A month in Mexico
Oct 16th, 2024, 07:16 AM
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A month in Mexico
We head off on Friday on our second trip to Mexico. A big thank you to all of you that responded to my many questions during the planning of this trip. My intention is to post here as we go and possibly on our blog as well.
Using an Amex Avios companion voucher, I managed to secure business class flights with Iberia from Madrid to MEX. I did look at booking from LHR to MEX with BA but found that going with Iberia used roughly half the points and saved some 50% in airport taxes. The tax saving alone paid for our hotels in Madrid and the economy class flights with BA. Looking forward to Madrid- it’s been a while..
I scheduled this trip so we would be in Mexico for the Dia del Muertos celebrations which we narrowly missed on our last visit. The original plan was to be in Oaxaca for those celebrations but hotel rates for that time were through the roof so my plan B was to spend that time in Merida where it is known as Hanal Pixan. Just received the schedule for the celebrations and it looks like a lot of fun!
After much vacillation I decided on the following itinerary
2 nts Madrid
5 nts Puebla
4nts Oaxaca
6nts Merida
4nts Campeche
2nts Merida
5 nts Mexico City
1 nt Madrid
Some places we are revisiting, some are new to us. We will be meeting up with three of Carolyn’s nieces for a few days each in Puebla, Oaxaca and Merida as they are on the last leg of their gap year. Having been following their travels on instagram I am not sure I can handle the pace they set but will give it a go. Wish me luck😂🍷🥳
Using an Amex Avios companion voucher, I managed to secure business class flights with Iberia from Madrid to MEX. I did look at booking from LHR to MEX with BA but found that going with Iberia used roughly half the points and saved some 50% in airport taxes. The tax saving alone paid for our hotels in Madrid and the economy class flights with BA. Looking forward to Madrid- it’s been a while..
I scheduled this trip so we would be in Mexico for the Dia del Muertos celebrations which we narrowly missed on our last visit. The original plan was to be in Oaxaca for those celebrations but hotel rates for that time were through the roof so my plan B was to spend that time in Merida where it is known as Hanal Pixan. Just received the schedule for the celebrations and it looks like a lot of fun!
After much vacillation I decided on the following itinerary
2 nts Madrid
5 nts Puebla
4nts Oaxaca
6nts Merida
4nts Campeche
2nts Merida
5 nts Mexico City
1 nt Madrid
Some places we are revisiting, some are new to us. We will be meeting up with three of Carolyn’s nieces for a few days each in Puebla, Oaxaca and Merida as they are on the last leg of their gap year. Having been following their travels on instagram I am not sure I can handle the pace they set but will give it a go. Wish me luck😂🍷🥳
Last edited by crellston; Oct 16th, 2024 at 07:18 AM.
Oct 16th, 2024, 10:55 AM
#3
I’m particularly interested in reading what you have to say about Puebla. I see you have one night longer there than Oaxaca & while people seem to love Puebla I’m not sure exactly why. Looking forward to being enlightened.
Oct 19th, 2024, 05:22 PM
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We are going to Publa end October for 3 nights before travelling to Oaxaca for Day of the Dead. My wife is seriously excited about the food and has found fabulous restaurants. I am excited abut Cholula (world's largest pyramid) and 2 churches close by that are supposed to be stunning, plus all the sites from North America's oldest library to stunning cathedrals and markets all within close walking distance of the Zocalo. I think for us an additional day or two would have been ideal, bit it ddn't work out.
- R.
- R.
Oct 20th, 2024, 03:24 AM
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We are going to Publa end October for 3 nights before travelling to Oaxaca for Day of the Dead. My wife is seriously excited about the food and has found fabulous restaurants. I am excited abut Cholula (world's largest pyramid) and 2 churches close by that are supposed to be stunning, plus all the sites from North America's oldest library to stunning cathedrals and markets all within close walking distance of the Zocalo. I think for us an additional day or two would have been ideal, bit it ddn't work out.
- R.
- R.
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Oct 22nd, 2024, 03:35 PM
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After a very pleasant 48hours in Madrid doing nothing very special, except wandering the streets, enjoying some great food and wine, we headed off to MAD and our 11 hours Iberia flight to Mex.
I have to say, we were very impressed with Iberia. The business class lounge was excellent, the new cabin on the A350 was excellent as was the service. Thank you Avios points! The flight was delayed by some 40 mins which put in jeopardy our planned reunion with our three nieces in Puebla
However, thanks to some detailed instructions from a guy on the TripAdvisor Mexico forum we managed to find the Ado bus terminal in record time and got our planned bus with literally seconds to spare!
