Feeling tired and a bit out of sorts after the long 11 hour flight we arrrived in Mexico City. The guidebook warned us about taking unregistered taxis so we sought out a taxi booth inside the airport the first option seemed a little more than expensive so we checked out the next booth and the fair was less than half the previous price we had been quoted, about 160 pesos.

The taxi driver dropped us off in the very impressive looking Plaza, in front of the palace and cathedral. We made our way with our backpacks to Hostel Moneda. The staff were very friendly and luckily spoke a little English, the deal included breakfast on the roof terrace with beautiful views across the city.

Itching to get out and explore the city we headed out to the main plaza. The place was alive with people and wonderful smells of food being cooked on the street stalls. We tried the bbq corn on the cob, with chili and lime juice and boiled corn on the cob with mayo, chili and lime, delicious! Followed that with a beef taco with chili sauce. Traditional Aztec dance classes were being held by the side of the cathedral, people are trying to bring back some of the old traditions and culture.

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After a few nights in Mexico city we travelled using the overnight bus to Oaxaca, Zapotec capital. After travelling overnight on a delux first class bus (that won´t happen too often!!) we arrived shattered. Waiting for daylight in the bus station was a killer. However, we still managed to catch a local bus into the centre of town using our extremely limited knowledge of Spanish.

We arrived with no accommodation pre-booked so had to quickly learn how to ask for a room. It is unbelievable how friendly and helpful the people are. (our place)

Oaxaca is a great place and we arrived at a very good time, the run up to a big festival. There is a lot of traditional Spanish architure and it really is a pituresque town. In the zocalo (the main square) there has been live music, lots of restaurants and cafes where people sit in the lovely sunshine. It is a wonderful place to sit and watch the world go by. Further up the road is the cathedral

Yesterday, Ben and I went on a trek to a traditional Indian village, 3100m above sea level. The view was fantasic. Again we found wonderfully warm and friendly people, living very simple and happy lives using subsistance farming. Our guide introduced us to his mum (although he did this with some reluctance!).

Today 16th July, we visited the old zapotec ruins of Monte Alban and Mitla....Ev was quite surprised about how ruined they are!! All the same, both of the sites were very interesting.

We took a second class overnight bus to Puerto Angel. The road was WINDY (more...)

In years gone by this famous beach resort was a popular hangout for the rich and famous but those days look as though they have disappeared. We weren't too impressed with Acapulco. It felt a bit run down. Our accomodation in the guide book (Hotel Paola) was desribed as having a pool. It did but was only about 1m by 3m and didnt look too clean. At least the room had a good fan to keep you cool. You need it (temperatures in the 30s C).

Cliff Divers

The amazing cliff divers who dive from heights over 100ft fall scarily close to the rocks made up for our disappointment with the town. It was magnificent to stand and watch the men dive into the sea below. (google search for it will get you plenty of details).

This is a beautiful old fashioned town where the streets are narrow and very hilly. Beetles (the type of car) are everywhere. Quite a popular tourist destination as it is only 4 hours south of Mexico City.

Famous for silver smithing, there are plenty of shops here that will sell you their crafted wares.

We climed a hill (not nice with a large backpack), the sites were stunning from its vantage place. There was no accomodation available until later that day. We left our rucksacks there and went to look around some more.

There is a monument on top of the hill a bit like the smaller version of that which can be seen atop of rio. We spent a day climbing to it and getting lost several times. All the locals shout "Christo" at you, and point you in the right direction. You get the impression toursists get lost all the time attempting to find it. I suppose a sign would help but none are found. I guess when people are this nice you dont really need them after all!

The view from the location was great (we have pics, just cant get them uploaded at the mo!).

We leave on Friday (25th) and head back to Mexico city to meet up with Matty....

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We returned to Mexico city ready to meet Mat. We stayed at hotel Canadá (cost $350 pesos for 3). That night we went for a drink at "Bar La Opera", before following a local guy to a late night bar, where we teamed up with an Italian Guy and Girl, drank beer and played dominoes (drunk).

The following day we headed to the airport to pick up Matts brother, Will and his girlfriend Andrea. We then caught a bus to Quetero and a 1 hour taxi ride to Matts place in Tequisipan (uncomfortable with 4 in the back!)

Matts place was really nice, two double bedrooms, large living room and dinning room. The plan was first day BBQ, second day climb Sierra Grande, third day visit the Frexinet factory. Read More

Giant pyramids located just outside mexico city.

We were on our way to Veracruz, party town for the weekend, but made an overnight stop at Jalapa.

Just outside of Jalapa Ev, Andrea and Ben went to visit the waterfalls at Xico (a waterfall scene from Romancing the Stone was shot here). On the walk there we saw a man on a horse with a donkey taking his dog for a stroll. It didnt take Ev too long to climb aboard the horse.

We stayed overlooking the Zócalo at Hotel Colonial in a suite for 5 of us. The location was great and the hotel was excellent, including superb A/C and indoor pool.

Back to Jalapa then onto the camp run by Mexico Verde. One of the highlights so far, but water and digital cameras just dont mix, so no pics, check there website for the general idea though! Read More

Back near the coast, monkey island and Reserva Ecológica Nanciyaga (where some of the Medicine Man (Sean Connery) was filmed.

Home of mayan ruins with beautiful views overlooking the Caribbean sea and close to a great set of Waterfalls, Agua Azul.

A developed and busy Caribbean coastal resort.