OAXACA TO PALENQUE
Sometimes you have a ride where that you would like to do again, or share with others, a ride that is perfect. The ride from Mitla to San Luis del Rio was one of these. By the way I thought it was a short cut.
From Mitla you climb 1000 meters on a good paved road to Hierve el Aqua where there are cold water mineral pools to swim in. The view is fantastic and the water falling over the edge must be impressive. For me there was only a few good looking men and women but the view was worth it.
At Hierve I asked about San Luis. They told me there was no road, they said it was a donkey trail, they said it was too hot. It was all of these but I went anyway. About halfway down the 16 km descent I started to think about having to climb out of there but it was too late. Two hours and six kms later I arrived in San Luis a town not on the map. A couple of locals and the doctor and his nurse invited to a cold beer. Who could refuse, later came the Mezcal and I ended up sleeping on the porch only to wake up to the sound of women chatting on their way to have corn ground into flour for fresh tortillas.
In San Luis they told me it was too hard but one older man finally gave me the directions. It was hard but I didnīt walk. Yet! In the end the road stopped at the bridge just stopped and went no where. But a couple of helpful Mezcal farmers told me to follow the river and I did. I managed to make about 20 kms that day and slept in a storekeepers garage.
The next morning it was 20kms to the road. For once it was kind of ok to hear and see trucks and cars
I rested for a few days at San Cristobal and then headed down to Palenque. Now it is a discouraging thing when to go down you climb up for 20 kms. Finally after 50kms the down started. After spending the night at Tonina I headed for Palenque. Tonina was wonderful, Palenque was too touristy.
The road from Palenque to the coast is long flat straight and boring but a consistent headwind ended up making it longer than it ought to have been. Still there were stops at Balamku, Becan and Xpuhil for excitment. The caretaker even let me camp at Balamku for the night, now that was interesting.
I have arrived in Chetumal and will take a few days before heading to Belize. People knock Chetumal don't know why cause I like it. Mind you it is warm and humid and without a fan it would be tough to sleep.
Photos
are at: https://djolkowski.tripod.com/palenque/