Los cabos in Mexico a beautiful beach

Los Cabos is one of the five municipalities of the state of Baja California Sur, Mexico, and is located at the southern end of the state. The county seat is San Jose del Cabo and the largest city is Cabo San Lucas 32 ​​km from the head. This area is one of the most important tourist destinations in Mexico. 

The municipality of Los Cabos limits the North with La Paz and the Gulf of California, on the east by the Gulf of California and the Pacific Ocean to the south by the Pacific Ocean; the west by the municipality of La Paz and Pacific Ocean. 

The geographical location of the township: North 23 ° 40 'South 22 ° 52'; This 109 ° 24 'West 110 ° 07'.

Los Cabos is currently considered one of the destinations in Mexico as senior to him arriving by land, sea and air, a variety of foreign visitors coming mostly from the United States and Canada. Besides having one of the most prestigious marinas in the country, Los Cabos is also a favorite destination for international cruises. 

Known as the World Capital of Sport Fishing and Marlin particularly, Los Cabos is home to important festivals, tournaments and international championships, Los Cabos offers visitors extensive range of sporting links and ecotourism activities such as whale Humpback Whales, each year from December to March, who emigrated from Canada to the warm waters of the Mexican Pacific to mate and give birth to their calves. 

Among the main attractions of Los Cabos is El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, rock formation sculpted by the sea located in an area where the waters of the Pacific Ocean with the Sea of ​​Cortez (Gulf of California); symbol of fate, in 2005 it was declared a World Heritage Bio-Reserves by UNESCO. 

The hotel and property infrastructure Los Cabos is considered the best in the country, and the destination has championship golf courses, luxurious plazas and shopping centers as well as Resorts & Spa in gran turismo, bars and clubs that offer a entertaining night life. 

How come? 

Los Cabos is located south of the Peninsula of Baja California, adjacent to La Paz and northern Gulf of California, Gulf of California and the Pacific Ocean to the east, south Pacific Ocean, the Pacific Ocean to the west and La Paz. 

Ground transportation via the Highway No. 1. 

Los Cabos International Airport to Los Cabos on the outskirts of San José del Cabo. 

By sea is accessible by ferry from the ports of Mazatlan and Topolobampo same arriving in La Paz. Yachts and other private vessels up to 200 feet with a maximum draft of 20 feet dock in modern Marina Cabo San Lucas. 

Distance from Los Cabos to other destinations in Mexico 

La Paz, Baja California Sur - 159 km. 

Ensenada, Baja California - 1521 km. 

Hermosillo, Sonora - 2483 km. 

Mazatlan, Sinaloa - 3386 km. 

Monterrey, Nuevo León - 3817 km. 

Zacatecas, Zacatecas - 3856 km. 

Guadalajara, Jalisco - 3863 km. 

San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi - 4049 km. 

Morelia, Michoacán - 4145 km. 

Mexico City, Distrito Federal - 4399 km. 

weather 

The average annual temperature in Los Cabos is 24 ° C. 

North of San José del Cabo a warm dry climate is presented, while in the upper part of the Sierra de la Laguna and San Lázaro climate is temperate. 

The month with the lowest temperature is in January. The month with the highest probability of rain is September. 

What to pack? 

Swimsuit, sunscreen, insect repellent, light clothing, sandals, sneakers (for hiking). 

Wear long sleeves, bandana and other sports shoes are looking wander the sand dunes. 

Turn out at night. 

Activities and attractions in Los Cabos 

In Los Cabos you can perform the following land, air, water and water sports: diving, snorkeling, watching wildlife, fishing, golf, swimming with dolphins, watching jorabadas watching, horseback riding, mountain biking, sailing, surfing, zip lining, rappelling, trekking in the desert, go kart, dune buggy, ATV (ATV), parasailing, boating, rowing, kayaking, hang gliding, paragliding, etc. 

Arco de Cabo San Lucas, Estero de San José del Cabo, Cabo Pulmo National Park and reefs, Sierra La Laguna, Cerro del Vigia, Los Frailes Beach, Playa Buena Vista, Hot water Beach, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Chileno Beach Punta Colorada , Playa Las Mananitas. 

Mission Palms of Estero de San José del Cabo, Town of Miraflores, Palacio Municipal, Casa de la culture, Fossil Museum of Santiago, Santiago Zoo, Garden Art, Blown Glass Factory. 

Spa & Massage, Shopping, Nightlife. 

Festivals and events in Los Cabos 

Throughout the year: Tournament Golf, Sport Fishing Tournament. 

Day 19 March-San José 

June-Music Festival Los Cabos 

15 and 16 September: Fiestas Patrias 

1 and Oct. 2: Day of the Dead 

October 12: Celebration of the Virgen del Pilar 

December 12: Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe

From Mexico to Guatemala across the river

To move from Mexico to Guatemala there are 10 border crossings but certainly none has the charm of Frontera Corozal (Mexico) - Bethel (Guatemala). It is a fairly common way for backpackers as it is located between Palenque, Chiapas city that is known for its ruins and Petén, the area that I like most and where Guatemala Flores and Tikal are.