3 hours, one bus and one taxi later we were in our hotel, met our nieces and were sipping mescal and eating some excellent poblano food in a Mescaleria that had been recommended to me. Then the jet-lag began to rear its ugly head! At 11pm we decided to call it a day and headed back to the hotel. 24 hours on the road, even for a chronic insomniac like me, does take its toll…
We had one day with our nieces before they headed off to Oaxaca. The intention was to take them out to Atlixco, a Pueblo Magico and hour away but the weather was awful - the first time we have seen rain in Mexico. We decided instead to get an Uber out to Cholula as that was one place they wanted to see. Rained the whole time but we still made it up to the church atop the pyramid.
Mid afternoon we headed back to Puebla had a spot of lunch near Mercado Carmen ( the food stalls had closed by the time we got there but we lucked out with a menu for 75 pesos which was really excellent- the food kept on coming!
After our latest lunch picked up a local sim and then just gave up the struggle and headed to the hotel for a siesta.
I have to say, we were very impressed with Iberia. The business class lounge was excellent, the new cabin on the A350 was excellent as was the service. Thank you Avios points! The flight was delayed by some 40 mins which put in jeopardy our planned reunion with our three nieces in Puebla
However, thanks to some detailed instructions from a guy on the TripAdvisor Mexico forum we managed to find the Ado bus terminal in record time and got our planned bus with literally seconds to spare!
3 hours, one bus and one taxi later we were in our hotel, met our nieces and were sipping mescal and eating some excellent poblano food in a Mescaleria that had been recommended to me. Then the jet-lag began to rear its ugly head! At 11pm we decided to call it a day and headed back to the hotel. 24 hours on the road, even for a chronic insomniac like me, does take its toll…
We had one day with our nieces before they headed off to Oaxaca. The intention was to take them out to Atlixco, a Pueblo Magico and hour away but the weather was awful - the first time we have seen rain in Mexico. We decided instead to get an Uber out to Cholula as that was one place they wanted to see. Rained the whole time but we still made it up to the church atop the pyramid.
Mid afternoon we headed back to Puebla had a spot of lunch near Mercado Carmen ( the food stalls had closed by the time we got there but we lucked out with a menu for 75 pesos which was really excellent- the food kept on coming!
After our latest lunch picked up a local sim and then just gave up the struggle and headed to the hotel for a siesta.
Nov 2nd, 2024, 06:40 AM
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Another cruise!!! Where to this time?😁
I have been remiss in updating this TR. My only excuse is that I picked up a bug on the flight here which, combined with the inevitable jet lag has had me feeling like crap since I got here! Hopefully, I have turned the corner and will start posting today. Despite this, having a great time ( possibly due in no small measure to copious quantities of Mezcal!
I have been remiss in updating this TR. My only excuse is that I picked up a bug on the flight here which, combined with the inevitable jet lag has had me feeling like crap since I got here! Hopefully, I have turned the corner and will start posting today. Despite this, having a great time ( possibly due in no small measure to copious quantities of Mezcal!
Nov 2nd, 2024, 08:52 AM
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Puebla was very much gearing up for the Dia del Los Muertos celebrations. Every day more bunting went up and more and more Katrinas magically appeared on the streets. Our second visit to Puebla, mainly at Carolyn’s instigation , but I have grown to love the place to. So much more manageable than CDMX, great restaurants and a good launch pad for various Pueblo Magicos. A downside for visitors is that it is very quiet weekdays Mon-Thursdays with few bars open and some restaurants closed.
In those restaurants that were open, the food was superb and great value. For anyone visiting that likes seafood, check out El Guero Marinero. For superb, very inexpensive seafood. lots of Mescalerias around - the range on offer is bewildering and the prices range from v cheap to eye-wateringly expensive.
On our second night in the city we had a major panic coming back from dinner. On returning to our room I noticed that my bag containing passports, credit cards, plus, somewhat bizzarely, a pair of trousers had gone missing. Searched the room three times over and then went to reception to get them to call the police which they seemed reluctant to do. I left Carolyn trying to persuade them and went back for a fourth search. it was then I noticed that our high tech room had automatically closed the window blind. The blind was an identical colour to the wall so was barely noticeable. I raised the blind and there was my bag and trousers where I had left them. Boy, did I feel stupid!
One museum we particularly enjoyed was Museo Amporo quite close to our hotel. In addition to the exhibits which are quite stunning , there are some fantastic views to be had from the rooftop cafe over the domes of the cathedral and zocalo.
