Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Mexico

Day 67, Sep 7, 2013, 448km

 

Today started with a cloudy overcast and some drizzle. My ankle and knee did hurt a bit less so we thought of taking it easy for a while. But once we hit the road it was a good feeling and I told Wei lets see how far we can go. Even though we started very late 11:30am, we went back onto Hwy 200 along the west coast and the mountains, and ended in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo.

 

Most of this road is again a beautiful twisty ride with here and there some construction going on but not to bad.

 

We also were stopped by the militia and all they could look at was our cameras on top of our helmets. The guy interrogating me pointing up and saying something in Spanish and me yes, yes camera recording. They then stepped back and waved us through, phew what a relief the guns looked very intimidating.

I think the camera is a good way to get you through these things faster.

Manzanillo, Mexico

Day 666 (just kidding) Sep, 6, 2013,  262km

Today started great, this section from Puerto Vallarta to Manzanillo on Hwy 200 is such a sweet ride twisting and turning up and down through the mountains and this time not as much construction as in yesterdays ride, absolutely fun to do.

Then just before Manzanillo we were going through a small suburb of the town when a pick-up truck coming from the left looked like it wasn't going to stop so I hit the breaks and Wei slips on the sand covered road and rides into me, slam dunk down I go into the street crossing with me getting my right leg pinned again while being thrown off the bike. The people on the street were amazing though and in no time was the bike back up and off to the side. Within 5 min the paramedics show up while I'm still laying there trying not to show that I'm in terrible pain and about to pass out, sweating like an idiot the paramedics checked my knee and says it looks like its not broken, but we can take you to the Hospital, I ask to be taken to the sidewalk so I can catch my breath from the shock.

While sitting there the paramedics stayed the whole time and made sure I was OK, he wrapped the knee in a stretch bandage and about 20min later I asked to be put back on my feet and see if I could walk. Limping I tell the guys that I'm OK so they can take off but again they offer to take me to the Hospital, I'm just fine I insist, just need to get back in the saddle. The ambulance did leave but sent one guy back until we actually took-off.

This is absolutely amazing here we are riding in what we consider a third world country and look at how great they treat you, even while sitting there a hobo setting on the corner comes up to me and offers his coke without asking nothing just giving me the gesture of here you need this more than me. Strange occurrence of events and it's not like I need my leg to hurt anymore then it does already but it has taught me one thing that these people are great, not only just here but during this whole trip through Mexico.

 

Tomorrow I will see how my knee and ankle feels, but for now I'm limping and will probable take a few weeks again to get somewhat better, back to the short walks, damn.

 

Greetings

Jeff Limpalot

 

 

Me sweating it off at the corner where it happened.

 

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Day 65, Sep 5, 2013, 178km

 

Travelling Hwy 200 along the west coast of Mexico is a very beautiful ride except for the speed bumps in the towns of course. The part we did today has lots of construction going on and did take more time as you end-up behind large convoy's of trucks/buses etc. The weather has been from very hot in the Baja and now a little rain that is a welcome relief from that sun and heat.

Today we rode from San Blas to Puerto Vallarta and currently staying at the Vallarta Sun Hotel/Hostel for 550 pesos. Puerto Vallarta is right on the ocean front and is a real busy place with lots of things going on.

 

 

 

Puerto Vallarta beach and pier.

 

 

 

Tomorrow further down the Hwy 200 towards Manzanillo

San Blas, Mexico

Day 64, Sep 4, 2013, 298km

 

Once on board the ferry you will find yourself at the very bottom of the boat and will need to climb several stairs to get up to the main deck. We tried to get some sleep but was troublesome to say the least because there are baby’s and kids crying or running around the whole time. Luckily after 11pm they do turn off the movies and dim the light but for some this does not matter.

We arrived in Mazatlan just before 12 noon and made our way to San Blas where we are staying at Hotel Posada Delray for 714 pesos, we had tried a few places but most had no secure parking or were more expensive.

 

Pichilinque, Baja California

Day 63, Sep 3, 2013, 245km

Made the trip back to La Paz today but you need to get go Pichilinque to get on the ferry. We bought the tickets for the bike and rider for 1963 pesos $150 and this includes a free diner and breakfast plus a seat in the AC lounge with reclining seats and continuous movies.

When you go to the ticket office you will first need to get a size ticket from the size measuring guy that is next to the ticket office. Lucky for us the ladies at the office was so nice as to call the guy over and then you can get your boarding ticket. Be there at least two hours before boarding and go through Aduana and then the weigh scale (74 pesos), this process is very simple but can be confusing as to where to go.

 

I added a picture diagram below and hope this will help some of you out.

Once on board I Did meet Alex, Vitor and Araia travelling in a Van across Central America. They are using there love of sporting and adventure to promote the Latin America culture and the idea that a simpler way of life can co exist with nature and culture. You can check out there web site and see for yourself: www.saltyconscience.com

 

 

San Jose Del Cabo, Baja California

Day 62, Sep 2, 2013, 522km

 

Travelled today from Loreto to La Paz and then decided to go see Hotel California in Todos Santos where we thought the Eagles may have recorded the original song Hotel California. Well as it turns out this is a urban myth created by god knows who (most likely the owners), you can buy all the swag and commercialized items here though and all of it with Hotel California the Legend on it.

 

Wei had checked out earlier today if there were any cheap hotel/motels around and he found Hotel Estancia Real in San Jose Del Cabo for 400 pesos ($32). This place has AC, swimming pool and a protected area for the bikes, plus it is really nice.

 

Tomorrow back to La Paz and then a 18 hour trip with the Ferry to Mazatlan.

 

 

 

Here's a picture of The Coyote Village Tree house that we stayed in yesterday. This is a very cool place to go to if you have a chance. The owners Mike and Gus will treat you like family and entertain you with great stories from the past and present times. After having travelled a lot themselves they decided to build this place the way they would have liked something to be during there travelling days and so it has come to existence.

 

Loreto, Baja California

Day 61, Sep 1, 2013,  419km

 

Stayed at the Malarimo Hotel in Guerrero Negro last night for 580 pesos ($46)  for a room with AC.

While at the Malarimo Hotel I started talking to Günter originally from Germany and now living in San Diego who has a Yamaha marine dealership there, anyway as it turns out he used to ride and organize motocross races in the Netherlands back in the 70's and that's when I was also doing the races. Turns out that we were hanging around in the same circles back then and I may have met him but can't remember it and now meet this guy out here, what are the odds in that, just think about this for a moment out of all the hotels that he and we could have picked and or places that we could have been, this is astronomically huge. Had a great talk with him and later on he asked Wei about his chain and what he would do if it breaks down, needless to say he did give some good advise to Wei and his chain breakdown program that was none existing before. So was this coincidence, maybe but I think not.

 

Headed to Loreto today, where we are now at the renown Coyote Village. The price is 450 pesos per person but this includes all you can drink and a gigantic breakfast, just a simple breakfast will cost you about 100 pesos and the all you can drink thing well we won't get into that, except that 450 pesos is not a bad deal.

 

On our way to Loreto we stopped at Santa Rosalia out of curiosity to go see the all steel Church designed and manufactured in France by Gustave Eiffel himself, thinking this would be something spectacular of course, well you be the judge.