Road to Rio

This trip began with a plan to travel right the way around the World over a couple or three years with the whole thing funded by keeping to a neat little budget and finding work along the way. 

But having now been away a few months my plans have changed quite considerably. Here’s how...

Wahaka

My final stop in Mexico was the city of Oaxaca (pronounced WA-HA-KA).

I was only there a few days and spent the majority of my time in the company of a couple of different guys - Luis and Andre - both of whom I met online and who between them kindly showed me around the city. Both tried to get me to eat the local delicacy - Chapulines (fried grasshoppers) - but in no way was that ever going to happen. That said, whilst grasshoppers weren't to my taste, the local tomales (tamales oaxaqueños) certainly were and unbelievably delicious... definitely something I am going to want to try to recreate when I return back home in the future.

To break up my 5 night stay I on the 3rd day took a day long tour, the highlight of which was a trip to Hierve el Agua where breathtaking vistas are overlooked by calcified waterfalls and stunning clifftop pools. 

Not a Droove

Sunset in Sayulita

Having spent a few good weeks away from the coast I had forgotten just how debilitating the heat-humidity combo can be and stepping off the bus in Puerto Vallarta it hit me like a ton of bricks. Before my foot even had chance to hit the floor, I was sweating. My light green cotton t-shirt quickly started developing dark patches and I fast became agitated.

With patience set to zero, I hailed an Uber from my phone and was soon picked up by some guy called Miguel who drove me the 20 or so minutes across town to my hostel. 

Given Puerto Vallarta's reputation as a bit of a party town I had expected the hostel to be bustling with young 20-something American's all down here to enjoy the summer Sun. But it was dead. Literally, I arrived and I was the only person there, so I checked-in, showered myself, changed into beachwear and headed to the nearest shop for 6 cans of the coldest beer I could find.