Drive from Palenque to Frontera Corozal

I made the journey from Mexico to Guatemala, specifically from Palenque to Flores. It took me about a day but I left Palenque afternoon and spent the night at the border which is probably the most crappy place I've ever slept. Posada was called Pancala. Curiously the border is bounded by a river and a boat crosses

I remember that I found it difficult Palenque find out where my ride came to Frontera Corozal. It was from the bus station but from a clearing near a roundabout at the entrance to the city. There I took a van as they say Mexicans. The cheapest transportation in Central America are the Nissan Vanette vans style in which sometimes go up to 20 people.

Time wore pissed because I looked so güero that deduced that it was not Mexican and I charged more on all transports. Here I discovered the best way to get the same price. Ask someone to go to take the shuttle or wait and pay the same pay. Although in 2010 I was not going through his head ever having a travel blog retain some data written in a diary so I can speak quite accurately on prices.

I was told that the way I wanted to do cost 80 pesos but the driver wanted to charge me 120 and did not get off the bike. What did I do? First I went. Then I waited a few meters from the van to another person came and approached half crouch. You had to see the driver's face when he told the Mexican 80 pesos and I left behind the same money already in hand. He took laughing and gave haggling terminated.

I go play with him for nearly four hours away because the van was already full and we were talking about many topics. Where had he lived in Barcelona because he had discovered that gave rise to talk football for a while and thus initiate conversations ... In Central Spanish league is followed with the same enthusiasm as in Spain. I remember the driver even stopped for a moment that it might be a picture of a Zapatista poster.

I arrived at night to Frontera Corozal. There were no asphalt streets and no hostels. Asking got to sleep in a barn-like room, conditioning and catering. At 5:30 in the morning as the sun rose in the stable next door hens and rooster crowing their morning were I had no choice but to get up and head for the border.

Puerto Arista site mouth sun

Puerto Arista is a port located in the Mexican state of Chiapas, on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Costa Isthmus region located north of the Soconusco region in the municipality of Tonala (Chiapas).

Puerto Arista is located at coordinates 56'14 ° 15 "N 93 ° 48'35" W and about 21 kilometers southwest of the town of Tonala, close to the border of Chiapas to the state of Oaxaca, in an area of estuaries and coastal lagoons among which is called Dead Sea and 185 kilometers from the state capital, Tuxtla Gutierrez, according to the count of population and housing INEGI conducted in 2005 has a total of 865 inhabitants, is next to Puerto Madero (recently renamed Puerto Chiapas), one of only two state ports. 

The main economic activity in Puerto Arista is fishing recently has developed an incipient turisitica industry, Puerto Arista has several miles of beach that can be exploited for this purpose, tourist facilities are simple, one of its main attractions is that along with nearby tourist destination of Oaxaca, Puerto Arista records huge waves that attract surfers. 

Along with this, are also among its attractions visits to small coastal villages in the lakes surrounding the town, such as the Laguna La Joya, where you can taste typical dishes of the area, mostly seafood based; in all its variety, from shrimp, fish, with different types of seasoning and preparation.

En puerto arista radica uno de los mejores SEO's y programadores del estado chiapaneco llamado carlos julián.

Huatulco beach with more bays

Santa María Huatulco, aka Huatulco, is a municipality in Oaxaca (Mexico). It was founded about 489 years ago and has a population of 33,194 inhabitants. 

On January 8, 2011 celebrated the 472 anniversary of his qualifications as a people. 

The municipality of Santa María Huatulco is located approximately eight hours from the capital of the state. One of the cities with the highest population of the municipality is the Small cross, part of tourism development Huatulco. Every year thousands of tourists visit it. It has an international airport, the International Airport of Huatulco. 

Its main attraction is its 9 bays and 36 beaches. The bays are named: 

Rabbits: has two beautiful beaches: Playa Punta Arena and Rabbits; 

Tangolunda: Zapotec means "pretty woman"; considered the main hotel area of the municipality, with a golf course 18 hole par 72 course with beautiful sea view; 

Santa Cruz: has three beautiful beaches: Delivery, Peppermint and Punta Santa Cruz; is one of the largest bays in the place, since there is the dárcena or pier where you can catch all the boats and a cruise ship pier of international stature; 

Chahué: Zapotec means "fertile land" or "damp earth"; boasts a marina for yachts; 

Maguey: this beach about 500 meters long and 25-50 meters wide is visited because of the calm waters, the water is clear with green and blue hues, and has warm temperature; 

Body: virgin beach approximately 240 meters long and 20 meters wide; the slope is moderate, as the waves; 

Cacaluta: Zapotec means "black bird" or Cacalote; receives every year to various migratory birds; 

Chachacual: a large ecological reserve is integrated to Huatulco National Park; has two attractive pristine beaches: Chachacual and India; to date the only access is by sea; 

St. Augustine: with approximately 1,500 meters long and 20-80 meters wide, has a white coral reef just a few meters offshore; has two beaches: San Augustine and Cacalutilla. 

