Trip to Guanajuato - Day 1

We were a group of 4 couples driving in 2 cars on a private expedition to the interior of Mexico to the city of Guanajuato (northwest of Mexico City). Mike and Mavis traveled with us in our car, while Jan and Dale traveled in Walter and Carol's car. The total distance of our entire trip was 1530 km.  The temperatures were cool for us.  Due to the elevation of the Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende (over 6000 ft), the average day time temp was 20C with overnight temps of 4C. It was the first time we had to wear long pants and sweaters since November!  In Lo de Marcos we are used to daytime temperatures of 30C and overnight temps of  18C. We started out on Thurs Jan 16th,  returning on Thurs Jan 23rd. From sea level to 8400 feet and back to sea level.

Day 1: Lo de Marcos to Tequila

We traveled Hwy 200 to Compostella then across Hwy 68D (toll) to Hwy 15 Libre heading towards Tequila.

Our first stop was at the lava fields of El Ceboruco Volcano as Mike had never traveled this route. We have seen this a couple of times previously but are still in awe of the might of Mother Nature.

We stopped briefly in Ahuacatlan to view an abandoned train station on the major rail line to Nogales.  Below is a photo of a cactus growing in the tile roof of the old train station.

Next we stopped in Ixtlan del Rio for breakfast and then we proceeded to the east side of town to view the archeological site of Los Toriles.

This site is part of the Aztlan tradition that flourished in the area starting in 300BC.  It is the only comprehensive site of Mesoamerican ruins in the northwest region of Mexico.  At it's peak there were 85 buildings but only 15 structures can be viewed today.

Note:  When visiting ruins or museums, we asked for seniors rates (adult mayor).  As long as we showed our passports to prove our age, we often got in free or for half price.

The first area was free for all to view glass cases containing relics from the ruins.  The majority of the relics excavated are on display at the Regional Museum in Tepic.

statue of a singing musician

relics from a shaft tomb at the site

a warrior of Nayarit

 Chinese style ceramic sculpture found in traditional tombs 

This little statue is very interesting. Where did this Chinese influence come from?

Normally there was a charge to enter the area of the actual ruins but as seniors, we were given free admission:

the rectangular structures have columns that defined the living spaces

This rectangular structure connected with the temple of Quetzalcoatl (seen below) by a walkway of stone slabs.

The following photos are of the round temple of Quetzalcoatl with cross shaped openings in the wall:

Viewing Mike through the cross-shaped opening

viewing other buildings from the altar within the temple

the altar within the temple

stepping down from the temple

the base of another building on the site

While touring the ruins, we noticed colonies of leaf cutter ants. They were just about everywhere. Fascinating to watch as they trek across their trails carrying pieces of plants many times their size and weight.

Our next stop was Magdelena, known for the mining of opals.  There were many opal shops around the town square and down the side alleys.  3 of the 4 gals on the trip purchased silver rings with opals.  The price depended on the clarity of the stone and weight.

Vic tries out a beautifully carved wooden chair in one of the opal shops

the ring that Bev purchased

We stayed overnight at Casa Dulce Maria in Tequila (cost $580 pesos = $48 CAD).  We had stayed here last year while trekking with John & Pat. Tequila is at an elevation of 3,870 ft with a population of about 40,000 people.

one of the statues in the Tequila town square

Mavis and Mike at the statue of the Jimadors in Tequila (jimadors are the farmers who harvest agave)

Next stop...the beautiful city of Guanjuato

Posada Santa Fe Hotel is located in the Historic Center of Guanajuato, in front of the famous Jardin de la Union. At a short distance you’ll find attractions as the Alhondiga de Granaditas, the Juarez Theater, the Monument to Pipila and the main museums of the city. - See more at: http://www.posadasantafe.mx/english/location#sthash.bKO91FpV.dpuf

Pinata time!

The managers of our little campground have their three grandchildren visiting for Christmas.  We purchased a pinata and filled it with some candy for the children.  Their grandparents added peanuts and oranges to the pinata.

The pinata hangs ready for the game

Valeria (7), Fernanda (5) and Andrea (8) prepare to tackle the pinata

Grandma holds Alexis up to touch the pinata

On Christmas Eve, the children sang their pinata song as they took turns hitting the pinata to break it open.
This is the English translation of the song:

Go, go, go,
Don't lose your aim;
Because if you lose it
You will lose the path.

You hit it once
You hit it twice
You hit it three times
And your time is finished.

