Canyon Cruisin

After a night out at bar revolucione which was yet another anti climatic lonely planet hyped evening it was off to Tuxtla for a cruise in the canyon via speedboat. The drive down to the river from our little town in the mountains was filled with amazing views and some interesting mexican ways of the road. On a one way highway the courteous thing to do seems to be driving in what we would call the service lane in case someone wants to over take you. Interesting when you are speeding along on cliff edges weaving in and out whilst over taking buses and trucks.

When we arrived it was tourist galore with a sea of people in fluorescent orange life vests packing into speed boats for a cruise down the river between canyon like cliffs. The first few attractions were waterfalls and spider monkeys high up in the canopy. Then we came to a sudden halt as apprx 100m of the river had been blacked by logs, twigs, mud and various plastic bottles and other garbage. Just as I was thinking that these multi hundred meter high cliffs, waterfalls and rainforest like fauna were the closest to a true wilderness I had seen in Mexico yet we encounter this pollution. It took a good 5 or 10 minutes to push our way through the blockage and then it was off to the other side where we saw pelicans and an absolutely spectacular waterfall which we sped up to and floated through. It was a whole lot of fun just speeding around this beautiful place with near breathtaking views even without the little stop offs at waterfalls and to see wildlife.

On the way back as we made our second pass through the debris (natural and unnatural) we spotted a little green gecko and with little a due the boat driver proceeded to lean over, grab it by the tale and pull it into the boat. The crowd went wild and he was instantly surrounded by all the cameras on the boat. El boat drivo left the best till last as we then pulled up to a river bank spotted with groups of crocs. The little english girl behind us nearly wet herself but we comforted her by telling her they can only fly for about 10 metres so we should be alright at this distance. After which she abandoned her Sri Lankan heritage going a bright shade of white. Fun times. The next river bank was el pieco de resistancio with a big fat mama croc just chilling on the bank. The boat in front of us must have been a little close as she lifted her head off the muddy bank and gave them a good stare off. This reminded me of the boat trip in India where me and pop came within feet of a hissing, growling croc.

A fun day and with all in the boat satisfied we headed back to San Cristobal for a coffee and a stroll up to the church on the hill (not the best with names of places/things). From here we had a decent view of the city but a slightly obscured one due to lots of trees in the way. Met a cool dog up there who may have had rabies and flees but I didnt hold it against him and we had time for a photo together before it was back down to the town to purchase some vegies for dinner.

Workout wise the challenge and innovation continues. With the 5kg DBs the lady at the hostel gave me after breaking her 200 yr old ledge I did:

Tabata squat clean man makers 8 rounds

then 3 x 1 minute on 1 minute off squat clean man makers

about 10 per 60 seconds.

This arvo was:

Travellers Helen

3 Rounds for time of:

400m Run
21 x 24 to 30 inch box jumps on ledge
12 x Commando Pullups on tree (alternate grip on tree branch pulling up head on alternate sides of branch)

8:17

then

3 x 60 on 60 off of Toes to tree

Got 10 reps for all 3 minutes.