Well, flying into Mexico from Quito via Bogota is maybe not the best idea for going through customs... It took me three hours to get out of the airport and convince them that I'm not a drug dealer coming from Columbia.
But then finally in the B&B it was just such a treat. A big room with a comfy bed, air conditioning, a big flat screen TV, nice shower etc. Everything I missed in all those cheap hostels I found there. And a few hours later my parents arrived and I got to spend some time with my family after a whole year away. We had delicious dinners and a lot to see in and around Mexico City.
There was the old town center and some nice restaurants, cafes and museums. And of course the big Aztec ruins, Teotihuacan, a short bus ride out of town. This place is really impressive, it's a huge area and super tall pyramids.
Can't imagine how they built all that without having machines and electricity.
After three days we took a bus to Puebla and stayed at lovely bed&breakfast again. The best part of that was the delicious home made breakfast every morning. Puebla is a nice town in the center of Mexico and has a good climate. The views are fantastic, three big volcanoes surround the town and sometimes you can see some smoke coming out the tip of Popocatépetl.
The historic town center is beautiful with old buildings and the cafes around the main plaza create a relaxed atmosphere. Of course we enjoyed the time strolling around here. Good food and friendly service were a positive surprise for me and for what to expect from Mexico.
As a side trip we went to the little village Cholula and had the traditional menu del dia and saw the old ruins. On top of the ruin hill was a little chapel built just one on top of the original pyramid that is covered with grass now. The Spanish wanted to demonstrate their power over the indigenous Mayan people. There is a beautiful 360 degree round view with all three volcanoes in the background again. It was a beautiful day with sunshine and it ended with another nice dinner in Puebla with a friend who lives in Puebla and is originally from home.
Next day we went to see a big zoo that has huge wide open areas and the animals run around freely everywhere. Only the tigers and lions were in a separate areal. We saw all kinds of animals, from all over the world. Impressive place. One of the few zoos where animals have enough space and have actually an almost homelike environment.
After three days in and around Puebla my parents flew down to Playa del Carmen and moved into a nice 5star all inclusive resort. I continued my trip to Oaxaca because that was one of the places in Mexico I really wanted to see and hadn't yet. Oaxaca is very beautiful with pretty architecture, lots of old churches and just a nice flair. Cafes and restaurants everywhere and friendly people. Relaxed place with some tourists and even some night life. Enjoyed two days there and then took a night bus to Playa as well.
Got to move into that fancy hotel resort where my parents stayed and spent four more days with them. That was a great change to hostels as well, 5 star, full service, eat and drink as much as you can and being lazy. What a great time, cocktails after breakfast and all day long, some perfect quality time with my family. Thanks a lot for that.
When my family left for Germany again, I took the ferry to Cozumel and hung out there for two more weeks. Had a nice hostel with a big garden and lots of iguanas. Did some diving with Jon (Utila DM buddy) and enjoyed my lazy time. Went as well to dive the cenotes again which was awesome. So my second visit to Mexico was as good as the first one, only that my Spanish language improved a lot in between. :) Begin of September I found a flight into the US and that's where I spent the last part of my trip.
But then finally in the B&B it was just such a treat. A big room with a comfy bed, air conditioning, a big flat screen TV, nice shower etc. Everything I missed in all those cheap hostels I found there. And a few hours later my parents arrived and I got to spend some time with my family after a whole year away. We had delicious dinners and a lot to see in and around Mexico City.
There was the old town center and some nice restaurants, cafes and museums. And of course the big Aztec ruins, Teotihuacan, a short bus ride out of town. This place is really impressive, it's a huge area and super tall pyramids.Can't imagine how they built all that without having machines and electricity.
The historic town center is beautiful with old buildings and the cafes around the main plaza create a relaxed atmosphere. Of course we enjoyed the time strolling around here. Good food and friendly service were a positive surprise for me and for what to expect from Mexico.
As a side trip we went to the little village Cholula and had the traditional menu del dia and saw the old ruins. On top of the ruin hill was a little chapel built just one on top of the original pyramid that is covered with grass now. The Spanish wanted to demonstrate their power over the indigenous Mayan people. There is a beautiful 360 degree round view with all three volcanoes in the background again. It was a beautiful day with sunshine and it ended with another nice dinner in Puebla with a friend who lives in Puebla and is originally from home.
Next day we went to see a big zoo that has huge wide open areas and the animals run around freely everywhere. Only the tigers and lions were in a separate areal. We saw all kinds of animals, from all over the world. Impressive place. One of the few zoos where animals have enough space and have actually an almost homelike environment.
After three days in and around Puebla my parents flew down to Playa del Carmen and moved into a nice 5star all inclusive resort. I continued my trip to Oaxaca because that was one of the places in Mexico I really wanted to see and hadn't yet. Oaxaca is very beautiful with pretty architecture, lots of old churches and just a nice flair. Cafes and restaurants everywhere and friendly people. Relaxed place with some tourists and even some night life. Enjoyed two days there and then took a night bus to Playa as well.
Got to move into that fancy hotel resort where my parents stayed and spent four more days with them. That was a great change to hostels as well, 5 star, full service, eat and drink as much as you can and being lazy. What a great time, cocktails after breakfast and all day long, some perfect quality time with my family. Thanks a lot for that.
When my family left for Germany again, I took the ferry to Cozumel and hung out there for two more weeks. Had a nice hostel with a big garden and lots of iguanas. Did some diving with Jon (Utila DM buddy) and enjoyed my lazy time. Went as well to dive the cenotes again which was awesome. So my second visit to Mexico was as good as the first one, only that my Spanish language improved a lot in between. :) Begin of September I found a flight into the US and that's where I spent the last part of my trip.