very exciting! And discovered a turtle sanctuary in San Agustinillo (www.tortuguitas.com.mx).
9. Finally, on our way home, we stopped in Calistoga (California USA) at Dr. Wilkinson's Hot Springs Resort and luxuriated in hot mud baths, whirlpool, steamroom, warm towel wraps, and massage. What a way to end a trip!
The roads and scenery of the areas that we travelled from Mazatlan south and up through the Highlands center were the most incredibly fun motorcycle touring roads to be had anywhere.
The only way to go!
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