Category Archives: Colima

A bus ride to Acapulco then a side trip to Mexico City

. Our Washington State to Argentina Adventure ., . Our World Tour Adventure ., Colima, Guerrero, Mexico, Mexico City, Morelos

Saturday September 12, 2015, 7 miles (11 km) – Total so far: 11,200 miles (18,025 km)

The bus ride from Manzinallo took 19 hours for the 340 mile ride. It would have taken us a few weeks on the bike as the road was very narrow with many hill/mountain passes. On arrival in Acapulco we rode our bikes to a warmshower’s host beautiful cliff side townhouse. We stored our bikes there and packed a pannier each and took a 5 hour bus ride to Mexico City where we will explore during the upcoming week.

We found a nice hostel right in the the central city area.

General Facts about Mexico City:

Mexico City is built on a lake called Texcoco.

The city is constantly sinking and has sunk more than nine meters in some areas over the last 100 years.

Mexico City has had many nicknames in the past including “City of the Palaces”, “City of Hope” and “Capital in Movement”.

Population Facts about Mexico City:

More than 20 million people live in Mexico City.

The population of Mexico City has grown by more than 20 million people in just over 110 years, from 500,000 in 1900 to 21.2 million people in 2012.

Mexico City is the largest metropolitan area in the western hemisphere and the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world.

Over 600,000 U.S. Americans live in Mexico City; the largest concentration of Americans living outside of the USA.

We spent a few hours at this restaurant before our 7 pm bus departure time. My last post was made from here. 19 hours later at 2 pm we arrived in Acapulco.
We spent a few hours at this restaurant before our 7 pm bus departure time. My last post was made from here. 19 hours later at 2 pm we arrived in Acapulco.
Interesting octopus.
Interesting octopus.
Excellent snapper. In fact the best we have ever tasted. I ate one side and Jocelyn the other. We also shared a nice salad.
Excellent snapper. In fact the best we have ever tasted. I ate one side and Jocelyn the other. We also shared a nice salad.
Our bus stopped here where gas was siphoned for another bus. Meanwhile "a crew" brought snacks to the other bus. As the boxes were loaded the girls continually took many treats. I doubt if half made it to the bus.
Our bus stopped here where gas was siphoned for another bus. Meanwhile “a crew” brought snacks to the other bus. As the boxes were loaded the girls continually took many treats. I doubt if half made it to the bus.

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The old method of siphoning gas.
The old method of siphoning gas.
"Let's see how much we can run off with."
“Let’s see how much we can run off with.”
A very bizarre stop.
A very bizarre stop.
Negotiating the streets of Acapulco.
Negotiating the streets of Acapulco.
Nice city beachfront.
Nice city beachfront.
Walking up a steep grade to our host's home.
Walking up a steep grade to our host’s home.
The federales were everywhere.
The federales were everywhere.
Acapulco Bay.
Acapulco Bay.
The view from Santiago's beautiful cliff side home.
The view from Santiago’s beautiful cliff side home.
There are 6 townhomes (apartments) that share this pool.
There are 6 townhomes (apartments) that share this pool.

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A map of Acapulco Bay. Santiago's home is on the left peninulsa overlooking the bay and Pacific.
A map of Acapulco Bay. Santiago’s home is on the left peninulsa overlooking the bay and Pacific.
This is the Mexican drug lord that recently escaped from prison. The reward is $5 million US. That's a heck of a lot of pesos!
This is the Mexican drug lord that recently escaped from prison. The reward is $5 million US. That’s a heck of a lot of pesos!
All the taxis are old VW Beetles!
All the taxis are old VW Beetles!
Sunset reflection.
Sunset reflection.

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Soccer fans getting ready to board the metro. Little did we know we were getting on the metro to the stadium. Talk about crowds.
Soccer fans getting ready to board the metro. Little did we know we were getting on the metro to the stadium. Talk about crowds.
After our 5 hour bus trip we boarded the metro for what we thought was the center of Mexico City. We were wrong and ended up at the stadium where a soccer game was being held. We took the metro back then hailed a taxi.
After our 5 hour bus trip we boarded the metro for what we thought was the center of Mexico City. We were wrong and ended up at the stadium where a soccer game was being held. We took the metro back then hailed a taxi.
The baroque Cathedral Metropolitana of the Spanish conquistadors built in sections from 1573 to 1813.
The baroque Cathedral Metropolitana of the Spanish conquistadors built in sections from 1573 to 1813.
The city is getting ready for its independence day celebrations this coming Wednesday the 16th.
The city is getting ready for its independence day celebrations this coming Wednesday the 16th.
Fireworks for Mexico Independence Day on the 15th. This marks the beginning of the war of independence from Spain.
Fireworks for Mexico Independence Day on the 15th. This marks the beginning of the war of independence from Spain.
Very crowded everywhere. We found a nice hostel nearby.
Very crowded everywhere. We found a nice hostel nearby.
It looks like a major celebration this coming Wednesday. We walked around this evening and the celebrations have already begun.
It looks like a major celebration this coming Wednesday. We walked around this evening and the celebrations have already begun.
The two bell towers contain a total of 25 bells.
The two bell towers contain a total of 25 bells.
A very large cathedral organ!
A very large cathedral organ!
One of many side altars.
One of many side altars.
This is the front altar. The main altar in the rear was not open.
This is the front altar. The main altar in the rear was not open.
Inside art.
Inside art.
One of the small side doors.
One of the small side doors.
A cool tower.
A cool tower.
Mexico City is at an elevation of 7,349 feet with a population of over 20 million people.
Mexico City is at an elevation of 7,349 feet with a population of over 20 million people.