Huatulco has a high potential for ecotourism, stand out in this kind of business on the tour to the magical waterfalls Copalitilla, the bike tour, rappelling, ziplining, horseback tour, Mayan Temazcal Santa Cruz, bird watching, etc.. We also have been developing for some years ago community tourism activities, which consist in learning about community life surrounding tourism development.

Puerto Vallarta tourists dream

Puerto Vallarta is a city and one of the 125 municipalities in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The municipality is located in the North Coast region of the state. Bordered on the north by the state of Nayarit, on the south by the municipality of Cabo Corrientes and Talpa de Allende; east with San Sebastian and Mascota and west by the Pacific Ocean.

In 2005, the town had an estimated population of 307.107 people and five million tourists annually. Together with the municipality of Bahia de Banderas Nayarit state, forming the Metropolitan Area of Puerto Vallarta making it the second most populous in the two states. Also the town is one of the highest population growth recorded in the state, even greater than the central municipalities.

It is the second largest in the state of Jalisco economic zone and the third most important port in Mexico. Currently, it is one of the most visited places in the country. The name of this beautiful harbor is embodied in several popular songs.

Tourism is one of the main factors for the economic development of the municipality. Puerto Vallarta offers its residents and visitors a number of beaches that are visited daily. Here you can admire many natural beauties, historic monuments and works of art, which attracts many domestic and foreign tourists. Tourism is widely promoted in Puerto Vallarta, as the municipality also has areas for nudists beaches and green mountains with beautiful scenery, which makes it widely attractive to this economic activity. 

Also, historical and widely significant buildings, art, customs, traditions and very own Puerto Vallarta legends, without ignoring national and international events are held here, account for residents and tourists a focus of very interesting attraction. 

Given its geographical location, at the bottom of the Bay of Banderas, Puerto Vallarta is almost never directly hit by hurricanes. However, on Friday, October 25, 2002 Hurricane Kenna, the third most powerful in the recent history of Mexico, 3 after changing direction abruptly landfall a short distance north of Puerto Vallarta, with winds up to 260 kilometers per hour and waves up to eight meters high, seriously affecting the port. 

Although no deaths were reported by the hurricane in the city if they were presented by the tsunami is estimated that more than 40 people were injured (source: Carlos Garcia, commander of Area 41 in Puerto Vallarta, Reuters) and damage materials amounted to 10 million dólares.4 essential tourist center, commercial and recreational activity, the Paseo Diaz Ordaz (commonly known as the Malecon) was the most affected.

Cancun Mexican tourism site

Cancun is a city of international tourism development certified by the World Organization Turism. Located on the northeast coast of Quintana Roo in eastern Mexico more than 1,700 km from Mexico City, the Project began operations in 1974 as Integrally Planned Center, a pioneer of FONATUR (National Fund for Tourism Development), formerly known as INFRATUR.

The tourism sector is the main source of revenue to the city and the municipality, making the engine of the economy Benito Juarez:

• In Cancun there are 181 hotels with 35,023 rooms and 380 restaurants. (Dec 2010).
• 3,004,802 visitors came to Cancun in 2007, an average of 190 flights per day (Dec 2009)
• The annual economic impact in Cancun from tourism is $ 3,072.21 million. (January-December 2007).
• The average annual expenditure per visitor only in Cancun is $ 1028.84. (January-December 2007).

Most hotels offer all-inclusive packages, to keep them in this area, allowing prices to rise. They usually have their own Marina services (water sports and entertainment) diving, snorkeling, food and beverages in general. Cancun has the most varied nightlife, over 10 discos, are clustered in an area known as the Party Center, in the heart of the Hotel Zone area.

Convention Centers

Cancún has two centers of international conventions; The first was founded in 1986, was designed taking into account the highest standards of architecture, technology and functionality in conducting conventions, events and exhibitions internationally. 

It consists of 6,500 square feet of convention areas, located in the "km 9" of the Hotel Zone; The second is one of the most important and largest in Latin America and the first to be called MESSE, by their European features, which was chosen to host the COP16 in Cancún in 2010, called Cancunmesse, because it has all the standard international and with a capacity of 60,000 m² roofing and more than 30,000 m² outdoors, the fairgrounds has a carrying capacity of 7 tons per m² and a headroom exhibit 9 meters, located 10 minutes from the International airport antre Puerto Morelos and Cancun.

Pok Ta Pok

The Golf Club Pok ta Pok was designed in 1976 by Robert Trent Jones. This club is not only the oldest but also the most prestigious golf courses from Cancun. The golf course is located along Cancun Island, with its 18 hole, par 72 Over four miles (from km 6 to 9) can be seen the field as he runs down the boulevard Kukulcan walk or vehicle.

