WEEK 5 : 30th nov - 6th Dec 2001
Trip Distance (km) Quote of the Week Country
006541 "I thought they were pineapples." - Jamie, as the Goneriden team stopped near the desert town of Tequilla to check out the cactus plants used to make that friendly drink.
Mexico

La Paz - Mazatlan - San Blas - Guadalajara - Mexico City

Memorable Moment

Following a last minute decision to brave the traffic in one of the biggest cities in the world we came off the toll road into Mexico City. Minor directional problems were solved, and we made it to the Zocalo(Central Plaza). The road to one end of the hostel was blocked so we followed another car to do a lap of the block. To our surprise we came across thousands of stalls and xmas shoppers packing the so called streets. A city of 20million people which gets an additional 2 or more million xmas shoppers proved to be really buzzing. After some pretty harsh stares and nearly run over children we made it to the hostel. Luckily our bikes were able to fit through the front door and take prime position in the hall, away from the thousands of smiling and startled xmas shoppers.

 

Pictures of the Week

Competition

Who could be the first one to see a croc during the mangrove boat ride at San Blas.
Winner: Ramone, the boat driver.

Highlight

A guided tour of Mazatlan with a couple local guys we met on the ferry. Tour guides happily pointing out the sites (and wolf whistling at the better ones), from the back of our bikes.

Risk Activity

Playing dominoes with the locals on the ferry. Risk of Boxy being thrown overboard if he beat them
Risk Factor - 2/10, lucky we shouted tequilla.

Lowlight

The midgies at the beach in San Blas. The insect repellent worked on them though, unlike the drunk who would not leave us alone later that night, requiring more threatening repellent from Martin.

Road Kill Tally

Out of respect to dog and cat lovers we were going to put this section on hold, but we had to have 1 stat.

Horses - 5.