A few photos below. A link to Carolyn’s Instagram page where she is posting a few videos and reel as we go
https://www.instagram.com/accidental...Z5NmF1aGE0OTRz
From Museo Amporo
Katrinas everywhere
Celebrations are starting
Amazing how many mescal based cocktails barmen can dream up. Grasshopper salt rim is a new one on me! We bought some to take back home!
Amazing octopus at El Guero Marinero
We love markets
So many KatrinasMe
So many Mescals
Divine shrimp cocktail
Best raw fish outside of Japan ( so far!)
Rooftop view from Museo Amporo
In those restaurants that were open, the food was superb and great value. For anyone visiting that likes seafood, check out El Guero Marinero. For superb, very inexpensive seafood. lots of Mescalerias around - the range on offer is bewildering and the prices range from v cheap to eye-wateringly expensive.
On our second night in the city we had a major panic coming back from dinner. On returning to our room I noticed that my bag containing passports, credit cards, plus, somewhat bizzarely, a pair of trousers had gone missing. Searched the room three times over and then went to reception to get them to call the police which they seemed reluctant to do. I left Carolyn trying to persuade them and went back for a fourth search. it was then I noticed that our high tech room had automatically closed the window blind. The blind was an identical colour to the wall so was barely noticeable. I raised the blind and there was my bag and trousers where I had left them. Boy, did I feel stupid!
One museum we particularly enjoyed was Museo Amporo quite close to our hotel. In addition to the exhibits which are quite stunning , there are some fantastic views to be had from the rooftop cafe over the domes of the cathedral and zocalo.
A few photos below. A link to Carolyn’s Instagram page where she is posting a few videos and reel as we go
https://www.instagram.com/accidental...Z5NmF1aGE0OTRz
From Museo Amporo
Katrinas everywhere
Celebrations are starting
Amazing how many mescal based cocktails barmen can dream up. Grasshopper salt rim is a new one on me! We bought some to take back home!
Amazing octopus at El Guero Marinero
We love markets
So many KatrinasMe
So many Mescals
Divine shrimp cocktail
Best raw fish outside of Japan ( so far!)
Rooftop view from Museo Amporo
Nov 2nd, 2024, 09:14 AM
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Another cruise!!! Where to this time?😁
I have been remiss in updating this TR. My only excuse is that I picked up a bug on the flight here which, combined with the inevitable jet lag has had me feeling like crap since I got here! Hopefully, I have turned the corner and will start posting today. Despite this, having a great time ( possibly due in no small measure to copious quantities of Mezcal!
I have been remiss in updating this TR. My only excuse is that I picked up a bug on the flight here which, combined with the inevitable jet lag has had me feeling like crap since I got here! Hopefully, I have turned the corner and will start posting today. Despite this, having a great time ( possibly due in no small measure to copious quantities of Mezcal!
Nov 2nd, 2024, 10:00 AM
#13
Good to see you. I am sure the mezcal is helping. A friend claims that drinking a shot after dinner is a sure way to kill tummy bugs. Glad Puebla is growing on you. If you recall, I preferred it to Oaxaca.
Cruise was Vancouver to Alaska, trans-Pacific crossing, and Hawaii. No northern lights (again), but we did have several unusually clear days in addition to a few brushes with the tail of a Bering Sea storm. I may eventually post a few photos under the Cruise Forum. Or not.
Cruise was Vancouver to Alaska, trans-Pacific crossing, and Hawaii. No northern lights (again), but we did have several unusually clear days in addition to a few brushes with the tail of a Bering Sea storm. I may eventually post a few photos under the Cruise Forum. Or not.
Nov 2nd, 2024, 10:43 PM
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Baldone - I have herd worse philosophies of life!
mlgb - I do recall you being a fan of Puebla. I still prefer Oaxaca I think but prefer both to Merida where I am at present. Upon reflection, I am glad I heeded the words of yestravel and reduced our planned time here, but more on that later.
mlgb - I do recall you being a fan of Puebla. I still prefer Oaxaca I think but prefer both to Merida where I am at present. Upon reflection, I am glad I heeded the words of yestravel and reduced our planned time here, but more on that later.
Nov 3rd, 2024, 04:09 AM
#15
Baldone - I have herd worse philosophies of life!
mlgb - I do recall you being a fan of Puebla. I still prefer Oaxaca I think but prefer both to Merida where I am at present. Upon reflection, I am glad I heeded the words of yestravel and reduced our planned time here, but more on that later.
mlgb - I do recall you being a fan of Puebla. I still prefer Oaxaca I think but prefer both to Merida where I am at present. Upon reflection, I am glad I heeded the words of yestravel and reduced our planned time here, but more on that later.
