Chiapas
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Chiapas, horrible roads but beautiful scenaries
Monday, August 31, 2015Last weekend was spent in Chiapas. We departed on Thursday night and returned on Tuesday morning, just in time for class. We're loco. But if we have to take a 12 hrs ride from Puebla to Chiapas (and back), then we might as well make the trip worth it.
The bus ride was booked from a company TLA and tickets is only available by over-the-counter purchase, at the bus station CAP, located near CAPU. Its approx $500-$600pesos each way, depending on the comfort level of the bus you prefer. This is wayyyy cheaper than the $1000+pesos price ado.mx quotes on its website.
Day 1 was spent riding through Canyon Sumidero, and visiting Chiapa De Corzo. We cabbed to join the Canyon Sumidero tour immediately when we arrived in the morning and only arrived in San Cristobal in the evening to check in. At the same time, we booked the tours for the remaining days from ???
Canyon Sumidero started out with wide troughs and low valleys
The valleys got higher and higher as we entered deeper and deeper into the canyon. The air smelled alot fresher too and it was just breathtaking to be surrounded by such a pristine natural habitat
The boat guide was really skilled, easily navigating us through the valley with various sharp turns and bringing us the best perspective to view certain natural features
Spot the croc!
This was located towards the end of the canyon and it is by far the most amazing waterfall I've seen. The water trinkle down like drops and pearl. And each drop just looked so magical and clear, it's incredible. They called this a christmas tree, because the water falls through layers of plant growth and eroded rocks that resembles a christmas tree.
This is a port found at the other side of the valley
Lunch and the rest of the afternoon was spent at Chiapa de Corzo
We haven't had breakfast and were starving by the time we reached the town. We immediately settled for 2 whole chickens by the road side
I love how they have all these cute Volkswagen beetle designs everywhere in Mexico
On Day 2, we embarked on the tour that required that longest travel time. The first stop was Aqua Azul, followed by the waterfall Miso-hal, and finally Palenque. Every stop was just given the ride amount of time. Nonetheless, we only got back around 10pm, despite leaving at 5am in the morning. The scenery was amazing, but the hardest part was really the curving and winding roads that we had to withstand for at least 4 hours each way.
Aqua Azul. The water is amazingly turquoise and there are never ending levels of rocks from which the water just slides off from. We had a quick dip and I wished we had more time.
Miso-hal waterfall was the next stop and it's a just giant sinkhole waiting for one to jump in!
We couldn't resist showing off our moves
And exploring the caves, which I realised, actually had alot of bats.
And just soaking my feet in the water!
And finally, Pelanque was the last stop
We had a guide that brought us around and explained everything
Day 3 was spent exploring the lakes to the South of Chiapas where we visited Cascada el Chiflon and Lagos de Montebello.
The waterfall here is just like aqua azul <3
Except that it's BIGGERRRRR
Lunch was at an expensive place. Thank god I brought snacks and food along. Lunch was thus spent munching on a hammock under these amazing trees
Lagos y Montebello was the next stop, and it's a huge lake with an island in the center
We then paid to row to the island. Yeah, we paid to row. Ahaha
The sand on the island is made up form these crumbly sedimentary rocks. And featuring my SGD$38 hiking boots
On our last day, Day 4, we visited the local indigenous villages, did some last minute shopping and exploration of San Cristobal, before heading back for Puebla.
Typically, we aren't allowed to take photos of anyone in the village, but this house is tourist exception. Traditionally, this is how women does the weaving for the bags. And they weave designs that are similar to the symbols found at Pelanque and from the Mayan traditions
A traditional meals is made from tortillas(corn), cheese, pumpkins, beans and sauce. Each of the corn represents N, S, E, W
We visited a local church after, which believed in both Mayan and Catholicism. It was so strange, yet fascinating. But sadly, we can't take any photos there. The last stop is the local graveyard.
And for the last few hours, we explored San Cristobal. It feels really european, and mexican at the same time. The whole atmosphere of the town is really calming and enjoyable.
There's street side stalls selling corn in a cup or on sticks all over mexico. I tried my first corn cup in San Cristobal and it was good. They add, mayo, chili, some sour sauce, and cheese into it, and it's so delicious. Buttered cup corn will never taste the same again.
The church that sits at the top of San Cristobal overlooking the city
This quaint cafe sits in the center of the park in the city center
I tried this custard tart too. It's not the best, Mexican's like to put this cinnamon thing into their dessert, including chocolate. It's a unique taste, but i don't think it's for everyone
This shop, Cacao Nativa is probably a most visit place in San Cristobal. They serve chocolate bars, drinks and dessert made from the local cacao beans and it's fantastic.
With, that we ended our Chiapas trip, and headed back to another week of school.
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