Nice easy drive from Isla Aguada to the city of Campeche. Only 171 kms (106 miles) on pretty good roads for a nice change. We made one gasoline stop in the town of Champoton at about 10:15am , and arrived at the Kin-Ha Balneario at about 11:30am.
Here are some pics of the drive...
Leaving the pirates of Isla Aguada.
Much of the road follows right beside the Gulf coast.
Ship in the distance.
Waiting for some of the group to fill up with fuel in the town of Champoton.
Near Seybaplaya.
Only 530 kms (329 miles) from Cancun.
Nice toll road between Seybaplaya and Campeche.
Yesterday's drive, 171 kms (106 miles).
We arrived at Kin-Ha Balneario at about 11:30am. We've never stayed here before, so weren't sure what we were getting. It had been described to us as "parking in an open field", and "basic services". But while those things are essentially true, it's nicer than we expected.
Almost everybody has a 15 amp household electrical plug, and water. There is a sewer dump to use when we leave.
Our Mexico RV Caravan group at Kin-Ha Balneario
GPS 19.829842, -90.495182
We enjoyed a relaxing couple of hours before our tour guide Felix arrived at 3:00pm with a group of taxis to take us all downtown.
These colorful city signs have become very popular in Mexico!
Beautiful malecon in Campeche.
The bike lanes and walkway go for 5.3 kms (3.1 miles).
We remembered from our visit ten years ago that we liked Campeche. It didn't take long to rekindle those feelings. The city is small, at about 225,000 people. It's clean, and there aren't that many expats living here although we did see more tourists than we remembered. We think it's odd that many expats congregate in the nearby larger city of Merida, but given the choice we like Campeche much better.
One of the original entrances to the walled part of the city.
Much of the wall still exists.
The Cathedral.
A Campeche treat!
There is some kind of bylaw that says the houses can't be the same color side by side.
The central plaza.
Campeche.
Felix took us for a walk around the central area, and into a free museum. We had a 5pm trolley tour scheduled, and I went back early to buy the tickets for the group of us. But nobody was there to sell the tickets. Plus, there was another group from Belgium. Apparently this is slow season, and normally there is nobody around to want on the 5pm tour.
Eventually, at about 5:15pm, someone showed up to sell the tickets, and we manged to get our entire group on one trolley with the English speaking guide.
Ruth, on the trolley tour.
The wall.
Colorful Campeche.
The famous Black Christ.
Yesterday's tour of Campeche was one of the tours that is included with the price you pay for the Mexico RV Caravan. I think there are something like 22 meals and tours in the whole trip. They are usually really well done, and usually the best services that are available.
Yesterday's meal was a the number one (TripAdvisor) rated restaurant in Campeche...
We arrived to find a huge table set up outside!
It didn't take long to get in a fiesta mood!
There is a Spanish word here in Mexico... Campechano.
The term generally means to be always relaxed, never stressed, just go with the flow of life.
By the end of the day yesterday, we were all campechanos!
At the beginning of dinner.
At the end of dinner!
It was a fantastic dinner. You had a choice of arrachera (beef), chicken fettuccine, or some type of pork. I didn't hear anybody say anything bad about their meal, although there were a few minor glitches (to be expected) due to feeding 26 people (one of the group has her sister and brother in law visiting) all at the same time. Overall, a very good time! My beef was probably the most tender I have ever had. One guy who had the pork said he didn't need a knife.
Today is a day off, but I think most people are going to make their way back into the city to explore. Ruth and I are going to try to take the local bus, while the others order taxis. Maybe we can talk some of them into coming on the local bus with us.
Going to be warm today... calling for a sunny high of 32C (90F).
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Valentine chocolates on sale today!
And in Canada...
Wow I loved the drive along the coast and the city is awesome! Waiting to see more. BTW the area looks very clean and I'd love to visit one day.
ReplyDeleteThe city centre is a UNESCO site so the city is kept very clean. We really love this city, partly because of the nice colourful buildings.
DeleteBeautiful scenery on your drive. Town looks very colourful and interesting. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteVery nice scenery and the town is a look of fun to wander around.
DeleteLooks like a nice clean small city. Have been curious about near by Merida, but from your lovely colourful pics I think Campeche looks even better.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the John b but for some reason or another your comment got put into our Spam folder and I only just found it today.
