Cliff jumping and some sneaky Mexicans

Trip Start Aug 26, 2005
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Trip End May 26, 2008


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Flag of Mexico  , Pacific Coast,
Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Another long 10 hour bus ride and here I am, 6 hours from Mexico City at a huge port filled with pirates. On the ride here, i started to see some true signs of that stereotypical Mexic. No more green forested fields and lush tropics of the Caribbean and well watered gardens of San Cristobal de las Casas. As I headed north along the Pacific coast, the trees thinned out, the green grass turned brown then eventually to dust and small shrubs and cactus became the norm. The odd Ceiba tree was spotted here and there. The area became so dry and dusty and cactuses cactuses began to appear all over the place. It wasnt a pretty ride with the dull scenery and the slow, frequently stopping bus, bumping along on a narrow road for 10 hours was very painful. Luckily there werent too many people aboard so Shannon, the kiwi im traveling with, and I were able to walk up and down the aisle, stretching and relaxing, even having a game of soccer in the isle, then we arrived in the crime infested city of Acapulco.

Acapulco is laid out on a thin flat strip from the beach to the base of the moutains. The huge protected harbour is the attraction here. Home to many cruise ships and for us, the most famous thing was the 'Acapulco Cliff Divers'.

We arrived relatively late on the first day, and despite our request for the cab driver to take us to a hostel listed in the lonely planet, he insisted on showing us a hotel on the beach that he said was cheap enough and well run. No doubt he would get a little something from the management for taking us there. We told him we will not pay him if we dont stay there but if he wants to take us for free, we will check it out, then you take us to the place we originally asked to go.
We pulled up alongside a beach that was almost decent. The hotel was directly across the road. While Shannon sat in the cab with our bags, I ran across and checked it out. With a TV, hot shower, 2 big double beds, luxury, and after a bit of bargaining, we got the place for $10 each, which is what the hostel would have cost anyway. We did well and dumped our bags on the bed, and ran outside, eager to get some exercise after the long bus ride.

Across the road from the hostel was a thin stretch of yellow sand, full of locals. The green, semi polluted water stank of rotting fish and pools of oil provided obstacles for the people foolish enough to swim.
Continuing around the bay we came across the marina, where hundreds, if not thousands of boats were moored up. Some were milti million dollar motors, others were decrepid sinking old yachts and row boats. Every boat, in every colour shape and size was out in the waters somewhere round here. I noted to Shannon that looking out over this enormous harbour, there wasnt a single boat moving. Were they all just trophys? maybe fuel was too expensive to get them moving so they just rocked about on the light swell. There cetainly isnt enough to do on the land to keep the people happy, unless of course they were involved in the drug cartels and organised crime, a big business around here.
Further along, we looked back, then looked forward and realized there were a few eyes on us and we had wandered into a fairly unsightly area of the harbour. whoops.. there was no turning back, as the locals had moved to teh beach to observe us. Maybe they were jsut curious, but it seemed suspicious, that we walked past the local guys, who were resting on boats or passed out in the shade, and a few seconds later, they were on their feet, watching our progress as we wandered further into the lions den.
We continued along, looking for a way out, but it just got worse, so we decided to chance it and walk up a narrow street that eventually joined the main road and we were free.
A slice of pizza cost $2 and that was enough for dinner, as i retured to the hotel to enjoy cable tv from my bed with a  belly full of cheap street pizza.

Day 2 in Acapulco
After a restless sleep on an uncomfortable bed, i had trouble getting up, and it wasnt until 11am that i left the hotel for breakfast, which for $2.50 was spaghetti and chicken from a streetside vendor. Loaded with guacamole and tortillas, i made a whole bunch of tacos out of my chicken which gave me enough energy to run around the city all day.
First stop was the old fort. Built atop a big hill, the thick walls prevented invasion for many years and atop, had a brilliant view over the town.
After the fort, it was time for cliff jumping... which was just insane.

Im getting kicked out.. so the rest will come soon.
chau
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