Trading Places 

Certainly constitute a tourist attraction for visitors and locals because of the attractions that each contains, besides shopping. In the hotel area there are three main squares (La Isla and Kukulkan Plaza Caracol Square) offer any kind of goods and services, plus aquarium, restaurants and prestigious department stores.

In the downtown area (urban) are most diverse places inside department stores and self-service stores and boutiques varieties. Among the most recognized and visited places are Plaza las Americas Cancun Mall Square (Plaza las Americas II), Square stores (formerly Square cancún 2000), Great Plaza, Square Outlet (formerly Square Walking Cancún) among other small shopping malls and tourism in the urban area.

The 8 best beaches in Acapulco

Meet and explores the eight best beaches of Acapulco. Each has a different character and a lot to offer ...

1.- BEACH countess 

This beach is located between the President and the Hotel Continental Plaza Hotel, in the Golden Zone of Acapulco Costera Miguel Aleman. There are several restaurants on the beach, some of which you can dine exquisite lobster. Youth and boisterous, all around there are places to dance and various sports such as jet skiing, water skiing, windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling and bungy jumping.

2.- OVENS BEACHES AND HORNITOS 


These two beaches are located opposite the Parque Papagayo and are among the most popular in Acapulco by the calm waters and soft sand. From there you have one of the most beautiful views of the harbor. It's fishing area and that also offer rides parachute.

3.- CALTEA And CALETILLA 

Two of the most traditional beaches of Acapulco. It uibican southwest of the city, called Traditional Acapulco. its waters are quiet and cozy because the island Rocket, which is just across the stream intersects the Pacific. Both are perfect for snorkeling.

4.- BEACH ICACOS 
It is the largest of Acapulco beach and is located on the east side of the bay. Start up Hotel President, where the surf is strong and ends ahead of Hyatt where the sea becomes tame. Ideal for water sports such as windsurfing. In this area CiCi is located.

5.- PUERTO MARQUES 

This is a small bay located to one side of Acapulco, with a calm sea and several beach restaurants where you can eat a good grilled fish. in calm water sports like skiing, jet skiing and diving practice.

6.- REVOLCADERO AND DIAMOND BEACH

The Wallow, a long stretch of open sea that is way to the airport and extends from Playa Diamante to Barra Vieja. On the beaches you can surf. Be careful when swimming as there can sometimes be dangerous. At the beach you will find the Hotel Pierre Marquis and a little further the Acapulco Princess Hotel with 18 hole green.

The Wallow is between Punta Diamante, west, east and Playa Diamante, which is part of what has been named as Acapulco Diamante.

7.- OLD BAR 

Strip that is 27 miles from Acapulco, around which the waters of Papagayo River and Tres Palos Lagoon meet, where it empties into the Pacific. Its long beach is ideal for horseback riding. It is said that here the fish size was invented.

8.- SKI SLOPE 

If you want to admire a beautiful sunset, do not stop going to Pie de la Cuesta; you can rent a hammock or beach chair and watch the fantastic show. Pie de la Cuesta is located a few miles north of Acapulco and divides the Pacific Coyuca Lagoon.

Cheap Travel - Our weekend by the Costa Brava

Two weekends ago we decided to run away from Barcelona (all our friends went to Primavera Sound) and get to know the Costa Brava, one of the areas of Catalunya where we had not been yet. We wanted to visit the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres and confidently through towns like Cadaqués or Castelló d'Empuries. So we seek our map of the Costa Brava and we quickly designed a mini route two days to spend the weekend. 

When we questioned with some acquaintances told once again phrases that we know quite well, "I do not know how to do", "is that you do not stop" etc. So we decided to make a post for our blog of trips in the detailed budget that weekend. How you can see we have not deprived of anything and has not been fired at all.

Cheap travel around the Costa Brava. The trip made me. Travel Blog 

Travel is always cheaper than taking glasses !!! 

It is clear that traveling is an activity that requires money but not as much as many people think. Our key to travel more often is the following. Try never to have drinks in the bars and nightlife (5 or 6am) at most once a month.

We are going to break down the budget of the trip for you to see that an awful lot of money is not necessary to spend a weekend traveling with a very acceptable level. For us car and hostel are in most cases the maximum comfort without falling into unnecessary expenses that can be categorized whim. At lunch we do not mind spending more money but transport and sleep the least.

On the Costa Brava there are many campsites but this time as it was one night sleeping in a hostel prefer to drive and despite having an acceptable public transport. We even pay a toll which is always a treat! Yet we have spent the same money if we had stayed in Barcelona to go one day (not three but only one) at Primavera Sound.

Tour of Costa Brava 

We do not usually plan too much travel but this time as they were only two days if we prepare it well enough to see all the sites that were worth. We discuss several in upcoming blog posts. I anticipate that we liked during our weekend by the Costa Brava was the Teatro-Museo Dali and were pleasantly surprised d'Empuries Castelló.

