We had four stops in Mexico, although I think we had a chance at a fifth and didn't take it...........and reportedly missed the best of the Mexican ports but hey, that's OK.
First stop was Puerto Chiapas. The main attraction locally for us was the archaeological ruins of Izapa, near the town of Tapachula. In fact we were pretty close to the border with Guatemala. We caught a local mini van/bus to town, all a bit confusing when it started off in the wrong direction but only to drop some existing passengers at a local beach. The drive through Tapachula was certainly interesting, our first glimpse of small town Mexico. The ruins were impressive, if not towering and grand. Some informative signs, beautiful open, grassed site with well preserved foundations and some still existing walls and structures.
Then back to the ship and onto the next port, Huatulco. We all decided to walk towards the main town, basically La Crucecita, but Molly and I were looking for the local beaches and Shelly and Julia were looking for shops or markets. Molly and I did very well, finding an ocean front bar and pool right on the beach so we swam in the Pacific and then rinsed off in the pool with a Mango cocktail and a Corona. It was a lot of fun as it was clearly off season so we had the place to ourselves but the weather was great and the beer cold.
Back for another short, overnight run up to Acapulco. This was a lot of fun, starting with a walk up to the Hotel Mirador to watch te cliff divers. This is as much about Elvis as it is about the rather brave and skilful cliff divers - the movie Fun in Acapulco has made this an Elvis destination but there really is no comparison to the cliff diving, pretty crazy really.
After watching some diving we walked back through the centre of town and down to the main beach. A few Dos Equis (2X but easily twice as good as 4X) on the beach and we decided the best thing to do at this point would be a banana tube ride around the bay behind a large, powerful speedboat. Molly opted out but fortunately I spotted a lady from the boat that I had met so asked her to keep an eye on Molly. Note it is very much from this point forward that Molly developed a "you dumped me with a stranger in a different (insert city/state/country)" complex.
So with plenty of fun had in Acapulco bay, we returned to the ship.........but saw some friends enjoying a drink at the Port bar so decided to get Molly safely aboard and then return to the bar. The two couples, from Australia and Arizona, had crossed paths with us several times so it was nice to catch up and get a bit of an education, primarily from Gerry, the Arizonian. Little did I know that it would be here I would be educated in the true meaning of Cocktails, Girly Drinks and Threesomes.
And on our way again, next port was Manzanillo - I think. The part of town we walked through was not terribly interesting but by the same token, a lot of fun in a rustic way. We got to explore through rail road stock and box cars, did some shopping and found a great first floor bar with plenty of Dos Equis. A good chance to show of my new hat.
I think we stayed aboard for Puerto Vallarta......? But it was ten years ago and no doubt we had good reason........
First stop was Puerto Chiapas. The main attraction locally for us was the archaeological ruins of Izapa, near the town of Tapachula. In fact we were pretty close to the border with Guatemala. We caught a local mini van/bus to town, all a bit confusing when it started off in the wrong direction but only to drop some existing passengers at a local beach. The drive through Tapachula was certainly interesting, our first glimpse of small town Mexico. The ruins were impressive, if not towering and grand. Some informative signs, beautiful open, grassed site with well preserved foundations and some still existing walls and structures.
Then back to the ship and onto the next port, Huatulco. We all decided to walk towards the main town, basically La Crucecita, but Molly and I were looking for the local beaches and Shelly and Julia were looking for shops or markets. Molly and I did very well, finding an ocean front bar and pool right on the beach so we swam in the Pacific and then rinsed off in the pool with a Mango cocktail and a Corona. It was a lot of fun as it was clearly off season so we had the place to ourselves but the weather was great and the beer cold.
Back for another short, overnight run up to Acapulco. This was a lot of fun, starting with a walk up to the Hotel Mirador to watch te cliff divers. This is as much about Elvis as it is about the rather brave and skilful cliff divers - the movie Fun in Acapulco has made this an Elvis destination but there really is no comparison to the cliff diving, pretty crazy really.
After watching some diving we walked back through the centre of town and down to the main beach. A few Dos Equis (2X but easily twice as good as 4X) on the beach and we decided the best thing to do at this point would be a banana tube ride around the bay behind a large, powerful speedboat. Molly opted out but fortunately I spotted a lady from the boat that I had met so asked her to keep an eye on Molly. Note it is very much from this point forward that Molly developed a "you dumped me with a stranger in a different (insert city/state/country)" complex.
So with plenty of fun had in Acapulco bay, we returned to the ship.........but saw some friends enjoying a drink at the Port bar so decided to get Molly safely aboard and then return to the bar. The two couples, from Australia and Arizona, had crossed paths with us several times so it was nice to catch up and get a bit of an education, primarily from Gerry, the Arizonian. Little did I know that it would be here I would be educated in the true meaning of Cocktails, Girly Drinks and Threesomes.
And on our way again, next port was Manzanillo - I think. The part of town we walked through was not terribly interesting but by the same token, a lot of fun in a rustic way. We got to explore through rail road stock and box cars, did some shopping and found a great first floor bar with plenty of Dos Equis. A good chance to show of my new hat.
I think we stayed aboard for Puerto Vallarta......? But it was ten years ago and no doubt we had good reason........
RSS Feed
