So our first day in Oaxaca we have to cancel the tour we had booked for the place called Monte Alban because I was still not very well. So did not do much and only went out a couple of times on short walks. Oaxaca is a wonderful place (what we got to see of it) If is full of beutiful architecture with rich cultural tradions and a wide variety of typical foods. We made many trips to the Zocalo near us and we really enjoyed the people and sights while sitting at an outdoor cafes. The temperture here was warm to hot during the day and cooled off nice in the evenings. Many excellent shops here we did a bit of shopping for cooler clothes.

Day 2 in Oaxaca and just as well our tour has been change to late afternoon as I'm still a little unwell in the morning but decide I was good enough to go in the arvo. Not too much climbing for me, let Ray do the up and downs (which he usually does anyway ). So off we go to Monte Alban. This place is amazing and HUGE. It sits on an artificially flattened hill and is high above Oaxaca which sits at I think 4500m up. The 'area' of Monte Alban covers 65 sq ks. Up high on the flat there is a great plaza. There are many structures with hundreds of stairs leading to monuments and more spectacular views over the surrounding valleys and the city of Oaxaca. A great tour and excellent guide. And I make it through without being sick yeah !

23rd - Onto another coach for the 4.5 hour trip to Tehuantepec. Coach was ok, lots of mountain to go through but we get there. This is just a stop over place for one night. On the 24th we are picked up by our new guide Rochendo and a driver and make the 5 hour drive to tuxtla airport to pickup Jess and Jason who have spent 2 nights in Mexico City before joining us for the rest of our journeys. Was wonderful to see them both and we could see they felt the same.. love em both.

We all go directly to Sumidero Canyon where we get to have a thrilling boat ride along the river. Beautiful but boy was it hot out in the sun !! After recovering from the heat and eventually cooling down we are on our way to the next stop before we finally reach San Cristobal. We stop at Chiapa de Corzo which is the oldest colonial town in the sate of chiapas. Another plaza !! . octagonal design, arches and a domed roof the La Pila fountain in the main plaza dates to the 16th century. Onward to San Cristobal. A very cobblestoned place ....gotta watch every step you take.

San cristobal is so much cooler....much welcomed by all. It sits in a fertile valley surrounded by mountains. Here you see more people dressed in traditional style. After a much needed sleep by all we are up and out by 9am walking in the cool of the morning around the city. We go to the markets that sell handcrafts and onto the in door food markets. So much variety and colour, could have tried a bit of everything.

Onto the nearby villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. The home of the Tzotzil people who are direct descendants of the ancient Mayans and are very traditional indigenous communities. We see colourful women in amazing embroidered clothes. some wear feathered skirts and wide wooden looking belts. Their religion is a melting pot of mix of Catholic and traditional Mayan rituals.

We go into a church on the main plaza where inside it really is a bit strange. Here are people on the floors that are strewn with pine tree leaves and they have 'charmens' do rituals on them to bless them or push out bad spirits. Some people have bought along chickens and do a sacrifice with them. We didn't watch and you are not allowed to even have a camera out let alone take a picture of anything !! Very different indeed. From there we go to see some weaving done and then back to San Cristobal for a free afternoon to wander around.

Dinner at 7 and get all packed up and ready to head out at 5.30am !!! We are off to Palenque tomorrow. So goodnight to all and checkin again in a few days ....xxxx allana ray jess and jason