We left Barcelona on Sunday morning as we had decided it best to just one night away from home and we had free on Monday. The aim of the day was to visit the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres, eat on the beach and visit a few towns later.

In the end we actually remained all afternoon to go to Llançà, Cap de Creus and Cadaqués before going to Roses, where we had the pension. The initial idea was to sleep in Cadaqués but this change sleeping in another village 20 kms made ​​us to save about 20 €. Cadaqués is quite expensive and with our plan and taking car was just sleep somewhere in the other.

Fisherman houses in Cadaqués. The trip made me. Travel Blog.
Houses of fishermen and beach in Cadaqués

The day we prepare a large tortilla and dipped, water, beer, a bit of sausage, cheese and a bottle of wine for dinner in our fridge beach. We had seen that we had the terrace room and had to take it. Sausage, cheese and a good bottle of wine to look better in a city like Roses, foreigner-oriented, a good place for dinner.

On Monday the plan were Castelló d'Empuries, Sant Pere Pescador, L'Escala, Palamos and Tossa de Mar. In the end the news of the abdication meant that we would be on time for the event in Plaza de Catalunya at 20: 00h per so we skipped Palamos and spent very little time in Tossa de Mar.

This is our budget weekend. 

Car rental: 36 €. A Fiat Panda with the offer of 3 days Hertz weekend.

Gasoline: 45 €. We did over 400kms. We like the pandit because it is a lighter.

Toll. € 5. Do not usually take but wanted to get to the Teatro-Museo Dalí.

One night accommodation in Roses: 38 €. Breakfast. Booking Guesthouse in Marbella.

Purchase before leaving Barcelona: 8 €.

Bottle of wine: 10 €.

Two daily lunch menu Monday: 24 €.

Ice Cream, reeds, water, ice, bread: 20 €.

As you can see making a total of 186 €. Given that we have is not too concerned about saving us believe that the weekend comes to us at a great price. Most importantly, try to save meals in bars ... just 18 € purchase and bottle of wine would be 50 or 60 if Sunday we had eaten and dined at a bar instead of on the beach and in the hotel's terrace.

If you know any place more on the Costa Brava worth nombréis we hope that in the comments. We love discovering new places. You can also work to spread our blog and more people can read this post by sharing it on any social network. Thanks in advance !!!!

Finally we have left you a view of Cap de Creus. Worth relax with a beer in one of the chairs "design" from the terrace bar. Well ... I've already read everything. Do you think it or not you think a good example of cheap travel around the Costa Brava? What would you change for the Primavera Sound?

This trip has a special color. Galicia, Dublin, Chefchaouen, Burano

There are many reasons or factors that influence us when choosing our holiday destination: discover new places to live exciting experiences, contact with cultures different from our own, the beauty of the landscapes, parties, etc. In my case, I have always tried to combine a bit of each of these aspects: culture, cuisine, landscape, party and relax. 

One of the last trips I've done has been a road trip through northern Italy and Tuscany. I had long wanted to visit Venice and Florence and I was really tempting to tour the Chianti Valley drive with the wind hitting me in the face with the smell of freshly picked vine and grape and visit the city of Burano. There were many places we visited on this adventure and many memories returning to my memory. 

However, what caught my attention about this trip was the multitude of colors and color ranges that dominate the Italian landscape. This short reflection was led me to develop this collection of places where the color becomes the undisputed star of each.

Galicia and its picturesque fishing villages

Galicia travel in the months of July and August is always a good alternative if the traveler looking to eat well, disconnect from the bustle of the city and be enveloped by delightful scenery. The people of Galicia are not well connected and public transport leaves a lot to be desired, so if your intention is to reach the most spectacular and remote territory conquered by the Celts places, it is advisable to rent a car.

The interior of Galicia is green with high mountains and barely populated villages but with lovely people. The coast, meanwhile, fights between the Atlantic Ocean and the Cantabrian Sea cliffs, estuaries, headlands and lighthouses. While inland villages are characterized by stone manors, the Galician coast is notable for the variety of colors of the facades of their houses.

Unlike many other fishing villages of the Peninsula, as Tossa de Mar or Cadaqués in Catalonia whose houses are completely white; the dwellings of the Galician fishermen radiate color. There is no place in them for simplicity, consistency or trends in color ranges.

In the Costa Gallega, red blends with the sky blue, which in turn gives way to yellow and salmon. An example of this tradition can be seen in the towns of Cabo de Cruz and Escarabote, both parishes Boiro municipality located in the Ria de Arousa. Here it is easy to get "to Lola" or "to Pepita" because their facades are unique and customized nature of its tenants.

When we think Dublin is inevitable imagine a historic town with cobbled streets, siempe cloud cover and bathed in rainwater. Its inhabitants are famous for outgoing, friendly, cheerful and a great fondness for beer and whiskey. As we say in Galicia Galician, Irish can also be defined as "cans tavern." They love to be in bars, table and sharing pints is a form of social convention, a form of escape from the problems and enjoy the day.

