"Treasures of Cruising the World" with Bill & Mary Ann: Report #131 Puerto Chiapas, Mexico May 10, 2016 Tuesday Partly cloudy & 86 degrees Part #1 of 2 87 Pictures

Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 8:00:28 AM
Subject: Report #131 Puerto Chiapas, Mexico May 10, 2016 Tuesday Partly cloudy & 86 degrees Part #1 of 2 87 Pictures

Report #131 Puerto Chiapas, Mexico May 10, 2016 Tuesday Partly cloudy & 86 degrees Part #1 of 2 87 Pictures

Well, here we are, in the final foreign country of our long trip around the world. Mexico has an area of 1.9 million square kilometers with a population of 111,211,789 Spanish-speaking people. The capital is Mexico City.

Mexico, like its food, is colorful, spicy, over-commercialized, and often under-appreciated. (We love Mexican cuisine, and sure have missed it for the last four months. Every so often, something close to Mexican appears on the menu, but not often enough for us.) No doubt, relations with its neighbors are uneasy due to border violence and drug traffic.

Getting beyond the borders, you can find a nation of a cultural mix of Europe, native American, and lost civilizations. People here fill the public squares showing their flamboyant love of life. It's a good idea for travelers to find a great salsa, and enjoy the scenery.

The best time to visit is October through May to avoid extreme temperatures. Things to see are Mexico City….bigger than life and heaving at the seams. Mayan temples in deep green jungles of Palenque, and the stately old-world charm of colonial Oaxaca are also places to see. The abyss of the Copper Canyon, and the beach resort of Playa del Carmen are a must. Cancun is for the young ones, or the young at heart.

Top things to do are surf the waves at Puerto Escondido, or go on a road trip down Baja California. Savor the delicious food sold for a few pesos, or climb the steaming peaks of Pico de Orizaba. How about seeing a billion butterflies at the winter refuge at Reserva Mariposa Monarca.

What is there to eat? Chocolate mole, sweet tamales, nopales, cactus leaves and so much more. We did taste prickly pear cactus cooked in scrambled eggs a few years back while in Huatulco. Wasn't bad with a lot of salsa.

How about the drink? Jugos naturales or vampire fruit juice from beets and carrots. Tequila, mescal, and pulque. Doesn't mescal have a worm in it? Yuch!

Random fact: Old civilzations of Olmecs and Aztecs had achievements and cultures well beyond what is thought possible today.

The port we are docked in today, Puerto Chiapas, is in the southern state of Chiapas, near the Guatemala border. It is an important commercial port for Mexico. German immigrants brought the coffee cultivation here in the mid to late 1800's. Other indigenous crops include cacao, which was actually the local form of currency between the Maya and chocolate-loving Aztecs.

The city of Tapachula is a regional center of trade between Mexico and Central America. It is 30 minutes from this port, and a $10 round trip shuttle ride. The population is 190,000 people.

There was one lunch tour to Argovia Estate and Flower Plantation for 7 hours for $200. It was a 1 ½ hour ride each way to the Sierra Madre Mountains on this tour.

Shorter tours went to Izapa ruins and Tapachula for 4 ½ hours for $100, or a visit to a banana plantation for $90, also 4 ½ hours. The Mayan Tree of Life and Chocolate Discovery was $70, while a more fun adventure was the mangrove boat ride and bird watching for 3 ½ hours for $90. We did that one the first time we visited here.

Another traveler's tip was printed in the daily newsletter warning folks of pick pockets and con artists. Wonder if there are traveler warnings coming from the US? This is the second printed warning in the last two days.

So today we chose to stay close to home, so to speak. Going off the ship around 11am, we strolled through the palapa with several small shops filled with souvenirs. A marimba band greeted us as we walked through the wide doorway. A tourist info desk was set up with some brochures for Tapachula, the nearest town. The treasures sold here today were not as nice as yesterday's, so not too many folks were buying yet. Perhaps when they comeback from the tours, the shops will get busier.

It was very hot outside, so we made our way through the garden of palm trees to the opposite palapa and the restaurant. It was a perfect time for some nacho chips with salsa and ice cold beers. Many of the crew members were having fun in the swimming pool, which was open to anyone who wanted to use it. Since the ship is on the way to the Alaska season, this will be the last time the crew will enjoy the heat for a while.

By 1pm, we went back to the ship, resumed some packing, and cleaned up the window garden. All that is left now are the geraniums and anthryums. Perhaps we can find them a new home. Caught up with the photos and reports, then headed off to the aft pool to take some sail away pictures.

The sail aways are not special anymore, since all they advertise are drinks for sale, and there is no food. For that reason, they are not well-attended from what we have noticed. Of course, the high heat and humidity have a lot to do with that. The Amsterdam left the small harbor around 5pm with several blasts of the horn as we passed many local onlookers. They had the right idea, as they were swimming on a beach on the inside of the bay. There was a long stretch of beach on the Pacific Ocean side, but absolutely no swimmers. That tells us that there is a rip tide and a strong undertow.

We are now headed towards Huatulco, but only for a short stay….darn.

There was a special cocktail party in the Crow's Nest tonight at 7:15pm, hosted by Captain Fred and hotel director, Craig Oakes. It was strictly for the Collectors' Voyage Guests who had been on the world cruise. We had intended to attend, but since we had reservations in the Pinnacle Grill, we decided not to go.

Dinner was a nice surprise, because Tina, the manager, had given us the option of having the veal chops once again. Just in case, she had the chef take them out for us. So, of course, that is what we had. Gosh they were good. Even better than the best steaks they serve in here. We will be dining here again on the 14^th, so we ordered them for that evening as well. We do have a dinner date on the 12^th, but that will be with the Captain and Craig, and the other President's Club members.

For dessert, we had one soufflé, ice cream, and coffee. The special French-pressed coffee comes with a small biscotti cookie. One of the nicest waiters here knows we like them, so he brought 4 more on a dish. When we ate those, he brought four more. Instead of consuming them, he wrapped them in foil made into a bird for us to take back to our room. Nice way to end the day.

Bill & Mary Ann

PS Regarding the question about changes in the HAL Grand Voyage, we intend to do a follow-up of our observances on this trip. But we will wait until we get home to complete the list.

Sailing into the port of Puerto Chiapas, Mexico