Mexico, "land of contrast" and it truly is. From modern metropolitan cities to small indigenous villages, From Tropical jungles to deserts, from the old colonial city centers to modern cities with Home Depot and MacDonald's. Traveling through Mexico has been fascinating.

Entering Mexico from the South (Belize) provided an entirely different prospective than when I came in from the North. Coming from the south one notices that the roads are better than I have seen since Argentina. There are road signs to tell you where you are going, what road you are on and warn you on hazards. This has generally been lacking to some degree in the countries to the south.

I also noticed many signs of improved economic conditions that would not be noticed coming from the north. Simple things like seeing concrete pumper trucks, in most countries to the south they either haul concrete up ladders or us cable winches. For the first time I am seeing many large motorcycles on the road, a sure sign of improved economic conditions. Also Mexico has less of an import tax so motorcycles are more affordable. I have been very impressed with Mexico, it is a beautiful country full of friendly people.

Hazardous waste collection in Mexico, have seen more signs of environmental concern here than in other countries.

Crossing the boarder from Belize, Remate, was one of the easiest crossings I have had. This was not a major crossing and I found officials most helpful. It was also Sunday and all the insurance vendors were closed, so I moved on without insurance. Insurance is not required in Mexico but if you get in an accident you can not leave until it is settled. Looked for insurance the next day but found none so went on line and bought a policy that covered moto as well as liability.

I went west and then south to town of Paleneque then out to the Mayan ruins. These are the most complete I have seen. These cities were still inhabited when the Spanish arrived so there has been less damage from time and jungle.

Mayan Ruins at Paleneque

More old rocks

South of Paleneque was close to a perfect ride. Winding road through the mountains and when it got hot I stopped at Cascadas Agua Azul for a rest and a dip in the water. Then road on into San Cristobal (colonial city) for the night. This was one of many places that I wish I could have spent some time exploring.

Waterfall, neet but the siqn said now swimming

Cascada Agua Azul, went swimming here.

Cascada Agua Azul

Some of this corn was at least ten feet tall, would like to see it when it was green.

Sorgum being combined within a few K of where corn is being raised by hand laborl

From San Cristobal I headed southwest to the Pacific. The lowlands are hot and humid so the next day after talking to two Mexican riders on BMWs I head inland, and up, to Oazaca. I was advised to take ruta 175 as the best road. But ruta 190 was marked as "scenic" so I took it instead for another great ride on a road made for motos. Oazaca was a colonial city with many interesting buildings but too large and hard to find my way around. Headed south again from Oazaca on ruta 131. Even thought the road was a bit tore up in spots I would put this on a don't miss list.

Mixing gravel with cement for road in Oazaca.

Hard to convey what a road is like in a picture but I love these roads.

I can now take "seeing the worlds largest tree" off the bucket list.

Worlds Largest Tree, over 2000 years old

Found a pet but did not have a spare helmet that fit so left him to grow up a bit.

Once I got back to the coast I tried to get close enough to Acapulco that my phone would work. It was Thanksgiving and Martha's birthday and I wanted to call home. Pulled into city about dark and started looking for a hotel but there was something going on as all five hotels I stopped at were full. Rode another hour north to a town and found a hotel for the night, but still not close enough for phone to work.

The next day I rode through Acapulco, big confusing city with way to much traffic along with construction on main route in. All the taxis were VW bugs painted white and blue on the other side of the hill they were red and white so they must have a territory that they stay in. Can not understand why they put up a dozen signs telling you which way to go then don't put one up where you have to make a turn, someone watching and laughing "hay look we caught another one". The GPS is not too acerate here but it sure helps in knowing the general direction in which one needs to go.

Traffic

Just north of Acapulco is an area of very upscale resorts if anyone wants to escape reality for awhile but plan on bringing your wallet as it looked spendy.

View of the Pacific Ocean

Stopped for a bit of Watermelon, girl in road is collecting for some cause. Many of these raising money for Church, youth group or fire department. I normally find something for them, especially the fire department as they are the ones that will come pick you up if you have a fall down.

Some very nice farm ground

Copper bath tub, might have bought it but would need a trailer

More farm ground

Again it is hot and humid on the coast so after about 250k I head inland to the city of Uruapan and from there to Leon. Hunted down the Harley dealer in Leon and they were very interested in the Buell. None of the dealers in Mexico carry the Buell line but they just sold 26, XB12XPs, these are the police model and they need to mount sirens on them when they came in. Leon is a big modern city and after running around for an hour or so decide to head on to Guanajuato.

HD in Leon

This is a sign that I did not see to the south of Mexico, some nice roads that you run 130k on. most of these are toll roads which I tend to avoid though.

On the way out of the city a Suzuki 650 pulls along side and asks where I was headed. Told him Guanajuato and he said he was headed there also. Talked a bit at stop lights and he said he had a friend there that knew the best spots to stay. Once in Guananajuto he could not reach his friend by phone so hevinvited me to come with him and his girl friend to lunch in Santa Rosa (about 20k). Had a great lunch and conversation with them, then back to Guananajuto to his friends house and down town to a hostel. It would take days to figure out the roads in this town as none are straight, most are one way and there are 47 tunnels that twist under the city.

Mike and GF in Santa Rosa

Next I moved onto San Miguel de Allende where I am now and will be for a few days.