Colima, Tapalpa, Caffeine

Colima, Mexico

After leaving the coast, sigh, we headed into the mountains and found ourselves digging out the cold weather gear for the first time in a long time.  On a mountain lake in the Mexican state of Colima we relaxed by the water with Natasha & Pete (HereUntilThere) and enjoyed the kind of sleep that only chilled mountain air can provide.

Volcan de Colima

We had also heard about an organic coffee plantation on the side of a volcano….nuff said.

Tapalpa

Leaving Colima we set out to find the Pueblo Magico town of Tapalpa.  Mexico has designated a number of pueblos “Magic Towns” for their charm, character and I suppose “magic-ness”.  We camped a short drive out of Tapalpa at an organic farm/restaurant/eco-resort/paragliding-hot-spot run by two Argentinian brothers…oh the places you find when traveling without plans.  The view from their property was amazing.  It was here I failed to take advantage of a unique experience, convinced myself of other, less expensive, plans and did not go paragliding.  I’m not sure if other overlanders feel the strain of balancing what is far more a way of life than it is a vacation.  It’s not simply a question of whether to indulge in the amazing opportunities that present themselves.  It’s ultimately a decision as to which of these opportunities one selects when the list is not only long, but growing.  The numbing of time and distance, which were once major preclusions to our bucket-lists, leaves us with only the budget to guide such decisions.  This time I said no, hoping I’d traded this opportunity for something better.

Tapalpa was charming, calm and maybe a little magical.  As always, we set out to sample the local food and found some tacos de lengua (tongue), local pastries and powdered mini cookies (perfect with morning coffee).  We watched the local happenings blend with the tourist attractions in the town square and ordered a ponche.  The beverage of mezcal and pomegranate/orange juice was served with seasoned cucumbers and mixed nuts, and reminded us of aperitivo time in Italy.

Later in the day we followed our noses to a place serving the local specialty, borrego al pastor.  While finishing the fire-grilled lamb, we watched two men and three women enter the restaurant.  They were greeted and received as family, with an air of importance.  As I took my last sip one of the men caught my glance and asked if we enjoyed the restaurant.  A few sentences later we were at their table.  When drinks were ordered, we weren’t allowed to decline.  When the food arrived, it was ours to try.  And when the laughs, conversation and meal was complete, we were left with an invitation to join them at the beach and stay at their “complex.”  I say complex because of subtle hints about the grandiosity of their home.  Our question as to whether our rig/house would fit was met with laughs and rapid-spanish, surely about how silly we would find our inquiry once we arrived.  Unfortunately they were heading for the coast and wouldn’t be back for a few days, so we relegated ourselves to plans for Guanajuato, and added another phone number to the list of missed invitations.  Why are these people so damn friendly? 🙂

Next up…Guanajuato!