Mexico, Guatemala 2007

I was between jobs so I had time to travel. In almost 2 months I was 1 week in Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic with friends, 1 week in a 5-star hotel with ex-coworkers in Egypt, and in between for almost 1 month in Mexico and Guatemala. The first plan was to go to SE Asia (I did it later in 2014 and 2017), but I didn’t find co-traveler. So I went looking around forums and on Nomago (than STA) I found Špela. After a few emails and calls, we met and decided to do this trip together.

23/4/2007 Venice – Madrid

With the train we moved in the morning to Venice, the price of a return ticket was 25 €. At Mestre, we took a short bus ride to the airport, 5 €.

Madrid airport
Madrid airport

First, it was a flight to Madrid with Iberia, two and a half hours.

airport madrid
airport madrid

There we waited and rested a bit until the next flight to Mexico City in the middle of the night, 12 hours flight.

24/4/2007 Mexico City

mexico city trafic
mexico city trafic

On arrival at the airport in Mexico City (at that moment probably the biggest city in the world), we collected our bags. After we changed some money for an official taxi, we moved to a hostel.

mexico city traffic
mexico city traffic

When we setelled down we went out for a walk.

mexico city hostel
mexico city hostel

We passed interesting hotel Camino Real Polanco

Camino Real Polanco México
Camino Real Polanco México

Sat a bit in park Bosque de Chapultepec, huge park with museums and ZOO, NW from center

Bosque de Chapultepec
Bosque de Chapultepec

For visit of museum we were a bit late, but there were kids in school uniforme.

kid in museum, Mexico city
kids in museum, Mexico city

We continued our walk on Paseo de la Reforma, one of the most important roads in the city. There were roundabouts with interesting monuments.

Diana the Huntress Fountain, Mexico City
Diana the Huntress Fountain, Mexico City
Angel of Independence, Paseo de la Reforma
Angel of Independence, Paseo de la Reforma

One of the roads was named after our former capital

Belgrado street, Mexico City
Belgrado street, Mexico City

We finished our tour with beer in Zona Rosa, part of town known for party, shopping and gay community.

beer in Zona Rosa, Mexico City
beer in Zona Rosa, Mexico City

25/4/2007 Mexico City

Next morning we moved with metro to city center, somebody played loud reggaeton music.

mexico city metro
mexico city metro

There we caught a bus to Teotihuacan, an ancient city, 40 km northeast from the capital city. We had Jesus lit with shining lights to protect us and live music for entertainment.

jesus on bus, mexico
jesus on bus, mexico
live music on bus, mexico
live music on bus, mexico

Contryside was dry with lot of cactus

cactus, mexico
cactus, mexico

On arrival they explained many uses of Agave – maguey (paper, drink, medicine, sawing, …). We tried pulque, fermented agave juice. Not too tasty, low alcohol percentage.

pulque, mexico
pulque, mexico

We had a tour guide that explained to us all about Teotihuacan (Moon pyramid, Sun Pyramid, Avenue of Dead). We were together with the Argentinian couple.

Teotihuacan tour with argentinian couple
Teotihuacan tour with argentinian couple

On return to Ciudad de Mexico, we walked around the historical center. We saw the main cathedral, main square Zocalo, Diego Rivera mural, market, Aztec site El Templo Mayor, buildings like Palacio de Bellas Artes, rested in a park with squirrels and people playing chess

Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City, Palacio de Bellas Artes
Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City, Mural Sueño de una Tarde Dominical en la Alameda Central
Mexico City
Mexico City, chess
Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City Zocalo
Mexico City Zocalo
Mexico City
Mexico City, El Templo Mayor

26/4/2007 Mexico City-San Miguel de Allende

It was time to say goodby to our kind hosts in hostel.

Mexico City
Mexico City

Soon we were on the bus to San Miguel de Allende, a small, colorful, artesian, and colonial town under UNSECO protection.

old man on bus, Mexico
old man on bus, Mexico

On the bus we met local family. After an hour of talk they invited us to their home. So we stopped bus some 10 km before town. Got in an old Ford pickup and went to their home in suburbs. House was still not finished but they were happy to share it with us.

host family, Mexico
host family, Mexico

They took us to town so we can enjoy its beautiful streets. When they were not back in time Špela paniced a bit. But finally they showed and we went shopping before returning to their home. After dinner man sat out for a beer and women were inside. They invited us to stay one more week until their son’s baptism, but our schedule was tight.

san miguel de allende
san miguel de allende
san miguel de allende
san miguel de allende

So we went to ‘bed’, sleeping on the floor

sleeping on the floor, san miguel de allende
sleeping on the floor, san miguel de allende

27/4/2007 San Miguel de Allende-Guanajuato

Next morning they took us back to town. Before going to bus station we took nice view of town from above.

san miguel de allende view
san miguel de allende

Guanajuato was a place we went next, capital of the state with the same name. Historically it is known for mines of metal ore. We went around the city, visiting places like zocalo, market, …

school uniforms, Guanajuato
school uniforms, Guanajuato
theater, Guanajuato
theater, Guanajuato
zocalo, Guanajuato
zocalo, Guanajuato
churros, Guanajuato
churros, Guanajuato
Guanajuato
Guanajuato
Guanajuato market
Guanajuato market
Guanajuato market butcher
Guanajuato market butcher

Most interesting was mummy museum. If you couldn’t pay they would store you and because climat bodies becam mummified. It is a bit spooky, specially seeing child mummy.

