The south end of the beach at Hua Hin, Thailand.
Where are Kevin and Ruth now? Hua Hin, Thailand.

Where are Kevin and Ruth going next? Maldives on March 23rd.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Another full day of tours and meals out!

Once again, the bus arrived right at 9:00am to pick everybody up. We had the same tour guide, Cony, and the same driver, Geronimo. So it's kind of nice that we can get to know them a little bit by spending more time with them.

There is such a busy schedule just now that some members of the group simply chose not to go. So this time, there were seventeen of us who went and two stayed behind.

This area between Guanajuato and Dolores Hidalgo is known for making pottery. Some of the manufacturers are small, and some a large commercial factories. Our first stop was a small one where they didn't allow any photos. They had many pieces for sale, and each one hand made from start to finish so no two pieces were exactly alike.

But they were also quite expensive.

Next stop was in the city of Dolores Hidalgo itself. You might remember that we spent a couple of days parked behind the auditorium and police station a couple of weeks ago, so Ruth and I are quite familiar with the town.

There was a parade when we arrived in Dolores Hidalgo. They were a day late...my birthday was the day before yesterday!

Not sure what it was all about, but it was quite a short parade.

Once again, the statue of Miguel Hidalgo, with the church in the background where he rallied the people to independance in September of 1810.

This little girl had a new puppy...only a month and a half old.

We treated Cony to an ice cream. Ruth had chamoy (sweet and sour fruit flavor) ice cream, I had avocado ice cream, and Cony had pine nut ice cream. Lots of different choices!

The next stop was San Miguel de Allende, about 40 minutes down the road. But we knew of a large pottery factory that we would be driving right by, and so we asked Cony if we had time to stop in there because it was quite a different operation from the smaller one we had stopped at earlier. Plus, the prices were better.We knew this because Ruth and I had been there a few years ago.

And, they allow pictures!

Lots of items ready to be painted.

Ruth, in the store out front.

Lots of choice in the store. This place ships items all over the world for resale.

And then it was on to San Miguel. We arrived just in time for our lunch reservation at 2:00pm. It was a really good meal, and once again we wouldn't need much supper!

Lunch was a traditional dish called molcajete. It's served per couple, and there was a full meal for two people. Beef, chirizo sausage, cheese, peppers, onions, and avocado... and of course served with tortillas.

Check it out...it's bubbling hot!


And then we had about 45 minutes to walk around the central part of San Miguel. Of course most people had never been there, so that's not nearly enough time. For me, I stayed behind in the restaurant with a couple of others. I know some people rave about San Miguel, but I've been there and done it and it's not for me. Ruth walked around with a few others.

Said to be the most photographed church in Mexico.

San Miguel homes downtown.

And then the bus ride back. I noticed several people having a well deserved nap on the bus. 

In the evening, Ruth and I had a meeting with Gabriel...the guy who owns the caravan company. We just went over some procedural things and it was good to finally meet him in person.

Today is our first driving day! Wish us luck! But, I think we'll be fine... :-)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As always, thank you so much for doing any of your Amazon shopping through thhe links we supply here. Simply click on any of the links, and shop away...Amazon keeps track of the fact that you visited them through our site and we make a small commision. You pay the same price that you would anyhow, so we both win!


And in Canada...





33 comments:

  1. Wow that is some busy itinerary, a lot more than we would enjoy. But sounds like you are having fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, a very busy time but it is nice that we don't have to drive it so that certainly makes it more relaxing. Also people don't have to do the tour if they don't want to.

      Delete
  2. We know we would be exhausted on this tour, but we would have to do everything. I am sure we would probably never get back to that area again. What an awesome day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's pretty intense for the first half just due to the nature of the route. The second half is much more relaxed with a couple of long stays (10 days)in Villa Corona and Melaque and a week in Lo de Marcos. Alwasy best to get the active parts over with first and relax in the latter half.

      Delete
    2. Yes, Paul is correct and the relax time is by water, whether it be hot pools or the ocean, so it will be nice to at the end of the journey. The problem with the inland part is that there are so much towns and cities that really are must sees and are all unique in their own special way.

      Delete
  3. This tour is quite busy. Hope everyone manages to keep up without anyone burning out. Have a safe travel day and looking forward to your next post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There has already been talk that some of the people won't do all of the tours as they are just finding it to be too much and it is totally voluntary so they aren't obligated to go on every one of the tours.

      Delete
  4. Lunch looks great! Have a safe travel day.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I know you will do well, enjoy the journey.

    ReplyDelete
  6. You guys do an excellent job on this blog. Always very well written and presented.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Where do these people get their energy? Is it something they mix with their Geritol?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am not sure, they must use energizer batteries!

      Delete
  8. do any of the RVers on the tour blog?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think one is. I did keep a blog for the part of this trip I led. Not as extensive as kevin, I had 18 rigs of new untrained couples (my excuse). It is at www.mexicorvbuddies.com/Spring2016.php. The copper Canyon part is missing as I did nto go. You can also look at the blog for Fall 2015 at www.mexicorvbuddies.com/Fall2015.php. It followed the same route with fewer people and is much more detailed. I will try to make this trips blog more detailed when I get the group back on March 3rd

      Delete
    2. We will find out if someone does and if they don't mind then we will post the link to their blog. Also as Paul said he has posts up on the companies website.

      Delete
    3. Really enjoyed your blog...

      Delete
  9. Replies
    1. The payment and tips are all looked after by the company! If it had just been us then yes they would have gotten a tip, the service was great. :-)

      Delete
  10. Great pics. But as the others have said, a lot of hustle and bustle it seems. I guess the first time down though, everything is new and exciting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly Mike! As Paul mentioned in an earlier comment the first half of the trip there are lots of tours because there is just so much to see, especially with all the old colonial towns and cities along with all the history. The last part of their trip they have a lot more time to relax. They also don't have to join in on the tours if they don't want to and some have done just that on occasion.

      Delete
  11. Oh would I LOVE to visit the pottery shop! And lunch looks delicious :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Both pottery places were great but the first one is certainly a great one because the pieces are all individual and unique.

      Lunch was fantastic!

      Delete
  12. I'm a fan of SMA, depends where you go and what you do. It makes a great boondocking base for other towns nearby. Don't forget the market on Sunday, I don't care for the one on Tuesday.

    Dolores Hidalgo is an amazing place. Would make a great place to settle down.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am glad that you enjoy it Chris along with many others but it just isn't our kind of place. We have enjoyed the things we have seen and done there though and think that everyone needs to visit the city at least once. We would much rather use Dolores Hidalgo or Guanajuato as a base though.

      We are the opposite, we didn't like the Sunday market but loved the Tuesday one. ;-)

      Delete
  13. Here's wishing you luck! (I enjoyed seeing the pottery, but who has room in an RV?) :- )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Everything went well right up until the very end when we had a bit of a problem. You will be able to read about that today.

      Depends on what piece of pottery you buy. Some can be used everyday but the big stuff wouldn't work, that is why they will ship it back home if you have a house that it can go in. ;-)

      Delete
  14. A very busy day but a fun one as well!

    ReplyDelete

There are more comments on our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TravelwithKevinAndRuth

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.