It rained hard all night so we cancelled our plans to go early to the Cave of the Swallows. And, because the forecast was hard rain all day, we decided to stay put in Aquismon for another day instead of risking our necks riding from 600ft to 10,000+ft and back down, on tight tight twisties and fog and rain.
So, we hired Felix as our driver and decided to face the rain and go see the Cave of Swallows and the Caves at Mantetzulel. Great adventure in the innards of the Huasteca region. In Mantetzulel, a local guide took us on a long walk up the mountain to the caves (everybody here speaks Huasteco). Two big caves with nice collapsed holes - very Jurassic Park.
Then, on to the big hole ... after a long walk down from the main road we arrived to the Cave of the Swallows ... it is big! And deep! And spectacular indeed. After being strapped with some ropes, we all ventured to lean over the edge to see straight down - wow!
Nobody was free-base jumping or rappelling down today because of the rain ... we did have a nice waterfall going into the hole instead.
We returned to Aquismon, soaked to the bones. Had hot chocolate at the hotel with Otilia and her husband and headed to the plaza for dinner.
It is so nice to be in a place that is so disconnected from the world, living at its own pace, close to nature ... where everybody is good, friendly, "amable", helpful, and just plain nice.
Tomorrow the rain will continue so we are going to ride towards the coast and away from the mountains to avoid it. Our destination is Huauchinango. Another Pueblo Magico in this region.
So, we hired Felix as our driver and decided to face the rain and go see the Cave of Swallows and the Caves at Mantetzulel. Great adventure in the innards of the Huasteca region. In Mantetzulel, a local guide took us on a long walk up the mountain to the caves (everybody here speaks Huasteco). Two big caves with nice collapsed holes - very Jurassic Park.
Then, on to the big hole ... after a long walk down from the main road we arrived to the Cave of the Swallows ... it is big! And deep! And spectacular indeed. After being strapped with some ropes, we all ventured to lean over the edge to see straight down - wow!
Nobody was free-base jumping or rappelling down today because of the rain ... we did have a nice waterfall going into the hole instead.
We returned to Aquismon, soaked to the bones. Had hot chocolate at the hotel with Otilia and her husband and headed to the plaza for dinner.
It is so nice to be in a place that is so disconnected from the world, living at its own pace, close to nature ... where everybody is good, friendly, "amable", helpful, and just plain nice.
Tomorrow the rain will continue so we are going to ride towards the coast and away from the mountains to avoid it. Our destination is Huauchinango. Another Pueblo Magico in this region.
Ooops ... raining cats and dogs
Trekking up the mountain to the Caves of Mantetzulel
Our guide to the caves
So that is how you write in Huasteco!
The entrance to the Cave of Mantetzulel
Our first glimpse of the Cave of Swallows
Wow! 1400ft deep.
Looks like a rock band's album cover ?!??
Lunch at the top of the Cave of Swallows
This is spooky!
Everything was wet and slippery ... all day
Hot Chocolate at our B&B
Dinner in town
No comments:
Post a Comment