Many active travelers come to Mexico for the Mayan, Aztec, Olmec, ruins. But not me! Many come for the beaches of Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, the snorkeling in Cozumel, the brilliant colors of Mexico City, the Jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula, or perhaps even the rich cooking of Oaxaca and Puebla, but not this time!
A number of travelers even come windsurf, whale watch and hike. But not many come to take part in one of Mexico’s greatest gifts, whitewater rafting. This is where our new journey takes us and where we’ll be headed for the next few summers.Sure there are great rapids in the United States of America; what with the Colorodo Rockies in sight or even around the Sierra Nevadas in California, but there’s just something so pure and savage about Mexico that makes it different than anything in the world. Jenna visited Veracruz, Mexico for a wedding and found it to be much much more than we had ever anticipated. The place was gleaming with rivers, hills, plains, gorgeous vegetation, and exciting architecture. There is nothing quite like seeing an old colonial village along a cliff, overlooking two rivers and lush green, exotic vegetation. I guess this is why our friends were getting married here.
But that’s not why we were here, that’s not why I’m writing this blog.
In the state of Veracruz lies the country’s best whitewater rafting destination. Boasting more than 40 rivers that spread across the dynamic terrain in Veracruz, it doesn’t take much to understand why this state wouldhave ideal world-class white water rafting and kayaking. The typical river in Veracruz accents narrow, steep water flow that has a medium to low water volume making rafting and other water sports a challenging and technical experience. Boy that sure makes me sound “smat” (I’m from Boston) doesn’t it?
Anyway, the wedding was in Jalcomulco, Veracruz. So I would write more about the place’s history, but honestly, I don’t have the time to do the research, so I’m just going to plagiarize the following from the Duende Tour’s site (it’s OK, they said it was fine).
Jalcomulco lies between Mexico City and Coastal Veracruz and boasts much more than meets the eye. The quaint village projects a very facile, slow paced way of life where generations of indigenous families have harvested sugar cane and mango crops for generations. But, much like the majority of Mexico, there is a hidden realm of activity only known to those that seek it. Jalcomulco’s prize elements not only exist within the borders of its citizenry, they also extend out into the lush forests, wildlife, incredible biking trails, its very much sought after cliffs and gorges and yes, it’s rivers.
Jennah and I decided to take advantage of the “low season”, well, not really, we just happened to be there for the wedding at that time….ok ok, I’ll stop being pedantic…..we went on a rafting trip through the Antigua rivers (class II & III) and had a blast! There’s one part of the course that takes you through a sunken city with channels through it. I hate to admit it, but I was stupid enough not to bring my camera, so I don’t have any proof-uhh, I mean “nice pictures”. Though I do have one that a fellow tourist took and kindly emailed to me….that seriously never happens….it was very nice of him!
I guess what I’m trying to say in this blog is that I had some extra time on my hands and decided to play with my computer and show-off. Even though I have little to actually photographic content to show off with. Whatever. Thank you Duende Tours for allowing me to procrastinate and write the most “interesting” blog about a wedding I barely mentioned, and an experience everyone should go through…if you like whitewater rafting. Ok, but to my super exciting report on insurance policies in the workplace.
- Roger the cool insurance broker/analyst ( or at least I like to think so)
Please visit these guys, you wont regret: Adventure Travel
After leaving the coolest sight I had thus far seen, our small group headed out on the road to Bacalar, Mexico: a small town on the Guatemala-Mexico border. Chantal was worried that I had been on the Bus too long, but I had never been more excited to see the landscape of such a different world….we were on the bus for a few hours, I could have ridden the thing for another five ! Seriously, it had AC very comfortable and clean seats, a decent bathroom, and a Disney movie!
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