Travelogue: "On Tour..."

Nov. 11 2002
by Basil

Well, here we are at the start of another El Tour season. This is promising to be our best season yet (it gets better and better!)

We're on our second day of a 2 weeks tour from Puerto Vallarta to Lazaro Cardenas. We have a nice group of 4 who are really loving it so far.

Today we decided to veer a little from the itinerary and it paid off. We're in Tomatlan (Jalisco state), and lovely cobblestone street town. Well the cobblestones aren't so nice to ride on, but it's worth it. I think.

We got a good dose of mariachi today as we walked past the window of a bar today. There were a bunch of cowboys crowded into a little room, and an entire mariachi mostly crammed in there too. So full was the room that a couple of band members were spilling out into the next room. What a beautiful rich sound they have! I really wanted to take a picture, but decided I wouldn't risk offending a bunch of drunken cowboys.

No matter how many times I cycle this route I still see and learn more wonderful things. The people in this area are very freindly and love to joke with you.

We left the ocean behind on Sunday leaving Puerto Vallarta, and climbed up along a river that has carved a deep gorge. At one point there's a spot where you can jump around the rocks and swim in different parts of the river and some pool. Stunningly beautiful and really refreshing.

Tomorrow we head back to the ocean, at Punta Perula, and if we're as lucky as the last time I was here, the BEST body surfing wave I can imagine.