Another country and culture to explore.

No border formalities at Tecate to worry about as we crossed into the Mexican state of Baja California North.

Soon we were driving south along the Trans- Peninsular highway which goes right down to the tip.

Our first overnight top was in the large town of Ensenada.

Here we had to get our tourist visa and visit the supermarket.

A few pesetas changed hands at the Banjocito and we were legal, no documents, just insurance, needed for the motor home on the Baja.

This close to the USA the American influence was still evident.

The owner of the campground spoke English but he thought Wales was in British Colombia, Canada!

Back to the main highway which wound through the palm oasis at San Ignacio and then crossed over to the other coast.

Now we were on the Sea of Cortez and went into the small town of Santa Rosalia where we bought fresh fruit and vegetables at the market.

The 'world famous' bakery in town had good bread and cakes-French influence again.

This town is famous for its church designed by Eiffel (of the tower).

 A strange structure looking out of place as you would expect by this unusual architect.

  The Bahia Conception bay was our next idyllic campsite on a sand spit that went out to an island.

We decided to get the bikes out and explore the peninsular and go inland for a ride in the mountains. 

 The ride out along a sandy trail which wound through the cacti, over 110 varieties grow on the Baja.

 Every tall one had a cormorant perched on the top, was great and we lunched on the beach.

  Next day we set off inland over the hills- getting lost as we crossed streams and rivers trying to find the right track.

  Finally we had to return to the main one and go to San Isidrio a perfect palm oasis just as in North Africa.

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At Publisima an old tarmac road comes up from the south and we found the garage!

 Back along the nice stony track to our beach campsite.

It was at this idyllic almost free campsite where we met with the dreaded 'caravans' of American RV's.

While we had been away twenty two Airstreams trailers had arrived and the once quiet beach was now crowded-time to go!

We also met two cyclists from home who were on a trip around Mexico!

The nice old Spanish town of Loreto has an old mission and we explored the museum which traced the history of the town.

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We sampled the local cuisine and got some exercise.

Once again it was a dice with death as we tried to avoid the potholes, animals and dodge the buses as the highway crossed back into the centre.

At Cuidad Consitiution was pulled into Manfreds campsite just before the Airstreams caravan arrived.

The big dove statue at La Paz was at the gateway to the city and we stayed a few days enjoying the delights along the malecon.

Once again it was get out  and get under when a belt snapped on the main road in the city. Help came from a lovely young, just married, couple who took us to the motor factors to buy a new belt-

 thanks a million and hope your new life in Virginia is good.

So back to the Casa Blanca site in La Paz before going to the beach at Tecolete for a free night before getting onto the ferry across to the mainland

Nothing much to do here but watch the pelicans diving for fish, enjoy the sunsets and stroll along the beach- again!

At the port of Pichilinque we had to organise the temporary import sticker for the bus-much smiling and laughing as the official tried to decide what make it was!

The five hours crossing on the Baja ferry boat was smooth and when we disembarked we pulled over to spend the night amongst the big trucks on the quayside in Topolobampo.

  We settled down to enjoy the four hour trip through fabulous scenery passing remote villages that rely on the train.

Tunnels and bridges and loops allow the track to gain height and cross the rocky landscape. 

 The Temoris Loops allow the train to climb up the cliffs.

On the way the train waited in a siding for another train going to the coast to pass. It was a special caravan train carrying big RV's with the owners sitting out and waving like royalty.

The locals watched with amazement as the bikes were unloaded at Bahchuivo station up at 1660mtres

Off we went to ride along the dusty tracks hoping that there would be some signposts.

The track climbed up onto the mesa at 2400mtrs above to the old town of Cerocahui founded in 1665.

From the river the track to the rim was visible.

No way through for the bikes so it was back to Urique and then the long hard climb up to the top of the rim.

At last we reached the top and once again filled with fuel at a truck stop that resembled a pig farm!

Ice cold coke to drink and we on our way for 150kms ride to Choix where the tarmac began.

It was a fabulous ride through the cooler air in the forests and we met two other bikers on a touring holiday.

Hubert and Charles were loaded with luggage and envied us our light bikes!

There were a few trucks on the track as the sun set in a spectacular  display of colours around the canyon rim.

