Mexico: Campeche

[Campeche city gate]

Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the only reason Campeche ever made it on to my itinerary in the first place was because I heard it had remnants of city walls.  City walls are the coolest thing ever – big, brick walls with lookout towers that peer out over moats that you cross on good old fashioned drawbridges…entering city walls is something akin to walking into a lifesize LEGO Castle set – a geek’s dream come true.

[Looking down a street in Campeche]

Little did I know that Campeche was a nice, relaxing town with delicious food.  In fact, all along the Gulf coast, the food is most excellent…I never fathomed Mexican food could be so good.

[Camarones al Coco - shrimp rolled in coconut and fried - is a local specialty.  Mine was served with a delicious mango chutney]

Mostly I try to eat at cheap places that cater more to locals, but Restaurant Marganzo was an exception – I decided to treat myself to the above mean.  I spent nearly US$20 – way above my budget – but hey, I was on vacation, and it was sooo worth it!

[Campeche at sunset - beautiful!  Actually, I was trying to get to the Gulf to see it set over the sea, but I failed.]

In a rather hectic schedule, I spent a good amount of down time in Campeche, trying to learn the art of relaxation, which most people know I’m not very good at.  I made a hobby of watching people in the main plaza feed pigeons – to each our own, right?

[Overlooking the Parque Principal from my hostel - Monkey Hostel - which I would recommend]

The bus to Palenque doesn’t leave until the middle of the night – buy early if you want to get on the 12:30am bus.  I didn’t buy until late afternoon on the day of travel and got a ticket on a then near-full 2:30am bus…and then I didn’t get much sleep on the bus, even though it was first class…