Laguna near Galeana, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
Where are Kevin and Ruth now? Matehuala, San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Where are Kevin and Ruth going next? South!

Monday, January 29, 2018

Lots to see around Catemaco, Mexico

Both Saturday and Sunday were scheduled rest days here at Catemaco. But, Ruth and I are not ones to sit and do nothing. Especially when there is a lot to see in the area. We could easily spend two weeks here. There are at least a dozen waterfalls within a 50 km (30 mile) radius. A dormant volcano to hike. Unexplored coastline north of here on the Gulf of Mexico. The Sierra de los Tuxtla mountains are a daytrip. We need to spend more time here some day.

But for the time being, we wanted to get the group out on the lake. Both the waterfall trip on Saturday, and the Sunday lake tour were not scheduled tours as part of their itinerary. But we like to get them out to see things that they might otherwise not see.

Fortunately, the morning started off really nice...

 A patch of blue sky... and some sunshine!
Sherman, at GPS 18.419394, -95.120729

We'll take it! The forecast was for 50% chance of showers, rising to 60% after lunch.

Tepetapan RV Park in Catemaco is really nice. The owner Gene, is an American who has been down here probably 20 years. I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing. Nice guy, and a nice green lush property right beside the town. Daily rates are 300 pesos ($20 CAD, $16.50 USD) for full hookups and he'll give you an even better deal for weekly or monthly.




 We posted Sunday's schedule. 
Looks like we're on for a 10:00am boat tour!

We walked down to the lake shore only 15 minutes away. I had done some shopping the day before and sure enough, Juan the boat guy was waiting for us at the pre-arranged spot. There are tons of these boats available, especially during slow season. But Juan had a boat that would seat 18 people (most of them are only 12 or so) and we made a deal for a one and a half hour tour for 100 pesos ($6.75 CAD, $5.50 USD) per person.

Juan, getting the boat ready.

Everybody ready to go!

And they're off!

Ruth and I didn't go. We had done the boat tour ten years ago, and while it is fun and worthwhile, we needed some exercise! We hadn't been on a decent walk for ages and needed to get the blood flowing.


We walked down the malecon (lakeshore sidewalk) and took some photos. Then to the far end of town to check things out there.


Check out the dog having a snooze.

Fisherman on the shore.

A back road near Catemaco.

Ruth spotted this butterfly just as it landed. 
It sat still for a couple of minutes!

House for sale! 
Just needs some finishing touches.

We walked back through town.

The municipal plaza.

We managed to do about 6 kms (3.8 miles) before going back to meet the boat when it docked. Everybody had a great time, and it only started raining about ten minutes prior to arrival at the docks.

In the afternoon, I had a nap for about an hour. Then we called our daughter and had a chat with her, and coincidentally our son had arrived to visit our daughter and family so we had a nice chat with him as well.

A few games of backgammon, and before we knew it, it was time for happy hour with the group. We always have a short driver's meeting at happy hour just to go over things if we are having a travel day the next day, and today (Monday) is a travel day. We're headed for Villahermosa for a one night stop before getting to the beach for three days at Isla Iguada on Tuesday.

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Four pack of emergency/camping lanterns, with batteries included. Great deal...

Four Pack Camping Lanterns, Batteries Included.

And in Canada...

Suitcase Style TurnTable


16 comments:

  1. You mention that there was a 50% chance of showers. In Canada they're not allowed to use 50% because it's not helpful.
    Great shot of the butterfly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unbelievable, especially when you considered how many times they are wrong with the weather to begin with!

      Now we just need to find out what kind it was. :-)

      Delete
  2. Love the look of that town and square, and great deal you negotiated on that boat ride. They are lucky to have you guys guiding them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That seems to be about what the going rate is for a group but if Kevin didn't ask for a better rate they would have just charged the $150 pesos each.

      Delete
  3. Ruth, I read your note where you mentioned that when you return to Sherman it is damp inside from the high humidity from the continuous rain. We have had that problem when we are dry camping and live in a high humidity area. While we are out and about for the day, we put out two small containers of DampRid in the kitchen and bathroom areas. When we return, the contents of the containers are jelly-like from soaking up the moisture and dampness. Also, the camper smells nice and fresh inside. DampRid also keeps down mildew inside the camper. Mildew is death to a camper. Here in the southeastern US, we buy it at grocery stores.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have used DampRid before or something similar. Not so sure that we would be able to find it in Mexico though and hopefully once this rain is done with then we shouldn't need it for the rest of our time here. Fingers cross that today is the last day of rain.

      Delete
  4. Sounds like another enjoyable day! Be safe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a fun day for us as well and the ones that took the boat tour.

      Delete
  5. I bet you could get that house for a song!
    I looked and looked, but couldn't identify your gorgeous butterfly, :-(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Guaranteed that house and property would be super cheap!

      I had tried looking for some identification on that butterfly as well, without any success. I will try again when we have free internet.

      Delete
    2. I found it - it's a Malachite butterfly.

      Delete
    3. Thank you Elaine, I knew I could count on you to find out. :-)

      Delete
  6. Always good to have a break from the group. What a nice park! We've heard a lot about it but never visited.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was just nice to get out and get some good exercise! :-)

      The park is really pretty and Gene is nice guy. You need to come down and check out the Catemaco area.

      Delete
  7. Your camera captured a big cat lurking near that snoozing dog!

    ReplyDelete

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