Walking through the streets of Dublin, who has not met the stamp of a residential street where the door of each house is a different color? There are many stories about the reasons that led the Dubliners to paint their doors colors but undoubtedly the most recurrent of all is his fondness for drinking alcohol.

According to the stories of the locals that the doors were painted in colors to prevent drunkards returning from the pubs were wrong house. And is that the gossips say that on one occasion a drunk man came home one night, he lay in bed with his wife without realizing until the next day that he had accidentally gotten into the house next door and had just dawn at the home of their neighbors, so the wife decided to paint your door a deep red in order to return to her husband no wrong :)

Istanbul in three days

Why Istanbul in three days? Here we explain ... Istanbul was a town which got a bit of bounce. When you take our tickets for India was the best price on Turkish Airlines (highly recommended company) with a stopover in Istanbul. Said and done, instead of making a scale of a few hours we stopped three days and know the city. This scale is called longest stopover and I already talked about it in another post elviajemehizoami.com.

The route we are going to propose the basis of stay in the area of Topkapi, although you can adapt if you stay elsewhere. This neighborhood is the most conservative of Istanbul and is not a tourist all. So the prices are much lower than in the center and also the people are lovely. We were lucky enough to sleep in a friend's house (thanks Alejandro) but saw a hotel with the look of the area to be economical. If you can not you also give yourself and stay inside the Barceló Hotel Conrad Istanbul. Seek because the neighborhood is highly recommended.

The good thing about this neighborhood is that the burden of the sales center yet are very close. There is a tram that runs every three or four minutes and takes you to the major tourist attractions of the city. Remember buy you a transportation card as I indicated in the post of tips for traveling to Istanbul.

Visit Istanbul in three days

Without further our proposal we leave to visit Istanbul in three days. It involves stretching day early and butt. It has been noticed that this city was the first stop on our trip and arrived with a vengeance. Still think that the sites that we suggest are essential to be able to say you know the city.

Day 1 in Istanbul

First we recommend walking down from Topkapi to the historic area of the city as making contact with Istanbul. Just that you have to follow the long avenue that you drive the tram, no loss. Along the way you will find a tourist office where you get a map even if you do not have it.

Brisk walking this journey you can take an hour. To us it took more than two because we were stopping at shops and doing a lot of pictures since Gloria went crazy with sweets. pasareis you ahead of the Grand Bazaar but best left for another time. There will be time for shopping !! Do not be rushed.

Always following the tram will arrive to Sultanahmet Square which houses two of the greatest symbols of the city: the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Museum housed in an imposing building that has been church and mosque. We visited both places but 10 Euros Santa Sofia sting a little. Or before or after visiting Sultanahmet longer lunchtime. On the sides of the square there are many sites to suit all budgets. They are very touristy but is expensive and at least we ate well in which we choose.

After that continue to follow the tramline. From the square begins a steep descent. On the right is the Topkapi Palace. We do not enter here in the gardens but we miss a good nap in the shade. To end the day keep on going down to the harbor area of Eminonu and search boats that make fish sandwiches. They are very rich !! Once the sandwich digested seek a tram stop and back to the Topkapi district. If you left hungry can always drop a kebap to reach the neighborhood as was our case.

Day 2 in Istanbul

Turkish sweets are very rich so a little Investigate any cafe for breakfast. After breakfast Take the tram to Eminonu area which is near the harbor where the fish sandwiches. Today is the day that you should try to attend a mosque at prayer time so it should not be Friday.

The first thing we suggest is to visit the Mosque Yeni Mosque which is right across from where you ate the fish sandwiches. After seeing the mosque seek the Spice Bazaar as first contact with the purchases, if you have not already had.

After that we suggest a walk to the Mosque Suleimaniye through an area full of shops. These stores are cheaper than the Spice Bazaar and much cheaper than the Grand Bazaar. At the entrance to the mosque is a beautiful cemetery. We recommend cross it to get an idea of ​​how a Muslim cemetery.

Leaving the mosque dad walking across campus to reach the Grand Bazaar and decide how long you want to use in walk there. We expected something else and also found it quite expensive so we lasted little inside. Of course the surroundings there are very nice people places to eat. After eating Take the tram to cross the Galata Bridge. You will reach the modern part of Istanbul. We recommend you walk to the Galata Tower. We do not pay the entrance to climb but did not look bad sight. For many streets around vintage shops.

After browsing take up a long shopping street called Istiklal that will take you to Taksim Square. We draw much attention suddenly will seem to have returned to any Western city. On this street, and western stores or chains like Mango HyM the historic tram that runs and a church in the center of the stand.

To end the day we suggest two options. The first is getting lost in the streets coming out of this shopping street, beers and snacks. The second is to take a taxi to Ortakoy area, just below the bridge over the Bosphorus. The views are beautiful and there are many places to drink and dine along with a mosque just restore. Of course you will have to also return by taxi. We did both but got almost two in the morning !!