 

Fernanda takes the first swing

Then Valeria

Andrea's turn

Grandma Adriana takes a turn

Mavis' turn

Carla's turn

Grandpa Ruben wears a piece of the pinata as a hat

After many tries, the pinata breaks and the kids scramble to pick up the treats.

Christmas Day was a warm 30C with clear sunny skies.  We didn't go to the beach that day as we were monitoring the turkey as it cooked on the barbeque. At 6 pm we decorated the table in the palapa for 4 of us to enjoy a traditional turkey dinner.

Lot em up!

Vic, Bev, Mavis and Mike

December Festivities

We're ready for the Christmas festivities.  We've decorated our rigs and purchased a "natural" turkey (not smoked) and fruit cake at Sam's Club for our Christmas dinner next week. 

our rig

Mike and Mavis' decorations

Walter and Carol's corner

Our managers got into the holiday spirit with these decorations in the public washrooms at our campground.

Friday, December 13th we headed out for dinner and dancing to celebrate Carol and Mike's birthdays (both of their birthdays are actually on Dec 13th!).

The taxi cost us $3.25 per couple each way from Lo de Marcos to Mr Ribs in Rincon de Guayabitos (about 15 km).  Mr Ribs specializes in pork ribs smoked over mesquite wood.  Delicious!  Serving choices of natural, garlic or barbequed ribs. 2 free shots of Tequila were provided for by the owner for our celebration!

The birthday honorees Carol and Mike

Cakes are relatively expensive here.  The chocolate birthday cake cost $480 pesos ($39 CAD).  Last year we paid $420 pesos ($34 CAD) for a coconut cake for Vic's birthday,  But they are delicious!!

Chocolate cake decorated with fresh strawberries and kiwi

Jan, Dale, Mavis with Mike as he serves the cake

Mike takes a spin around the pole (note the flag on the wall)

Tuesday, December 17th we had the Santa Claus parade down the main street of Lo de Marcos. The participants and audience were sweating in the 34C heat at 4 pm!  Afterwards the children lined up in the town square to receive gifts from Santa.

This young lady had her horse prancing down the street

the baton twirlers

the drummers

children in their home made costumes

creative!

And here comes Santa!

Santa arrived in a horse and carriage this year!!

Back in the swing of things

We are getting back into our regular routine in Lo de Marcos.

The weather is hot -- daytime highs of  91F (33C) and low overnight of 66F (18C).  Vic brought our pool thermometer with us to measure the ocean temperature.  The water off our beach has dropped from 85F (29C) to 82F (28C) since we got here but is still great for spending lots of time relaxing in the ocean.

Each afternoon we head to the beach about 1:30 or 2:00 pm until 4 pm.  We had 3 days of boogie board waves this week then another 3 days of calm. Here are a few photos of our view from under the palm trees.

Looking to the north end of the beach.  Someone measured the length of the beach recently.  It is 2.5 km long.

Some friends relaxing with a float in the calm water.  The shrimp boat and fishing boats moor closer to shore when the  Pacific Ocean is peaceful.

A view towards the south end of the beach where a boat is being prepared for a 2 hr whale tour. 

Vic reading an e-book before going for a swim in the ocean.

We've been busy putting up Christmas lights and decorations at our site at Savage RV Park.

Decorations we installed at the base of the palm tree beside our RV

The 14" wreath above and the 22" candy cane below have been hand woven from straw. We hung them via suction cups by the entrance door of our motorhome.  A lady came down from Puebla MX to sell her straw wares in our town.  She came to our campground one evening at dinner time.   Each item cost 100 pesos (about $8.22 CAD)

This year we placed our little Christmas tree in the palapa which is our social area in the campground.

Tuesday Dec 3rd we attended the first music night of the season at La Parota RV Park. Free entertainment.  Guests contribute an appetizer plus bring their own drinks and chairs. Several of the entertainers are professionals.

6 of us are attending Mexican cooking lessons at 9 am on Friday mornings.  Our teacher, Julia, also provides private Spanish lessons.  She and her husband own one of our local vegetable and fruit stores plus the new NAPA auto parts store in town.

Julia demonstrating how to stuff pablano peppers for chiles rellenos

Yesterday morning as we walked the beach, we spotted a large heron fishing in the surf.  Walkers on the beach passed right by him and he didn't fly away!

the heron ignored anyone walking by

the heron allowed us to get up close to snap a photo

We also were able to get up close to a Little Blue Heron fishing in the lagoon near the beach.