El Museo de las Momias, Guanajuato
El Museo de las Momias, Guanajuato
Guanajuato donkies
Guanajuato donkies
bosnian movie in Guanajuato
bosnian movie in Guanajuato

28/4/2007 Guanajuato

We visited the university and went uphill for a beautiful view of the city and statue of miner revolutionary Pipila on top. Soon we took a 12-hour ride on bus to Oaxaca.

Guanajuato university
Guanajuato university
Monumento al Pipila, Guanajuato
Monumento al Pipila, Guanajuato

29/4/2007 Guanajuato-Oxaca

Next morning we arrived to Oaxaca, all tired from long ride. There I meet friend from college. Manca was traveling in Mexico in oposite direction. Together we went to some concert.

meeting friends from university, Oaxaca
meeting friends from university, Oaxaca

We visited golden Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán and monastery.

Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Oaxaca
Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Oaxaca
Cultural Centre of Oaxaca
Cultural Centre of Oaxaca

30/4/2007 Oxaca

While Špela was more into sports we went for a hike into the hills around Oaxaca with guide.

tracking near oxaca
tracking near oxaca

I manged to cut myslef on Agave torn.

cut myself on Agava leaf, Oaxaca
cut myself on Agava leaf, Oaxaca

Saw some stranfe plant on this hike

tracking near oxaca
tracking near oxaca
truck, oaxaca
truck, oaxaca

On return we went to market

market oaxaca
market oaxaca
market oaxaca
market oaxaca

1/5/2007 Oxaca-Puerto Escondido

In the morning there were some kind of protest for 1st of May.

protests, 1st of May, Oaxaca
protests, 1st of May, Oaxaca

It was time for another long ride on bus.

bus, Oaxaca
bus, Oaxaca

There was turkey riding with us.

turkey on the bus, Oaxaca
turkey on the bus, Oaxaca
bus stop, Oaxaca
bus stop, Oaxaca

We stoped on our way few times

raining while on the bus from Oaxaca
raining while on the bus from Oaxaca

It was heavy raining, second part of trip. We arrived at Puerto Escondido late in night.

2/5/2007 Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido is surfers and party place, but begining of May wasn’t to crowded yet.

Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido

We went to the beach, I sat in shade drinking beer

Locals gave us some strange fruit to try

Puerto Escondido, some fruit
Puerto Escondido, some fruit
Puerto Escondido, kid
Puerto Escondido, kid

Even I was in shade I got sunburns

Puerto Escondido, sunburns
Puerto Escondido, sunburns

In the evening we went out to party. In the end, I was the last guest with an English cook, his girlfriend waitress and boss, drinking tequila with scorpions inside.

party in perto escondido
party in perto escondido

3/5/2007 Puerto Escondido

Next morning was time for next beach

Puerto Escondido, beach
Puerto Escondido, beach

In the evening we had party at hostel with others staying there

Puerto Escondido, party at hostel
Puerto Escondido, party at hostel Mayflower 

4/5/2007 Puerto Escondido-Chiapa de Corzo

tuxtla gutierrez
tuxtla gutierrez

We were on the move again. In Chiapa de Corzo we met Slovenian couple Nataša and Peter. We had some common friends. We decided to continue our trip together.

tequila with worm
tequila with worm

On market I tried tequila with worm. Survived 🙂

mezcal with larva
mezcal with larva

Actually it is not tequila but mezcal, similar spirit. Also it is not worm but larva of moth feeding on Agave.

Tuxtla Gutiérrez, ladies and nails
Tuxtla Gutiérrez, ladies and nails

Girls had to do their nails

Tuxtla Gutiérrez, hummingbird
Tuxtla Gutiérrez, hummingbird

I saw even hummingbird

truck, Mexico
truck, Mexico

5/5/2007 Sumidero-San Cristobal de la casas

La Pila Fountain, Chiapa de Corzo
La Pila Fountain, Chiapa de Corzo

After breakfast in Chiapa de Corzo we moved to Sumidero canyon

bus station, Chiapa de Corzo
bus station, Chiapa de Corzo
Sumidero Canyon
Sumidero Canyon

Canyon is high around 1000 meters. There we saw some interesting shapes and animals

Sumidero Canyon, chapel
Sumidero Canyon, chapel
Sumidero Canyon
Sumidero Canyon
Mexico, Guatemala 2007 1
Mexico, Guatemala 2007 2

In the evening we arrived to San Cristobal de las casas. It was bit chilli there.

