Western Highlands 1/2
Back on the road
After more than 6 months in Quebec, I am back in Mexico to retrieve the motorbike that was in storage in Tapachula. I had left it outside, under a blue tarp, without even disconnecting the battery or emptying the carburetor. Despite that, the bike eventually started after many attempts and lots of coughing from the engine. Lucky me!
I stayed a few days in Tapachula to prepare the trip forward. In addition to washing everything, I did a basic maintenance on the bike as well as changing many parts. Please, see the motorbike maintenance log (+33607 km) for more details.
Voilà, I am ready to go on. Guatemala is next.
Tajumulco Volcano
The first days were a bit hard. In Tapachula, at an altitude of 17 metres, the temperature is around 34 degrees Celsius with 80% humidity. In a single day, I went from this altitude to more than 3,000 metres in less than 100 kilometres as the crow fly. What a drastic change! When I arrived near the Tajumulco Volcano, I had shortness of breath and a light headache. Moreover, I was thinking about climbing the volcano whose summit is at 4,220 metres.
The next day, I drive the motorbike at the foot of the volcano, and I climb to 3,600 metres using small roads along the mountain. The scenery is spectacular.
Finally, I didn't climb to the volcano's summit. I have not acclimatized to the altitude... and I am too lazy.
Here are some superb landscapes taken at altitude between 3,000 and 3,600 metres.
Landscapes of the highlands
During the following days, I continue to drive along some of the Western Highlands roads through small town and villages whose populations are mostly Mayans.
Huehuetenango
This town is described as a place with little charm for tourism. However, the daily market in the town centre is very interesting. Also, it's quite fun to be the only gringo in town.
Central Plaza
Marathon
Here is the first edition of the Huehuetenango Marathon. I was a race of 21 kilometres.
