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Published: September 10th 2011
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As the trip South down to Puerto Escondido is one that takes you up and down various mountains, it is therefore advised that you take a mini bus as opposed to the large buses that we took in order to get to Oaxaca as it would be quicker….no worries, the quicker the better in my mind. A journey time of around 6-7 hours was expected, so we bought a few snacks for the way to enjoy whilst soaking up the mountain scenery on the bus.
After we had negotiated probably the worst traffic I have ever seen getting out of Oaxaca (cars, bikes and vans just literally come from every direction possible), we finally got on our way. I was looking forward to getting onto the main road to the mountains as the speed bumps were getting rather tiresome every 500 yards or so, however once on the main road….. they continued. ON THE MAIN ROAD!? This was going to be a long 7 hours or so!.
So, we finally made it towards the mountains, and I was looking forward to again seeing what Mexico had to offer in terms of scenery. This was however difficult due to what was
to happen for the next 6 hours….
Our driver, maybe because we had hit the traffic I had previously spoke about, or maybe just because he was a lunatic decided that winding mountain roads were to be tackled one way, and one way only….. by belting up and down the mountains at around 80 miles an hour!. There were more twists on these hills than a wedding dance-floor during a Jive Bunny song!. There were sharp bends every few hundred yards, hairpins and all sorts!. Luckily for us the driver was all about the safety, and took the speed down to a steady 50mph when negotiating these bends… It was relentless to say the least, and a drive that I would not be quick to volunteer for again. Donna and I therefore missed out on most of the scenery due to us both having our eyes shut, both to stop from being sick (a little girl of no more than 6 yrs old behind us was sick constantly throughout the journey, she didn’t complain though…! ), and to stop us from witnessing the terrifying rally driving experience evolving before us. The only time we did seem to slow down was
whilst tailgating other cars, who were clearing not playing by the rules of the mountain in our drivers eyes, and only driving 60mph. Therefore we would sit up their arse until there was a good enough gap (a few hundred yards or so) usually on a corner, where our driver would overtake, and we would all pray. All of this was performed on a mountain, literally in the clouds at some points, and with no safety barriers to stop you falling off the cliff….. Bus trips are starting to lose their appeal!
Anyway…… deep breath…..
So after that hair-raising experience, we finally made it to Puerto Escondido, and checked straight into out Hostel for the next 2 nights being the Mayflower. This was recommended by an American fella on our Monte Alban trip, who had been here many times before. The Hostel was actually fine, and even had a small balcony with a view if the beach, as well as three beds in our room, so we couldn’t grumble, and if Donna and I were to fall out, we could always choose one of the other beds to sleep in!.
As for Puerto Escondido itself, I wasn’t a
huge fan when I first arrived, as I think I was expecting something different, something a bit more quaint, however after spending a couple of nights there, and eating some great food, I really started to get a feel for it, and it won we over in the end. It’s a bit of a shame that we are slightly out of season at the moment, as there are not as many people about as I would have thought, which in a way is OK, but sometimes it’s nice to have more of an atmosphere in some places. Still, means we are always served as soon as the Corona starts to look low!. (Quid a bottle by the way, and they generally don’t spoil the tipple with a great wedge of the devils fruit either!. London, take note!)
We was also hoping to catch more surfers than we did riding the ‘Mexican Tube’, as the waves here are literally world class, and competitions are held here annually. We did however see one guy out there though riding the waves, and a brave man he was too, as a slip in there I imagine to be pretty devastating.
Anyway, onwards to Zipolite
tomorrow, another beach town with ‘gnarley’ waves, however is supposed to be smaller and more chilled than Escondido, so will see what happens there
Til next time…. Beunos Noches!
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