San Cristobal de la Casas
San Cristobal de la Casas

There we saw few nice churches

San Cristobal de la Casas
Cathedral  of San Cristobal de la Casas
San Cristobal de la Casas, dog
San Cristobal de la Casas, dog

After dinner we went to bed

San Cristobal de la Casas, pavment
San Cristobal de la Casas, pavment

6/5/2007 Agua Azul & Misol-Ha Waterfalls & Palenque Ruins

This day was packed. First we visited beautiful turqoiuze Agua Azul pools and waterfalls.

Agua azul
Agua azul
Misol-Ha
Misol-Ha

Next was big Misol-Ha waterfall, weeven walked behind it. Here was filmed Predator

Palenque
Palenque

Palenque ruins were Maya city state.

Palenque, relief
Palenque, relief
Mexico, Guatemala 2007 3
Mexico, Guatemala 2007 4
don't throw paper in the toilet, Mexico
don’t throw paper in the toilet, Mexico

7/5/2007 San Pedro

chicken bus
chicken bus

It was time to move to Guatemala. We took van.

Mexico, Guatemala 2007 5

It was raining and our bags were on the roof

road to Guatemala
road to Guatemala

We crossed lake Atitlan from Panajachel

san pedro, guatemala
san pedro, guatemala

So on arrival to San Pedro our stuff was wet.

8/5/2007 San Pedro

We had nice view from place we stayed

san pedro, guatemala
san pedro, guatemala
Mexico, Guatemala 2007 6

We took a ride on horses in countryside. My horse was affraid of cars

san pedro, guatemala
san pedro, guatemala
san pedro, guatemala
san pedro, guatemala

On market I bought 100 braclet for gifts.

san pedro, guatemala
san pedro, guatemala
san pedro, guatemala
san pedro, guatemala

9/5/2007 Pacaya, Antigua

In the morning we went to vulcano Pacaya. I ate half a kilo of spice peanuts and had problem with stomack. I had problem walking around.

Pacaya volcano
Pacaya volcano

We came to one of side openings

Pacaya volcano
Pacaya volcano
Pacaya volcano
Pacaya volcano

We met there Canadian couple Colline and Carey. He came really close to touching lava 🙂

Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala

In the afternoon we came to Antigua, nice colonial city that was capital and it is UNESCO protected.

Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala

10/5/2007 Tikal, Flores

Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal, Guatemala

We visited Tikal Maya ruins.

Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal, Guatemala

Some interesting nests were there

Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal, Guatemala

Some local had scorion in his hand

Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal, Guatemala

In afternoon we went to Flores, nice town in island on lake Peten Itza.

11/5/2007 Belize, Chetumal, Tulum

We moved over Belize back to Mexico. On border we sat few hours. Sam Norvegians sold us US$ we needed for visa.

Belize
Belize
Belize
Belize
Belize
Belize
Belize
Belize

Belize was different, English language, black population, wooden houses

Belize
Belize
Mexico, Chetumal
Mexico, Chetumal

We crossed border to Mexico at Chetumal. From there we moved to Tulum.

12/5/2007 Tulum

Tulum was great coastal town.

Tulum, Mexico
Tulum, Mexico
Tulum, Mexico
Tulum, Mexico

After some relaxation at beach we had nice evening at hostel

Tulum, Mexico
Tulum, Mexico

13/5/2007 Tulum

Tulum, Mexico
Tulum, Mexico

Second day I went to snorkel. There I saw baracuda and stingray

14/5/2007 Tulum, Chichenitza, Playa del Carmen

Tulum, Mexico
Tulum, Mexico

Before leaving we passed temple in Tulum used in movie Dusk till Dawn.

Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza

It was time to visit most famous piramid in Americas, Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza

Cenotes are caves that are filled with water and can be found around Yucatan

Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza

Basketball court, winner would be sacrified

Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza

Round building was not common

Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen

We spent night in Playa del Carmen, Nataša and Peter went to Cosumel to dive.

15/5/2007 Playa del Carmen, Isla de Mujeres

Mexico, Guatemala 2007 7

Playa del Carmen was too touristic for me. Also room was worst and most expensive

Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen

We moved to Isla Mujeres. There we reunited with Nataša and Peter. The were bit under the weather so we had dinner in our room.

Isla de Mujeres
Isla Mujeres

16/5/2007 Isla de Mujeres

We visited tourtle shelter

Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres

At south tip of island, Punta Sur, we had nice walk.

Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres

In the evening we went out

last night in Mexico
last night in Mexico

17/5/2007 Isla de Mujeres, Cancun. Mexico city

Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres

We had our last drink together and it was time to leave.

ferry to Cancun
ferry to Cancun

We took ferry to Cancun.

Cancun
Cancun

From there we flew to Mexico City.

Mexico City
Mexico City

After few hourse we took next flight to Europe

18/5/2007 Madrid, Benetke, Ljubljana

madrid airport
madrid airport

We arrived to Madrid. Špela made a new friend

Venice
Venice

On arrival to Venice I was tired and Špela was still full of energy. It was just a train raid until we arrived back home.

Venice
Venice

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