Nov 3rd, 2024, 07:58 AM
#16
We never stopped in Merida during our Yucatan Peninsula tour, just a drive by between ruins/beaches and forest reserves. Is it just too bloody hot? Looking forward to your impressions. I hope you made it to Uxmal.
Nov 3rd, 2024, 11:52 PM
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Crellston - Loving the pictures of Puebla. We haven't visited there yet but it's on our list. Will look forward to your report on Merida. We are headed there in two months. All the food pictures are great. Boy, when you buy a chicken in Mexico you know you are getting a chicken, unlike the nice separated packages of chicken we get in our markets. Have fun my friend
Nov 12th, 2024, 08:58 AM
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Thanks Tdiddy, will do. Food is one of the things we love about this country. Neck and neck with Vietnam as a favourite food destination ( and Taiwan, Japan, Peru …..😍
From Puebla we Ubered to the ADO bus station for the five hour ride to Oaxaca. Uber is great in Mexico but the Ado buses, not as great as I remember. All have been late and not as comfortable as I recall. Perfectly adequate though.
It is our second time in the city and the second time we would meet up with our nieces for a night out on the town ( not sure I can keep up the pace!)
We originally planned to experience the Dia de Los Muertos celebrations here but accommodation was incredibly expensive over that period. The days in the run up to the celebrations were also, only slightly less expensive, but I managed to find a two bedroom apartment for our four nights which was exceptionally good value and as it turned out, was also a fantastic place to stay. As it turned out the two bedrooms were a blessing for two people coughing and sneezing at night! We ate out the whole time but nice to have the kitchen for coffee and tea. Great location too, maybe four blocks from the Zocalo. It adjoined a church which was nice until the priest delivered his Sunday sermon for a whole hour on the Sunday in the most boring monotone voice I have ever heard. We could hear every word! I felt for the congregation. That aside a great place to stay. If anyone is interested in a simple but nice old style courtyard apartment, let me know.
That night we met up with the Global_Girlies at a local rooftop bar. Very friendly, very spit and sawdust. Delightful snacks free with each drink - we had a lot of snacks 🤣before heading to the Zocalo to soak up the atmosphere.
From Puebla we Ubered to the ADO bus station for the five hour ride to Oaxaca. Uber is great in Mexico but the Ado buses, not as great as I remember. All have been late and not as comfortable as I recall. Perfectly adequate though.
It is our second time in the city and the second time we would meet up with our nieces for a night out on the town ( not sure I can keep up the pace!)
We originally planned to experience the Dia de Los Muertos celebrations here but accommodation was incredibly expensive over that period. The days in the run up to the celebrations were also, only slightly less expensive, but I managed to find a two bedroom apartment for our four nights which was exceptionally good value and as it turned out, was also a fantastic place to stay. As it turned out the two bedrooms were a blessing for two people coughing and sneezing at night! We ate out the whole time but nice to have the kitchen for coffee and tea. Great location too, maybe four blocks from the Zocalo. It adjoined a church which was nice until the priest delivered his Sunday sermon for a whole hour on the Sunday in the most boring monotone voice I have ever heard. We could hear every word! I felt for the congregation. That aside a great place to stay. If anyone is interested in a simple but nice old style courtyard apartment, let me know.
That night we met up with the Global_Girlies at a local rooftop bar. Very friendly, very spit and sawdust. Delightful snacks free with each drink - we had a lot of snacks 🤣before heading to the Zocalo to soak up the atmosphere.
Nov 13th, 2024, 06:49 AM
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A few Oaxaca pics:
Katrinas everywhere
View from Museo de Cultura
Museo de Cultura
Cathedral
Wedding party
View from Museo de Cultura
Cantina near market - known for its in bar urinal!!
Monte Alban
Bugs anyone?
Zocalo, morning after the night before
Zocalo statue alley
Katrinas everywhere
View from Museo de Cultura
Museo de Cultura
Cathedral
Wedding party
View from Museo de Cultura
Cantina near market - known for its in bar urinal!!
Monte Alban
Bugs anyone?
Zocalo, morning after the night before
Zocalo statue alley
Nov 13th, 2024, 02:00 PM
#20
Thanks for the photos of the always enchanting Oaxaca. I've been now four times starting in the early 1990's when it was a sleepy village. It's different with each visit, the last being FEb 2024, but still a fun place to visit.
