Road Trip Finale

Last Friday we left Angangueo to go to Cuernavaca. Husband was adamant that we avoid Mexico City so the route we selected was intentionally “round about” however our 4-6 hour drive turned into one of our worst navigational attempts. Suffice it to say we missed many turns, back tracked and were generally frustrated. My last word is avoid the "Yellow Roads." We left at 7:30am and arrived at 5:30pm. We did give the boys Dramamine so they did not get car sick and slept the 1st 4 hours.

Las Estacas
We went through Cuernavaca to Tlaltizapán to Las Estacas to camp and explore the balnearo (swimming park.) We finally got to use our pop-up camper that we had hauled all over Mexico! The irony is this was the most expensive place so far and we were camping!!

This balnearo is spectacular – really. There are 300 year old palm trees brought in from Madagascar, 1,000 year old local trees, a crystal clear river for all kinds of water activities, mini-golf, restaurant, hotel, camp ground, cappuccino bar, gift shop, horses, hotel, spa and on and on.

We decided to spend Saturday at Las Estacas. We did the following:
· Mini-golf
· Raft ride with guide telling history of the balnearo
· Oldest Son flying out on trapeze swing and dropping into river
· Both boys (and Mommy) riding on trees swings over river and sometimes dropping in
· Mommy and boys taking raft down river – mostly Mommy doing the “taking” with oars
· Jumping off diving platform into river
· Playing in large kids water area
· Oldest Son doing zip line trapeze into river
· Boys watching Finding Nemo (in Spanish) while Mommy & Husband had drink at bar
· Youngest Son and Mommy going to bonfire for singing and marshmallows (Oldest Son too tired)

This place clearly caters to Mexico’s upper end. Even the camping area had 40+ tents that were nicer than some homes I have seen in Mexico (like you would buy at REI.)

The boys were thrilled to camp for 2 nights and play in water all day. We did have a great time.










Xochimilco
We left Las Estacas Sunday morning by 7:45am and headed south to Xochimilco, our last excursion. We had the usual logistical snafu. We missed the exit which was right at a toll booth. So we ended up paying 5 tolls versus 2 – all well. It was well worth the stop.
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Xochimilco is the 4th most significant archeological site according to the guide we engaged. It had a sophisticated museum of Mayan artifacts and the site itself was impressive. We spent over 2 hours learning many historical facts and exploring.

Even among all this Pyramid splendor, the boys alternatively discovered Ant Lions and seemed just as interested in sticking small sticks in small holes to lure out the small creatures.

Journey Home
We stopped for the night in Ixtapa – what a zoo – ugh. After the Colonial villages, mountains and locals, Ixtapa was a shock back to American tourism.

Monday morning we left for our Pacific Coast Mexican Casa. The drive along coast line is very beautiful but very curvy. Youngest Son was car sick again – we did have the vomit bucket but obviously forgot the Dramamine. He is quite the little trooper and recovered quickly.

What’s Next …
We are home now. Atlanta friends arrive tomorrow. We are excited to see Atlanta Mom, Atlanta Dad, Atlanta Oldest Son (age 11), Atlanta Middle Son (age 8) and Atlanta Youngest Daughter (age 6).

We also have a dryer not working - hanging clothes to dry - very Mexican of us ...