By the Monday after Palm Sunday La Manzanilla slowly began filling up with mostly Mexican tourists and the beach began a new life.  Lifeguards were present, in towers that were erected and on big fancy flashy Ski Doos.   Many police were present and patrols throughout the town were constant.  New disco music bars set up, new vendors everywhere, the Jardin filled with entertainment every night.  We were gonna have a hard time sleeping even in our Casita on the hill !  After another day with Mike & Marianne and their friends at the Auga Caliente hot springs we decided it was a good time to go visit Colima, Comala and the Volcanos ! 

         Tuesday morning we packed up the van and headed to Colima.  A short two hour drive up the auto pista and we were there.  Spending the early afternoon shopping around the Zocola  and after having lunch in taco stand we headed for Comala and Laguna la Maria where we thought we could camp for the night.  Up the Mexican mountains again toward the Volcan de Colima we drove and after many ups and downs and rights and lefts we found Laguna la Maria and we certainly could camp.  We found ourselves a nice spot by the Laguna          and set up for a peaceful night.  Paddled around the Laguna and fished but no luck.  Wednesday we set off to see if there was another camping up the mountain and took the road to La Yerbabuena and the Volcan de Colima      At Yerbabuena we found the end of the road, at least for us and the Vanagon.  This small Puebla at the foot of the volcano had few occupants, a maned military checkpoint, a town square and not much else !  After looking around and being told by the guard on duty there was no Luguna further up the mountain, just the Volcano and hiking trails.  No hiking for us thanks so we went looking for El Remate where there was supposed to be a power generation plant and two small ponds to feed the turbines.  Camping & fishing may be there !  Trying to find our way there became the adventure as we wound up being told to take a road that was mostly cobblestone in disrepair for over 50 km !  Through the Mexican mountains on bad cobblestone is an adventure, let me tell you !  After two hours of driving we reached El Remate      and the van was still intact !  A real test for a Vanagon Westy !  Lunch at the pond side restaurant, a hike to the bottom of the ravine to see the remnants of the power generation plant closed in the 1950′s , some photos and then decided camping there was not that good so off back to Comala where we found a nice Hostel,  ,  www.elhostaldeami.com, for the night.   Walk around the Zocola, diner, sight seeing and back in our Hostel for the night. 

     Friday, Good Friday, off into town only to find not much as celebrations of Good Friday were underway and shops not open until much later.  We catch a religious parade to the central church and then make our way to Laguna Carrizalillo north of Comala to see if we can camp there.  It is packed with Mexican on Easter holidays and it took a few turns around the park before finding a free spot.  Luckily we were not disturbed by the partyiers as most left for the night.  Saturday morning we headed back to Colima for groceries then back to La Manzanilla by way of Auga Dulce, Mnatitlan, and El Salto.  At El Salto there is a water park and natural waterfall on the Mnatitlan river.  we stopped there for a short visit and walkabout, sorry no photos as we forgot the camera when we left the van in the parking lot ! 

         Back in La Manzanilla for sunset and street Tacos and stroll through the Jardin filled with tourists and attractions.  One week left on the beach and we will make the best of it.  Next weekend we leave, heading back North.  Jean Benoit who has been hanging in Melque and just had his van painted last week will travel with us up to Texas at least then we will see how our plans coincide.  Until later…….

More photos here >  http://picasaweb.google.com/Frankcondelli/ColimaAndComala

Adios,

Frank, Rita & Hunter 

Posted on March 23rd, 2008 by FrankandRita
Filed under: Rita and Frank Condelli