The Nomads

Left Palenque, Chiapas State, Mexico

Temp: 40+ degrees C

Sunny, humid & Hot,hot,hot!

Today’s drive was a scorcher! I was really worried that the bike would overheat and seize or break down but it came through shining.

I hate to admit it but when we got to Escarcega there was a Burger King! (the first we’ve seen) And worse, we actually went in! Sue says it was for a taste of home and air conditioning….. I think I’ve been to a burger king maybe twice before in my life.

Once we got an hour or so into Campeche State things started to cool down a bit, like from an oven at 550 degrees to a “more tolerable” 400??? It’s a relative thing……….the closer we got to the gulf the better it was,

Campeche city is a bit of a disappointment. Not much we have seen so far to recommend it and the prices are through the roof for the same fare as we have had elsewhere. For a city on the gulf we were surprised to find there was no beach in the area and the rocky shore along the malecon had an unappealing odour and an uninviting aspect.

The only beach available is Playa Bonita about a half hour out of town.

On an “up” note, when you come to within sight of the gulf the view across the bay to Campeche city is quite appealing since all you have seen for some time is greenery. And, for us, the setting sun added a bonus grace note to the view!

*A little “aside” here about The “Sanborn” travel guides: Don’t bother with them. We have found the information woefully inadequate and what little there was, mostly wrong or seriously outdated and very unreliable. I suggest maybe the “moon” or “lonely Planet” books….

We spent hours going to and from places to stay that had been indicated as moderate in price only to find that meant $85 to $160 in Campeche and $40 elsewhere!

On one 80 KM jaunt (40 there 40 back, and supposedly only twenty minutes out of the city) we had the good fortune to have what looked exactly like a ring-tailed lemur cross the road directly in front of us! It was about two meters away when we went by.

What excitement!!

Kilometers - Daytrip: 481 km total: 7580

Gas: $24.00

Lodging: Alhambra Hotel $82

( dirty, expensive, no shampoo or the usual extras, two small bars of soap – that’s it)