We left Palenque for Villahermosa by the Gulf Coast, stopping there only for the night. The next morning early we set out to cross the narrowest part of Mexico - the isthmus of Tehuantepec.
By the end of the day we have crossed tropical mountains and into semi-desert landscapes very reminiscent of the Western US. The closer we got to the Pacific coast, the dryer and rockier.
We leave Villahermosa early and in foggy conditions. Here we are crossing one of the large rivers emptying into the Gulf.
Along the way we cross numerous small villages strung along the main North-South highway between the Gulf coast and the Pacific coast. Here is a contrast between the modern motorcycle and the hammock strung between poles to its right.
Remember you can zoom the image by double-clicking it. Use the browser Back button to continue.
The local Home Depot.
A Mini-Super (Market). There are millions of these small general stores and lunch rooms all over Mexico. This one serves liquor in the thatched outdoor dining area to its left.
As we approach Tehuantepec and as the land becomes more arid, mountainous, and hostile indications of poverty and backwardness increase. There is an old style truck.
And an old style plow tractor.
At the end of a long day of driving we wind our way through a small village to the campground entrance. The entrance is an earth embankment dropping off the right of this street. It was scary to even contemplate driving our big rig down there.
Well we made it, but with scratches to the RV roof.
In the evening we are treated to an introduction by the old owner of the place - it is both a mango plantation and campground. He is a village elder and participates in managing the festivals in the town. We are treated to dinner among the mangoes, and to a traditional dress show and recreation of a marriage ceremony.
To the left are our dining tables.
These young ladies model the traditional costumes of the area.
Mike and Eileen from Alberta are the good sports that agreed to serve as the model bride and groom.
Teri carries the earthenware with confetti. At the end she will drop it in front of the couple and it will smash in many pieces.
By the end of the day we have crossed tropical mountains and into semi-desert landscapes very reminiscent of the Western US. The closer we got to the Pacific coast, the dryer and rockier.
We leave Villahermosa early and in foggy conditions. Here we are crossing one of the large rivers emptying into the Gulf.
Along the way we cross numerous small villages strung along the main North-South highway between the Gulf coast and the Pacific coast. Here is a contrast between the modern motorcycle and the hammock strung between poles to its right. Remember you can zoom the image by double-clicking it. Use the browser Back button to continue.
The local Home Depot.
A Mini-Super (Market). There are millions of these small general stores and lunch rooms all over Mexico. This one serves liquor in the thatched outdoor dining area to its left.
As we approach Tehuantepec and as the land becomes more arid, mountainous, and hostile indications of poverty and backwardness increase. There is an old style truck.
And an old style plow tractor.
At the end of a long day of driving we wind our way through a small village to the campground entrance. The entrance is an earth embankment dropping off the right of this street. It was scary to even contemplate driving our big rig down there.
Well we made it, but with scratches to the RV roof.
In the evening we are treated to an introduction by the old owner of the place - it is both a mango plantation and campground. He is a village elder and participates in managing the festivals in the town. We are treated to dinner among the mangoes, and to a traditional dress show and recreation of a marriage ceremony.
These young ladies model the traditional costumes of the area.
Mike and Eileen from Alberta are the good sports that agreed to serve as the model bride and groom.
Teri carries the earthenware with confetti. At the end she will drop it in front of the couple and it will smash in many pieces.
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