PUEBLA (October 8,and 9 2014) PUEBLA TO TUXTLA GUTIERREZ
Left Zacatecas at 11 am after a great breakfast, Tom walked downtown and found a Starbucks and was really chuffed. Quinto Real was outstanding, so much so we booked into the one in Puebla for tonight if we make it there. Got going and lost Ban Ban only to find him on the road broken down. By the time we turned around to where he was, he was gone, so we headed on to Puebla without him. Nelson went to Mexico City and then it was just the three of us. Arrived after dark , checked in and went to the bar and then Ban Ban appeared still pissed that we left him behind. It turns out that he went into the garage and when we came back for him none of us saw him and assumed he left and was in front of us. His hydraulic clutch is not working and battled in the towns with the gears, the traffic is unbelievable in the cities and to not have a clutch...... So tomorrow we have to go to the BMW garage and get it sorted. Was a long 650 km. and with the worst traffic so far and road conditions. You could be in Africa, not much different except for the amount of vehicles and a lot more hazardous. Puebla is an old city 1800's and is beautiful and clean with great food. So tomorrow we have to leave early cause it is 790km to the next place and then the following day will get into Guatemala.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
PUEBLA TO TUXTLA GUTIERREZ
Left a little late to the BMW dealer but got clutch sorted out. Left at noon and belted down the highway to Tuxtla Gutierrez which was 790 km.away, so needless to say we broke the cardinal rule : : Don't drive at night. Was not pleasant going down a pass at night for 2 hours ..Nelson happen to arrive at the same time from Mexico City.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.