DeleteCampeche is a very clean, little city and so so pretty. We will be seeing Merida tomorrow so you will get a better idea between the two cities. We personally prefer Campeche at least we did 9 1/2 years ago, I guess we will see if we still feel the same this time around.
How can anyone look at these pictures and think that Mexico is dangerous? You guys look great!
ReplyDeleteWe agre, we can't figure out how people can think that Mexico is so dangerous. Too many people believing what the media and government have to say without doing some research on their own. Oh well, it's better for us in the long run, less tourists and ex-pats to deal with.
DeleteWould love to have heard and seen more about the balneario. Did any of the group go for a swim?
ReplyDeleteThe balneario is closed at this time of year, despite the temperatures hitting close to 30C (86F) it is winter for them and we were told that they don't like the cool wind. We will be at another balneario next month so we can tell you more about that one when we get there.
DeleteWe have always stayed at the tennis courts west (south?) of town but you seem to have found a better place.
ReplyDeleteWe have never been to that one, when we were here we overnighted two nights in the parking lot of the tourist information opposite the malecon, which is being made over into a park now. This is a good place to stay, easy to get the bus or taxi downtown which is only about 3 to 4km away.
DeleteI love the colours of the houses, so much better than Canada & USA where they all seem to be beige next to beige next to beige!!!
ReplyDeleteThe colours of the buildings is one of the reasons that we really like visiting Campeche. Tt is a beautiful little city and everyone is very friendly, it is also really, really clean. :-)
Deletecampechano is a word I can live by. Thanks for enlightening us about it. Looks like a great meal in a neat place. Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteUs too and it seems like everyone who lives in the city feels the same way!
DeleteLovely. Simply lovely! I especially like the pastel colored houses.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann and Tom! The pastel colours, really make the city special. :-)
DeleteLOVE the hats! Looks like you guys are having a fun tour. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWe are having a great time and I think all the other people of the tour are as well.
DeleteBeautiful pics of such a lovely city and coastline. You look so relaxed! Glad you had a good day in the city.
ReplyDeleteThank Cindy! It is a beautiful area here and we really love this city. We went back into the city yesterday too and just had fun wandering around.
DeleteWe spent several days in Campeche a few years ago and thought it was lovely. So nice to see your photos to spur our memories. Gotta get back there! Loved the colorful, historic centro area, which is where our hotel was.
ReplyDeleteGlad that we could rekindle some good memories for you. It is a lovely city and one that we were happy to revisit. The historical centre is so easy to walk around and so pretty.
DeleteLove this place - tks for sharing! You two look great!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Connie and Barry!
DeleteAs a generalization, many ex-pats living in Mexico need to have certain products and stores at hand along with English speaking services. To each his own but we seem to do just fine with Mexican products including liquor and wines.
ReplyDeleteYour picture titled, Near Seybaplaya, has an incredible view.
You are correct on that statement Chris! We are glad that we can adapt our cooking to the Mexican products, although I did bring along some gluten free products that are hard to get here or more expensive here, other than that we have no problem with the shops here, and we especially love the local markets.
DeleteWe stayed at Seybaplaya almost 10 years ago. We boondocked on an old unused basket ball court. :-) That is the one thing that we really miss by doing this caravan and that is just taking our time and stopping wherever we find a good spot to stop at for a night or two.
I see they put you on the left hand side of the road. It's a lot flatter than where they insisted we go on the other side. Maybe it's the number of rigs. Neither the water or power worked where you are in Fall or last spring, so maybe they have decided to do some work on it with more caravans coming through.
ReplyDeleteApparently it was only about the last two sites at the far end that the power didn't work at. It is only 15amp service but we haven't heard any complaints.
DeleteHave followed u faithfully for almost a year. Consider taking this trip next year. Will you be guiding?
ReplyDeleteOdds are good. Please see Paul Beddows comment below...
DeleteI do the scheduling. Kevins trip is full but there is another 6 days behind it. Usually a couple drop outs so you can wait list for Kevin if you wish. One has a 36 ft 5th wheel which is really too long so he will likely be dropping out. If you sign up right away, i would say there is an 80 -90% chance I can get you on kevins group.If you do sign up please let us know you are referred by kevin. www.mexicocaravan.com
ReplyDelete