Day 3 in Istanbul

The third day we recommend breakfast the same way as the day before. That if madrugueis need not if you do not fancy since the route that we propose is shorter. Come down to the port area of Eminonu and flag down the boat up into the Golden Horn.'s A ride that lasts no more than 45 mnutos and worth.

After get off the boat Take the funicular up to Pierre Lotti. It is a quiet gazebo is on top of a graveyard. The place is tempting to assail a snack mid-morning although it is expensive because it has a great view of Istanbul.

From there it is best for you to take a taxi down to the site that you want. Perhaps now is a good time to return to the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar to finish making a purchase. Elijáis elijáis what must go away approaching the port to take the ferry to the Asian side.

You must montaros on the ferry to Uskudar. We stroll it almost unnecessary to pay money for a cruise on the Bosphorus. Just get off there is a fish bazaar where you can choose the one you feel like that when you do if you come to lunch. The attractions of the Asian side are reduced to the lighthouse and watch the sunset from some bleachers installed around so maybe it's better leave it for the afternoon.

Tas watch the sunset shout where you take the Marmalay. It is a subway going under the water and that will take you back to the European side in 10 minutes. In our case we did a transfer to take the tram back to our beloved neighborhood Topkapi, we ate a late kebap backpack and prepared to leave the next morning.

Church in Chiapas, Mexico

San Juan Chamula is a village which is located 11 kilometers from the city of San Cristobal de Las Casas in the Mexican state of Chiapas. It owes its fame to the magical atmosphere that permeates his temple, the church of San Juan Bautista, better known as the Church of San Juan Chamula. This place is portrayed in numerous publications and travel blogs.

San Juan Chamula. The NatureI did to me. Travel Blog.

San Juan Chamula.

The ancient inhabitants of the area were among the last to succumb to Maya Spanish and his rebellious spirit has been revived since the city holds a special autonomous status within Mexico. So in terms of religion, the church of San Juan Chamula has gained legendary status due to its complex mixture of Christian and pagan beliefs.

The church is located on the main square of the city, and tickets cost about 10 pesos to be paid at City Hall but I think I got sneak in without paying. Outside, the church of San Juan Chamula is like most Christian churches of its period.

San Juan Chamula. The NatureI did to me. Travel Blog.
Outside of San Juan Chamula.

San Juan Chamula: ritual

Upon entering the church, I immediately realized that actually is not a Christian church use. Inside there are no banks and the ground is always covered with pine needles. Sitting on the pine needles were several groups of people, each with its own shaman.

The air was always full of the scent of incense and myrrh, give San Juan Chamula a mystical aspect. There is also no electricity, only hundreds of candles of different colors, depending on the request made to the gods, as they explained later.

As I mentioned before, on the floor of the church many candles line and shamans burn incense to achieve the right mood for healing and prayer. Meanwhile pox drink, an alcohol sugar cane and pineapple.

Also pour the drink on the floor because their beliefs are that the Saints are more likely to grant favors when they have drunk a little. It's like the drunk wanted ... The shaman also sings the names of saints and seeking help when a person is very sick shaman provides the life of a chicken to the gods, which is quite funny to watch. To me it did not touch me but it is usual to find a shaman twisting his neck.

The use of cameras is totally prohibited inside of San Juan Chamula although there are numerous internet images as illustrating this post. If you do not respect this rule you risk being hit, or they destroy your camera as the question of images to Chamula is of the utmost gravity. They think the camera will steal your soul.

Finally, it is very interesting the introduction of Coca Cola in religion. As the pagan rite Christianity mixed with purified considered to burp, you can see old ladies drinking Coca Cola and then burping while praying in the Church.

One day live in chile

Yesterday I was reading soup and get up at 8:00 winked heat. As in the hostel are all foreigners, the noises start early. Breakfast at the Eco Hostel quite wealthy. 

For some strange reason, after 13 years without drinking coffee, I tend to take a bowl of breakfast. I do not understand. It is very rich, but I get a slight agitón that lasts me until midmorning. 

Lingered a little hostel (internet, Lonely Planet ...) and I start to think about where I'm going. My initial plan to see Atacama and Torres del Paine is obviously crazy to do in 15 days, since the 4000 kilometers apart, so I have to go for more affordable goals with less hours of travel. After reading quite decide I'll go slowly to the south, and we'll see. 

First destination: Altos del Lircay National Reserve. Ralf and Uli also there today, but will stay in Talca a week while I go directly to the mountain. I say goodbye to them, but speak as it is easy to see that sometime in Asturias. 

Meeting a brochure hostel somewhere to rent bikes is relatively close EcoHostel: La Bicicleta Verde. Cheapest ($ 12,000 for 24 hours) are a heavy iron bars with brake contrapedal, little basket up front, low bar, wide seat and single speed. But I have a bike. 

