Taxco, pop. 52,000 elev. 5,800 ft. (SW of Mexico DF).

Now I am in Puerto Escondido, after a beautiful 2 day ride from Acapulco.

But first, an event in Mexico DF. which I forgot to mention. The first full day with Ibarra, and Roberto, was spent as guests of the Mexican head office, and plant for Yamaha Motorcycles. Miguel Ibarra was of course invited to a special "PR" day for the Mexican press, TV, VIP's. The day started with a tour of the facilities, and then an instructional video on all aspects of how to ride a bike (moto). After we all headed outside and were each assigned a bike and had a practical course on how to ride...from the basics to the advanced. After 4 hours, they treated us to lunch, and then we all recieved personalised diplomas.... I am now a "Yamaha VIP" who is driving a Honda !!

Now back to Taxco, the silver capital of Mexico. Even though the silver mines have run "dry", it continues to be the silver (hand made jewelry) production capital of Mexico (remember Donna?).

Taxco, is a beautiful colonial antique town, and one of the most picturesque places in all of Mexico. Clinging to a steep hillside, it's narrow cobblestone streets twist and turn and then suddenly open onto pretty plazas., but unlike other colonial towns, it has not surrounded itself with industrial suburbs. Hundreds of VW taxis run through the labyrinth of streets like ants on an ant hill....or beetles... Very few streetscapes are defaced with rows of parked cars because the roads themselves are only wide enough for one car.

By "colonial", we generally mean white hacienda type buildings with red terracota roofs, with the interior, furniture, and doors made of heavy Mexican cedar, ornate black wrought iron, and floors of shinny dark red tile. The federal government has declared Taxco a "natl. historic monument" to preserve its architecture and heritage.

There are literally hundreds (300) of shops of all sizes and descriptions selling hand made sterling (min. 92.5% pure silver) silver jewellery, much of which is exquisite and original. The quality is strictly controlled by the Mex. govt. and all pieces must be stamped with the "seal" followed by ".925". Anyone discovered selling forged .925 pieces is sent to prison.

After two days of shopping, roaming the streets, and taking the little Swiss made cable car high up over the city to a fabulous hotel perched on top of a mountain, I left for the one day ride from the mountains, to the Acapulco coast.

Stay tuned for Acapulco, and Peurto Escondido.

Hasta lavista, baby.....
(which means "see you LATER, baby"....Arnold Schwartzeneger was in error when he used those words before he "blew" that guy away since, obviously, he would NEVER see him again. The better choice would have been, "addios, baby" which means "good-bye, baby"!