Days 23 & 24 - Campeche, Mexico

Campeche (24/01/09 & 25/01/09)

The rather charming centre of the city of Campeche has been lovingly restored to it´s Spanish colonial glory. The narrow cobbled streets are lined by rows of multicoloured house and the roads are very quiet giving a very peaceful feel- a welcome break after the urban madness of Merida. The effect of this is rather surreal, it really feels like you are in a small Mediterranean town not at the southernmost tip of the Gulf of Mexico.

The reception area of our (incredibly cheap) hostel, Hostal Pirata. Campeche was apparently home to many famous Caribbean pirates and the city tourism office makes the most of the fact. Despite the kitsch it was actually very friendly and clean.

The also very charming and also very European main plaza in Campeche. We spent a couple of hours relaxing with coffee (Italian!) and some of the delicious Mexican cakes which we have become addicted to.

The City Cathedral which towers over the main plaza.

The City is on the sea but it is not particularly attractive. There are lots of seabirds however including pelicans and this cormorant (or is it a shag?) which were probably after the scraps of fish and shellfish which we saw many locals trying to catch.

Parts of the city are still surrounded by the enormous city wall which was built by the Spanish to protect from attackers (possibly pirates?). We climbed up and walked aroun the ramparts, the only tourists up there,

This large bell marked the centre of the wall. When the attendant let us onto the wall she locked the gate behind us. In order to gain her attention when we wanted to leave we had to ring the bell to get let out.

Up on the wall we noticed something strange and really rather amusing. Whilst from ground level the city is basking in Colonial glory we realised that a large numbers of the buildings were empty shells with freshly painted walls. This was a particularly good example since it had a well established tree growing in the middle.

Adam pooking through a window in the city wall. In case you were wondering the word "pooking" was invented by Liz, kind of a hybrid between "peeking" and "looking".

Around the main square every Sunday evening the local women sit for hours and play a similar game to bingo. Everyone was very cheerful and there was quite a party atmosphere.

Sunset over Campeche.

Adding to the carnival feeling lights were put on the trees around the Plaza and a band were playing Mexican folk songs. There were also numerous stalls selling drinks and snacks.

The cathedral lit up at night with the band and audience in the foreground.

Liz enjoying the music by the cathedral. The square was actually quite busy but everyone was over the other side where the band were playing.