Mapocho river 

Under a scorching sun give a tour of Santiago in search of mountaineering equipment shop second hand I located on the bulletin board in the dining room of the hostel. No suit or bivy pad and expected to find something cheap, but it's locked, but today is not a holiday. As it is near the Plaza de Brazil in the orchard street 1973, take the opportunity to see the western part of the city to the Quinta Normal Park, past the Palacio de la Moneda (funny to see him live when the image we have all Palace is fuming and Allende with helmet and machine gun). 

I learn that Ricardo Villalobos clicks on a big party the 9th, in the former Mapocho Train Station. Also at the International Theatre Festival Santiago a Mil come Royal de Luxe, the huge French puppets, but ends meet. Cagondiola, with the desire that I have to see them for years. 

Leo on the LP "cafes with legs", but I'm pretty nosequé go to one, and even more alone, but I'm curious. 

Chinese rich 

I see the same as pigeons and sparrows in Europe, but the city blackbirds are different and do not see any corvid. The equivalent of the posers are tiuques, a small prey walking on the ground. 

The snuff is sold in supermarkets, kiosks and bars. I ask the most popular and give me one called Kent Silver 4, but I do not like. Not a posh strip, so I remove the filter and even with those. 

I keep wandering with the bike and I am speaking of a bar called the LP The Piojera and reminds me of La Perla, which was opposite the Campoamor, only bigger. One customer looks a lot Paco Rabal. 

buffalo 

I ask for a glass of chicha, which here is of red grapes, and do not know if the heat for having not eaten, or to live up to the name of the establishment, but leave enough room louse. 

Next tour stop, the Central Market. It is the fish market; cool to see the posts because there are very different things; for starters, the mussels are as big as a shoe, but also clams and llámparas are enormous. The names of things have nothing to do with those of Asturias. 

In the center is a fucked Market Square restaurants. I sit and ask crab and white wine, but it's a shit, with less flavor than the worst French crab farm. Maybe I should have asked more. Let's see if I have better luck in the south. 

Phew 

I call Nicole, the Chilean who lived on the floor of Borja in Madrid. I bought a card for $ 2,000, but calling is a mess, because you have to score 2 codes 10 digits, but then you have to add a prefix or other or none depending on calling a cell to a fixed local, provincial, national ... a mess. As the place was closed and were almost all bars around, we're going to the Plaza Providencia, decking area, they drive and bike. Had a few chelas (reeds) and as a full (hot dog with sauerkraut and avocado -aguacate-). I'm pretty tired, so at 1:30 I ride a bike to the hostel, enjoying the night bike ride. Today I did, to the posh, 63 km bike, only city. 

I note that abounds among overweight chicks, but not in males. Aunts, regardless of complexion, boast a very generous bust. In general tend to have a pretty mouth. For the guys, however, I see fucking ugly; In addition, most have very squeaky voice. The thin heels do not succeed here. Most people with pints, but much tattoo is not seen, the latter more or less as in Spain.

One of my trips to China

During the two-plus years I have lived in China, I have accumulated over 300 hours by train, most of which spent in sleeper cars, because of the long journey times. 

The longest trip I've done was he who took me from Wuhan to Kunming in June 2012, which had no less than 32 hours. However, the truth is that I keep a relatively friendly memory of that trip, which my girlfriend and I met very interesting people you could practice Chinese for a while. 

Curiously, the worst trip I've had so far was only 7 hours, and I know this is a chance to make these easy to the theory of relativity Einstein references, but instead I I will just use the illustrious words "made ​​me longer than the football field Oliver and Benji." 

Today, the stretch that separates Wuhan Yichang (Hubei) can be done in just over two hours riding on high-speed rail, but this Chinese New Year of 2012 we only had the option of traveling in a Category K, one of the lowest, and completely unmatched in performance and comfort at high speed lines. 

I remember someone had warned me that after Chinese New Year, which starts the holiday season for most workers, cleaning and maintenance of the trains menial suffered considerable "down". However, at that time (innocent me) did not give too much importance to the matter, and even took me pretty much at the advice of my girlfriend, who was waiting in Yichang, about whether to lie down to sleep early. 

Instead, I spent the night imagining the expected meeting with her, which had been separated a couple of weeks, and barely slept more than 4 hours on the mattress, stiff as a board, having on that disastrous single room he rented at Wuhan University. 

At least, I had responsibility for printing the tickets that my partner booked a week ago, so the ration of madness in taxi queues of travelers and police checkpoints to reach the waiting room was far less unnerving than I could have assumed otherwise (an impossible during the holidays the "Spring Festival" feat). 

Apart from the inevitable jostling during boarding, everything went as planned, and nothing happened to what was already used for other trips, like that first led me from Beijing to Wuhan. But as I got into the car and went to the seat that was going to take, I realized what it was all very enmarranado around me, and as I began to regret not having enough rest at night. 

True, when one travels in a train of the Mao era, and it does so in the form of "hard seat" does not expect just to be surrounded by glamor, but I promise that this car appeared to have been prepared on purpose to shoot a what horror movie Robert Rodriguez.