Click images to see more on each area. Mexico Maps shows the geographical layout.
Mid-February, 2012 - We took a 10 hour bus ride from Huatulco over the mountains to the vibrant
colonial city of Oaxaca. Here we found ornate architecture, fabulous gold leaf decorations in a 16th
century cathedral, and a huge town square overflowing with activity. Street performers, university
students, schoolkids, artists and tourists all mingled in the colorful streets.
Mid-February, 2012 - Oaxaca was so full of spirit and action that a simple evening stroll through the
Zócalo turned up a bandstand concert, a colorful school anniversary celebration and a fun
conversation with two cheeky little Chiclet-selling kids on the street. A bontanical garden tour taught us
the funny Spanish nicknames for some quirky desert plants. However, the biggest highlight of it all for
me was witnessing a spectacular wedding in the Santo Domingo Cathedral.
Mid-February, 2012- We took a daytrip out to see the intriguing ancient Zapotec ruins of Monte Alban.
This grouping of pyramid structures made up the center of the Zapotec's capital city between 100 BC
and 850 AD. Many Mixtec relics were discovered in tombs at this site, and we found the contents of
Tomb #7 on vivid display at the incomparable Oaxaca Cultural Center located in a former convent at
the Santo Domingo Cathedral.
Mid-February, 2012 - We caught a guided tour van for a wonderful daytrip into the hinterlands outside
Oaxaca City. From the widest tree in the world, to the amazing wool dying techniques of the Zapotec
weavers in Teotitlan del Valle, to the beautifully detailed 2,000 year old stonework of the Mitla ruins to
the mysterious petrified waterfalls of Hierve el Agua to the head-turning Mezcal tasting with our
charming tour companions at a traditional distillery, it was a day we will long remember.
Early March, 2012 - We explored the area around the brand new Marina Chiapas, taking a crazy tricycle
ride in the gritty, spirited town of Puerto Madero, and we enjoyed an afternoon of watermaking/fishing
with our dock-mate Andrés. But the extreme heat got to us and we soon jumped on a big bus to go 200
miles inland to San Cristóbal de las Casas. That bus ride through the mountains was one to remember!
Early March, 2012 - San Cristóbal turned out to be like a small Oaxaca, and we enjoyed walking the
pretty streets between the colonial store fronts and grand churches. We took a week of intensive
Spanish classes, huddling over homework and taking notes from the white board. Heads reeling with
new words and phrases, we explored the lovely Casa Na-Bolom museum.
Mid-March, 2012 - We took a beautiful bus ride through pine forests and lush mountain landscapes to
Palenque where we found a fun little town and fascinating Mayan ruins. The ruins, of course, were
awesome, but it was the jungle with its unusual flowers and heart-stopping noises that really made
this stay special.