Campeche and Veracruz

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After leaving beautiful and cultural Merida we took our second class (segundo) bus west along the gulf to Campeche and then up to the port city of Veracruz. Campeche, a UNESCO designated city is a must see with its' pastel colored street shops and homes. From its inception and for a number of years after, Campeche was plagued by pirates who periodical would come ashore and do what pirates do i.e. basically pillage the town. This went on for years up to the mother of all pillages when pirates took control of Campeche for several months. After this, the Spanish government in Spain decided that a wall, and fortifications were needed. This wall today encloses the "old' town, which is the main tourist destination of interest.
In Campeche we stayed at the Pirates Hosted, which had a roof top kitchen and deck with a warm breeze most of the time and a view of the city; we sent many hours here.



After leaving Campeche we took a five hour bus trip up to Veracruz. This port city is less visually appealing then Campeche but had its' own interest, having been the target of a number of American military incursions, the lastest in 1914. Full of statury of "heros" of the conflicts as well as of various historical figures who played a significant role in Mexico's history, Veracruz proved interesting. Of course, like all Mexican towns, it has its' own zocalo with evening entertainment; while we were there a dance and musical troop entertained us all under the stars

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Photos

On the Wall
Hanging out on the wall.

Sunset on the Wall
The first night and we were just ambling along when we ended up seeing the sunset from the top of the wall overlooking the ocean (it's a bit away on the right)

Internet on the Roof
Beyond the sticks lies the city from four stories up.

Veracruz Harbour (the nice part)
From our Marr y Tierra Hotel, hotel by the water.

Dancers Veracruz
Night entertainment in the Zocalo. They really were this fast.