The bus from Mexico City took us back to the coast and to Acapulco. What a relief to leave Mexico City.

Over the last hour the heat was building...The air conditioning was clearly broken. That was our belief until we stepped off the bus, to be greeted by an even greater blast of heat from the air. We didn´t expect it, but being at sea level again, and much futher south, meant temperatures almost in excess of what we had ever experienced before. We had a long walk to our hostel - the Let´s Go guide book was rather misleading at times, and it is also really hard when you arrive in bus stations in Mexico to know which one you have arrived at! Even asking is often not helpful.

With relief we arrived an hour and a half later (it was only an 800 mtere walk, apparently), but instead of being welcomed by the hostel owner we ended up having a ´heated discussion´ with the receptionist. It is an International Hostel (like the YHA,) but they refused to accept our YHA cards and give the usual membership discount.....Nor would I recommend staying in the rooms, a cell with no window, 2 sets of bunk beds, and the room exactly 6 foot 1 inches long and less wide. (We measured it using Jim!!)

So, what was Acopalco like?
A large city with about 16km of coastline. There is a separate Old and New Town - the old was OK with traditional architecture and usual plazas. (not as pretty as Mazatlan)  We enjoyed the spectacle of the world famous Cliff Divers under flood lighting in the evening. They earn only $25 per dive, and do 4 shows per day. Not surprisingly, they were all young men, as it is a very dangerous business...I will of course resist mentionning the attire of the divers, although our ´camping friends´ may be interested in the brevity of the speedos!

The New Town was built up, full of Macdonalds, various people begging and lots of Americans taking their daily exercise as if they were in California. The sea was pretty rough, with lots of strange currents knocking people off their feet, waves for the kite surfers to enjoy...but too rough for us to swim.

The main employment in the town of 2 million seems to be as a Taxi driver, and we were constantly pestered by VW Beatle Taxi drivers. No, we´ve got legs. We are walking. For that matter, nor do we want to hire a jet ski, have a massage, some friut, a tattoo or hair braids. Those that weren´t taxi drivers tried to sell products to tourists - were they just a little pushy???

We did have an amazing water melon for lunch in Acaploco, the ´best we´ve ever tasted´, and that is probably the best memory of the place.

I´ve written plenty on somewhere that I didn´t much like, so, on to Puerto Escondido.