At last the track began to descend to lower altitude and Dots bike regained some power so we could get along a little quicker,

Now darkness engulfed us and we rode side by side to use our small headlights to pick out the wild life. It was so easy to lose our way on the dark till suddenly we came to deep water and no road-just a ferry!

The boatman explained this was the road to Choix and as the canyon walls were sheer a ferry had to take the traffic along the river!

Off we went wondering if we would have to spend the night out in the middle of nowhere-when the TTR ran out of fuel Jim had to use the emergency can from his haversack!

A pickup truck coming the other way was full of friendly locals who had spare petrol-we were saved !

Soon the lights of Choix could be seen and then we felt the smooth tarmac under the wheels.

  We got back to our bus at 0130 hours after almost 12 hours of riding!

Next morning we loaded up and our neighbours asked us if we had been to a night club- no we said just down into the canyons!

Dot had a lot to write in her diary!

Leaving El Fuerte we returned to Las Mochis at the coast and set off southwards.

The coastal highway 200 would be our route for many more kilometres as we passed through towns with funny names-

5th of May,  Nueva Angleteara,  El Dique and Costa Rica!

Some campgrounds were five star!

This area is all agricultural with huge fields of crops growing and  Campos where the workers live.

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We turned off the main road to find a small fishing harbour where we spent the night

The scenery is wonderful and the colours of the roadside flowers and blossom is unbelievable.

Bouganvillea in a rainbow of colours grows wild everywhere.

The roads are lined with small cafes and bars.

When you see the sanitary arrangements it might be wise to make your own lunch.

 The busy towns are all choked with traffic and the narrow streets are full of pedestrians and lined with parked cars, taxis and small delivery trucks.

Driving through is something of a challenge.

This couple of travellers, Nicky and Simon from California stopped to chat with us at a Pemex.

They have done a lot of hitchhiking and cycling but now have an old Suzuki 650 that is getting them around Mexico.

Some of the towns along the Pacific coast are very big ports like Manzanillo where the containers were stacked up.

We stopped just long enough to stock up with supplies at Walmart-just like all the Americans!

The Red Snapper ocean side campsite was great for a few days.

Then  we pulled into a free beach site and got stuck in the soft sand.

A friendly local came with his old Silverado and pulled us out-Thanks!

                    Beating the birds to Acapulco Bay!

That old saying ' it is better to travel hopefully than to arrive' was very true of Acapulco.

The campsite at Pte De Las Cueres was great-right on the beach that has fabulous sunsets-

it seemed a million miles from the noisy, dirty city!

Once again the local bus proved the best value and easiest way to visit the city.

The buses are all beautifully painted with awesome graphics!

Tourists for the day we enjoyed lunch out on a small jetty watching the fishermen launching the boats.

Of course we had to go and watch the famous cliff divers.

They have to climb up the cliff first to get to the rocks from which they dive into the foaming waters below.

The city was crowded with  people and traffic so after a quick look around the market we escaped back to the campsite.

This is a butchers shop along the main highway.

Next morning we had to drive around the city.Even following the 'easy route' was difficult and we made a few wrong turnings

At last we found the campsite by the airport where we rested before tackling the long, long drive south.

Always going south means it is a very hot even by 0900hours!

 At the new resort town of Ixtapa, near Zihuatanejo.

(try and say that-give in? see-wah-tah-neh-hoh!)

Playa Linda provided a nice overnight stop amongst the Canadian motor homes.

But we were surprised to find a pool full of crocodiles on the beach!

Progress is slow on Mexican roads as every cluster of houses has a number of topes ( sleeping policeman) to slow the traffic-they do work!

Another official tourist resort at Bahia Hautulco was a cheap overnight stop!

 The beach was dramatic as the storm clouds gathered.

Next day it was raining! WOW! we tried to think when we had last had rain-it was still hot!

This part of the coast is rocky and the road has many twists and turns and steep climbs.

The bus clutch was beginning to slip and Jim decided it would be better to stop and make repairs at the next big city Salinas Cruz.

So we spent a few days parked in the shade of a big awning at Hendricks where they repair broken l on buses and truckseaf springs.

This little shrine is in the corner of the yard and once again the local people have been so friendly and helpful. Jim has managed to get the clutch plate re-lined and refitted.

It was a hot and sticky job and he was worn out!