Wednesday, February 11, 2009

We made it to Tulum!




Yesterday morning we left Tuxpan and travelled via mostly toll roads making up lost time from Tampico. In case anyone ever drives through Mexico, the toll roads are the way to go....speed limit is faster and the roads are just better. We had to make up lost time and our change in plans worked out well. We arrived in Villahermosa around 5:30 and checked into one of my favorite hotels...a Hilton. Good meal, shower and excellent night's sleep. Before we got on the toll roads, we passed through some extrodinary scenery...it looked like what I would imagine the Congo in Africa.....lush green, lots of trees, mountains and a mist that hung over the whole area. We also passed through a section known as the Emerald coast....lots of small cabana and boutique hotels right on the beach and the road passes right through. Those towns weren't even on our maps! If I ever want to disappear, this area would make the list.

This morning we were at it again and the plan was to drive all the way to Tulum...no matter how long it took. Long story short, but we made it safe and sound. We had to stop and open up the truck only twice on the entire trip and both times were on this leg and within about 30 minutes of each other. Like the US, Mexico has states and when you pass from one to the other you go through the inspection station. In the state of Campeche, we had two inspections. No worries, we got though and my Spanish is improving greatly. I did make the federal policia laugh when he looked through my backpack. I told him something like "la computadora es para mi" and he said..."no, laptop... no es computadora". ... laptop...should have known! He laughed and sent us on our way. Which was awesome because we had no idea how we would explain the 3 containers of 44lb sofnolime for the rebreathers. (sofnolime is the scrubber that makes the rebreather work by scrubbing out the Co2 and it looks like kitty litter). And I definately don't know the Spanish word or phrase for that. John just told the federal agent he was talking to that he didn't speak Spanish, and I think that guy just didn't feel like dealing with that...but John showed him a few of the bags anyway.



John drove the entire way, my job was navigation and speaking to the people. I am not sure who had the easier job...but I think it was me :)

No diving tomorrow, errands to run and sorting out of the stuff.

So glad we made it....life is good.






3 comments:

Unknown said...

Glad to hear you made it ok. Outside of the fact that winter made another appearance with some wind, rain & snow (up north), you're not missing much here. Keep going with th blog and hi to Fernando, Danny, Chris and anyone else you see - Kim

Unknown said...

Glad you made it. Sounds pretty the moss covered church. (no pic it did not happen) nice story though!
Have a good time. I am trying to make it 2-28 to 3-3. Rebreathers?? Tell Fernando and Glenda hello for Lynn and I
Butch

Katrina said...

What an adventure... zebras who knew! And, some of the towns that weren't even on the map, sounds like a wonderful trip already! Have fun we will be waiting for the next installment!
Katrina